Fuel and alternatives for that extra range

[Waihou Thumper]

I have done a bit of research and found that the fuel range to a lot of our bikes can be lacking yet we still want to ride the ole' faithful there and back most of the time. :yes:
What I mean by this is having a range of only 200kms or so for some bikes....
212372Imagine this then...:)


A lot of stories, yarns, hard luck occasions has prompted me to look for a good alternative mainly because I may be in the market for a new bike but cannot afford the $650 AUD for a newer bigger tank...

What happens if I sell the bike, buy another? I am back to square one looking for a bigger tank as we do.
I know for some fuel range isnt an issue, but I like to ride and not have to plan my trips around fuel stops and worry about whether they are open etc etc.
I know this might have been debated in the past and we have discussed merits of wine bladders etc and this certainly wouldn't be safe. I have been on rides with mates and seen jerry cans strapped, fallen off, snapped racks because of weight or vibration :gob:etc etc.....OR, melted because of exhausts coming into contact over bumpy terrain...Aye Mark..:shutup:
Well, I have found a few alternatives....
There is a New Zeland based company, I have yet to receive prices but he may be getting them from Australia anyway? When I hear back I will let you know.
I have founbd a couple over the ditch and they seem to reasonably priced too, way cheaper than a big Safari tank!

Here are the links, take a look and discuss the pros and cons....

http://www.liquidcontainment.com.au (http://www.liquidcontainment.com.au/)

212373Prices are very reaonable too, they are also legal to carry fuel of course....


http://www.bladdertanks.co.nz (http://www.bladdertanks.co.nz/) Yet to hear back from this crowd, I would imagine they will be similar to the above but I bet dearer that Aussie?

http://www.turtlepac.com/products/collapsible-jerry-can-fuel-tanks.html This crowd is more for the larger options etc, like aircraft and 990A...haha

212371

The guys over the ditch seem to have a few ideas, and I know some of you might think that we don't need these things here in New Zealand, but it does give you food for thought and wouldn'r it be nice to just keep riding and not have to plan the route for a day around a fuel stop? Ninety Mile Beach, Pouto Point, deep into forestry etc?
Thanks guys...:yes:



http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/BP-Brown/misc/pencil.png

[hayd3n]

my we hornet would love this

[warewolf]

This is an option: http://www.nomadtanks.com.au/

[Waihou Thumper]

This is an option: http://www.nomadtanks.com.au/

Yes, they aren't too bad and reasonably priced as well. The thing is though, once on bard these stay there and are more like a permanent fixture of the bike for the trip. I had in mind, putting a pillow onto the bike with gear, then emptying it, rolling it up and then continuing on. Fill, Ride, Repeat scenario.

[Gremlin]

if you want, I can dig out some pics of what Triple X Moto did for me. Marine grade 11.5L tank, strapped to back seat, fuel line plumbed into main line, with quick release valve.

[Waihou Thumper]

if you want, I can dig out some pics of what Triple X Moto did for me. Marine grade 11.5L tank, strapped to back seat, fuel line plumbed into main line, with quick release valve.

Hey there, yes please, that sounds promising....
11.5 litres plus 12 gives a great day out and a sore arse...:)

[Gremlin]

Probably the only decent shot I have of it, that would help you.

I picked up the bike after the work on a wednesday, then headed straight down to the TT2000, then took it off when I got back, but I can photograph the quick release valve etc if you want.

Note under the tank is a bracket to put the straps around, and add stability to the tanks position. The fuel line is running alongside the seat towards the front of the bike.

