Trip Computer for non-EFI bikes.

[Maverick75]

Hi all.
Monday, after a day of keyboard wrestling, I decided I needed an hour or so of saddle therapy. So I jumped on the ST and headed out to do a loop of Goombungie-Crows Nest falls and back. My low fuel indicator came on shortly into the trip (It may have been coming on last time I rode the bike) but my subconscious said "You've got 80km, so don't worry about it". 

Needless to say I ran out about 25km from home and had to stand there like the idiot I am waiting for my missus to rescue me with the mower fuel container.

Now the reason my inner idiot overcame my outer idiot is that I'm still used to riding my R1200GS which has a low fuel countdown; 80km range will pop up with the yellow light and I have run it all the way down to 0 successfully.

Now, my question to all you master farklers out there- Does anyone know of a trip computer device that is adaptable to a non EFI system? I know the EFI systems are quite accurate because they calculate based on injection pulse-width and this is not possible with a carburettored machine, but I was thinking you could get pretty good results coupling fuel tank level with distance travelled, averaged over say 5 tankfuls. One could get really tricky and add throttle position as a third input.

Hell, for my purposes an 80km countdown triggered by the low fuel light would suffice, however a consumption indicator would be nice.

Or should I just harden TFU and push the beaST the 25km home? (or better still, go to the petrol station when I see the light?  ::))

[Brock]

If your bike is an 1100, then when the light comes on, you have about 5 litres left enough for about 80-100 Ks depending on the right wrist. I use the odometer to guestimate my fuel needs (I reset it at each fill). Unless cruising at a steady 110-120Ks, my fuel usage averages out to 353Ks to light on, 430Ks and I should be empty. On a cruise I can expect 421Ks to the light and 513 to Ohooh....

[Maverick75]

Cheers Brock. I got 445km to walking, with a couple of town trips in there, so I guess my consumption is spot-on.

The interesting thing is I put a couple of litres in, rode to the petrol station and only got 24 litres in the tank. So I'm missing about two litres somewhere. My old ST I was able to get 27.5 in on a couple of occasions.

[Brock]

I would suggest a fill up at 400Ks then, better to fill up early than a 50 K walk carrying a fuel can..

[saaz]

My fuel light has never worked, so I go by both the distance on the current tank and/or take notice of when the fuel guage needle is half way (14 litres used on mine) and when it hits the last white mark (20 litres used on mine).  When it first hits the E about 4 litres left, but you have to be sure that it has not been sitting on the E for a while or else it is pushing time   

The Zumo GPSs have a fuel guage feature where you enter in distance per tank and set the level of the low fuel warning, but it depends on resetting it everytime you fill up and that the distance per tank is correct.  I have not used it as it is just as easy to work it out myself.

[alans1100]

Mine usually gets anywhere from 380 to 410kms until the light comes on. Depending on whether I'm running solo, pillion or trailer with or without trailer. Normally the bike takes 24 litres when fuel light comes on.

The most I have put in is 27 litres after about 450kms but I had spare fuel with me. I expected to run out out of fuel before I got to servo just to see how far I could go towing my trailer. Thing never go as planned usually and I made the servo.

As Brock mentioned, 400kms is a safe bet and I figure my fuel fill ups with the 350-400km range.

[ruSTyEB]

A 2lt emergency fuel can in a panier...Just don't confuse with the coffee thermos :-)

[Maverick75]

Hey, the frame's hollow, I could probably fit a couple of litres in there! Actually I think some Buells do this.

I am leaning toward a bicycle trip computer and a latching relay on the fuel light. The relay could be cancelled courtesy of a microswitch on the fuel door. That way when the fuel light comes on it will stay on without fading in and out for the next 25-30 ks. At this point I can zero the trip meter on the bike computer and have my fuel countdown.

Now to be really tricky, let's see if I can have the zero occur automatically (switched off the light relay) and incorporate it into the dash with a backlight run off the fuel light feed. This way when the countdown lights up I know I will have about 80km left. 

Or I could just fill up earlier 

[Brock]

Much easier to monitor the trip meter, and fill up as soon as possible after the light comes on

[DaleMcLean]

Much easier to monitor the trip meter, and fill up as soon as possible after the light comes on

Light????? What light????

ALWAYS have used the trip mter as "fuel gauge" 200k's = hit reserve = look for fuel.the old Duc holds 15l and hits reserve at 10

[terrydj]

The Zumo GPSs have a fuel guage feature where you enter in distance per tank and set the level of the low fuel warning, but it depends on resetting it everytime you fill up and that the distance per tank is correct.

This is why you have things on the bike that work
I have my Zumo Fuel guage set for 280kays and when  it comes on I tap the fuel light and it gives me a list of servos, starting with the closest one first. I tap the servo and then the Zumo gets me their. Things that work are better than any geek thing that dosn't

[Couch]

I don't like the thought of running out of fuel so I always make sure I fill up before I get anywhere near empty. Better to be sure than sorry!! :)

[STeveo]

I use the 'neck top computor' with inputs from the two optic nerves that monitor the fuel gauge, memory input from last fill and throttle position sensor input from right digits. 

 

[Tipsy]

I use the 'neck top computor' with inputs from the two optic nerves that monitor the fuel gauge, memory input from last fill and throttle position sensor input from right digits. 

 

nice 

[DaleMcLean]

 

I use the 'neck top computor' with inputs from the two optic nerves that monitor the fuel gauge, memory input from last fill and throttle position sensor input from right digits. 

 

[Maverick75]

I use the 'neck top computor' with inputs from the two optic nerves that monitor the fuel gauge, memory input from last fill and throttle position sensor input from right digits. 

 

Ha! Unfortunately my Neck Top Computer seems to always have a virus on weekends. I'd probably be fine with a reserve tap, hell my 250 has one and I've never run out of fuel on that.

I think my real problem was that I wanted an hour or so of saddle time without heading into town and fighting the school traffic just to get to the petrol station. I swear Highfields has gotten so busy I'm thinking of moving back to Brisbane for some peace and quiet.

[Biggles]

I use the 'neck top computor' with inputs from the two optic nerves that monitor the fuel gauge, memory input from last fill and throttle position sensor input from right digits. 

 

Ha! Unfortunately my Neck Top Computer seems to always have a virus on weekends. I'd probably be fine with a reserve tap, hell my 250 has one and I've never run out of fuel on that.

I think my real problem was that I wanted an hour or so of saddle time without heading into town and fighting the school traffic just to get to the petrol station. I swear Highfields has gotten so busy I'm thinking of moving back to Brisbane for some peace and quiet.

Want advice?  Don't!!  Sunday traffic in Brisbane is worse than weekday peak hour in the suburbs.  Everyone is out shopping or visiting or eating or fishing.  Not a soul at home!