Low fuel indicator -- does it require riding to clear?

**DArtagnan** · 08-30-20

My 2016 F800GT low fuel indicator came on and started the "countdown to empty" bit. I put a couple of gallons of fuel in the tank from a can, more than enough for the indicator to turn off -- but it hasn't yet. I haven't moved the bike since putting the gas in -- does it need to be ridden in order for the low fuel indicator to turn off? My 2019 Triumph Street Twin needs to be ridden to turn it off.

**Royce** · 08-30-20

On my ST it seems to require that I actually ride the bike some distance (less than a mile, maybe?) before the gauge moves back to full and the low fuel light goes off. Seems to work about the same way the TPMS sensor/gauge works, you have to ride a ways before the low tire light goes off. And the same way the ABS light works. However, I have never actually tried putting something less than a full tank.

**Elizdad** · 08-30-20

pretty sure the answer is yes, it needs to be ridden ---------- one sure-fire way to find out - (like we need another excuse to ride) " honey, i'm gonna go ride to see if i have any gas" -

**DArtagnan** · 08-30-20

Originally Posted by Royce

On my ST it seems to require that I actually ride the bike some distance (less than a mile, maybe?) before the gauge moves back to full and the low fuel light goes off. Seems to work about the same way the TPMS sensor/gauge works, you have to ride a ways before the low tire light goes off. And the same way the ABS light works. However, I have never actually tried putting something less than a full tank.

Thank you.

**DArtagnan** · 08-30-20

Originally Posted by Elizdad

pretty sure the answer is yes, it needs to be ridden ---------- one sure-fire way to find out - (like we need another excuse to ride) " honey, i'm gonna go ride to see if i have any gas" -

Yes, I will eventually find out. Due to some family emergencies I haven't been able to ride lately. I siphoned the old gas from the tank before adding the new gas, about 2 gallons, and added some Stabil 360.

**Norfolk UK** · 08-30-20

Originally Posted by DArtagnan

My 2016 F800GT low fuel indicator came on and started the "countdown to empty" bit.

Just a warning: - The GT doesn't "countdown to empty" but counts up from zero from when the low fuel warning first comes on. I can get about 30 miles before the bike stops.

**DArtagnan** · 08-30-20

Originally Posted by Norfolk UK

Just a warning: - The GT doesn't "countdown to empty" but counts up from zero from when the low fuel warning first comes on. I can get about 30 miles before the bike stops.

OK, thanks.

**chutzpah** · 08-31-20

Still new to the bike, I had my low fuel light and the 'count up' come on today, with two bars on.

Now, I'm one of those riders/drivers who as soon as they get that yellow light of doom on their clocks/dash starts to break out into a cold sweat and suddenly worries that they're middle of the outback with the next fuel station 200 miles away.

This whole count up from when my first bike told me that it was running a touch low wasn't a great thing for my range anxiety

**Richard230** · 08-31-20

Originally Posted by chutzpah

Still new to the bike, I had my low fuel light and the 'count up' come on today, with two bars on.

Now, I'm one of those riders/drivers who as soon as they get that yellow light of doom on their clocks/dash starts to break out into a cold sweat and suddenly worries that they're middle of the outback with the next fuel station 200 miles away.

This whole count up from when my first bike told me that it was running a touch low wasn't a great thing for my range anxiety

You are probably not a good candidate for an electric motorcycle, then.

**nevergiveup** · 09-02-20

My 2013 F800GT has the same gas indicator. It seems to me that it "self corrected" pretty quickly once in motion. It did not clear at the gas pump. Also, remember that due to the geometry of the tank, anything above about half full is not indicated.

**Thumpin** · 09-06-20

Confirmed this yesterday. My tanks was down to no bars showing on the gauge, and the low fuel warning light was on - so I added a couple of gallons of fuel.

I turned the key on to see how much fuel was in the tank - no bars and the warning light was still on.

I put on my helmet, jacket and started up the drive - I got about 50 feet and the warning light cancelled, 3 bars of fuel showed on the fuel gauge.

**DArtagnan** · 09-06-20

Originally Posted by Thumpin

Confirmed this yesterday. My tanks was down to no bars showing, and the low and the warning light was on - so I added a couple of gallons of fuel.

I turned the key on to see how much fuel was in the tank - no bars and the warning light was still on.

