When Do You Switch to Reserve?

[Chriss]

Hi,

Just wondering when people switch to reserve? Do you wait until you've ran out of fuel, then switch, or do you switch before you get to that situation, just before you expect to run out of fuel?

Chriss
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[Polarbear]

I haven't got one, just a stupid warning light.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Kickstart]

Hi

Switch as it is faltering with running out of fuel.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Chalky.]

[binge]

The last bike I had with a reserve tap was my Bandit 12.
I rarely used it, just used to fill up when I'd done a set amount of miles.
On the odd occasion I did use it, I'd do it as the bike starts to splutter.

As has been said, it's a problem when you fill up, then forget to spin it back round to "on".

[DrDonnyBrago]

I get a reserve fuel gauge come up after I have used about 14L of fuel, this counts down till empty.

I think the fuel gauge (once activated by me only havign a few L left) may be based on time since activation rather than actually measuring the amount of fuel left though because it seems to go down at the same rate no matter what I am doing (i.e. filtering slowly through traffic vs a hoon).

[J.W.Pepper]

My CBR doesn't splutter or give me any warning... just stops!

This is when I switch to reserve.
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CBT - 01/05/2011 | Theory - 07/05/2011 | Mod 1 - 01/07/2011 | Mod 2 - 08/07/2011
Hyosung GT125 | Honda CBR600f F3

[x.carol]

The Virago has the reserve switch on the handle bars so I just casually flick it when I feel the bike is getting a bit mardy.
Its fab when you've spent 3 years having to wrestle with a tap at the side of the road.

[deleted111]

I turn the CG to reserve when it starts spluttering. Then find a petrol station.

Did the same with the ZZR.

[Benson_JV]

My CBR just looses all power, no spluttering, no nothing.
I switch at this point.
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Willson - "If you go out on that CBR600 in the winter, you're going to do more miles on your side than on your wheels."
Riding: CBR600FW Driving: Audi A6
Previous Bikes: '96 Bandit 600, '96 GPz305

[Mrjoolz]

I tend to try and assess what type of road I'll be on, and if a dual carriage way on way home, then I'll switch before setting off on short journey, as tap is a pain to do with gloves, and if on that type of road with cars up ya arse.

tend to switch over when its about to go into red, then head to garage within 15-20 miles and switch back before leaving garage.
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[TQ]

[Kickstart]

[Pete.]

[Mrjoolz]

yes Keith, does seem to be a ZZR thing. I was thinking of putting together a motorised handheld device made out of a torch body, and when tap needs turning pull out device from inside pocket and place on tap and press the torch on button.

if only I was that technical


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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[Kickstart]

Hi

It would probably still be easier to design, make and use that while riding than switching normally with heavy gloves on.

By the way, if yours is like ours it will go quite a long way into the red before hitting reserver (although by that stage the fuel gauge drops fairly rapidly).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Paxovasa]

When the engine starts to hiccup and splutter.
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[Mrjoolz]

I'm managed 170miles and still no spluttering, but it starts to go into the red, so I turn it anyhow
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[The Artist]

Why would you turn to reserve before it reaches that level (spluttering)?

It makes no sense. Put on reserve when you need to, then you know how many miles you have left exactly rather than guessing or a gauge which may not be 100% accurate.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[The Artist]

[Handsome]

When the sweat's pouring of my face and my right arm starts aching I'll switch over to the reserve, or left arm as I like to call it....

Oh, wait, what ?...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Al]

My FZR has a handy little switch on the fairing so it is very easy to change over. I've only ever had to use it once or twice. I was surprised I thought the engine would splutter a little but it just cuts out instantly with no warning.

The vespa doesn't have reserve but its the only bike/scooter I've had thats had a fuel gauge and warning light accurate enough to actually trust.
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Yamaha FZR400RR 3tj
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