Another good thing about the VN900

[fawlty99]

Went to a vintage and veteran bike show on the weekend with I guess 400 or so other bikers from all arounds. Lots of nice old bikes including wwII Harleys and plenty of flash new ones. It was a fairly remote venue so most would have travelled a round trip of 200-400 klms. Have you seen the queues for ladies toilets at a large event? Well that's what it was like for bikers trying to fill up with gas along the way. I had a full tank leaving home and the low warning light had not lit up on arrival back home after around 290 klms. I know it will do around 380k so was not concerned at all. My 5 other riding companions (v-star, ducati monster, honda shadow, bmw GS, aprillia all had to stop & wait & wait & wait on the way back whereas I just went straight through. To be fair the BMW could have made it easily with a full tank but then she should have filled up before heading off so I still count that as a win to Kawasaki.
My next bike will not compromise style for range either - plus the Vulcan tank looks great anyway imo.

[KawaVulcan]

I agree, the Vulcan 900's get great gas mileage! I usually get between 45-50mpg on a tank; once in awhile it'll dip down to 40mpg when I'm rolling on the throttle way too much. I have a friend who has a Suzuki Boulevard M50 and he's constantly stopping to fill it up. Besides only having a 4+ gallon tank, I don't think he gets great mileage either. All I know is I always ask him if he has a full tank before we head out.


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[fawlty99]

A 20L tank certainly helps.

[Vulcar]

Has anyone ever seen the low fuel light come on? I know I have been in the red several times on trips and thought, it will come on before I hit a station but have yet seen it come on. Curious how many miles you got left if it does?

[SteveJB]

I've had mine come on quite often. Every time it's taken just about an even 4 gallons to fill it.

[RobH]

I rode to work a couple weeks ago, then took an evening ride for another 100 miles. My light was on at 175 miles and the fuel gauge was on E. I knew I probably had a little fuel left in the tank but I rode for only another 20 miles before breaking down and getting gas. I only put in 4 gallons! I could have ridden another 60 miles after the light came on!

I was thinking of doing the gas gauge modification to get the thing more accurate, but I may just leave it as is and consider the final gallon my "reserve tank".

I just bought the bike (2009 Custom SE) in September but It's quite a change from my old Honda CB750 that also had a 5 gallon tank but got far worse mileage.

[Lone Star]

I agree Fawlty. Talking mileage from the tank is one of my favourite topics when I'm out with my mates, who ride Harleys. I always bring it up ....
What part of the country you from ?

[Aleco]

When then light turns on, I get around 40+ miles before I fill her up. First time it came on I rushed to the gas station and fill her Up with 14 bucks. Now I do'nt worry when the light is on anymore.

RobH, I have the same bike and It is a great bike.

[Romans5.8]

It's a bit unnerving at first because, if you haven't 'corrected' your fuel gauge, it will be on E for quite a while before the light comes on. As for me? I'll get around to doing the fuel gauge mod one day but for now I just ignore it, and go based on my trip odo or fill up when the light comes on.

I can get near 60mpg keeping the speed down, average closer to 50 most of the time. That combined with a 5 gallon tank sure is nice. It's also nice on a long trip with a group, when everyone else stops for gas you've got time to walk around, drink a soda, and still be ready before they are because you won't need gas before the next stop! (Really nice when you have Harley Sportsters in the crowd, 2 gallon tank, gotta stop every 75-100 miles.)

[Denis]

I like it just the way it is...when the light goes on I've got a great reserve...another 1/4 tank basically (4 liters...a bit over a US gallon, a bit under Imp. gallon). Anyway you cut it, it's great! It works for a guy like me who waits to the bitter end to fill up...gives me plenty of time to get to a gas station. I had an S40 with a small tank (1/2 the VN900) and a 25 km reserve, no trip odometer...wow unerving...math on the go, repeated pit stops and buck buck flip to reserve...now that ain't right.

With the gas mileage of the VN900 I can swing a good 100km (62 miles) easy...give or take dependent on speed. I call it peace of mind. Orange is a fitting color...and the light comes on for me all the time!