Iron 883- fuel light after 60 miles??

[RubyBones]

Hey wonderfully people. 
 

Apologies if this is the wrong section to post this.
 

I recently bought a 2011 iron 883, as some will know they come with 3.3 galling tank as stock. I bought off a dealership/shop and I thought it maybe had a tank change  to a smaller 2.1 tank (like the 48) or so I thought. 
 

However, it would seem I am getting only 70miles if that approx out of a tank. Fuel light comes on about 65-70 miles max and within another 5-8 the bike is struggling (as in fuel running out) so I fill up and it’s only letting me put 5.1 litres in each time. I can see literally see the fuel at the top of the tank and would definitely not get anymore fuel in it. So that converts to about 1.1 gallon which I cannot believe, I’ve never heard of a tank that small and the tank certainly doesn’t look it. 
 

what am I missing/doing wrong, any advice welcome? 

[RubyBones]

Hey wonderfully people. 
 

Apologies if this is the wrong section to post this.
 

I recently bought a 2011 iron 883, as some will know they come with 3.3 galling tank as stock. I bought off a dealership/shop and I thought it maybe had a tank change  to a smaller 2.1 tank (like the 48) or so I thought. 
 

However, it would seem I am getting only 70miles if that approx out of a tank. Fuel light comes on about 65-70 miles max and within another 5-8 the bike is struggling (as in fuel running out) so I fill up and it’s only letting me put 5.1 litres in each time. I can see literally see the fuel at the top of the tank and would definitely not get anymore fuel in it. So that converts to about 1.1 gallon which I cannot believe, I’ve never heard of a tank that small and the tank certainlydoesn’t look it. 
 

what am I missing/doing wrong, any advice welcome? 

[RideWithStyles]

Bloody Yanks....3.3gal... is 12.4 ltrs.
Bigger than most 125 with under 10ltrs, similar to a 500's with around 13, but smaller than 600s and above.

70miles to 5.1 ltrs of fuel = 62 mpg if this was for a euro or jap bike id be thinking you spend time on the track . for a Harley on the road designed with a peanut tank dont moan about it you be grateful to bald eagle brigade...yeehar!!! Pew pew pew. 
 

so jokes aside its correct ,the tank is skinned and double walled (carry capacity inside) like double bagging,  so it is actually smaller than it is thats called design over function. so dont worry about it peanut my boy!

Edited September 13, 2023 by RideWithStyles

[RideWithStyles]

Bloody Yanks....3.3gal... is 12.4 ltrs.
Bigger than most 125 with under 10ltrs, similar to a 500's with around 13, but smaller than 600s and above.

70miles to 5.1 ltrs of fuel = 62 mpg if this was for a euro or jap bike id be thinking you spend time on the track  . for a Harley on the road designed with a peanut tank dont moan about it you be grateful to bald eagle brigade...yeehar!!! Pew pew pew. 
 

so jokes aside its correct, the tank is skinned and double walled (carry capacity inside) like double bagging,  so it is actually smaller than it is thats called design over function. so dont worry about it peanut my boy!

Edited September 13, 2023 by RideWithStyles

[RubyBones]

Cheers dude, had to read it a few times but I feel much better now actually haha thank you

 

my first experience with “look over functionality” …..I’ll soon learn my lesson 

[bonio]

Your mpg is fine. But with room for only 5 or so litres you've got a very small tank! Even my DRZ takes 7 or 8, and I am lucky to get 80 miles between fill-ups.

If you want to go any further, you're going to need to replace the tank; but if you're happy with it as it is, then let it be - you've nothing to worry about.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

You need a couple of reserve fuel bottles, they should be offered as standard on those. 

 

Leather holders with lots of tassels are optional. 

[megaross]

I can see the problem now, it's quite small.

 

If you look closely in the photograph it would appear that you bought a motorcycle with a near 900cc engine and a little babby petrol tank.

[megaross]

Ok so if the bike is struggling when it gets low remember 2 things.

