Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Mike54 wrote:

The Spanish Biker wrote:

V_King wrote:sloshing around 30-50kgs of fuel is a horrible thing to do to a bike.

The obvious thing would be to use compartments like in ships or fill the tank with a sort of honeycomb as I think are used in Formula 1 cars, etc.

Simon

Or just put in some fuel tank foam, job done (thumbs)

early tvr and schmiters (spelling) had the same foam, was a twat to put in a decent amount of fuel, took for ever to fill

steve

I added range to my 690 mainly because there are zero petrol stations on any of the tracks I like to ride on in France and Spain. I rarely use the front tanks in the UK but I hate having to come off a mountain just to hunt for fuel - it just wastes time and fuel.
As an added bonus, 300 mile range for commuting or long crap road sections means I get to stop when I want, not when the fuel tank wants to.

Most of my early years riding was on bikes with sub 150 mile range (two strokes then sportsbikes) so having 220+ from my NC700X seems fine. I'm not a desert crosser and don't mind stopping a couple of times on a day's riding so that's fine for me, even my gixer gets 180 odd inc reserve at sane speeds and that's enough for my aching neck and knee joints these days :pinch:
My MT03 has about 100 miles before the light comes on and that can be a bit if pain

Greetings to the people who know me and to those who do not. A good question.

I crossed Russia in 1993

I Crossed Africa in 2005

I circled the world in 2008-2009 - and crossed Australia, the Atacama Desert and several other such places - as have others. Because there are no petrol stations in 500kms, it does not always mean there is no petrol in that 500kms..........

When I've sat and talked to other such people about this topic we all actually agree - you do not need huge tanks. In fact, they are ridiculously expensive, unwieldy, and awful to ride with.

But then again. What do we know?

250 miles does it for me all the time even in the boondogs.

But I do carry 3 spare litres.

For cooking (thumbs)

Bernard Smith wrote:Greetings to the people who know me and to those who do not. A good question.

I crossed Russia in 1993

I Crossed Africa in 2005

I circled the world in 2008-2009 - and crossed Australia, the Atacama Desert and several other such places - as have others. Because there are no petrol stations in 500kms, it does not always mean there is no petrol in that 500kms..........

When I've sat and talked to other such people about this topic we all actually agree - you do not need huge tanks. In fact, they are ridiculously expensive, unwieldy, and awful to ride with.

But then again. What do we know?

250 miles does it for me all the time even in the boondogs.

But I do carry 3 spare litres.

For cooking (thumbs)

A great answer!

However, for the long distance commuter and the 'one week a year' tourer won't have time to search for that fuel and would rather keep going. I guess it's that NEED vs WANT equation again.

Jon

Having 2 bikes that do over 250miles to a tank (Transalp & v-strom both 650) makes anything that needs fuel before 200miles feel like a PITA.
I'm not saying that I never stop before 250, just that I don't need fuel until then.

I hate stoppping to fill up

Phil

AlanQ wrote:I recently did 2000 miles in a week on my 990 and I love everything about the bike except its crazy fuel consumption. Never more than 120 miles til the light comes on so really every 100 miles I was on the lookout for a fill up. Plus getting it on and off the centre stand and with full luggage is a major workout. I really want to do Nordkapp next year but the poor range is making me think this might not the best bike for the trip.

#

I recently did a Euro trip on my 990 too, with the R engine. On the long motorway hauls across Germany and France I was getting approx. 55mpg at a steady 80mph, and filling up at 150 miles before the fuel light even came on. If your riding solo try using a saddle bag etc rather than panniers to improve aerodynamics.

steve172 wrote: I recently did a Euro trip on my 990 too, with the R engine. On the long motorway hauls across Germany and France I was getting approx. 55mpg at a steady 80mph, and filling up at 150 miles before the fuel light even came on. If your riding solo try using a saddle bag etc rather than panniers to improve aerodynamics.

55 mpg - wow I think I'm getting nearer to 35! ("R" engine too) I did have panniers but even so that's a huge difference. I have swapped the stock pipes for Akra's but I left the map alone as that'd makes it even worse!

Yes but no but. Remember the original question? I thought it was about getting to the Boondogs not about adventure commuting.
I too have been to the Boondogs.Many times. And 250mile has nearly always been enough but once or twice have needed my cooking fuel to reach the next fill up.
So I agree that these massive tanks are not really needed. But 250/300 is essential.

You simply cannot get to the Boondogs with less.

Bernard Smith wrote:Greetings to the people who know me and to those who do not. A good question.

I crossed Russia in 1993

I Crossed Africa in 2005

I circled the world in 2008-2009 - and crossed Australia, the Atacama Desert and several other such places - as have others. Because there are no petrol stations in 500kms, it does not always mean there is no petrol in that 500kms..........

When I've sat and talked to other such people about this topic we all actually agree - you do not need huge tanks. In fact, they are ridiculously expensive, unwieldy, and awful to ride with.

But then again. What do we know?

250 miles does it for me all the time even in the boondogs.

But I do carry 3 spare litres.

For cooking (thumbs)

Where is the Boondogs?

200mile range is plenty for me but only if I remember to fill up... :S