View Full Version : Monitoring Fuel Level
That_Guy_Paul
22-11-15, 09:29 PM
Kinda missing my ability to see how much fuel I have in the tank until the light comes on.
any way to get a fuel gauge installed on the 99-02 curvy?
please post any links to suggestions you think would work or help me out.
DarrenSV650S
22-11-15, 09:40 PM
Reset the trip meter every time you fill up. You will soon get a good idea how far you can go :)
Generally the mileage is the best indication you have. As the SV doesn't really drink that much, unless you have the throttle constantly pinned, you'll always know what mileage you can do to the fuel light.
When the reserve light comes on it/s about 4 litres left in the tank. In most parts of the UK that's easily enough to find the nearest Petrol station.
ManMango
23-11-15, 01:23 AM
Yep, I know as soon as I hit about 120-130 my light is due to come on. From there I will never really push it past 140ish miles. Its anyone's guess how much further I could ride prob 150 but not much more I imagine.
Just reset every fill up and you'll know, probably more accurate than a needle xd
Same as above really, I fill up after my 2 day shifts, then after my 2 nights, resetting the trip counter at this time. I seem to get around 10 miles to the litre with my mix of motorway and London traffic, if left to run dry I'd guess 160-180 miles from a tank would be my average.
As mentioned above. Just reset your trip every time you fill up. You'll soon know roughly how many miles you can get before the light comes on. i don't even have a fuel light or fuel gauge on my ZX9 and the reserve is manual so I have to lean over and turn it to reserve while riding if I run out :)
Toooldtodie
23-11-15, 06:41 PM
Same as above really, I fill up after my 2 day shifts, then after my 2 nights, resetting the trip counter at this time. I seem to get around 10 miles to the litre with my mix of motorway and London traffic, if left to run dry I'd guess 160-180 miles from a tank would be my average.
Don't push it above 180 miles or you'll be, well pushing it, to the petrol station.
Been there, uphill, won't be doing that again!
Don't push it above 180 miles or you'll be, well pushing it, to the petrol station.
Been there, uphill, won't be doing that again!
With my arthritic spine, it'd stay where it stopped :)
but yeah, I wouldn't want to try 180 miles, I think you'd need a far more restrained right hand than mine to do it :)
Toooldtodie
23-11-15, 07:10 PM
Is that part of the arthritis? Right hand stuck on full throttle!
Might be worth a try if the boys in blue ever pull me over again :)
Doubt it'll fly tho...
shiftin_gear98
24-11-15, 12:42 PM
I had a long push one morning when I got to 135 miles.
I tend to fill up before the light now. SV's are not light when pushing...
Corny Gizmo
24-11-15, 04:17 PM
135? the twin spark must make a difference then, I have seen 185 before now and still had a little over a litre left.
ManMango
25-11-15, 01:04 AM
135 does sound quite low to run dry unless your putting fuel hose deep into tank and not brimming.
I lift end of hose right to the top of the metal rim on my tank. Usually fits about 13-14l from about 130-140 miles on clock.
shiftin_gear98
25-11-15, 08:10 AM
It was summertime...
damienga15de
25-11-15, 09:00 PM
How much fuel will a k4 take? How far should I expect to get on a full tank?
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shiftin_gear98
26-11-15, 08:06 AM
About the same as a K6. All depends on what type of roads - Motorway, A roads. Stop Start etc etc.
I have a new commute now mainly dual boring carriageway. So am having to see what happens.
This morning I got to 117 miles without the light coming on, best I ever got on the old route - A roads etc was 108. Really hope I have enough in the tank to get me home again - 22 miles.
I am in the fortunate position of having a fuel card through work so hate not using a Shell garage. There has to be some perks for going to work. I do carry an emergency £20 though.
Bit of a **** there isn't a shell garage near work and the one near where I live doesn't open till 7am, 30 mins after I have left!!
As long as you don't live in the sticks or have a fuel card then when the light comes on you'll still be ok for a while. Have fun finding out.
PS I wasn't lying, pushing an SV up a hill is a right *******.
Fen Tiger
26-11-15, 08:15 AM
The 2012 model I am running normally gets above 160 miles before the fuel light starts to flash. It will go a fair distance after that especially in maximum economy mode, the application of which is inversely proportional to the amount of fuel left in the tank.
I am happy with that sort of range. A few years ago I had a Firestorm with a similar sized fuel tank which would only ever get to 105ish miles before needing a drink. That became a bore, especially when touring. Certainly knocked the average speed.
shiftin_gear98
27-11-15, 08:49 AM
126 till the light came on, petrol station 137 miles on display. 13.85 litres put in - yep brimmed to the top.
Really ****ed the guy off who pulled in behind me, especially as I have to go in with the card.
So yes it all depends on what roads you are riding.
135? the twin spark must make a difference then, I have seen 185 before now and still had a little over a litre left.
It definitely makes a difference. I only get about 140 to the fuel light pootling around London. More on motorways if I'm sensible.
