How many miles, on reserve?

BobsPT · August 26th, 2011, 01:06 PM

I've always had the habit of filling up, at the earliest possible, after turning on the reserve. Just recently, in one of these forums, someone had mentioned something about running on reserve for a few(30-40) miles to clear the tube, or something like that. So, this morning, i decided to do the same, & guess what, the bike stalled after about 15 miles. Luckily for me, a gas station was only a few feet away( what are the chances??) & i just pushed it in. When i opened the tank, i noticed there was still some gas left in it. I always thought the tank would completely empty itself on reserve.
So, what's a safe distance to go on reserve?

Snake · August 26th, 2011, 01:13 PM

Same as you I always look for the nearest gas station so I have never tested how far I can go on reserve.

A7xschecter6661 · August 26th, 2011, 01:44 PM

Well I usually get about 200-220 miles on 3.5 gallons.
That being said there is according to the specs of the bike, 1.3 gallons left.
So If I get 60-65mpg I could go that far, but usually i just fill up as soon as it goes to reserve or anytime after 200 miles.

I don't like pushing my luck

BobsPT · August 26th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Mine goes on reserve a little after 200 too. well, the experiment proved that i'm better off doing what i had been. Anyways, all's well & i'm glad i didn't try this on the freeway.
Thanks Guys.

bluepoof · August 26th, 2011, 02:41 PM

I had the opportunity to try this out just last night! I sputtered to a stop on the shoulder of the freeway at 10pm last night with just 185 miles on the odo.

The closest gas station was about 15 miles away and when I got there, I put 4.35 gallons into the tank.

EsrTek · August 26th, 2011, 02:51 PM

I got about 10 miles from mine when I hit the reserve (my old 04)... not even sure w my new gen as it has no reserve anymore.

BobsPT · August 26th, 2011, 04:18 PM

Sorry about your bad luck, Carolyn. Glad it has worked out but how did you manage to get to the gas station? So, is it normal to have such big variations in mileage?

bluepoof · August 26th, 2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobsPT

Sorry about your bad luck, Carolyn. Glad it has worked out but how did you manage to get to the gas station? So, is it normal to have such big variations in mileage?

Oh, I flipped to reserve on the side of the freeway (where I also learned that the flashlight I keep in my tankbag had dead batteries.

) The 15 miles to the gas station was on reserve.

A7xschecter6661 · August 26th, 2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepoof

Oh, I flipped to reserve on the side of the freeway (where I also learned that the flashlight I keep in my tankbag had dead batteries.

) The 15 miles to the gas station was on reserve.

Always remember so you can do it while riding when it starts to sputter.
Where do you want to continue going?
Forward!
Flip it forward

n4mwd · August 28th, 2011, 05:09 PM

What was meant was that every month or two you should flip to reserve after a fill up and rid it home that way just to prevent gunk from building up in the bottom of your tank near the reserve strainer inlet. Then flip back once you get home. If you forget to flip back, you may run out of gas with no reserve.

If you run out of reserve, there is usually still a little gas in the right side of the tank that you can slosh over and get a few more miles.

Last I heard, flipping to reserve gives you another 20-30 miles. I usually just make a habit of filling up at 200 miles.

BobsPT · August 29th, 2011, 06:34 PM

Thanks for clarifying D. That was exactly the post i was referring to. I must have misunderstood it. Now, it makes more sense.

kimboEX250 · August 30th, 2011, 08:11 PM

i rode almost 30 miles on reserve today before i decided i shouldn't push my luck. it is a good idea to use the reserve often to prevent bad fuel and/or clogging of the reserve line. if this is the first time the bike has been riddin on reserve that may be why you were limited to only 15 miles? drain the tank, remove the petcock and clean/inspect the screen filters on both the "on" line and "reserve", fill her up with fresh fuel,

August 26th, 2011, 01:06 PM	#1
BobsPT ninjette.org guru Name: Bobby Location: Michiana Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 271	How many miles, on reserve? I've always had the habit of filling up, at the earliest possible, after turning on the reserve. Just recently, in one of these forums, someone had mentioned something about running on reserve for a few(30-40) miles to clear the tube, or something like that. So, this morning, i decided to do the same, & guess what, the bike stalled after about 15 miles. Luckily for me, a gas station was only a few feet away( what are the chances??) & i just pushed it in. When i opened the tank, i noticed there was still some gas left in it. I always thought the tank would completely empty itself on reserve. So, what's a safe distance to go on reserve?

August 26th, 2011, 02:41 PM	#5
bluepoof ninjette.org sage Name: Carolyn Location: San Carlos, CA Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250, 2002 Yamaha XT225 Posts: 597	I had the opportunity to try this out just last night! I sputtered to a stop on the shoulder of the freeway at 10pm last night with just 185 miles on the odo. The closest gas station was about 15 miles away and when I got there, I put 4.35 gallons into the tank. __________________________________________________ www.bluepoof.com

August 28th, 2011, 05:09 PM	#10
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	What was meant was that every month or two you should flip to reserve after a fill up and rid it home that way just to prevent gunk from building up in the bottom of your tank near the reserve strainer inlet. Then flip back once you get home. If you forget to flip back, you may run out of gas with no reserve. If you run out of reserve, there is usually still a little gas in the right side of the tank that you can slosh over and get a few more miles. Last I heard, flipping to reserve gives you another 20-30 miles. I usually just make a habit of filling up at 200 miles. __________________________________________________ My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED!

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A7xschecter6661 ....................... Name: Peter Location: New York Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Yamaha R6 Posts: 113	Well I usually get about 200-220 miles on 3.5 gallons. That being said there is according to the specs of the bike, 1.3 gallons left. So If I get 60-65mpg I could go that far, but usually i just fill up as soon as it goes to reserve or anytime after 200 miles. I don't like pushing my luck

August 26th, 2011, 02:16 PM	#4
BobsPT ninjette.org guru Name: Bobby Location: Michiana Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 271	Mine goes on reserve a little after 200 too. well, the experiment proved that i'm better off doing what i had been. Anyways, all's well & i'm glad i didn't try this on the freeway. Thanks Guys.

August 26th, 2011, 02:51 PM	#6
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	I got about 10 miles from mine when I hit the reserve (my old 04)... not even sure w my new gen as it has no reserve anymore.

August 26th, 2011, 04:18 PM	#7
BobsPT ninjette.org guru Name: Bobby Location: Michiana Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 271	Sorry about your bad luck, Carolyn. Glad it has worked out but how did you manage to get to the gas station? So, is it normal to have such big variations in mileage?

August 29th, 2011, 06:34 PM	#11
BobsPT ninjette.org guru Name: Bobby Location: Michiana Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 271	Thanks for clarifying D. That was exactly the post i was referring to. I must have misunderstood it. Now, it makes more sense.

August 30th, 2011, 08:11 PM	#12
kimboEX250 ninjette.org member Name: Matt Location: Dallas, GA Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Ninja EX250 Posts: 39	i rode almost 30 miles on reserve today before i decided i shouldn't push my luck. it is a good idea to use the reserve often to prevent bad fuel and/or clogging of the reserve line. if this is the first time the bike has been riddin on reserve that may be why you were limited to only 15 miles? drain the tank, remove the petcock and clean/inspect the screen filters on both the "on" line and "reserve", fill her up with fresh fuel,