I didn't want to have to stop and re-fill, it defeated the purpose for me. Because of gravity, the fuel line would be bias to the extra tank before the main tank, leaving you with a useful fuel reserve light on the dash. With the 19L main tank, it meant I could do 400km before reserve, and is a massive use in long distance rides :wari:

[Waihou Thumper]

That is/was a good set up. I will, I think got the flexible way as when off road, there is give and less friction wear from the tanks. I have seen these break a frame, snap the packframe due to the 'not give' scenario as they are securely strapped in. It is almost like the rider has to pack it loosley so it flows left and right with the bike when it moves, causing less friction and downward weight when hitting bumps and things. On the Custy Butt, I took all of my luggage on the last day, it was a pack on the back, not heavy.
When I reached Alexandra, the left side of my securing handle, grab nandle had fractured. It is amazing what the back end suffers when you are enjoying your ride....:)
I guess this is why I thought the pillow is a great option, albeit a little more than a tank but sure as hell, a lot cheaper than a IMS or Safari....:) But, they do look good...hehe

[Taz]

Those soft tanks are bloody expensive. I carry a 3 litre can strapped on the back and it cost me $9.

[Waihou Thumper]

Those soft tanks are bloody expensive. I carry a 3 litre can strapped on the back and it cost me $9.

Not wrong there mate, yes...
Hey, what's with the . . on your profile re: Bike?
You sold something?

[Taz]

No just not advertising. I don't trust any of you :lol:

[blackdog]

No just not advertising. I don't trust any of you :lol:

just because you are paranoid........

[Taz]

just because you are paranoid........

Why do you say that?? What do you know?? Have you been spying on me?? Oh BTW i'm not paranoid (am I??) :o

[Gremlin]

yep, you're right about stress. I was away for 8 days, when taking it off, I had broken off one side of the bracket. This despite me telling them to make it strong, and my rep. It's under constant refinement.

[GSers]

I could always suggest that you buy a proper bike that has a shaft drive and 350kms in the tank but that would be taking the piss. FYI quick connect couplers for your fuel lines are available from www.c2c.co.nz you will be after the CPC catalogue they are available in plastic or S/Steel email Lindsay he will help you out. Regards GSers

[WuZards-Eugene]

I could always suggest that you buy a proper bike that has a shaft drive and 350kms in the tank but that would be taking the piss. FYI quick connect couplers for your fuel lines are available from www.c2c.co.nz you will be after the CPC catalogue they are available in plastic or S/Steel email Lindsay he will help you out. Regards GSers

What are you on about :blink: The ZX Express isn't shaft drive. You insult me.

[Taz]

What are you on about :blink: The ZX Express isn't shaft drive. You insult me.

Way to go. I remember when they were new and 2 guys in out club bought matching ZX10's. One guy put his down on the first gravel ride and scratched up the side. Only scratches nothing major. His wife was on the back and don't think she was too pleased tho.

[eldog]

I have done a bit of research and found that the fuel range to a lot of our bikes can be lacking yet we still want to ride the ole' faithful there and back most of the time. :yes:
What I mean by this is having a range of only 200kms or so for some bikes....
212372Imagine this then...:)


A lot of stories, yarns, hard luck occasions has prompted me to look for a good alternative mainly because I may be in the market for a new bike but cannot afford the $650 AUD for a newer bigger tank...

What happens if I sell the bike, buy another? I am back to square one looking for a bigger tank as we do.
I know for some fuel range isnt an issue, but I like to ride and not have to plan my trips around fuel stops and worry about whether they are open etc etc.
I know this might have been debated in the past and we have discussed merits of wine bladders etc and this certainly wouldn't be safe. I have been on rides with mates and seen jerry cans strapped, fallen off, snapped racks because of weight or vibration :gob:etc etc.....OR, melted because of exhausts coming into contact over bumpy terrain...Aye Mark..:shutup:
Well, I have found a few alternatives....
There is a New Zeland based company, I have yet to receive prices but he may be getting them from Australia anyway? When I hear back I will let you know.
I have founbd a couple over the ditch and they seem to reasonably priced too, way cheaper than a big Safari tank!

