How to carry additional fuel with you

[Abosit]

Well.....I need to find an additional fuel container. I need to extend about 100 miles my range to the nearest gas station.

(Planning to ride the most northen route along Canada Hwy 11 and then from Val'Dor to Montreal on Hwy 117. Looks like not many gas stations there.)

Any of you have carried addtional fuel with you. What did you use and how much?
Your comments are wellcome.

[Lucky_Devil]

I need to extend about 100 miles my range to the nearest gas station.

So how much fuel does that equal? (what kind of mileage do you get?)

I've seen these, and they're nice... but I don't know if they're big enough for what you need.

http://www.msrgear.com/stoves/images/fuelbottle_xl.jpg

http://www.msrgear.com/stoves/fuelbottle.asp

Touratech might have something: http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/index.lasso

[ridingAK]

We carried the MSR bottles when we went to Prudhoe Bay. They worked well, no leaking, no odors. As LD says though, they don't hold terribly much.

[Abosit]

I do 150 miles on my tank. My concern is once when riding against a very, very strong wind I did aprox 90 miles on my tank and got the reserv light on.
So that said, my concern is coming in this situation again and then run out of gas.

I know, I know reducing the speed will help considerably and I would do that. Just wanting to be safe. Being conservative I do 44 mile/gal.

I am just brainstorming my best options. I have one of those aluminum cans for camping and they are great, may be getting a few of those will do the trick. I was just trying to find other options.

From my husbands calculations we have two long stretches of aprox 200 miles. Hope he is correct!

[sweptwingnut]

We carried the MSR bottles when we went to Prudhoe Bay. They worked well, no leaking, no odors. As LD says though, they don't hold terribly much.

Uhhh....Honey,,,,I think you have been on so many trips that they are starting to run together on ya. ;): MSR bottles were from our 2007 west of the Mississippi tour. LD is right, depending on your range, you may have to carry quite a few of them. In the end I found that while the MSR is a nice leak proof container, it is a pure pain in the hippopotamus to fill at the pump.

On the Prudhoe Bay trip, we had a 250 mile stretch of gravel with no services. Our solution was placing 2 additional 2 gallon fuel containers inside my right pannier. DANG those Micatech cases are big!!

http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329493897_qD4Wc-M.jpg

I would recommend something similar for each of you (1 or 2 gallon container) and just strap it down on the tail of each of your bikes. A cargo net or ratchet style strap should work fine. Just be sure and get a container that seals well and then ride test it in advance of your trip. That test ruled out some possibilities for us. Ride with them empty just prior to and immediately after the highway in question and you will minimize any other concerns.

Should you find yourself going on more frequent trips that have longer runs between fuel, I would highly recommend the Link below. This is more of an investment but works well while offering multiple configurations.

http://www.tourtank.com I would have posted an image for you but it appears the shanghai censors won't let me onto the TourTank site. I am guessing it must contain some George Carlin approved material......:lol:

[ridingAK]

OK, I'll admit it. The stuff we took on the trips is kind of blurring together. :lol: I think that is proof we need to do another big trip soon. You know, so it will be fresh in my mind. :devilsmile:

[KCDakar]

I would go with the 1, 1.5 or the 2 gallon option. Almost everyone I see riding even the big GS bikes like Nut and I ride are carrying this kind of setup.

You can also get water bottle holders and mount two to a pannier if you have hard bags. That would be four 32oz MSR bottles. I would go find a pic for you but I am so sick right now this is about all I can come up with...sorry.

[Lion_Lady]

I do 150 miles on my tank. My concern is once when riding against a very, very strong wind I did aprox 90 miles on my tank and got the reserv light on.
So that said, my concern is coming in this situation again and then run out of gas.

Have you ever pushed beyond when the reserve light comes on (under normal conditions), before filling up? What's the fuel capacity?

I used to begin looking frantically for a gas station as soon as my reserve light came on, then once, due to necessity, I couldn't find gas until a good 30 miles beyond where the light came on. I discovered that even then, I had more than another half gallon of fuel to use. Knowing the capacity of my tank, and having figured out what my average mpg was, I could guess that in reality, I had about another gallon of fuel (and 35-40 miles), once the light came on.

This knowledge has vastly improved my "comfort level" when that light comes on.

P

[KCDakar]

Have you ever pushed beyond when the reserve light comes on (under normal conditions), before filling up?

