[Trick] What to do when your motorcycle runs out of gas? We also explain countermeasures and symptoms of running out of gas!

Think you're out of gas? First, move your motorcycle to a safe location.

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If you think you've run out of gas, first move your motorcycle to a safe location to avoid collisions with other vehicles or motorcycles.

Your body is more important than your motorcycle, so quickly move to a safe place while being aware of your surroundings to prevent accidents.

Moving to a gas station

If you run out of gas on a public road, quickly move your motorcycle to the shoulder of the road to prevent secondary damage such as being hit by another vehicle.

If there's a gas station nearby and you can push your motorcycle there, do so safely.

If there's no gas station nearby

If there's no gas station within pushing distance of your motorcycle, sometimes contacting the nearest gas station will result in them coming to refuel you.

Self-service gas stations with fewer staff often find it difficult to make house calls, but full-service gas stations might come out to refuel you.

Try searching for a gas station, contacting them, and negotiating.

Contacting friends or family

If you have friends or family nearby and can reach them, ask for help.

If you buy gasoline at a gas station and have it delivered to your motorcycle, it must be transported in a dedicated portable gasoline can.

It is forbidden to put gasoline in a plastic tank meant for kerosene, and even at self-service stations, staff must fill the portable can with gasoline, so please be careful.

Is it really out of gas? The cause might be something else.

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Even if you experience symptoms like running out of gas, there are several cases where the actual cause is elsewhere and it's not truly a fuel shortage.

Here are other causes with symptoms similar to running out of gas:

• Gasoline petcock is set to ON
• Abnormal liquid gasket
• Hose routing issues
• Clogged fuel cap air vent
• Fuel pump malfunction

Gasoline petcock is set to ON

While not present on fuel-injected motorcycles, carbureted bikes have a fuel selector petcock.

If the fuel runs out while in the ON position, switching to the reserve (auxiliary tank) will allow you to travel for a few to about 10 kilometers.

Older models often have a two-stage "ON/OFF" switch, while relatively newer motorcycles have a three-stage "ON, RES, PRI" switch, where RES is the reserve position.

Abnormal liquid gasket

When removing and reattaching the carburetor or fuel tank, if the liquid gasket on the carburetor protrudes, it can block the gasoline and cause symptoms of running out of fuel.

When the fuel level is high, the force pushing the gasoline is strong, so fuel shortage symptoms are less likely to occur. However, as the fuel level decreases, the pushing pressure also drops, making fuel shortage symptoms more likely.

If you have removed and reattached the fuel tank or carburetor, check that the liquid gasket on the carburetor is in the correct position.

Hose routing issues

Fuel shortage symptoms can occur due to the routing of the hose that sends gasoline from the fuel tank to the carburetor.

If the hose from the fuel tank extends upwards, gravity makes it harder for gasoline to reach the carburetor, which can easily lead to fuel shortage symptoms.

Ensure the hose runs downwards, following gravity, to allow gasoline to flow smoothly.

Clogged fuel cap air vent

If you have replaced the fuel cap with a new one, the air vent might be closed, preventing proper fuel delivery and causing symptoms of running out of gas.

When installing a new fuel cap, make sure the air vent is open and clear.

Fuel pump malfunction

A faulty fuel pump can cause gasoline to not be delivered properly from the tank, leading to symptoms of running out of gas.

If you hear the fuel pump operating but the engine won't start, a faulty fuel pump may be suspected.

It's difficult to determine if it's broken, and if it is, a replacement and repair will be necessary. If you suspect a fuel pump malfunction, ask a shop to inspect and repair it.

【Hack】How to deal with running out of gas

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If you run out of gas, if you're riding, it's important to pull over to the shoulder to prevent accidents first.

Once you and your motorcycle are safe, the next step is to secure fuel.

Method 1: Push your motorcycle to a nearby gas station.

If you run out of gas and there's a gas station nearby and you can push your motorcycle there, do so.

If you have a smartphone or navigation system, you can search for nearby gas stations. Calculate the distance between your current location and the gas station to decide if you can push it.

Lighter motorcycles are easier to push, but the handlebar position also affects ease of pushing. Clip-on handlebars are generally easier to push than ape hangers.

Method 2: Borrow a portable fuel can from a nearby gas station.

If it's difficult to push your motorcycle to a gas station, you can walk to the gas station and borrow a portable fuel can.

If you put too much gasoline in the portable can, it will become heavy and difficult to carry. Therefore, the amount of gasoline in the portable can should be just enough to get you to the gas station, with a little extra for safety.

After refueling, you'll need to return the portable can to the gas station. However, placing the portable can on top of the fuel tank or strapping it to the fairing can cause scratches, so it's recommended to walk back to return it, even if it's a hassle.

Method 3: The last resort is to have it towed.

If you run out of gas and there's no gas station nearby, or if you're on a highway or other limited-access road where walking is difficult, you can call a roadside assistance service like JAF to transport your motorcycle to a gas station.

