My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

[0pini0nated]

My 2005 Softail has a gas gauge, and it's always relatively accurate. Also, when I installed a digital gauge on my (previous) 2009 XL1200 Lehman Raider, my digital fuel gauge was accurate. So, I expected my 2015 FLRT to be relatively close-to-accurate too.

Keep in mind that I'm getting used to my new Freewheeler. When I started my errands yesterday morning, I only have 310 mile on my odometer.

My 2015 Trike Owner's Manual says 6 gallons. Harley-Davidson.com says my FLRT takes 6 gallons

As I was riding around doing errands all morning, at some point, my yellow gas icon illuminated, and the 'information window' told me I was 45 miles away from empty. At the end of the day, I pulled in to a gas station and filled 'er up. The tank gauge was on 'E' and the 'information window' said I was 7 miles away from empty.

But it only took 4.977 gallons of gas!

My question is: Do you have a 1-gallon "stealth" gallon of gas in your tank too?

 

[Keystone]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

I learnt early on when I bought my 2009 TG that filling the entire 6 gallons on the trikes can be a bit hard. If I can find a pump that will flow slow enough I can. Most pumps are to "hard" and shut themselves off.

 

[0pini0nated]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

...filling the entire 6 gallons on the trikes can be a bit hard.

I DON'T want to insult anyone here, but I'm looking for other owners who fill up their FLRT tanks.

I owned a XL1200 Lehman Raider with the 4.5 gallon tank, and I was pretty good at filling that up to the brim.

My *guess* is, in the end, it'll be a warranty item on my 1,K check-up. Unless everyone else has the same experience . . .

 

[HoppR]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

I too have noticed that when I fill my Freewheeler when it is on empty, it isn't 6 gallons. It's more like 5 gallons.

 

[Gorilla]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

Good way to verify is to have a gallon of gas in a can handy then go run it out of fuel. Try to be near a gas station. Put the gallon in then go to the gas station and finish filling. If you didn't have to ride to far that should give you the usable fuel capacity. The gallon plus what the fill was. Now you know for sure.

 

[rhino 2]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

When the gauge reads ''E'', That doesn't mean its bone dry... Carry a gal of gas, and keep on riding on ''E'' till you run out, It think you'll find out you traveled about 35 miles from ''E''..
About a gal's worth.. Now that's only if you filled the tank right to the top to start with....
[Did that with my T/G]

 

[HoppR]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I'll stick a gallon of gas in the trunk and run it bone dry. I'm curious how many miles I can get out of it when it reads "zero miles until empty".

It might be awhile until you guys have an update though. It's freakin' cold in MO![/FONT]

 

[Keystone]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

I DON'T want to insult anyone here, but I'm looking for other owners who fill up their FLRT tanks.

I owned a XL1200 Lehman Raider with the 4.5 gallon tank, and I was pretty good at filling that up to the brim.

My *guess* is, in the end, it'll be a warranty item on my 1,K check-up. Unless everyone else has the same experience . . .

It's NOT a warranty issue. The frame, and tank, is the same as the Tri Glide. Any difference is purely cosmetic. I gave you info based on over 60,000 miles an a factory built Harley trike, not a Sportster conversion which has a significantly different tank.

 

[cavie]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

I love my Honda VTX reserve valve.epper:epper:epper:

 

[BinIdaho]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

Freakin' unbelievable.....you're worried about one gallon of gas?? Boy, hope your winter is a short one!! :AGGHH:

 

[0pini0nated]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

Freakin' unbelievable.....you're worried about one gallon of gas?? Boy, hope your winter is a short one!! :AGGHH:

It's not about a gallon of gas ~ it's about that final gallon of gas

I'm trying to determine parameters here. If everyone else's FLRT is on empty and it takes 6 gallons to fill it up, then I'll ask the dealer to hook it up to the Digital Technician and adjust it. In the HD CAN-BUS, there are many adjustments that aren't available to the average owner.

And yes, the next time I'm low, I'll going to put a gallon in the trunk and keep riding. I'm interested to see what happens.

 

[WildWilly]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

Freakin' unbelievable.....you're worried about one gallon of gas?? Boy, hope your winter is a short one!! :AGGHH:

if Harley says the tank hold 6 gallons and it only holds 5, I wouldn't be worried, I'd be pissed off big time.