I definitely brim the tank.
Corny Gizmo
30-11-15, 12:52 PM
About the same for me, light usually comes on between 130 - 150 but have stretched the solid light to 185, all depends how much two up riding I have been doing (Usually a lot :( )
shiftin_gear98
02-12-15, 01:11 PM
136 till the light came on, getting better.
Obviously the old commute, was too much fun.
New ones quite boring...
Yet more licence threatening... go figure.
gibbzy2k1
03-12-15, 03:44 PM
my crude calculations suggest I should in theory get nearly 180 miles to a tank. Thanks based on 16l tank and 50mpg.
I have done 136 miles on 12.7l fuel, 103 miles on 8.86l fuel and 89 miles on 8l fuel. I seem to be averaging around 50mpg.
my crude calculations suggest I should in theory get nearly 180 miles to a tank. Thanks based on 16l tank and 50mpg.
I have done 136 miles on 12.7l fuel, 103 miles on 8.86l fuel and 89 miles on 8l fuel. I seem to be averaging around 50mpg.
I'd agree with these figures in general, depending if my shifts are on weekdays or weekends, meaning I use backroads or motorways for the journey, I can get 50 - 55mpg
Toooldtodie
04-12-15, 05:57 PM
I'd agree with these figures in general, depending if my shifts are on weekdays or weekends, meaning I use backroads or motorways for the journey, I can get 50 - 55mpg
I am going to have to rename my house The Vicarage. I get 55-58mpg despite the wind drag from my dog collar!
I guess I could up my pace a bit but I keep getting baulked by these strange metal boxes which move about on the roads seemingly driverless!!
AlexAdams
05-12-15, 08:53 AM
Mines a 2006 pointy. Are the low fuel level sensors reliable? I've done 150miles no light yet (bulb is ok), the miles have been decent length journeys primarily along flowing main roads so I would expect best case results.
What's the furthest you've been before the light comes on?
I get around 50mpg, except when I decide to ride with a heavier right hand.
gibbzy2k1
07-12-15, 08:37 PM
Today I the light came on at 141 miles. I was about 10 miles from home so I kept going with th light flashing. (getting a little nervous in there's hour traffic.) any filed her up at 150.5 miles since last fill up and she only too 125.5 ltrs of Momentum. Works out about 54.5 mpg.
Am I right in think it's a 16ltr tank? In which case I had plenty left in there for a few more miles...
That_Guy_Paul
07-12-15, 10:35 PM
I'm finding I only get about 100 miles before the warning light comes on. I don't ride too unecomincally. it does have a sports exhaust on it though, no idea if this effects fuel use (don't judge me...).
any thoughts why there is such a radical difference between my mileage and the general response of 150-180 miles to the tank?
Corny Gizmo
08-12-15, 09:05 AM
What bike and year That_Guy_Paul?
Toooldtodie
08-12-15, 06:46 PM
140 miles light lit. Will ride another 20 miles and expect to brim out at next fill up at just over 12 litres with about 4+ litres spare. It's a 17 litre tank, but the light annoys me!
That_Guy_Paul
09-12-15, 02:02 AM
What bike and year That_Guy_Paul?
Its the SV650S and its 2000
gibbzy2k1
09-12-15, 06:29 AM
Its the SV650S and its 2000
Same as mine then, well mine is a 1999 SV650S. What sort of riding are you doing? Mine is a clear 20 mile run in the morning and then rush hour commute in the evening.
I am new to this so I probably wont be able to offer much help other than a comparison. I have noticed a change in MOG as i am getting used to the bike etc. over the last month it has gone 48.6, 52.8, 50.4, 54.5.
That_Guy_Paul
09-12-15, 01:57 PM
Same as mine then, well mine is a 1999 SV650S. What sort of riding are you doing? Mine is a clear 20 mile run in the morning and then rush hour commute in the evening.
I am new to this so I probably wont be able to offer much help other than a comparison. I have noticed a change in MOG as i am getting used to the bike etc. over the last month it has gone 48.6, 52.8, 50.4, 54.5.
It is my only form of transport so I do a lot of different journeys on it. normally national speedways or through the town.
how are you checking your MOG? just watching fuel and miles?
Corny Gizmo
09-12-15, 02:08 PM
On my Curvy (1999) I used to see upto 120 miles before the light came one, never above, usually below.
gibbzy2k1
10-12-15, 09:24 AM
how are you checking your MOG? just watching fuel and miles?
I use an app on my phone called acar. Been using it for years for my cars to monitor MPG, but also keeps track of servicing etc Reminds me when brake pads are due, tyres are due for rotation etc and how much I have spent over the years on each car. lol
AlexAdams
14-12-15, 01:41 PM
Filled up just over 12L with 165miles on the tank. Over a few tanks I'm getting just over 60mpg, no motorway and mostly following slow trains of cars with the odd blast in between.
gibbzy2k1
14-12-15, 02:12 PM
136 till the light this time. Done to 48mph. Had a few dry days last week 😉
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