Not just JAF, many optional insurance policies also include roadside assistance, so it's a good idea to request a tow depending on the situation.

【Hack】Rock the motorcycle back and forth

As a last resort, rocking the motorcycle back and forth can send the small amount of remaining gasoline into the combustion chamber, allowing you to travel a few hundred meters to about 1 kilometer.

For lightweight motorcycles like mopeds, tilting the body from side to side can allow you to travel a short distance, but be careful not to let the body fall over.

If you have a hose, you can share gasoline.

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If you have a hose, you can use the siphon principle to share gasoline.

When handling gasoline, there is a risk of ignition, so always work in a place free of flames and be careful to avoid static electricity or sparks.

Refueling using the siphon principle

To get gasoline from another motorcycle, you'll need a long hose (about 1 meter, preferably oil-resistant) and a container to receive the gasoline (like an empty can).

Utilize the property of gasoline flowing from a high position to a low position to draw out the gasoline (siphon principle).

Refueling procedure using a hose

The procedure for getting gasoline from another motorcycle using a hose is as follows:

1. Insert the hose into the fuel tank of the donor motorcycle.
2. Pinch or block the end of the hose and pull it out slightly (just enough for gasoline to rise into the hose).
3. Place the container below the end of the hose.
4. Release your pinched finger from the end of the hose, and gasoline will flow into the container.
5. When the appropriate amount is reached, move the end of the hose above the container to stop the flow of gasoline.
6. Transfer the gasoline collected in the container to your motorcycle's fuel tank.

It takes a bit of skill to draw gasoline into the hose, but once the gasoline is drawn into the hose, all you have to do is place the container below the hose and connect the end of the hose to let the gasoline flow.

Some people use their mouths to draw up gasoline, but this is not recommended due to the risk of gasoline entering the mouth.

Motorcycle Fuel Outage FAQ

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Here are some "frequently asked questions" and "answers" about running out of gas on a motorcycle.

Every rider has the potential to run out of gas while riding, so please refer to this section as well.

Is running out of gas bad for the motorcycle engine?

Running out of gas doesn't directly cause much damage to the engine, but it can damage the fuel pump.

This is because the fuel pump consists of a motor and a pump, and while the motor's rotational force expels gasoline, when the fuel runs out, the fuel pump's motor tends to overheat.

Gasoline not only serves as an energy source for the engine but also cools and lubricates the fuel pump. Therefore, running out of gas impairs the fuel pump's cooling and lubrication functions, making it prone to overheating.

Furthermore, the nozzles of direct injection engines, which spray fuel directly into the cylinders, are also cooled by gasoline. If the fuel runs out, the nozzles are exposed to high temperatures without cooling, which can lead to nozzle failure.

How many more kilometers can I ride when I run out of gas?

When you run out of gas and switch from the main fuel tank to the reserve, the distance you can travel varies by model, but it is generally considered to be 50 km.

Your motorcycle's owner's manual will state the remaining fuel when in reserve. If you calculate the possible travel distance in advance based on your motorcycle's fuel efficiency and remaining fuel, you won't panic if you switch to reserve.

Gas stations at highway service areas are said to be spaced at an average of about 50 km to accommodate fuel outages, but in some areas, the interval between service areas with gas stations can be over 100 km, so caution is advised.

What are the signs of running out of gas?

Signs of running out of gas include the engine no longer revving up when you open the throttle, or a lack of power in the revving.

If you were riding normally but then the engine makes a "buh-buh-buh..." sound when you open the throttle, it could be a sign of running out of gas, so switch the fuel tank petcock to reserve.

Depending on the motorcycle model and riding style, you can usually ride about 50 km after switching to reserve.

Do I get a fine for running out of gas?

Running out of gas on a highway is a violation of the Road Traffic Act, potentially incurring 2 penalty points and a fine of 7,000 yen. (Road Traffic Act: Article 75-10, "Obligations of Motor Vehicle Drivers")

Road Traffic Act Article 75-10, in summary, stipulates that "when driving on a highway, one must inspect the fuel, coolant, and oil levels in advance and take measures to prevent the vehicle from becoming inoperable."

Running out of gas on a highway is a violation of the Road Traffic Act, and if judged to be more malicious, it could lead to a fine of up to 3 years or imprisonment for up to 5 years. Therefore, caution is required to avoid running out of gas on highways.

Reference: Road Traffic Act Article 75-10, "Obligations of Motor Vehicle Drivers"

Summary

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We've explained what to do if your motorcycle runs out of gas and symptoms that resemble running out of gas.

If you run out of gas, first ensure your safety and move your motorcycle to the side of the road to prevent accidents such as rear-end collisions.

Once safe, consider how to refuel, such as "pushing your motorcycle to a gas station" or "calling roadside assistance," depending on the location and situation of the fuel outage.