Fuel range needed for NZ rides

[Takataka]

Hi

I have a 690 enduro and am wondering if I'll need to carry more fuel to complete some of the longer rides in NZ. I have approx 250km range with the standard 12L tank which has done me so far.
Have many of you done rides requiring a longer range?
I'm trying to decide whether to add a safari tank or just carry a can if it is rare to need more than 250km range.

Cheers

[haydes55]

It will be rare to need more range than that in NZ. Of course if you plan on riding it to an off road ride, or into very remote areas, that won't be enough. If you load it in a van to an off road ride, that will be more than enough.


Have you planned any routes? Any particular areas you're looking at visiting?

[FJRider]

That would depend on the ride you are doing. Rides that require lower gears and lower speeds (and high revs) ... you might not get 250 kms ...

[Takataka]

Have you planned any routes? Any particular areas you're looking at visiting?

So far I've been exploring the 4wd tracks around Golden Bay (some great pylon roads etc around Cobb valley if anyone fancies a ride over this way :)
I also did the Lyell to Deniston (Mackley river) track a couple of weeks ago which was awesome.
I'm basically keen to do as many backcountry tracks as possible but haven't done enough research yet to plan many rides.

[Waihou Thumper]

Marty and Mark can help ya there.....:) Night Falcon and MXNUT
Suss them out and I am sure they will contribute their infinite wisdom!
Although Marty might be a tad sheepish at first, but he will divulge....:)

[Night Falcon]

The stock 690 tank range was just plain annoying for me; you could hit reserve at anything from 200-220ks depending on how much fun you were having :shifty: so the next fuel stop was always on your mind.

Problem solved with a safari tank? - good if you have 450k's between stops but most guys you ride with will be filing up round the 300k mark so your at the gas station anyway and mostly just end up carrying extra weight round for nothing.

If I had my time again I'd probably fit a rotopax fuel cell or two or spring for the 10litre rallyraid Evo2 tanks...if ewe can stand being lambed with the cost they're a good option :facepalm:

[Night Falcon]

although Marty might be a tad sheepish at first, but he will divulge....:)


....yup certainly will, better to "share" info rather than "hogget" :killingme

[Takataka]

Thanks for the replies :)

I can get a safari tank for $450 which seems fair but yeah I am hesitant to weigh the bike down as I'm really enjoying throwing it around a bit in the rough. One of the main reasons for choosing the bike was it being pretty much the lightest in class machine.
The rotopax look good but I am a canvas worker so could also make some paniers that incorporate compartments foera couple of off the shelf cans...

[Waihou Thumper]

I am a canvas worker so could also make some panniers that incorporate compartments for a couple of off the shelf cans...

Think seriously about that. What if you spill and rupture and the heat, vapours escaping.
The thing is, these aren't really fit for purpose being exposed to the heat of the day, expanding etc.
I would go the tank option, you'd be surprised, and at the end of the day, put in what you need, don't get greedy...
Always nice to have the luxury without being bogged down in weight and things flapping around and swinging in the breeze.....:)

[JATZ]

How 'bout.....

http://www.nomadtanks.com.au/Tanks.php

Just a thought :scratch:

[pete-blen]

I would go the tank option, you'd be surprised, and at the end of the day, put in what you need, don't get greedy...
Always nice to have the luxury without being bogged down in weight and things flapping around and swinging in the breeze.....:)
[/I]


I have a 22.5 liter after market tank on my XT.. good for around 500km if full
but I rearly put more than 15 liters in it.. but nice to have the volume/range
when you need it..

Go with a bigger tank..hassel free way to carry fuel..

[Waihou Thumper]

How 'bout.....

http://www.nomadtanks.com.au/Tanks.php

Just a thought :scratch:

I got one of these....as you can see it will last any distances I throw at it...:)
My arse gets sore though....long distances between fuel ups.

308779

Seriously though, I do have two of these and they roll up small when not in use.

http://liquidcontainment.com.au/cartpage/viewproduct/229/2-Litre-Touring-Bladder

I got a 5 litre and a 10 litre if required, but I got these pre large tank days...
Now everyone makes long range tanks so it isn't really an issue.
Trail bikes, yes, most ADV bikes now, the issue is sorted.

[DR Girl]

...........if ewe can stand being lambed with the cost..........
........... better to "share" info rather than "hogget" :killingme

Very quick Marty LOL :clap: :nya: :banana: :Punk:

[BMWST?]

It depends what you find out there imo?The ol gspd was good for 500 ks or more.You dont NEED that,but when you have done 250 k already and find another interesting track/road/destination you can do it,without using 25 percent of your fuel range and an hour or two to go and get fuel and come back.

[RogIrwin]

So far I've been exploring the 4wd tracks around Golden Bay (some great pylon roads etc around Cobb valley if anyone fancies a ride over this way :)
I also did the Lyell to Deniston (Mackley river) track a couple of weeks ago which was awesome.
I'm basically keen to do as many backcountry tracks as possible but haven't done enough research yet to plan many rides.

Yeah, sounds good. I have done a couple of rides over that way. Always looking for new and interesting tracks.

Nelson has a pretty active thread on here ( http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/79336-Nelson-Rideouts-Where-next?goto=newpost ) and I'm sure there are others that would be keen.

Please post something or come and join us on our next ride.

