Hitting reserve with just 2.1 gallons? what is wrong?

[opera guy]

Hi again.
I have a 2007 Vulcan 500
I reached reserve at about 110 miles and filled with 2.1 gallons. I know at least another guy with the exact same problem.
Manual says 3.2 ON and 0.8 reserve.
What is wrong? what can I do to solve the problem? Or I have the solution?
I don’t want to start modifying anything so, my logic says and I need your opinion, that if I’m getting 55 miles per gallon and my ON tank is filling with 2.1 gallons, I still have 1.9 gallons on reserve so I can ride another 55 miles on reserve so I still will have around 1 gallon to get to refuel?
Hope it is not confusing.
Thanks guys

[A2rider]

Ask your dealer to call the Kawi tech line and have them ask the question. Nothing like answers from the manufacturer!

[Alizard]

I think they just lie about it. My 750 manual says 3.3 gallons (main) and 0.5 gallon (reserve) but I never got more than 2.8 gallons on the main and 0.6 on the reserve.

[Alizard]

Originally Posted by opera guy

Hi again.
I have a 2007 Vulcan 500
I reached reserve at about 110 miles and filled with 2.1 gallons. I know at least another guy with the exact same problem.
Manual says 3.2 ON and 0.8 reserve.
What is wrong? what can I do to solve the problem? Or I have the solution?
I don’t want to start modifying anything so, my logic says and I need your opinion, that if I’m getting 55 miles per gallon and my ON tank is filling with 2.1 gallons, I still have 1.9 gallons on reserve so I can ride another 55 miles on reserve so I still will have around 1 gallon to get to refuel?
Hope it is not confusing.
Thanks guys

There should be two pickup pipes inside the gas tank. The taller one is the main pipe, the lower one is the reserve.

You can modify the height of the top of the taller pickup pipe in the tank (lower it a bit) and it will suck more fuel on the main before running out and forcing you to the reserve.

[JimmyD]

Nope, the 500LTD should kick into reserve at around 12 liters, or after three gallons. The reserve is around a gallonish, not 1.9. THere's something not right here.

You might be suffering from a vacuum lock. Try running the bike with the petcock on prime or open the cap for a second when you start running low on fuel. You might hear a WHOOSH.

Otherwise try the EN500 group. I never had any fuel related problems with mine so I didn't pay much attention to those threads. They'll be able to help you out.

EN500 : Vulcan 500 LTD and Classic EN500