Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > KTM Tech
990 fuel gauge - or lack of... 990 fuel gauge - or lack of...
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
KTM Tech KTM Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to KTM riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Jake

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Apr 2009
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 5
990 fuel gauge - or lack of...
evening all,

Its still not clear why a bike designed to ride around the world doesn't have a fuel gauge but the 990 adventure (2008) doesn't so there we are....:confused1:

To get around this I'm thinking about sticking a flow meter between the tanks and the FIS to a monitor mounted on the bars to keep track of the fuel flow. Has anyone tried this or have any other suggestions of how to keep track of your remaining fuel?

cheers
Rem
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Apr 2009
Jake's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northumberland, uk
Posts: 761
Surely your mile tripmeter tells you when youve done say 170 miles - you then know your getting near to reserve then if its like the old 950 the reserve light comes on and the trip resets to zero and starts counting the miles on reserve you have about 4 litre reserve so going gentle about 30/40 miles 50 if you go really carefull Dont think any bike I have ever owned has had a fuel guage on it and whos to say how accurate that would be anyway ?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Apr 2009
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 5
Hey Jake,

ordinarily I'd agree with you. Having a good idea how far you can go on a tank plus the reserve light and the counter works well enough for travelling in reasonably constant conditions.

Whats got me thinking is what happens on a long trip in remote areas with changing road conditions (tar/dirt/SAND/offroad) where I'm changing speeds, gears and power settings. It means there isnt an easy way to know how much is left in the tanks and so I wont have much of an idea when I'm going to hit the reserve.

Having a gauge of some sort will give me an idea of how my fuel is doing compared to the distance I've covered. It gives me the chance to do something about it sooner rather than later if I'm falling behind, half tanks = half the distance covered and so on.

cheers
Rem
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Apr 2009
Jake's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northumberland, uk
Posts: 761
I know what you mean and think maybe the thing to do when faced with these conditions is use one tank as your main and switch the other tank off at the fuel cock - so when your main tank runs out you still have an equal amount of fuel in the second tank and know you can at least get back to where you set off from or will know how much further you can get on the remaining tank. Its a fail safe system. However if you want a fuel guage I am sure a standard aftermarket item and sender unit would not be to hard to set up but its adding something else to an already fairly complicated bike - believe me I know - I did a lot of miles both in and outside of Europe on the KTM and to me its best not to get it overcomplicated with add ons that may cause a problem when you least need it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 Apr 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: York
Posts: 20
Nether my 2008 990 Adventure or my 2007 640 Adventure has a fuel gauge! completley unnessary in my opinion, as most are inaccurate!

990 - approx 135 fast road miles before fuel light comes on. Then I managed once 65 miles before I filled up and there was a few litres left in the bottom.
I reckon 38 ish mpg from fast road work to 48 mpg ish for tickle two up work

640 - approx 300 fast miles before fuel light comes on and goes onto reserve at same time, then you have about 20 miles before you are pushing despite a bit of fuel sloshing around in the bottom! All time record best is 76mpg at a steady 80kph (50 mph ish) in Norway on the road. Riding it as god intended (fast off road) worst case so far MPG 40 mpg.

both bikes completley standard and well maintained.

keep an eye on the elasped distance and think about the condtions you have gone through in that time should be a good indication.

If your that worried buy the big expensive tank from touratech or better still :- Safari 40 litre tank from Core Racing - Aqualine Fuel Tanks, Larger fuel tanks for Off Road Motorcycles

or cheaper by a thousand quid! carry a jerry.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Sep 2011
Jem Jem is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 14
I have never found the lack of a fuel guage to be too much hassle (not that I've gone truly away from civilisation on my KTMs), but I can see how they would help, or at least a guide beyond odo. Has anyone ever heard of a sight tube being added to the bottom of each (or either) tank? If just at the lower half behind tank protection, it could be safe. Otherwise a (plastic) welded section of transparrent (?) plastic to allow guestimation.

Am not sure about my 990A tank, but I think it is orange all the way through, but my 18l for the LC4E seems to be clear under the black coating, so potentially feasible to strip and clear lacquer?

Jem.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Sep 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
Reply
Hi all,Remember that a KTM fuel pump is cooled by fuel. Running that tank dry will allow your pump to heat up and cause excessive wear to it. You will also be sucking up all the trash in the bottom of the tank.
I agree a sight glass would be great addition.
My quad uses a graduated mark rubber ribbon on the gas cap. Pull it out dry it off, put it back in, pull out and read the wet line. Crude but works
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Inaccurate reserve fuel gauge?? davidlomax KTM Tech 1 11 Jul 2006 11:22
Freelander quality (or lack of) John Roberts Equipping the Overland Vehicle 11 2 Dec 2004 03:06
fuel level and temperature gauge for F650 funduro??? jondoe BMW Tech 2 20 Feb 2003 17:22
Fuel in TAM (or lack of) Sam Rutherford North Africa 14 15 Dec 2002 20:03
KTM 2002 fuel gauge GPais KTM Tech 3 10 Aug 2002 13:10

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:59.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top