 

[Sully]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

Do you have it Raked or the Tank raised :Shrug:

 

[0pini0nated]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

Do you have it Raked or the Tank raised :Shrug:

No ~ nothing like that yet. Nothing that would disturb or alter the fuel level opening at the top.

 

[msocko3]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

It's not about a gallon of gas ~ it's about that final gallon of gas

I'm trying to determine parameters here. If everyone else's FLRT is on empty and it takes 6 gallons to fill it up, then I'll ask the dealer to hook it up to the Digital Technician and adjust it. In the HD CAN-BUS, there are many adjustments that aren't available to the average owner.

And yes, the next time I'm low, I'll going to put a gallon in the trunk and keep riding. I'm interested to see what happens.

You have to take the gas gauge and remaining miles with a grain of salt, I've yet to put the tanks capacity in on any of my Harley's when the gauge is on empty. I've always reset a trip odometer at every fill up and know my average MPG. The digital tech doesn't adjust the gas gauge, inside the tank is a float and potentiometer, no 2 will work identical. The 2010 Triglide I had and my dads 2009 didn't read the same amount.

 

[Trent]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

I have mentioned on here previously,,, I know for a fact that my tank will hold 6.2 gallons of gas, and the motor was still running when I pulled into the gas station. The miles remaining gauge had stopped displaying. Same tank as a Freewheeler.

 

[psychogramps]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

Filled my tank this AM..Took 5.4 gal. Miles remaining said 11.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

My '04 could be easily filled all the way. With changes inside the '10 tank, the last 1/2 gallon has to be put in very, very slow. Sometimes going dink, dink, dink to fill it and wait for air to get out. Probably not any better with '15 tank. I've given up on high speed pumps that I can't control.

 

[screwball]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

IF you noticed, there is a cylinder inside the filler hole. When you stick the gasoline hose in the hole it extends about an inch inside the tank. When gas reaches the end of the nozzle the fuel shuts off, leaving the fuel about an inch blow the top of the tank, thus 5 gallons instead of 6. The tank has the capacity of 6 gallons it would take a while to tinkle that last gallon in.


Ride that scoot, stop worrying about trivial crap. Harleys wiggle, jiggle, squeak and rattle. They clunk when you shift, and it takes a couple of thousand miles to find N easily. Sometimes at lights they just stall for the hell of it. Your Tri-Glide and / or Freewheeler have basically the same running gear and other stuff as a 2 wheeler. If you have ridden Harleys for any amount of time you just get used to Harley idiosyncrasies... Take it for a long ride, see the sights, smell the smells.

Enjoy the freedom. Somewhere around 100 to 150 miles find a gas station, have a coke, smoke, or a pee. Stretch your legs, thank God for the fun you are having, and get back on and ride some more.

 

[BinIdaho]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

IF you noticed, there is a cylinder inside the filler hole. When you stick the gasoline hose in the hole it extends about an inch inside the tank. When gas reaches the end of the nozzle the fuel shuts off, leaving the fuel about an inch blow the top of the tank, thus 5 gallons instead of 6. The tank has the capacity of 6 gallons it would take a while to tinkle that last gallon in.


Ride that scoot, stop worrying about trivial crap. Harleys wiggle, jiggle, squeak and rattle. They clunk when you shift, and it takes a couple of thousand miles to find N easily. Sometimes at lights they just stall for the hell of it. Your Tri-Glide and / or Freewheeler have basically the same running gear and other stuff as a 2 wheeler. If you have ridden Harleys for any amount of time you just get used to Harley idiosyncrasies... Take it for a long ride, see the sights, smell the smells.

Enjoy the freedom. Somewhere around 100 to 150 miles find a gas station, have a coke, smoke, or a pee. Stretch your legs, thank God for the fun you are having, and get back on and ride some more.

Thank you Screwball....you have a better way with words than I do! Definitely "trivial crap"!!!!!

 

[Sully]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

That's what I'm talking about ThumbUp:AllGood:

 

[WildWilly]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

OpinOnated: Pay no attention to the Harley apologists. There is a large group of riders that would be OK if Harley put wheels and a motor on a turd. If anyone complained about the smell, the apologists would call that "trivial crap" They would say, "just hold your nose and ride it. It's a Harley" :laugh:

 

[screwball]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

OK, I'll change my tune. ONLY 5 GALLONS!!!! I'd unload that piece of **** and get a good Honda Trike.....if they made one. They don't shake, rattle, or roll. They shift easily all the time, and never stall. With all that plastic they weigh less and are faster. Why anyone would buy an American Manufactured, American Owned motorcycle is beyond me. Everyone knows that American Designed and Manufactured motor vehicles are crap, crap, crap.