I used to begin looking frantically for a gas station as soon as my reserve light came on, then once, due to necessity, I couldn't find gas until a good 30 miles beyond where the light came on. I discovered that even then, I had more than another half gallon of fuel to use. Knowing the capacity of my tank, and having figured out what my average mpg was, I could guess that in reality, I had about another gallon of fuel (and 35-40 miles), once the light came on.

This knowledge has vastly improved my "comfort level" when that light comes on.

P

Great point Lion_Lady! :thumbup:

The best way to test this is to carry fuel with you and ride tell you run out. Then pour in your measured (1 gal is the easiest) amount you carried with you. Check your miles. Ride to the gas station. Fill up and do the math to find out just how far you really can go on a tank. Don't forget to figure in the gallon you just put in.:thumbup:
There will always be a little left in the tank as your fuel line has a tube that sticks up in the tank.
Then figure your worst milage you have ever got. Like heading into a strong headwind all day and that is your number. After that number you will have to start thinking about how much wind, how heavy a load how fast was I going to try to factor it all in then make a guess as to how much is really left. It is Dark Magic.:lol:
The more we ride our bike the better we get at this figure. So get out and ride!:wootrock:


Mine is 33 mpg. My average is 36 with gear. If I ever slow down it is 42 but who wants to do that? :lol:
On my Pig I can lay it over on its side and get about 15 more miles out of it as the tanks have lobes down low and the left one holds the gas and the right one has the petcock in it.:thumbup:

[KCDakar]

I have a friend that has a bike that when his light comes on he has to find a gas station in about 20 miles or I am having to give him gas. :grump:

[KansasKawboy]

On my Pig I can lay it over on its side and get about 15 more miles out of it as the tanks have lobes down low and the left one holds the gas and the right one has the petcock in it.:thumbup:


But first you need someone to pick it up for you. :D:

My KLR is the same way, it's supposed to hold 6.1 gallons

[KCDakar]

But first you need someone to pick it up for you. :D:

My KLR is the same way, it's supposed to hold 6.1 gallons

When I am in that bad of a situation I can always unload and do it myself. But I hope I never have to do it alone. So far so good.:thumbup:

If it turns out I can't do it I figure it is time to stop anyway. :lol:

[indianscout]

I have a friend that has a bike that when his light comes on he has to find a gas station in about 20 miles or I am having to give him gas. :grump:


I'm not touching that one.....................:devilsmile:

[KCDakar]

I'm not touching that one.....................:devilsmile:
:lol: I leave that kinda gas up to you Bro. :lol:

[indianscout]

:whistling:




:lol:

[Abosit]

KCDakar, hope your migrane is better.

Well, I am riding a 1200 gs
I manage consistently to get 150-160 per tank when my reserve light goes on. Have streched it to 190 mile with the reserve. Never run out jet.

BUT....here is my but, I rode once just 90 miles with one tank and the reserve, no blaming malfunction of the bike it was a terrible hurricane like wind from the front and managed on the fumes to get to a gas station.

So my theory is, after that experince, on those long stretches in the northern Trans Canadian I can come in this situation again, so........no way I want to run out of gas, and may be even with a nice thunderstorm????
That is the reason I want sufficient fuel.
Will I make more of those wilderness type trips, who knows after that, I may get hooked to explore more. Also I do not want to spend a ton of money. Those aluminum
5 gal are for Iron butt riders I believe.

Nut, you hard cases do have a lot of space WOW!
What about the balance of your weight in relation to the other side? do you have all your tools to compensate?
Thanks for the info

[Yard o'Moto]

Uhhh....Honey,,,,I think you have been on so many trips that they are starting to run together on ya. ;): MSR bottles were from our 2007 west of the Mississippi tour. LD is right, depending on your range, you may have to carry quite a few of them. In the end I found that while the MSR is a nice leak proof container, it is a pure pain in the hippopotamus to fill at the pump.

On the Prudhoe Bay trip, we had a 250 mile stretch of gravel with no services. Our solution was placing 2 additional 2 gallon fuel containers inside my right pannier. DANG those Micatech cases are big!!

http://alaskadualsport.smugmug.com/photos/329493897_qD4Wc-M.jpg

I would recommend something similar for each of you (1 or 2 gallon container) and just strap it down on the tail of each of your bikes. A cargo net or ratchet style strap should work fine. Just be sure and get a container that seals well and then ride test it in advance of your trip. That test ruled out some possibilities for us. Ride with them empty just prior to and immediately after the highway in question and you will minimize any other concerns.



