Topic: I ran out of gas in the far left lane of Atlanta traffic and I survived!

[bluezboy]

Whewh!!!! Thank you Mr. H.E.R.O. dispatcher a driver for saving my bacon tonight! This Bonehead ran out of gas at 6:30 on 285 east, right at Spahgetti Junction! Drivers here are the worse and drive like bats out of HELL, so it couldn't not have happened in a worse place. I had been zooming along in the left lane when I heard a familiar sound, yeah the one when you know your bike is about to poop out on you. I quickly got off of the wall and made my way to where 285 and the 85 North entrance ramp split, just as it finally died.
    Of course there were a shyt load of cars on my left and the ones on my right that were getting on 85 North,  I had to stay on my bike and walk it to the middle of the triangle shaped median. Once I had her off far enough of the road I called a friend who called the Hero crew for me since I couldn't get through to them, thank you Lynne Shepperd! I waited far away from my bike for about 45 minutes until the Hero driver showed up and gave me enough gas to get to the next exit.
       i was amazed last night that the traffic around me did seem to slow down and part, like the Red Sea, long enough for me to get over from the left lane to that median. ! Yes, there was a presence watching out for me, I know it. I'm thankful to be sitting here on the couch this morning because it could have turned very bad easily. No more 285 for me, i promise, Peg!!!!!! Or riding any other highway when I can find the back way, too boring and too risky!I should have paid more attention to my gas level before I went for my ride, dooooh and whew!!!!!!

[dhall57]

What no reserve Bluez You didn't do what I think you did, did you Glad your ok!

[bluezboy]

D, i had already put her on reserve. There was still some in the tank when I pulled over, but not enough to get her cranked again no matter how much I tipped her from side to side to fill those bowls, my girl wanted more gas in her tummy!

[dhall57]

I'm not sure but I think reserve is good for no more than about 25 to 30 miles tops. So had you hit reserve earlier in the day and just made the mistake not to filled up than or did you have to throw it on reserve hauling a$$ down hwy 285 and just misjudged how many miles you thought you could squeeze out of reserve.

[bluezboy]

guilty as charged, I'll take door number two D

[heffay]

I've only ran out of gas once, in my first car an 81 Grand Prix with a gas guzzling 6.6 liter from a TA...  My excuse?  I was 17 and getting road head.   

[dhall57]

Hey Hef, that's understandable and your excused

[boatsdickson]

And the best damn excuse ive heard in a long time too.

[dhall57]

Like you said bluez, I survived But I can just about guarantee you want let that happen again My 750KO can go right at 110 miles on a tank and then its reserve time and my 750K6 closer to 140. Try not to have to hit reserve on either, but if I do I know I better not pass up the very first station I come to.

[bluezboy]

I wish Hef's excuse had been mine last night, dooh! My bike is good for about 109 before I hit reserve but I usually fill up at 100, that WILL not happen again unless there's a fuel line that goes bad.

[Damfino]

Hmmm, road head on a busy highway while riding a motorcycle....Now that I've got to see! 

[dhall57]

Your adventure BB reminds me of what happened to my brother-in-law some years ago. He had rode his Harley to the other side of town to let a buddy do some work on it. He picked it up the following week and was riding back Hwy 29 a very busy and congested stretch of hwy. Vehicles move along at a rapid pace if you know what I mean. Two lanes going North and two lanes going South and a concrete barrier dividing the two. My guess he was just keeping up with the flow of traffic (75 or 80) Im sure. When all of sudden the bike started cutting our just like yours did and he reached down to flip it to reserve and to his shock it was already there. He was done, but just like you the good lord was watching over him and he was able to get off the hwy without ending up as someone's hood ornament. Found out later that the guy who worked on the bike had run out of gas while test driving and flip it to reserve. And when my brother-in-law picked it up he forgot to tell him With buddy's like him you sure don't need any enemy's

[andy750]

I ran out of gas on the French autoroute on my CB750F2 coming back from my then girlfriends house in Alsace. I was laden down with wine glasses and wine - had to push it a mile to the next gas station. Found out later its illegal to run out of gas on the autoroute and they will fine you!