There, another 'honest' opinion.

Merry Christmas and an outstanding new year..... even though your motorcycle only holds 5 gallons instead of the advertised 6

Oh, I am truly a Harley Snob!!

 

[BinIdaho]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

OK, I'll change my tune. ONLY 5 GALLONS!!!! I'd unload that piece of **** and get a good Honda Trike.....if they made one. They don't shake, rattle, or roll. They shift easily all the time, and never stall. With all that plastic they weigh less and are faster. Why anyone would buy an American Manufactured, American Owned motorcycle is beyond me. Everyone knows that American Designed and Manufactured motor vehicles are crap, crap, crap.

There, another 'honest' opinion.

Merry Christmas and an outstanding new year..... even though your motorcycle only holds 5 gallons instead of the advertised 6

Oh, I am truly a Harley Snob!!

:clapping::clapping::clapping::Santa:

 

[RickDeVon]

Re: My FLRT "6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas?

I ran mine for a little while after the "gas tank" light came on and put 5.5 gals in mine...so does that make my tank larger or more empty...:xzqxz:

- - - Updated - - -

BTW ...I do shake my tank and can add even more...the trike is harder to get full than the Road King was...

 

[grunt67]

6 Gallon" Tank Takes 5 Gallons of Gas

I took the advice, and carried a gallon of gas in the trunk , and went on ride. This Icon light came on. and It showed 45 miles to empty. I rode for the 45 miles, and the numbers went to zero, followed by the letters LOW RNG. I zeroed my B mile counter and continued riding. I rode for 30 mile and the bike began to hesitate, lucky for me I was very close to a gas station, plus a had the extra gallon of gas in the trunk. I pulled in to filler up and I put 5.83 gallons of gas. the story is. Its a 6 gallon tank, and when the light come on you have approx. two gallon of gas still in the tank.

That is why everyone can only put 4 gallons of gas when the Icon turns on. After filling the tank the Reserve numbes went to 229. Now I know my trike's capacity for fuel and mileage. I hope it helps someone!!!

 

[Gorilla]

Glad you took the step and got that information for yourself. Just others need to be aware that that is not fact for all. For example my light comes on at .8 gallons left. I have run it dry to know that. When it says zero I am out of gas. I have put 5.9 gallons in. There is a term they use in airplanes called usable fuel. Not all fuel pump sit in the tank exactly the same. Or because of tire pressure and other factors the tank is not perfectly level as far as the fuel is concerned. There also is the fact that the gas tends to run to the rear of the tank at speed do to gravity.

Most tanks will be close to what the factory intended but the only way to be sure is to go out and give it a test as you did. These variations is what determines your usable fuel. Its there but the fuel pump can not get to it it does you little good. It is nice to know that usable fuel figure for your own trike.

 

[Finally Harley!]

Great explanation, thanks. I love learning this stuff about my trike! No question is dumb, IMO.

 

[thomastrike]

Thomastrike

IF you noticed, there is a cylinder inside the filler hole. When you stick the gasoline hose in the hole it extends about an inch inside the tank. When gas reaches the end of the nozzle the fuel shuts off, leaving the fuel about an inch blow the top of the tank, thus 5 gallons instead of 6. The tank has the capacity of 6 gallons it would take a while to tinkle that last gallon in.


Ride that scoot, stop worrying about trivial crap. Harleys wiggle, jiggle, squeak and rattle. They clunk when you shift, and it takes a couple of thousand miles to find N easily. Sometimes at lights they just stall for the hell of it. Your Tri-Glide and / or Freewheeler have basically the same running gear and other stuff as a 2 wheeler. If you have ridden Harleys for any amount of time you just get used to Harley idiosyncrasies... Take it for a long ride, see the sights, smell the smells.

Enjoy the freedom. Somewhere around 100 to 150 miles find a gas station, have a coke, smoke, or a pee. Stretch your legs, thank God for the fun you are having, and get back on and ride some more.

Well said Screwball.
Navy vet and Patriot Guard rider ThumbUp