Beware high cost emergency fuel between Taupo and Napier!

[roadstars]

We recently had a fantastic road trip throughout the middle North Island. Just warning other bikers to make sure that you top up your fuel tanks for the trip between Taupo and Napier, on Highway 5. There's no fuel stops for 150km and as far as we could see there were no signs warning this at either end. A lovely, little tearooms halfway between, sells emergency fuel in 10 litre quantities only for $45.00. Very appreciative for the top-up, but left feeling pretty gutted over the high cost of emergency fuel!!! What are other peoples thoughts on this? We'd be interested to hear!

[jrandom]

A lovely, little tearooms halfway between, sells emergency fuel in 10 litre quantities only for $45.00. Very appreciative for the top-up, but left feeling pretty gutted over the high cost of emergency fuel!!!

Supply and demand, the invisible hand of Adam Smith, etc. If I happened to cock up and run out of gas 50km from the nearest service station, I'd be happy to pay $4.50 a liter at a cafe, of all places!

Well done to them for going to the trouble of stocking up on petrol and filling the demand. I'm sure they make very little significant profit from selling it, given the time and effort they'd have to put into making it available.

[Zukin]

I think it was ok for them to charge that for it?

After all if you had run out, what would it of cost to get fuel to you by another method?
Cell phone call
Tow truck or mate with a trailer
etc

I always top up whenever I get the opportunity (just in case)

Cheers Scott

[NighthawkNZ]

I usually top up where I can at the major cities or towns (with in reason) that I am passing through. I use to ride that road regularly when I lived there in Napier... and me old XJ special only had a range of 150km (with 10-15 reserve) so I use to top up at both ends of the road... ;)

what would it have cost you if they didn't have the fuel available.

[RidingHard]

yea good on 'em I reckon, they can charge what they want. I bet they have saved a few people alot of hassle and headache. I very nearly got caught out on that road driving a recently purchased car from napier to taupo......turns out it was very very thursty! maby an enterprising sort should open a small station?? just think you could ride that road whenever you wanted! :)

[Taz]

I love having a bike with a range in excess of 350km.....

[NighthawkNZ]

I love having a bike with a range in excess of 350km.....

got to admit that even now th eVTR only has a range of 250ish km (+ reserve) but is better than 150km of me old xj... and I would love to have the range of 350km

[sunhuntin]

yea good on 'em I reckon, they can charge what they want. I bet they have saved a few people alot of hassle and headache. I very nearly got caught out on that road driving a recently purchased car from napier to taupo......turns out it was very very thursty! maby an enterprising sort should open a small station?? just think you could ride that road whenever you wanted! :)

the pump price would be huge to have a small servo in such an out of the way spot. thats why the G.A.S station in national park and the mobil associated ones down south have such a huge difference in price, cos they have to pay extra to get the tanker in in the first place.
theres very little profit in petrol, so taking into account getting set up with one of the big 4, plus construction of the site, renting/purchasing of pumps, pump maintinence, staff, theft of both petrol and shop stock, youd have to be very wealthy to begin with.

a good idea if you have the means to do it, thats for sure.

[MSTRS]

the pump price would be huge to have a small servo in such an out of the way spot. thats why the G.A.S station in national park and the mobil associated ones down south have such a huge difference in price, cos they have to pay extra to get the tanker in in the first place.
theres very little profit in petrol, so taking into account getting set up with one of the big 4, plus construction of the site, renting/purchasing of pumps, pump maintinence, staff, theft of both petrol and shop stock, youd have to be very wealthy to begin with.

a good idea if you have the means to do it, thats for sure.

This particular place changed hands a short while back. There were pumps/tanks there already. The new owner has implemented some very unfriendly policies for the potential passing trade. ie - you can't use the toilet unless you spend 'enough' $ over the counter.
I, for one, would avoid this place like the plague.

[scumdog]

Buy a sportster that has no fuel guage.

You'll never miss topping-up ever!

[Swoop]

Fuel, like a toilet, in remote locations is wonderful! (or should that be wonderfuel?)

[HungusMaximist]

I love having a bike with a range in excess of 350km.....

Oww man, I miss the good old days....

[Roj]

That is steep but at least there was some fuel, I don't like to thought of pushing my bikes any further than needed, thanks for the warning, I will remember that there aren't any petrol stations over that road,

[Tank]

I've been saved by the same folk previously - yep its expensive for gas, but cheap as a service.

I would certainly recommend them over the option of running out.

C

[peasea]

I've been saved by the same folk previously - yep its expensive for gas, but cheap as a service.

I would certainly recommend them over the option of running out.

C


I ran out on that very road one night. saw a dim light way off in the distance and the woman who was in the house was not at all keen on answering the door. However, she finally did and swapped me a 20litre drum of fuel (that she said was her father's) for all the tapes I had in my car, as security.

I went back a few days later with the fuel can topped up, an extra few bucks for her trouble and she gave me my tapes back. Still no sign of 'dad' though; I reckon it was just a line to keep me honest.

I always top up before a long stretch nowadays.

[jafar]

We recently had a fantastic road trip throughout the middle North Island. Just warning other bikers to make sure that you top up your fuel tanks for the trip between Taupo and Napier, on Highway 5. There's no fuel stops for 150km and as far as we could see there were no signs warning this at either end. A lovely, little tearooms halfway between, sells emergency fuel in 10 litre quantities only for $45.00. Very appreciative for the top-up, but left feeling pretty gutted over the high cost of emergency fuel!!! What are other peoples thoughts on this? We'd be interested to hear!

Yep they got you good , it always pays to run on the top half of the tank when in unfamiliar places. That way you have a lot in reserve should you need it;)

[lemure]

150kms between pumps? Heck I only get 125kms out of a full tank. That's why I'm going to carry spare fuel in my saddle bags when I go anywhere that far.

[Wasp27]

G4E and myself called in there for cup of tea just recently and were made very welcome...we were told that they were due to close but we were welcome to have our drinks while they cleaned up. then as we were leaving they offered us all the cakes and biscuits that were left in the cabinet and a free top up of drink....unfortunately we had to decline their generous offer cause we had no where to carry it....so for us I guess its all good. As far as the cost of fuel goes....the alternatives could be extremely costly. cheers W

[shafty]

I love having a bike with a range in excess of 350km.....

I ADORE having a bike which can exceed 500 kms per tank............

[Taz]

150kms between pumps? Heck I only get 125kms out of a full tank. That's why I'm going to carry spare fuel in my saddle bags when I go anywhere that far..

Now that's just funny! The bike manufacturer obviously has a sense of humour. I can hear him laughing at you now! Hwor silly round eyes buy our bikes wif wittle peanut tank coz they think it wooks cool...... wooks weal cool pushin it. Haha :lol:

[Conquiztador]

"That" place between Napier and Taupo used to have pumps. But as they got older and needed service/upgrading the cost did not justify it. As someone already mentioned, nothing in selling petrol. So now you can buy 10 litres for $45. If you do not like it then you better have another better option...

Have no problem with their price. And what I have seen of the new owners they are very decent. Also, as it is not a public toilet I have full symphaty with them only having it for buying customers. (Stop at the waterfall a little further towards Napier and you see what the ones who does not want to buy something at the cafe' so they can use their toilets get up to...)

[MSTRS]

Perhaps the message re customer service has been taken on board by these people?
Nobody had a good word for them 6 months ago.
BTW, I have no issue with "customer only" toilets... however these people were happy to take $30 odd from a family, and then say, "That entitles one of you to use our toilet!" FFS!