Here are the links, take a look and discuss the pros and cons....

http://www.liquidcontainment.com.au (http://www.liquidcontainment.com.au/)

212373Prices are very reaonable too, they are also legal to carry fuel of course....


http://www.bladdertanks.co.nz (http://www.bladdertanks.co.nz/) Yet to hear back from this crowd, I would imagine they will be similar to the above but I bet dearer that Aussie?

http://www.turtlepac.com/products/collapsible-jerry-can-fuel-tanks.html This crowd is more for the larger options etc, like aircraft and 990A...haha

212371

The guys over the ditch seem to have a few ideas, and I know some of you might think that we don't need these things here in New Zealand, but it does give you food for thought and wouldn'r it be nice to just keep riding and not have to plan the route for a day around a fuel stop? Ninety Mile Beach, Pouto Point, deep into forestry etc?
Thanks guys...:yes:



http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/BP-Brown/misc/pencil.png
any further developments?

[Transalper]

Rotopax are another good option now available here on the edge of Christchurch from Motomox.
www.motomox.co.nz/shop/show_products.php?cat=8&sub_cat=38 (http://www.motomox.co.nz/shop/show_products.php?cat=8&sub_cat=38)

[eldog]

Rotopax are another good option now available here on the edge of Christchurch from Motomox.
www.motomox.co.nz/shop/show_products.php?cat=8&sub_cat=38 (http://www.motomox.co.nz/shop/show_products.php?cat=8&sub_cat=38)

OK I will check it out thanks.
not a lot of strength in subframe - mostly plastic
just want to get to next fuel stop as I don't really know the range as I haven't travelled all that far on it really in remote areas, fine going from town to town. Thinking 5 litres maybe 10 if I get cunning.

its the remote country areas I want to travel, most of them will be at night so fuel stops are my main concern apart from fatigue.

I will be extending my range gradually as I feel comfortable with distance etc. But will be planning to cover as much area as possible limited to time and $.

[R650R]

I wonder how long those bladders will last if you use them lots.
Really in the overall scheme of things a proper bigger tank is not that expensive. To me the $500 for the 20L Acerbis was money well spent.
The times when I did carry a container I found it a right annoyance to be fluffing about at the roadside topping up the tank and then repacking afterwards etc...
For me the risks and handling time of extra bladders and containers far outweigh any initial cost saving...

[eldog]

I wonder how long those bladders will last if you use them lots.
Really in the overall scheme of things a proper bigger tank is not that expensive. To me the $500 for the 20L Acerbis was money well spent.
The times when I did carry a container I found it a right annoyance to be fluffing about at the roadside topping up the tank and then repacking afterwards etc...
For me the risks and handling time of extra bladders and containers far outweigh any initial cost saving...

I would normally agree with you for an adventure/dual purpose bike - which I have always thought I would end up with or similar.
but...
Since I am learning all this stuff and I haven't seen a proper bigger tank to suit it - its a road bike primarily.

I thought this would be the best place to ask about such things. As a temporary solution, till I sort out range/fuel stops.
thinking about 5 litres just in case. Most of the bike is plastic with not many places to bolt on a frame.

[BMWST?]

i just dont buy a bike that wont do at least 300 k.Simple

[FJRider]

if you want, I can dig out some pics of what Triple X Moto did for me. Marine grade 11.5L tank, strapped to back seat, fuel line plumbed into main line, with quick release valve.

I've seen a few fuel tanks in Top-box's ... with similar connections on a few Chatto Creek 1000 mile rally's ... It's worked well as stand alone systems on Givi mounting brackets. :yes:

[Gremlin]

I've seen a few fuel tanks in Top-box's ... with similar connections on a few Chatto Creek 1000 mile rally's ... It's worked well as stand alone systems on Givi mounting brackets. :yes:
Ultimately the gravity fed option didn't really perform consistently for me. Sometimes it worked brilliantly, drawing from auxiliary before main, sometimes it would start drawing once the main was near empty.

Sometimes it needed a kick to draw at all... and other times it didn't work at all. I gave up when I started considering a CAD drawn custom fuel tank.

