Dumb question about running out of gas

Geezer-60 · December 12th, 2014, 07:36 AM

My cars have dire warnings that running out of fuel can damage the engine.
I'm guessing its hard on the fuel pump????
Does running a 250R dry hurt anything other than your pride and feet?

ninjamunky85 · December 12th, 2014, 07:41 AM

No it won't hurt anything. The ninja 250 was carb'd, didn't have a fuel pump. Gravity is what acts as the fuel pump.

Geezer-60 · December 12th, 2014, 07:47 AM

Cool, Thanks!
Yeah, no fuel pump...I knew that...Think I'll go get a service manual and read that for awhile

Somchai · December 12th, 2014, 07:59 AM

Don't worry, the motor will not be damaged and especially not in a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Only diesel vehicles will have problems in that case, but not with the engine.
The problem will be that the fuel injection pump is running dry and then needs to be bled and sometimes that can be uncomfortable because the diesel stinks and it is usually to get it on the hands.
But it can be dangerous if you are in heavy traffic and it therefore leads to an accident.

ninjamunky85 · December 12th, 2014, 08:03 AM

Running out of gas can be bad with FI engines as the fuel is what lubricates the fuel pump. However having it happen once or twice shouldn't cause any damage.

Ghostt · December 12th, 2014, 08:14 AM

A word of advice, that I myself yesterday did, after filling up, make sure you switch back to the main, and don't leave it on reserve.

Otherwise you'll feel that sputter, reach down without a care in the world, and then you realize how now you whole world got shaken up like a snow globe, and your stuck for 2 1/2 hours waiting on a friend to bring you some go-go juice. The worse part is feeling completely like a noob.

SIDENOTE:
Remember to switch to reserve once in a awhile to run that bottom of tank thru otherwise, you'll never know it's gonna work when needed, and keep the fuel fresh and any water that might have accumulated don't build up.

ninjamunky85 · December 12th, 2014, 08:32 AM

@Ghostt Good advice but the '08-'12 250 didn't have a reserve, just a fuel gauge.

NevadaWolf · December 12th, 2014, 08:35 AM

....just to add a point, the '08 and up bikes don't have a reserve. We only have On Off and Prime.

Geezer-60 · December 12th, 2014, 08:55 AM

@ninjamunky85 and @NevadaWolf, Thanks for bringing that up 'cuz I sure didn't want to! I already felt like a putz over the fuel pump thing.

@Ghostt, love the image!
And thank you all for the info!

Ghostt · December 12th, 2014, 10:15 AM

Oops, I forgot about the 08 & up models being different.

broilmebk · December 12th, 2014, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

@Ghostt Good advice but the '08-'12 250 didn't have a reserve, just a useless fuel gauge.

FTFY

wardie · December 23rd, 2014, 10:30 AM

On my way back from Daytona I ran her out of gas at 225 miles on reserve. 2012 carb 250 ninja. My buddy went and got gas and came back I poured the gas in and she started right away! made the rest of the trip home without incident.

Ghostt · December 23rd, 2014, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wardie

On my way back from Daytona I ran her out of gas at 225 miles on reserve. 2012 carb 250 ninja. My buddy went and got gas and came back I poured the gas in and she started right away! made the rest of the trip home without incident.

Gotta love friends with gas cans LOL

wardie · December 23rd, 2014, 10:35 AM

came back with a gallon plastic bottle used to hold washer fluid. Worked fine. I tried to go just too far and was less than a half mile from the off ramp

Worldtraveller · December 23rd, 2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wardie

On my way back from Daytona I ran her out of gas at 225 miles on reserve. 2012 carb 250 ninja. My buddy went and got gas and came back I poured the gas in and she started right away! made the rest of the trip home without incident.

My '09 has run out of gas once during a race. No problems getting 'er running again once I put gas in.

Only one lap to go....

cuong-nutz · December 23rd, 2014, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

....just to add a point, the '08 and up bikes don't have a reserve. We only have On and Prime.

NevadaWolf · December 23rd, 2014, 06:15 PM

Yes, that. My bad, I recalled three words so assumed the third was Off. It's "Fuel"

Ghostt · December 23rd, 2014, 06:26 PM

Take a lesson from Garibaldi's ZX-11, convert from gas to a Minbri power source, and never run out again.

Link to original page on YouTube.

NevadaWolf · December 23rd, 2014, 06:36 PM

Infinite

for the B5 clip

Ghostt · December 23rd, 2014, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Infinite

for the B5 clip

Thanks, not to brag, but I knew the creator of B5, the Garibaldi character was based on me, or so he told me.

wardie · December 23rd, 2014, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Yes, that. My bad, I recalled three words so assumed the third was Off. It's "Fuel"

I'm used to saying the word reserve but the PRIme allows the fuel to bypass the vacuum portion of the valve. If you turn any petcock that has Reserve on it and run far enough it will run out of gas same as with PRIme on our tanks. End result the same

no go without gas but you Eagle Eye veterans got me

Finesse · December 23rd, 2014, 07:57 PM

Using up all your fuel can drain any debris in the bottom of your tank directly into your fuel lines. I've had people say they emptied their tank while riding and then after that, their bike wouldn't run right even when full of gas. Sucked some tiny pebbles or whatever particles can get in there, right into the pilot jets.

Ghostt · December 23rd, 2014, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finesse

Using up all your fuel can drain any debris in the bottom of your tank directly into your fuel lines. I've had people say they emptied their tank while riding and then after that, their bike wouldn't run right even when full of gas. Sucked some tiny pebbles or whatever particles can get in there, right into the pilot jets.

Hence the need to install a fuel filter, a cheap fix, to avoid annoying problems, and a must have, unless people enjoy tearing into their carburetors on a regular basis.

