Rotopax...did you use it?

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Flightrisk
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by Flightrisk »

byewayrider wrote:Curiosity keeps getting the better of me...so who has bought a rotopax fuel can ...carried it and never needed it?

Im trying to convince my self i dont need one just rely on a map with known checked fuel stations...

This is more for the traveling enduro with 150mls range...exploring the wilderness ..

Thanks in advance...
Why not have a bladder instead; Lighter, less bulk, and can be stashed away when not required?

The Ozzies lead the field here with Liquid Containment offering various size options, but there is also the SA Desert Fox 5L. They have fixing eyelets so they should be able to bolt to a rack or luggage frame.
Flightrisk
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:18 am

Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by Flightrisk »

Dave DRZ wrote:Fingers crossed the uploads work...
IMG_6603.JPG
IMG_6602.JPG
IMG_6604.JPG

Simply bolted to a mounting plate that came with the pannier racks. I'd like to play about with the mounting plate so that I can mount both soft and hard luggage and still keep the aux tank on. I also want to fit domed bolts so that they won't rip into soft luggage.

Dave
That's a really interesting permanent system. How is the fuel fed into the bike tank; up the purple pipe by vacuum? Have you had to drill into the side of the tank, how was that done?
byewayrider
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by byewayrider »

Flightrisk wrote:
byewayrider wrote:Curiosity keeps getting the better of me...so who has bought a rotopax fuel can ...carried it and never needed it?

Im trying to convince my self i dont need one just rely on a map with known checked fuel stations...

This is more for the traveling enduro with 150mls range...exploring the wilderness ..

Thanks in advance...
Why not have a bladder instead; Lighter, less bulk, and can be stashed away when not required?

The Ozzies lead the field here with Liquid Containment offering various size options, but there is also the SA Desert Fox 5L. They have fixing eyelets so they should be able to bolt to a rack or luggage frame.

Have you ever tried filling a fuel bladder in a european petrol station....they get all twitchy about anythong but a fuel can...

And Dave,s answer or solution works for most folks who ride enduro small tank based bikes without spending a lot of money on bigger front tanks..

And fuel bladders allow vapour out...worse than acerbis tanks ...
Solo ktm690 euro trail rider
OnHellas
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by OnHellas »

I looked at Camel tanks for the F800GS but they wouldn't fit with the Jesse Luggage racks that I have.
Al Jesse has now redesigned the newer racks to acomodate.

So I went the RotoPax route. Adding first one and later in our trip a second 6.6 litre can. Mounted horizontally were the right side pannier would live.
After about 15,000 miles, with lots of rough roads, the central bolt that supports all the weight snapped. The cans made a bid for freedom.

I have kept one full most of the time and needed it on quite a few occasions. Not needed the second one yet.
The cans themselves are very tough, simple to fill and simple to empty with the spout supplied. Not the ECO spout, the was useless.

The mounting system is also very easy to use but watch out how you mount it. Especially using the adapted for subsequent cans.

That's my thoughts and opinions for what it's worth.

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Tramp
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by Tramp »

Some good stuff posted maily 2 camps the enduro rider looking for that bit extra distance and the guys going off the beatten track where distances between stations is huge...thats out of europe for most folks and deapest africa...

Just my input while awaiting the tunnel to france lol...
beddowsm
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by beddowsm »

byewayrider wrote:
Flightrisk wrote:
byewayrider wrote:Curiosity keeps getting the better of me...so who has bought a rotopax fuel can ...carried it and never needed it?

Im trying to convince my self i dont need one just rely on a map with known checked fuel stations...

This is more for the traveling enduro with 150mls range...exploring the wilderness ..

Thanks in advance...
Why not have a bladder instead; Lighter, less bulk, and can be stashed away when not required?

The Ozzies lead the field here with Liquid Containment offering various size options, but there is also the SA Desert Fox 5L. They have fixing eyelets so they should be able to bolt to a rack or luggage frame.

Have you ever tried filling a fuel bladder in a european petrol station....they get all twitchy about anythong but a fuel can...

And Dave,s answer or solution works for most folks who ride enduro small tank based bikes without spending a lot of money on bigger front tanks..

And fuel bladders allow vapour out...worse than acerbis tanks ...
I read a lot of articles (mainly on ADV Rider) about Dromedary bladders. They are designed to carry water but extensive tests show they are OK with fuel in them. I had the 6L one (or was it 5?). Found it difficult to strap to the bike. Kept coming loose. Everyone I was with were really wary. Don't smoke around them, as has been mentioned they allow vapour out. Strong smell of petrol all the time. Still, used it on a few outings.

Changed and went the rotopax route in the end.
Flightrisk
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by Flightrisk »

Ok the vapour loss is not something I had heard of, do all the bladders have this problem or just some certain brands. I had used some previously in the desert for a 4x4 but maybe diesel is not so evaporative.

I was hoping to mount a bladder in the same place as Dave mounted his Acerbis tank that could be rolled down to use when required, but now wondering if one of these could be a better solution...
Dazzer
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by Dazzer »

I fitted one and only used it I believe twice in 45.000 miles around the world.


Would I go to the expense of buying one and a bracket on my next trip ? ………….. No.



ps……..You should never run out of fuel in the UK or Europe . :ohmy:
byewayrider
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by byewayrider »

Dazzer....yes your half right about fuel in europe but ....when the bike your riding has only 110 mls...max and your riding on and off trails fuel stations are hard to plan into the route...especially when following mountain ridges etc...on a bike with 180 mls your okay....

This really was aimed at the lets call it enduro tourer who wants a light bije and carrys little luggage ...

Im glad to be corrected as always someone who knows more around the corner...we aint never going to know it all..thats why its a adventure lol...

I do think the cart tanks are a.far cheaper option to play around with...
Solo ktm690 euro trail rider
Dave DRZ
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Re: Rotopax...did you use it?

Post by Dave DRZ »

Flightrisk wrote:
That's a really interesting permanent system. How is the fuel fed into the bike tank; up the purple pipe by vacuum? Have you had to drill into the side of the tank, how was that done?
There is a breather valve under the seat of the X Challenge that lets air into the tank as fuel drains from it, the vacuum / suction this creates sucks fuel from the aux tank, so for this bike it is an easy job. Not sure if I'd be able to do it with my F800 GS?

Dave
Far Off Places; a motorcycle adventure from Manchester to Manali www.faroffplaces.net
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