Gas light question... - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

BlackOutSi · 09-05-2008, 02:56 PM

I was unlucky enough to not get an owner's manual, so I get to ask dumb questions. Does the gas light only blink or does it go steady at some point when you're REALLY low on gas? I'm assuming the light is supposed to start blinking when you got a gallon left, since I can only squeeze in 3.1 gallons every fill up.

I would just get an owner's manual, but that requires an hour ride to the dealer that doesn't stock ANYTHING for a Suzuki unless it's a GSXR just to be told they'll order it and drive the hour back up there again 2 weeks later.

Paper Plane · 09-05-2008, 03:14 PM

blinks at 3.2 Qt and steady at 1.6 Qt. You can find the pdf of the service manual here

service manual

Mario · 09-05-2008, 03:18 PM

yup I seen my light blink then go off for a little bit then on untill it dies... and stays on

oyrider · 09-05-2008, 03:22 PM

The Owners Manual dated June 2005 says, "When the fuel in the fuel tank drops below approximately 3.0 liters (0.8 US gal), this indicator light flickers. When the fuel in the fuel tank drops below approximately 1.5 liters (0.4 US gal), this indicator light comes on."
When mine starts blinking, I stop for gas and put in 2.9 gallons, but I'm in California and we have the extra emissions stuff.

BlackOutSi · 09-05-2008, 03:25 PM

Thanks guys...I didn't see it in the service manual, maybe I missed it. I figured the owner's manual would explain it better anyways.

cyclesinct · 09-05-2008, 04:33 PM

If your looking for an owner's manual just pick up the Haynes manual. It has good step-by-step stuff with pics, and its a heck of a lot cheaper than having the dealer order an "official" m50 manual.

Trigger1985 · 09-05-2008, 05:47 PM

Wait, do you mean the Red FI light... or the last bar, I don't think I've ever seen my FI light come on, even when the bike starts stalling when stop to hard..

BlackOutSi · 09-05-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trigger1985

Wait, do you mean the Red FI light... or the last bar, I don't think I've ever seen my FI light come on, even when the bike starts stalling when stop to hard..

No, the gas light on the tank. I've heard rumors of a gas gauge on the newer M's, but haven't seen another one besides mine in person.

Don M50limited · 09-05-2008, 06:21 PM

07s and newer have the bar gauge instead of just a light.

Trigger1985 · 09-05-2008, 07:36 PM

Ok, good to know I wasn't missing anything... though the gauge sucks...

Don M50limited · 09-05-2008, 08:23 PM

I actually like the gauge...not that I think it's real accurate. I've dropped two bars within about 15 or so miles at times but more often than not it's not that terrible. At least it beats not seeing anything until the light starts to come on, and definitely beats having to reach down and flip to reserve when the engine starts coughing.

daddyo · 09-05-2008, 10:50 PM

The only reason the low fuel light blinks is when the gas splashes around in the tank as in stop and go traffic.

nativenyerintexas · 09-08-2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trigger1985

Ok, good to know I wasn't missing anything... though the gauge sucks...

At least it's a gauge of some sort. It's a lot better than guessing how much gas is in the tank. I can't imagine not having it. I always fill up at two bars, which puts me about 130 - 160 miles. At that point I've added as much as 3.5 gallons, which makes me think I'm over filling it slightly but hey, it's all good since it hasn't leaked yet.

womper · 09-08-2008, 07:28 AM

i use my odometer on the gps... if i know how far i'm riding, and how hard i'm riding, i usually know when to stop...

the gps tells me when i'm low on fuel (estimate) and i have the light as backup

UpstateM50 · 09-08-2008, 07:41 AM

I definitely have to agree with everyone. The gauge really sucks. It's good for an estimate though. I have found that my gauge will stay on 3 vars for what seems like forever, and then quickly drops to 1 bar and then quickly starts flashing. I have never been able to get more than about 3.4 gallons in it though, even after riding for a while while the last bar is flashing.

cyclesinct · 09-08-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don M50limited

I actually like the gauge...not that I think it's real accurate. I've dropped two bars within about 15 or so miles at times but more often than not it's not that terrible. At least it beats not seeing anything until the light starts to come on, and definitely beats having to reach down and flip to reserve when the engine starts coughing.