I put on my helmet, jacket and started up the drive - I got about 50 feet and the warning light cancelled, 3 bars of fuel showed on the fuel gauge.

Thanks.

**Lag** · 09-06-20

Off topic but just checking the capacities and count down on reserve,,,,,, You should run out just around 50 miles or 80 kilometers,,.
I think Ive seen mine as high as 50 Kilometers

Fuel capacity: 16.00 litres (4.23 us gallons)= 12.00 litres (3.17 us gallons)
Reserve fuel capacity: 4.00 litres (1.06 us gallons) You should run out just around 50 miles or 80 kilometers,,!!

**RoniRider** · 04-07-21

What????? No updates? Curious if riding it worked out.

**Dalesman** · 04-07-21

I've had 42 miles on the 'count up' from empty!

**Right Hand Drive** · 04-07-21

I've had this too. Light comes on so fill the tank with fuel. Light stays on and no fuel registered until the bike has run a few metres down the road. Then all is well.

**Biscuits** · 04-07-21

I start getting bothered at about 20 miles of count up past the fuel light. But I've never managed to put more than about 13.5 litres of fuel in when I refuel it.

How much fuel can you put in the tank if you run it until it conks out?

**Dalesman** · 4 Weeks Ago

Good question. I'll try to remember to make a note next time it gets near empty.

**Thumpin** · 4 Weeks Ago

If I remember correctly - I once rode 32 miles after I got the notice and still made it to the gas station without pushing. (YMMV).

**DJ123** · 4 Weeks Ago

The most i've been brave enough to do on my ST was 194 miles, and got in 14 litres. I can't recall how much i was on the fuel counter at the time.

I generally average 55 UK MPG on my bike, i usually aim to fill up at around 150 miles.

**Richard230** · 4 Weeks Ago

I don't know if the GT and the GS have the same size fuel tank or not. However, I once put in 4.4 U.S. gallons into my F650GS's tank. On my bike the fuel warning kicks in around 60 miles and starts counting down from there to zero, at which point you are pretty much out of fuel. But you don't want to do that if you can avoid it as the fuel pump is in the bottom of the tank and likes to be both cooled and lubricated by gasoline. If you run it dry you might be damaging your fuel pump and those things are both expensive and somewhat labor intensive to replace. Plus, if they fail they will leave you stranded and that is no fun, either. It is best not to push your luck if you don't have too.

**XR1000** · 4 Weeks Ago

This issue was very much on my mind yesterday. My fuel light came on at 200 miles and 26 miles later, I pulled into a fuel station. My 2013 800GT took 3.786 gallons of fuel. Was not sure I would make it, 20 mile per hour winds and I was not getting any cell service.

**Norfolk UK** · 4 Weeks Ago

I tested this once in my GT in very early ownership. Not realising the count was from 0 upwards when the red light came on (our car counts down), I got 36 miles and coasted into the fuel station which just happened to be in the right place - on a dead engine.

I now know I can get close to 180 miles before reserve if driving ordinary roads, or about 20 miles less at legal motorway speeds.

**PhotoAl** · 4 Weeks Ago

I could get 140 miles before the light went on at enforced speed limit of 80MPH. Once time got over 200 miles out of a tank. Also put in 4.09 gallons after riding about 20 miles after the count up started. Always filled mine to the same place - half the vent holes in the tank covered and noted when the display changed to half tank. That gave me a pretty good idea of how far I could get before needing gas. Of course it does matter if the first half and second half are similar riding. I got pretty good at figuring out how far I could reasonable get before needing gas. Had lots of practice!

**Ajaay** · 4 Weeks Ago

Just an observation, I see milages/gallons from both the US, and the UK

Be aware when comparing, that a US gallon, is approx 0.833 UK gallons. The F800GT's stated fuel capacity is 15 litres (3.3 imperial gal; 4.0 US gal)

**Paulius55** · 3 Weeks Ago

I had a previous ST800 with countdown, which I liked (I also very much liked the separate indicator switches) and I really don't like the count up of the GT800 as it is pretty meaningless with an unknown "target". I once went into count up mode on a motorway with no services and finally got to 51 miles of count up before I reach a fuel station off the motorway. I was riding very economically and hardly touched the brakes or the throttle.

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