Thats what I do too, 1 triple bagged. (and uh, vent it every day, DAMHIK) http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/11doh.gif/img%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/11doh.gif

[sweptwingnut]

KCDakar, hope your migrane is better.

Well, I am riding a 1200 gs
I manage consistently to get 150-160 per tank when my reserve light goes on. Have streched it to 190 mile with the reserve. Never run out jet.
........
Nut, you hard cases do have a lot of space WOW!
What about the balance of your weight in relation to the other side? do you have all your tools to compensate?
Thanks for the info

Ah, I don't think we realized you were riding a 1200gs. The Micatech cases for the 1200 are huge and yes, we planned our packing around the weight of the fuel in the right side.

I have found that my 1200 likes good gas. I have had stretches on the ALCAN where I have suffered reduced mileage due to poor fuel. I always tried to put the highest octane in the 1200 and I always carry some Octane boost for those remote fuel stops. On the other hand, I think rAK's 650 would get 50mpg on spit alone...:lol: That bike doesn't care what you put in it.

The 1200gs fuel gauge is notoriously finicky. I have found myself with one bar remaining and looking for a gas station only to realize I had another 1 to 1.5 gallons remaining. If you wait until the fuel gauge hits reserve, it will start a "miles to go" estimate. I.E. 50 miles to go, etc. I have found this to be a very accurate estimate.

rAK and I have run the 650gs and 1200gs in two different scenarios down to the reserve and have made note of the difference for us. Our findings were:

650GS - Constant highway speed (65mph) - 190 miles to the reserve fuel light
1200GS - Constant highway speed (65mph) - 210 miles to the reserve fuel countdown

650GS - speed 40-45 in 5th gear - 220 miles to the reserve fuel light
1200GS - speed 40-45 in 6th gear - 250 miles to the reserve fuel countdown.

The latter figures require a bit of caution on the use of the throttle. At those slow speeds/high gears, it is easy to lug the engine too hard. If you are careful, you can eek along with the throttle barely open and minimize the lugging load placed on the engine.

These two scenarios ultimately give us a real world and an emergency use set of figures.

[KCDakar]

I manage consistently to get 150-160 per tank when my reserve light goes on. Have streched it to 190 mile with the reserve. Never run out jet.

In my opinion 150/160 does not sound right for the 1200GS. We are talking Miles right?

May I ask if you put gas in that has ethanol (corn) in it? If you do that might be the problem. I get about 60 miles less out of every tank full in the 1150GS. :gaah:

When I was out this summer I had to be careful of who I got my gas from. Some had corn some didn't. Sometimes it was all there was.

I was I think in North Dakota and found my light had gone on at 90 miles. :eek:
I had been hitting a killer head wind all day long. That alone couldn't be the reason for the 90 limit though. So I was going through my mind what it could be. I stopped and looked to see if something mechanical was the cause. Nothing I could see or smell. The bike was running ok. That left the gas.

When I got to the very next gas station. I had 1/10th of a gallon left.:scared:

I pulled out my last gas receipt, called the station and it turns out it was a station that sold corn gas.:grump: With the headwind and poor BTUs of corn gas I was hopeful that was my problem. Turns out it was.

Micatech cases ROCK! :wootrock:
I have them too...:redface1:

[indianscout]

Ethanol is very common in the upper mid-west. Most stations have at 10% blend in all of there gas unless it is E85 or other. My bike gets about 33-34 mpg on an average but it jumps up to 40 if I can get 100 octane. Most stations don't have that so it is an acception to the rule to have it. Octane boost is a must in my travel bag along with a lead additive for my ol' beast.

[Abosit]

Thanks a lot, that is great information. Never thought to much about the alcohol in the gas, although now that you mention that somthing comes back to my rusty mind far away rumors.

Now that you talk about additives, what do you use and due to your excelent explanations, may be you want to tell me how that works (I am not a chemical engineer but probably will undestand somewhat). Are you saying Indianscout, that the lower octanes have less alcohol percentage? I try to put the better octane normally, but sometimes there is none available in the smaller tows.

You girls and guys are wondeful, you just pumpt me up today in this freezing weather.
I have not managed to put a pic of my bike, have to open somewhere a url or something. It will come sometime! uh, la, la.......life is good!!!

[sweptwingnut]

Now that you talk about additives, what do you use and due to your excelent explanations, may be you want to tell me how that works (I am not a chemical engineer but probably will undestand somewhat).

