Beware high cost emergency fuel between Taupo and Napier!

**roadstars** · 3rd October 2007, 18:05

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** · 3rd October 2007, 18:11

Originally Posted by roadstars

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** · 3rd October 2007, 18:26

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:Me** · 3rd October 2007, 18:31

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** · 3rd October 2007, 18:34

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** · 3rd October 2007, 18:40

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

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 3rd October 2007, 18:44

Originally Posted by Anthrax

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** · 3rd October 2007, 18:52

Originally Posted by 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!

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:Me** · 4th October 2007, 08:07

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

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** · 4th October 2007, 08:10

Buy a sportster that has no fuel guage.

You'll never miss topping-up ever!

**Swoop** · 4th October 2007, 08:35

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

**HungusMaximist** · 4th October 2007, 08:54

Originally Posted by Anthrax

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

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

**Roj** · 4th October 2007, 10:37

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** · 4th October 2007, 10:49

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** · 4th October 2007, 12:27

Originally Posted by 422

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.