Worldtraveller · December 24th, 2014, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Infinite

for the B5 clip

Agreed! Well played, indeed.

Worldtraveller · December 24th, 2014, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostt

Thanks, not to brag, but I knew the creator of B5, the Garibaldi character was based on me, or so he told me.

Friends of JMS?

Ghostt · December 24th, 2014, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldtraveller

Friends of JMS?

he told me about a sci-fi project he was working on, and gave me an idea of what is was, and he was stuck on the security guy, so he picked my brain, and gave him my life story, and background.

Then a few years later B5 comes along, and our lives sounded too similar, I asked him about, he said I was a great resource and inspiration for the character.

December 12th, 2014, 07:36 AM	#1
Geezer-60 ninjette.org member Name: A.P. Location: Butler County, PA Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 BMW F800s, Former 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 117	Dumb question about running out of gas My cars have dire warnings that running out of fuel can damage the engine. I'm guessing its hard on the fuel pump???? Does running a 250R dry hurt anything other than your pride and feet?

December 12th, 2014, 07:41 AM	#2
ninjamunky85 Que Buenos Son!!! Name: Ryan Location: Grovetucky, OH Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '14	No it won't hurt anything. The ninja 250 was carb'd, didn't have a fuel pump. Gravity is what acts as the fuel pump. __________________________________________________ Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!!

December 12th, 2014, 07:59 AM	#4
Somchai Freedom for Germany Location: This World Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R-FI Posts: A lot.	Don't worry, the motor will not be damaged and especially not in a gasoline-powered vehicle. Only diesel vehicles will have problems in that case, but not with the engine. The problem will be that the fuel injection pump is running dry and then needs to be bled and sometimes that can be uncomfortable because the diesel stinks and it is usually to get it on the hands. But it can be dangerous if you are in heavy traffic and it therefore leads to an accident.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

December 12th, 2014, 08:03 AM	#5
ninjamunky85 Que Buenos Son!!! Name: Ryan Location: Grovetucky, OH Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '14	Running out of gas can be bad with FI engines as the fuel is what lubricates the fuel pump. However having it happen once or twice shouldn't cause any damage. __________________________________________________ Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!!

December 12th, 2014, 08:32 AM	#7
ninjamunky85 Que Buenos Son!!! Name: Ryan Location: Grovetucky, OH Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '14	@Ghostt Good advice but the '08-'12 250 didn't have a reserve, just a fuel gauge. __________________________________________________ Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!!

December 12th, 2014, 07:47 AM	#3
Geezer-60 ninjette.org member Name: A.P. Location: Butler County, PA Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 BMW F800s, Former 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 117	Cool, Thanks! Yeah, no fuel pump...I knew that...Think I'll go get a service manual and read that for awhile

December 12th, 2014, 08:35 AM	#8
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	....just to add a point, the '08 and up bikes don't have a reserve. We only have On Off and Prime. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

December 12th, 2014, 08:55 AM	#9
Geezer-60 ninjette.org member Name: A.P. Location: Butler County, PA Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 BMW F800s, Former 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 117	@ninjamunky85 and @NevadaWolf, Thanks for bringing that up 'cuz I sure didn't want to! I already felt like a putz over the fuel pump thing. @Ghostt, love the image! And thank you all for the info!

December 12th, 2014, 10:15 AM	#10
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Oops, I forgot about the 08 & up models being different. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

December 23rd, 2014, 10:30 AM	#12
wardie ninjette.org guru Name: Larry Location: Youngstown, Ohio Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 KLR 650,12 250 Ninja, 86 DR 125, 07 CRF 100, 09 Tomos Streetmate LEL Record Holder, 88 K100 RT Posts: 434	ran her out of gas On my way back from Daytona I ran her out of gas at 225 miles on reserve. 2012 carb 250 ninja. My buddy went and got gas and came back I poured the gas in and she started right away! made the rest of the trip home without incident. __________________________________________________ wardie

December 23rd, 2014, 10:35 AM	#14
wardie ninjette.org guru Name: Larry Location: Youngstown, Ohio Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 KLR 650,12 250 Ninja, 86 DR 125, 07 CRF 100, 09 Tomos Streetmate LEL Record Holder, 88 K100 RT Posts: 434	I wished came back with a gallon plastic bottle used to hold washer fluid. Worked fine. I tried to go just too far and was less than a half mile from the off ramp __________________________________________________ wardie

December 23rd, 2014, 06:15 PM	#17
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Yes, that. My bad, I recalled three words so assumed the third was Off. It's "Fuel" __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

December 23rd, 2014, 06:26 PM	#18
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Take a lesson from Garibaldi's ZX-11, convert from gas to a Minbri power source, and never run out again. Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

December 23rd, 2014, 06:36 PM	#19
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Infinite for the B5 clip __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

December 23rd, 2014, 07:57 PM	#22
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	Using up all your fuel can drain any debris in the bottom of your tank directly into your fuel lines. I've had people say they emptied their tank while riding and then after that, their bike wouldn't run right even when full of gas. Sucked some tiny pebbles or whatever particles can get in there, right into the pilot jets. __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Next dumb suspension question	adouglas	General Motorcycling Discussion	27	December 15th, 2014 09:28 AM
Today's dumb suspension question	adouglas	General Motorcycling Discussion	55	December 8th, 2014 03:01 AM
Hey guys, another dumb question!	Melcoal	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	6	June 5th, 2013 02:06 AM
dumb question, but serious	cmSAE	General Motorcycling Discussion	8	March 15th, 2012 05:58 PM
probably a dumb question	gsxrninja250	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	3	August 31st, 2011 07:26 PM