Now I have 36-38L in the main tank on a better bike giving up at least 600km, and I've had 750km with a little to go. No problem :sunny:

[FJRider]

Ultimately the gravity fed option didn't really perform consistently for me. Sometimes it worked brilliantly, drawing from auxiliary before main, sometimes it would start drawing once the main was near empty.

Sometimes it needed a kick to draw at all... and other times it didn't work at all. I gave up when I started considering a CAD drawn custom fuel tank.

Now I have 36-38L in the main tank on a better bike giving up at least 600km, and I've had 750km with a little to go. No problem :sunny:

I have seen some systems that required a back-flow (stop) valve between the main tank and the extra tank/mainline junction ... as the height of the extra tank caused fuel to (over)flow the main tank. Some I've seen just had a (manual) valve easily reached from the riding position to be basiclly another reserve tank.


My FJ is fuel pump equipped ... with a similar setup I tried once ... I had no issues. (500 + km's without putting the feet down) I could have gone slightly farther ... but I NEEDED to pee ... (old aged bladder of my own)

[eldog]

I am not sure about current bike range, will depend on how I ride and what conditions I find.
the roads I have chosen are off he beaten track and I haven't been on most of them before. So I want some reserve.
i guess the range is above 200 k, but I have more work to finish the bike to test it out.
and I don't know about petrol supplies as I generally just fill up the car/truck and drive, can easily get anywhere in the nth is on one tank
its just me trying to ensure I don't have to call anyone at 2 in the morning, unless it's a real breakdown.
i know the main towns will have at least one or two stations open or fuel card operated, but I am not planning to be anywhere near those.

[BMWST?]

I am not sure about current bike range, will depend on how I ride and what conditions I find.
the roads I have chosen are off he beaten track and I haven't been on most of them before. So I want some reserve.
i guess the range is above 200 k, but I have more work to finish the bike to test it out.
and I don't know about petrol supplies as I generally just fill up the car/truck and drive, can easily get anywhere in the nth is on one tank
its just me trying to ensure I don't have to call anyone at 2 in the morning, unless it's a real breakdown.
i know the main towns will have at least one or two stations open or fuel card operated, but I am not planning to be anywhere near those.
wel thats a whole different ball game.My old BMW can go over 500 k on a tank normally i dont need anything near that.But if doing the sort of think you seem to be thinking about i would say you need a reserve of at least 100 k.Fill up when you can,and carry on.You may need to divert to the nearest known fuel if you find your self at the start of your reserve and you dont know where the next fuel is ,esp at night.

[FJRider]

well thats a whole different ball game.

Long distance riders and those that choose "The long way" to anywhere ... have the responsibility to ensure they have the fuel (or access to said fuel) to complete their journey ... :yes:

Those that can't or WONT to either ... THEIR problem ... ;)

Those that ring their friends at 2am to bring fuel to THEM ... don't expect that friendship to last .... long ... :pinch:

[JATZ]

I'm assuming you've seen this thread ??

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/87898-24-hour-fuel-stations

I'm not sure how up to date it is though. Perhaps if you let on where your going someone will fill you in on whether there's gas available 24 hrs.

[eldog]

I'm assuming you've seen this thread ??

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/87898-24-hour-fuel-stations

I'm not sure how up to date it is though. Perhaps if you let on where your going someone will fill you in on whether there's gas available 24 hrs.

yes spotted it several times, still havent got around to doing anything about it-i can be slack.

places i am going to dont have any vell phone coverage and the people tend to play the Banjo IYKWIM (eg Las Wangas)

[JATZ]

What works for me... If I'm going past a gas station with < 1/2 a tank, knowing I "may" not go past another one for a while, I fill up, regardless.
I've also been known to carry a couple of fuel bottles, similar to MSR cooker bottles, in a back pack. Use your imagination :msn-wink:
Wotcha riding ?

