Do we really need an idiot light

[cfennell1832]

Was riding the other day and the low fuel light came on (was looking for a station at the time), who needs a reminder to add gas to your bike when your riding? If you can't take a moment while riding to look at your gas gage maybe a bike is not for you. Just a thought I had at the time...

[Steve F]

I can only imagine all the complaining that would go on if there WASN'T one. Can't please all the people all the time......
Besides, it's not really and idiot light since there's a gauge associated with it.

[Viking]

It never really dawned on me that we had one. I have never seen mine.

[Freelancer]

Unlike the Wing and similar fully dressed bikes, most motorcycles don;t have a gas gauge. They have a low fuel light and the rider is expected to keep up with the range of the bike. I've been riding for 50 years now, and the Wing is one of only two I've ever owned that had a gas gauge.

My guess is that the low fuel light on a Goldwing is the result of habit or tradition rather than anything else. That said, I can't think of too many cars that DON'T have a low fuel light - even with a gas gauge.

[Red Ron]

I sure do like it better than the petcock valve on smaller bikes I have owned. Also if you don't look at the dash very often you still would notice the light easier.

[WingAdmin]

Virgilmobile and I both ripped out the low fuel thermistor sensor in our GL1500's and replaced it with a float switch, hooked to a flasher circuit. I have mine calibrated so that when I have exactly one gallon of fuel remaining, it starts flashing the yellow fuel light. When I see that light come on, it's time to find a gas station. I quite like it, mainly because I calibrated it myself, and I know it means I have exactly one gallon to go.

[Red Ron]

Virgilmobile and I both ripped out the low fuel thermistor sensor in our GL1500's and replaced it with a float switch, hooked to a flasher circuit. I have mine calibrated so that when I have exactly one gallon of fuel remaining, it starts flashing the yellow fuel light. When I see that light come on, it's time to find a gas station. I quite like it, mainly because I calibrated it myself, and I know it means I have exactly one gallon to go.

Now that's what I wish I had. Cudos to you.

[WingAdmin]

Virgilmobile and I both ripped out the low fuel thermistor sensor in our GL1500's and replaced it with a float switch, hooked to a flasher circuit. I have mine calibrated so that when I have exactly one gallon of fuel remaining, it starts flashing the yellow fuel light. When I see that light come on, it's time to find a gas station. I quite like it, mainly because I calibrated it myself, and I know it means I have exactly one gallon to go.

Now that's what I wish I had. Cudos to you.

Here's where we wrote it up: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11167

We used the float switch from a Honda Civic brake reservoir.