No reserve, even on the ones that just blink a pretty orange light! I don't find it difficult, I just use one of the trip meters and reset it after each fill. I know I can get about 130 miles before the light starts to blink and then I have about .9 gallons left. Maybe I've just gotten used to it but I don't find it difficult at all to keep track, even without a gauge.

Don M50limited · 09-08-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyclesinct

No reserve, even on the ones that just blink a pretty orange light! I don't find it difficult, I just use one of the trip meters and reset it after each fill. I know I can get about 130 miles before the light starts to blink and then I have about .9 gallons left. Maybe I've just gotten used to it but I don't find it difficult at all to keep track, even without a gauge.

Yeah, I know there's no reserve.....just talking about the good old carb days.

jmckell · 09-08-2008, 12:52 PM

I usually wait till the light goes solid and then ride another 10 - 15 miles before I stop to put gas in. I can usually put 3.9 or 4 gallons in.

I am living on the edge.

sukimoto · 09-20-2008, 01:32 AM

Yes you're living on the edge, isn't the tank only 4.1 gallons! and cyclesinct you're only getting 130 before the light blinks you must be riding REAL hard. I can go 170 mi before mines starts blinking and I do some 70 to 80 mph freeway and some Phoenix city miles. On my road trip this past Tuesday I was getting about 47 mpg and I was doing 90 mph in some areas.

cyclesinct · 09-20-2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sukimoto

Yes you're living on the edge, isn't the tank only 4.1 gallons! and cyclesinct you're only getting 130 before the light blinks you must be riding REAL hard. I can go 170 mi before mines starts blinking and I do some 70 to 80 mph freeway and some Phoenix city miles. On my road trip this past Tuesday I was getting about 47 mpg and I was doing 90 mph in some areas.

Yeah, but I'm going to take a wild guess and say the land is much flatter in Mesa, AZ than it is here in CT! The only thing I do is go up and down hills all day long. There really is no flat land around here, so I figure thats what causes it.

09-05-2008, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
BlackOutSi Where Am I ? Joined: Sep 2008 Bike: 2005 Suzuki M50 Black Posts: 30	Gas light question... I was unlucky enough to not get an owner's manual, so I get to ask dumb questions. Does the gas light only blink or does it go steady at some point when you're REALLY low on gas? I'm assuming the light is supposed to start blinking when you got a gallon left, since I can only squeeze in 3.1 gallons every fill up. I would just get an owner's manual, but that requires an hour ride to the dealer that doesn't stock ANYTHING for a Suzuki unless it's a GSXR just to be told they'll order it and drive the hour back up there again 2 weeks later.

09-05-2008, 03:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paper Plane In Training Joined: Aug 2008 Bike: Suzuki M50 Location: Del Rio TX Posts: 134	blinks at 3.2 Qt and steady at 1.6 Qt. You can find the pdf of the service manual here service manual Last edited by Paper Plane; 09-05-2008 at 03:17 PM.

09-05-2008, 03:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mario Clunked into first gear Joined: Feb 2008 Bike: 06 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 246	yup I seen my light blink then go off for a little bit then on untill it dies... and stays on __________________

09-05-2008, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
cyclesinct Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: Boulevard M50 Location: Connecticut Posts: 707	If your looking for an owner's manual just pick up the Haynes manual. It has good step-by-step stuff with pics, and its a heck of a lot cheaper than having the dealer order an "official" m50 manual. __________________ '05 M50 black MAPAM backrest Corbin dual tour Highwayman Jumbo Straight Bags Johns Kit forward controls Debaffled exhaust

09-05-2008, 05:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Trigger1985 Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 258	Wait, do you mean the Red FI light... or the last bar, I don't think I've ever seen my FI light come on, even when the bike starts stalling when stop to hard.. __________________ Places to ride: Beartooth Pass, Deals Gap, Yellowstone, The Dakotas 2008 Suzuki M50 Custom Painted Satin Black an Sublime Green, OEM Engine Guard, Spitfire Windshield, Sissy bar/back rest, MJ limited Risers, Küryakyn XL saddlebags, home brew light bar with driving lights, debadged, Küryakyn ISO flame grips, hand tooled sissybar pad cover, , drag specialties clamp on highway pegs, custom crosshair radiator cover, lowered two inches with a set of stock pipes painted black and debaffled...