 

Water floats on top of petrol.

Fuel is drained from the base of the tank.

 

I advise you to drain the fuel then top up with fresh stuff.

[RideWithStyles]

The other problem is with the design is that the pump placement doesn't allow it to suck it dry unless you can tip the tank around more than ull tip the bike so always see some fuel in there.

[RideWithStyles]

43 minutes ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

You need a couple of reserve fuel-

 

Leather holders with lots of tassels are optional. 

freedom gas is always down the long, long, long straight road.

 

 No bull frog they are compulsory! By law of the bandanas and tats.

[RideWithStyles]

Yep its a ickle babbbbbbby tank, design over function.

it gets more interesting the more you look...when u need tyres changing other than at a dealership, dont be surprised so see the mechanic try their best of hiding not hating you...

[geofferz]

1 hour ago, RideWithStyles said:

Yep its a ickle babbbbbbby tank, design over function.

it gets more interesting the more you look...when u need tyres changing other than at a dealership, dont be surprised so see the mechanic try their best of hiding not hating you...

Are you drunk? 

[RideWithStyles]

No geof, you should see me when i am.

Edited September 14, 2023 by RideWithStyles

[bonio]

8 minutes ago, RideWithStyles said:

No geof, you should see me when i am.

NSFW

[Throttled]

I was at a charity ride out, over a weekend, where one of the riders had a Harley like that and she did not ride with the group on the longer runs, because she could not make it between the fuel stops.

[RideWithStyles]

Well the only cheap solution that doesnt fall foul of the hells angels would be a roll up bag (makes u look like you tuff camp in the wild west) but actually has a few aluminium bottles of fuel in it.

Other would be to make auxiliary tank's out that are inside the tasseled panniers, at least then we could call it the "baby tanker" with 48 plus litres of gas to travel 650+ miles on the highways.

Edited September 14, 2023 by RideWithStyles

[RideWithStyles]

14 hours ago, bonio said:

Your mpg is fine. But with room for only 5 or so litres you've got a very small tank! Even my DRZ takes 7 or 8, and I am lucky to get 80 miles between fill-ups.

If you want to go any further, you're going to need to replace the tank; but if you're happy with it as it is, then let it be - you've nothing to worry about.

The wifes Honda 125 is 8ltrs including the reserve and thats with the fuel pretty much touches the huge but shallow filler cap.

200+mls easy with plenty still in it to drown a sewer rat and get a bonfire going while i rode it like i stole it.

p.s im not particularly keen on Honda's but amazed by it's frugalness.

 

on another thought is the reserve light just comes on far too early.

theoretically if its set up for it its possible the bike thinks its on low fuel it could be set up to run a super lean fuel map when this happens so thats why if may feel its struggling.

to be honest id go off the miles...140miles is reasonable for first try and think then its 20+ on the reserve with a little spare.

 

as bonio says dont worry, its just how it is and what you bought.

Edited September 14, 2023 by RideWithStyles

[Capt Sisko]

I wonder if your bike has acquired a custom fuel tanks over its life. The one below claims to be 2.1 gallons but that could easily be US gallons and if it is you're only looking at 7.95 litres. Still a lot more than what you say is the maximum you can ever put in, but if one company is making a smaller than standard tank, another is bound to try to out do them!

https://www.arhcustom.co.uk/product/doss-xl-forty-eight-gas-tank-for-harley-davidson-2007-2020-sportster-motorcycles-arm364615

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Capt Sisko

[rennie]

I've merged your 2 threads together 

 

Sounds like it's just a small tank to me!

[RideWithStyles]

Yea your not the only one even the japs have done it, the honda firestorms were the same.

[Throttled]

My first big bike, a KLE500 had a range of about 130 miles and then physically switch to a reserve tank that was only supposed to be about 10 miles. That was a pain and required planning the first time I did the North Coast 500, which was pre the introduction of 24 hour pay by card fuel pumps.