[awayatc]

First 650 pegaso had 15 ltr tank....225 km range.
I always carried 2 x 1 ltr spare fuel (bottles from outdoor shop for fuel cookers) and another 5 ltr in topbox on trips.
I found short range a mayor distraction when going on backroads....
you always counting distances..

second pegaso had 22 ltr tank......much better

[Woodman]

It depends what you find out there imo?The ol gspd was good for 500 ks or more.You dont NEED that,but when you have done 250 k already and find another interesting track/road/destination you can do it,without using 25 percent of your fuel range and an hour or two to go and get fuel and come back.

Exactly this........

[Night Falcon]

there are always so many variables when asking opinions on bike setup, fuel range, what tools to carry, gear to wear....the right answer every time IMHO always starts with "depends" :yes:

[Oscar]

there are always so many variables when asking opinions on bike setup, fuel range, what tools to carry, gear to wear....the right answer every time IMHO always starts with "depends" :yes:

I have a lot of experience riding on or with a 950SE which has an even more limited range than a 690, and it just requires a little bit of planning.
I guess we're lucky in that there is always another bike tanker with us (a g/s with a 50l tank or a XR650 with a safari tank).

[Tug Boat]

A 4.5 ltr rotopax is the way to go ( they have a good mounting system) put a decent carrier on the back and mount it there.
If you don't require it leave it at home.
This gives me comfortable 300 + k range

[Gremlin]

It depends what you find out there imo?The ol gspd was good for 500 ks or more.You dont NEED that,but when you have done 250 k already and find another interesting track/road/destination you can do it,without using 25 percent of your fuel range and an hour or two to go and get fuel and come back.
Yup, what he said. For a specific ride, sure, there is an expected range. But staying out of towns and continuing to explore... priceless :lol:

[vegeman]

Hey,
I perservered with the standard tank for years, but everytime I had to go somewhere adventurous, I'd try to tank a cheap 5L tank. In all the years, I rarely got caught out. Even managed the dusty butt ok without extra fuel. I still felt that taking the extra tank is a pain, but each to their own.

In saying that...it always bothered me, so I coughed up for the rally raid aux tank, which is a great peice of engineering as it comes with the alloy billet adapter to connect to the main tank/pump plus new carry rack. It was expensive, but I really do like having just that bit more range. I like that its just now part of the bike, and is 'always' there. Currently, I do about 280k's and still have fuel left. I reckon 310K's is probably its normal max.

From a riders perspective, I think that 250K - 300K should the realistic range to look for.
308816308817

[Night Falcon]

Hey,
In saying that...it always bothered me, so I coughed up for the rally raid aux tank, which is a great peice of engineering as it comes with the alloy billet adapter to connect to the main tank/pump plus new carry rack. It was expensive, but I really do like having just that bit more range. I like that its just now part of the bike, and is 'always' there. Currently, I do about 280k's and still have fuel left. I reckon 310K's is probably its normal max.



awesome piece of kit - 300k range is perfect for the 690 I reckon - no sense in turning a fast lightweight thoroughbred into a pack mule....that's what BMW's are for :whistle:

[Waihou Thumper]

From a riders perspective, I think that 250K - 300K should the realistic range to look for.



Yes, 300Km is great, but isn't it nice to not have to plan a route based on gas? :)
Gotta love that feeling of yep, let's go there and not worry about a gas station being there or even open?
Worry about that the next day.......

[Waihou Thumper]

I guess we're lucky in that there is always another bike tanker with us (a g/s with a 50l tank or a XR650 with a safari tank).

So they ride off and wave as they head into the sunset right? Share photos of the ride on Facebook and let you know what you missed......hehe
Or you do have friends that will loan you fuel? :)

[Takataka]

It depends what you find out there imo?The ol gspd was good for 500 ks or more.You dont NEED that,but when you have done 250 k already and find another interesting track/road/destination you can do it,without using 25 percent of your fuel range and an hour or two to go and get fuel and come back.

Yep this happened to me after I came out of the track at Deniston and then rode up to Mokihinui to stay with friends. I couldn't explore the area much without a ride to Westport for fuel (these modern cars are bloody hard to siphon:angry:)

I went ahead and bought the safari tank for $450. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=844354380 If I don't like it I'll just re sell it.

Great discussion though and it was a tough decision but I figured if I thought too long someone else would buy it. I hope I don't hate the bulk of it up front in the technical stuff.
One thing with this tank for the 690 is that you can leave it empty with the valve closed and just fill the 12l rear tank which is what I'll probably do a lot of the time. Apparently these tanks also give a bit of protection to the radiator which is a bonus.

[Night Falcon]

Apparently these tanks also give a bit of protection to the radiator which is a bonus.

Yup they make great radiator guards and are tuff as billy goats gonads. They carry their weight pretty low but you do notice the extra kgs up front on tight single track or high speed ruts.

[Takataka]

I couldn't find many testimonies to the durability and longevity of a billy goats gonad on the net but I'll take your word for it that the tank is strong :)


Yeah, sounds good. I have done a couple of rides over that way. Always looking for new and interesting tracks.

Nelson has a pretty active thread on here ( http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/79336-Nelson-Rideouts-Where-next?goto=newpost ) and I'm sure there are others that would be keen.

Please post something or come and join us on our next ride.

Cheers RogIrwin I'll put something up when I get a minute.