09-05-2008, 03:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
oyrider In Training Joined: May 2007 Bike: 06 M50, 06 Ducati ST3s, 07 Honda cbr600rr Location: SoCal Posts: 134	The Owners Manual dated June 2005 says, "When the fuel in the fuel tank drops below approximately 3.0 liters (0.8 US gal), this indicator light flickers. When the fuel in the fuel tank drops below approximately 1.5 liters (0.4 US gal), this indicator light comes on." When mine starts blinking, I stop for gas and put in 2.9 gallons, but I'm in California and we have the extra emissions stuff.

09-05-2008, 03:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
BlackOutSi Where Am I ? Joined: Sep 2008 Bike: 2005 Suzuki M50 Black Posts: 30	Thanks guys...I didn't see it in the service manual, maybe I missed it. I figured the owner's manual would explain it better anyways.

09-05-2008, 06:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Don M50limited Third gear and cruising Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 07 Suzuki M50 Limited, 01 yz250f Location: Fairfield, Ca Posts: 495	07s and newer have the bar gauge instead of just a light.

09-05-2008, 07:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
Trigger1985 Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 258	Ok, good to know I wasn't missing anything... though the gauge sucks... __________________ Places to ride: Beartooth Pass, Deals Gap, Yellowstone, The Dakotas 2008 Suzuki M50 Custom Painted Satin Black an Sublime Green, OEM Engine Guard, Spitfire Windshield, Sissy bar/back rest, MJ limited Risers, Küryakyn XL saddlebags, home brew light bar with driving lights, debadged, Küryakyn ISO flame grips, hand tooled sissybar pad cover, , drag specialties clamp on highway pegs, custom crosshair radiator cover, lowered two inches with a set of stock pipes painted black and debaffled...

09-05-2008, 08:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
Don M50limited Third gear and cruising Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 07 Suzuki M50 Limited, 01 yz250f Location: Fairfield, Ca Posts: 495	I actually like the gauge...not that I think it's real accurate. I've dropped two bars within about 15 or so miles at times but more often than not it's not that terrible. At least it beats not seeing anything until the light starts to come on, and definitely beats having to reach down and flip to reserve when the engine starts coughing.

09-05-2008, 10:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
daddyo Seat Tester Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 06 m50 gray Location: sterling hts mi Posts: 65	The only reason the low fuel light blinks is when the gas splashes around in the tank as in stop and go traffic. __________________ 06 M50 Gray Debadged Drilled Pipes Windshield Fehling Backrest/Rack Cortech Tailbag + Cortech Sportbags 1'' Risers Clear T/S Lenses

09-08-2008, 07:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
UpstateM50 In Training Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 Location: South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 127	I definitely have to agree with everyone. The gauge really sucks. It's good for an estimate though. I have found that my gauge will stay on 3 vars for what seems like forever, and then quickly drops to 1 bar and then quickly starts flashing. I have never been able to get more than about 3.4 gallons in it though, even after riding for a while while the last bar is flashing. __________________ '07 M50, Blue Debaffled...but it's just the beginning

09-08-2008, 12:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
jmckell Clunked into first gear Joined: Apr 2008 Bike: '05 Suzuki M50 Blk Location: DFW, TX Posts: 230	I usually wait till the light goes solid and then ride another 10 - 15 miles before I stop to put gas in. I can usually put 3.9 or 4 gallons in. I am living on the edge.

09-20-2008, 01:32 AM	#19 (permalink)
sukimoto Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: suzuki m50, honda shadow 600vlx Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 64	Yes you're living on the edge, isn't the tank only 4.1 gallons! and cyclesinct you're only getting 130 before the light blinks you must be riding REAL hard. I can go 170 mi before mines starts blinking and I do some 70 to 80 mph freeway and some Phoenix city miles. On my road trip this past Tuesday I was getting about 47 mpg and I was doing 90 mph in some areas.

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