[eldog]

What works for me... If I'm going past a gas station with < 1/2 a tank, knowing I "may" not go past another one for a while, I fill up, regardless.
I've also been known to carry a couple of fuel bottles, similar to MSR cooker bottles, in a back pack. Use your imagination :msn-wink:
Wotcha riding ?

MSR cooker bottles? i will have to look for those to see what they are.
I think i will use your reasoning about the 1/2 tank idea, ok it will slow me down a bit.
But I have no idea about range just yet its a little old bike in bits, I brought it recently second hand, it has an electrical problem, which i only just figured out:weep:, battery not charging, battery seems ok at present, so i have the fuel tank off and checking out/adding a few electrical bits and pieces to extend range (lights, tacho, power supply for gizmos etc) so although a problem its actually a blessing because it enables me in this weather to make the changes

[BMWST?]

Long distance riders and those that choose "The long way" to anywhere ... have the responsibility to ensure they have the fuel (or access to said fuel) to complete their journey ... :yes:

Those that can't or WONT to either ... THEIR problem ... ;)

Those that ring their friends at 2am to bring fuel to THEM ... don't expect that friendship to last .... long ... :pinch:

agreed but NOT going somewhere because the may NOT be fuel along the way ?Where is the adventure in that

[FJRider]

agreed but NOT going somewhere because the may NOT be fuel along the way ?Where is the adventure in that

Ask the ADVENTURE riders .... :innocent:


I've always felt the ability to plan your trips is important .... :laugh:


But .... fuel in the tank is ALWAYS good insurance ... :cool:

[BMWST?]

Ask the ADVENTURE riders .... :innocent:


I've always felt the ability to plan your trips is important .... [emoji23]


But .... fuel in the tank is ALWAYS good insurance ... :cool:
The lure of a new or unknown road has seen me grateful for my 35 l tank

[FJRider]

The lure of a new or unknown road has seen me grateful for my 35 l tank

The lure of a new or unknown road ... has seen me relieved it was only a 5 km walk to the nearest gas station ... (and 5 km back to the bike) .. :innocent:

[BMWST?]

The lure of a new or unknown road ... has seen me relieved it was only a 5 km walk to the nearest gas station ... (and 5 km back to the bike) .. :innocent:
And so we arrive bacj to the need of available fuel

[FJRider]

And so we arrive bacj to the need of available fuel

The best option is ... onboard your bike.


Other options are only secondry ... in such times ... you pick the best option ... ;)

Careful planning and forethought ... beats walking anyday ... :zzzz:

[BMWST?]

Yes I buy a bike with good range everytime

[Gremlin]

Yes I buy a bike with good range everytime
wot e sed.

Yes, realistically on a normal trip you don't really need to go much further than 200km, or say, 250km capacity to have some spare. However, when you're deliberately staying away from towns, riding down every back road you see and spending a day out exploring (without returning to towns) then yes, you're going to need somewhere in the vicinity of 500km range.

Of course, the rougher it is, the less distance you'll cover... :sweatdrop

[eldog]

wot e sed.

Yes, realistically on a normal trip you don't really need to go much further than 200km, or say, 250km capacity to have some spare. However, when you're deliberately staying away from towns, riding down every back road you see and spending a day out exploring (without returning to towns) then yes, you're going to need somewhere in the vicinity of 500km range.

Of course, the rougher it is, the less distance you'll cover... :sweatdrop

I want a sense of adventure, away from most people.
glad to travel as a group
will be doing some planning as much as possible

I want to learn, the best way is by asking (like here) and experiencing stuff myself.

all good advice so far

[Rhys]

Why do bike manufactures make such small tanks?

[Gremlin]

Why do bike manufactures make such small tanks?
Weight / handling usually. In Europe most of the time you're very unlikely to have more than 50-100km between towns so you don't need a large range.

Further, the difference between full and empty for me, around 35L, makes quite a difference in handling and suspension response...