Gas tank size question.

[mikeywb]

Hello everyone. I enjoy reading these boards and this is my first post.
I am 39 yrs old and bought my first bike this summer because of gas prices.
I got the 900 LT because although being new to riding, I am a big guy at 6'1' and 270lbs and wanted a "starter bike" that would not be too small.

Now to my issue. I keep reading that the gas tank on this bike is either 4.8 or 5.3 gallons. Now I usually fill it up when it hits 'E' and assuming it has some gas left in it, I have never put in more than 3 gallons. I fill it up to the top bracket in the tank and find filling it up while it leans on the kickstand actually allows me to get more gas in it. (needle on gas gage reads more full)

Well, this past weekend I was out on a back roads trip and did not notice myself get past empty. When i seen the .8 gal light indicator come on I had to go another 15 miles before I came upon a gas station. Well, I was shocked to find I could not put more than 3.3 gallons in the tank.

Now i am trying to figure out... Do I really have a 5.3 gallon tank and am not filling it up entirely?(am I suppose to fill past the bracket?) Or Is the fuel gage and indicator light WAY off? Or do I actually just have a 3.5 gallon tank?

This is not a big deal since my daily work commute is only 30 miles. I really just hate not knowing why my math is not working out.

Anyway, Great forums gang. I enjoy lurking here and have learned alot from the contributers here.

[fretbuzz]

The fuel indicator is not to be trusted.

The owner's manual tells you how big the tank is. Just multiply that times mpg and use your tripmeter to keep up with it.

Welcome to the forum.

[kavucn]

It is a 5.3 gallon tank. Don't trust the needle or the light. I always check my trip meter against the amount of gas used and see what my mileage is. I always reset my trip meter so I will know about what mileage i am getting. My 900 gets around 50 mpg without the windshield and about 42 with it on.

[Ruger]

You picked a great "starter bike". The more you ride the 900, the more you will like it. It has a 5.3 gal tank, but as many have said, don't go by the gauge. Mine hits empty after I use about 3 gallons, but the trip meter is about right. There are several threads about bending the float wire and making the gauge work correctly, but I haven't had the guts to open up my tank yet.

Welcome to the forum!

[mikeywb]

I always calculate my mileage at the gas station and it is around 43-45 mpg. I am averaging 130 miles per fill-up.

So you guys are saying to go ahead and ignore the gage and indicator altogether and run for 200 miles before I need to fill up again?

I am fine with that and would like to see what my avg max range is.

My concern is...
Will I run into problems if I run out of gas? I know it used to be a common concern with cars having EFI.

[plasma blue]

Welcome!

Gas tank fuel indicator SUCKS! Did I mention it SUCKS?

It is 1 of the very few bad things about the 900.
If you are lucky the light will work right, I have only read of 1 complaint of the light being eronious.
When that light comes on you have .8 gal, or about 40 miles before empty. Yeah I still think it's true about running out of gas, If it ever happend to me I would just leave the key in the run position and shake the bike to make sure the fuel line was pressurized.

Next you will be asking us about that horrible seat! ...LOL

Great first bike by the way, you will love it as all 900 owners do

[mikeywb]

Thanks for the quick replies. And I did not mention it before but...
I love this freakin bike.

I have over 2k miles on it and have switched to mobil 1. My first upgrade was to switch out the seat with the Gel seat from Kaw. It is a big improvement and I can ride for over an hour before my butt hurts.

Second upgrade was highway bar and Kuryken(sp)footpegs.

I have also got the Kuryken grips but am trying to find a good replacement handlebar to mount them on. I am thinking about going with some 14" apes. It sucks I can't look/touch them before I buy them. I am not one to "mock-up" pvc handlebars to get a idea. I just want to bolt it on once and ride.

The only problem I have is the week after I bought my bike my buddy, the one who helped me make the Kaw/Zuki/Yama decision, upgraded from his 800 to the V2K. At least he does not let me sit on it because if he did I would prob go buy a new one on the spot.

btw,
I love this freakin bike.

[Deeppurple52]

You guage can be easily fixed for about $3.00. See a previous post for details.

[NuBiker]

Hi Mikey, welcome to the forum. I'm new around here, too. These folks are the greatest.
Check out the sticky 100% fits the 900. Man, that's an amazing thread.
I have the 900 LT, I cannot believe how smooth it rides on the frwy.
But, I gotta tell ya, though I love this bike, it makes me wonder how much smoother the larger Kawi cruisers are, LOL.

[N3FOLN3FOL]

I am also convinced that our gas tank can accomodate more than 4.8 gallons. There was a day in summer that I waited until I reached my 'preferred' gas station after my low gas indicator had come on for awhile. After 20 or so miles more, I was able to put in 4.6 gallons in the tank. If it was really a 4.8 gallon tank, my bike should have sputtered already...but it didn't. As mentioned by members, rely on your trip meter...I usually fill up after getting 200 miles on my trip meter.

[GeeMac]

MY light goes on when I have about 1.5 gallons left in the tank. About enough for a conservative 60 miles before I am out of luck.

[STR8RZR]

Those 900's are nice bikes, congrats on tha new scoot ! Lets be careful out there


Tim

[Aifwikir]

I run mine to 200 miles before fillup. I'm getting about 50-52 MPG which will get me about 240 miles. I've only had my light come on once in 4900 miles. As mentioned above NEVER trust the gas guage! Mine says empty after 80 miles or so. Set the trip meter and use that to fuel by.
Has anyone mentioned the fuel gauge sucks?


Aif