[Raul CB750K1]

In all my bikes -well, but the CB750- I have done a reserve test: once your switch to reserve write down the odometer reading, load a can of gas and ride the bike until the tank is dry. Then you know, on a controlled situation, how much can you expect from your reserve.

Couple years ago on a rainy day I was driving home with my little daughter behind when I noticed an stopped bike on the right side of a three lane highway - but with another two lane beyond the concrete fence. No way to get out of there unscathed. Worst of all, by the body shape and the hair under the helmet it seemed to be a girl. And I'm yet to see a girl who is a good mechanic -sorry if I offend somebody but that's my experience-

Anyway, I knew she was in danger if some driver didn't have the time to swerve her. And I didn't want to listen in the news that somebody had got killed. So as soon as I could I turned back and got down the road again. My plan was to stop the car way ahead of her -as a car is easier to spot and represents a bigger obstacle- and put some reflective triangles even way ahead. Some part of me was hesitant whether I was doing the right thing: my little daughter was sitting behind and I was leaving her on a car, stopped on a highway. But I felt it was the right thing to do.

Long story short, the girl has run out of gas and had already phoned his dad. He came in a luxury BMW, and though he was somewhat grateful, he didn't showed more appreciation than when giving right of way deserves -not that I expected any-. Seems there is people so little used to need help that they don't know how does it feel to be in need from others. The girl, on the other hand, was really appreciative, I guess the feeling of somebody stopping made her feel safer. She insisted she would babysit my daughter anytime for free, which I refused. I even refused to write down her phone number. I told her: maybe some day my daughter will be caught in a situation just like you, and when that day comes, I hope somebody will just stop and help. Until that day comes, just pay it forward!

[70CB750]

Glad you made it!

[bluezboy]

In all my bikes -well, but the CB750- I have done a reserve test: once your switch to reserve write down the odometer reading, load a can of gas and ride the bike until the tank is dry. Then you know, on a controlled situation, how much can you expect from your reserve.

Couple years ago on a rainy day I was driving home with my little daughter behind when I noticed an stopped bike on the right side of a three lane highway - but with another two lane beyond the concrete fence. No way to get out of there unscathed. Worst of all, by the body shape and the hair under the helmet it seemed to be a girl. And I'm yet to see a girl who is a good mechanic -sorry if I offend somebody but that's my experience-

Anyway, I knew she was in danger if some driver didn't have the time to swerve her. And I didn't want to listen in the news that somebody had got killed. So as soon as I could I turned back and got down the road again. My plan was to stop the car way ahead of her -as a car is easier to spot and represents a bigger obstacle- and put some reflective triangles even way ahead. Some part of me was hesitant whether I was doing the right thing: my little daughter was sitting behind and I was leaving her on a car, stopped on a highway. But I felt it was the right thing to do.

Long story short, the girl has run out of gas and had already phoned his dad. He came in a luxury BMW, and though he was somewhat grateful, he didn't showed more appreciation than when giving right of way deserves -not that I expected any-. Seems there is people so little used to need help that they don't know how does it feel to be in need from others. The girl, on the other hand, was really appreciative, I guess the feeling of somebody stopping made her feel safer. She insisted she would babysit my daughter anytime for free, which I refused. I even refused to write down her phone number. I told her: maybe some day my daughter will be caught in a situation just like you, and when that day comes, I hope somebody will just stop and help. Until that day comes, just pay it forward!

Good for you for stopping to help her, I was in a dangerous spot, so I didn't expect anyone to help me. I do stop to help people too when i can because I've had people stop to help us numerous times over the years, paying it forward always. I will do your reserve test too, thanks. When I sit here and think about what happened, man was I be watched over!!!!!!!!!!!!

[70CB750]

Looking at the map, 285 is like 495 aka Capital Beltway in DC.  Now that is one scary road to be on no matter what you riding/driving. 

[bluezboy]

I've been on the Beltway and yes they are similar, but I think 285 is more terrifying, especially if you are not used to it, I am though I will no longer be riding it after my incident, not worth the time it saves me!