I am not brand loyal when it comes to octane boost. If I am in a spot that I feel requires it, I just buy whatever brand they have on the shelf in the station and add the appropriate amount to the tank before filling up. I always keep a spare bottle on the bike as a backup.

[Abosit]

Well I am trying to put a picture ans see if I can do that.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-9_-8F5VIs0/SXvx-b7VN0I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/-BUhO3kLyaI/IMG_1828.jpg

Happens to be in front at a dealer where I saw my first bike the Vespa 150cc back then in the 70 ties, on the other side is my bike.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-9_-8F5VIs0/SXvvNTgpgnI/AAAAAAAAAU0/h2kfa0wy8EI/s640/IMG_1570.jpg

Lake St. Mary in Glacier N.P

[ridingAK]

Nice picture!

[indianscout]

Now that you talk about additives, what do you use and due to your excelent explanations, may be you want to tell me how that works (I am not a chemical engineer but probably will undestand somewhat). Are you saying Indianscout, that the lower octanes have less alcohol percentage? I try to put the better octane normally, but sometimes there is none available in the smaller tows.



No, the lower octane gas has the same amount of ethanle but less additives. Alcohol additives will reduce the octane in the gas regardless of what it says on the pumps. 87 octane in a state that does not use ethanol is not the same as 87 octane in a state that does use it, regardless of what it says on the pumps. Ethanol is cheaper but will reduce your mileage, so it is a wash. You will have to do a few test runs with your bike to see what octane gas works best with your bike. In states that use ethanol, my bike works best with the lower 87 octane plus my added octane boost. In states that do not use ethanol, I run the highest octane rated gas that I can find and do not have to add the octane boost. You will have to do some research on what does or does not work with your bike as each bike is different. Once you have an idea of how your bike does with each situation, you can add the factor of wind, rain, altitude etc to get a closer idea of how you need to handle each situation. I guess in a nut shell, if you can not get gas without ethanol additives, lower your estimated milage by 5-10 mpg. I lower mine by as much as 15 mpg even with the octane boost. When in doubt, figure low to be on the safe side. It is easier to ride into a staition with extra gas than it is to push it to the next staition. Hope this helped some.

[KCDakar]

I wish I wasn't so sick. I have so much I want to add to this great thread but right now I just don't have it in me...:sorry:

[Lion_Lady]

You fooled me, Abosit. Your avatar pic looks like an R1150R. My Rockster has a 5.4 gallon tank. The reserve light usually comes on at around 146 - 155 miles, depending on the season (winter mileage is usually lower). I've gone to 205 miles before filling up. The most I've ever added is 4.9 gallons.

What is the actual listed capacity of your gas tank? Not trying to talk you out of carrying extra gas. Its just that, if you know how far you really can go, it will make it easier to decide what/how many extra fuel containers you need to pack.

P

[Abosit]

I did not want to confuse anybody, sorry, just had that picture of the R1150R, my first serious riding bike. I love that picture and just put it up. Still have my heart attached to that bike.

I sold it this spring and got the 1200 GS. it is much lighter and feels less top-heavy.
I bought it with lowered suspension, and now being flatfooted really think I made a good choice. I can ride alone without the fear, what if somewhere I tip the bike over. ( I know Skeart has a technique to do that, will have to try too) Just have to let you know, I just started to ride my bike in spring 2005, have put 45000 miles , but still have lots to learn. 25 year ago I had a Vespa 150cc

My tank is 5.2 gal and I will do some serious testing with fuel consumption before my long trip and see how far I can go. I got from you girls and guys some good points to test.
So much to learn, so much fun..so much so see,..so many new friend to meet!

[KCDakar]

So much to learn, so much fun..so much so see,..so many new friend to meet!

You Go Girl!!!:wootrock:


But don't forget your camera. :lol:

[Abosit]

Oh yes KCDakar,
I always take my camera along and take pictures, and......when January 2008 my husband and myself both at the same time had a flu for 3 weeks you know what I did,... put the DVD with our pictures to play on the TV and watched it over and over from the couch. Never got tired of re-living our trips.

Need to learn more about taking pictures, take a class in the winter in some place. One more thing to learn!

Hope you are feeling better :thumbsup:

[KCDakar]

Oh yes KCDakar,
I always take my camera along and take pictures, and......when January 2008 my husband and myself both at the same time had a flu for 3 weeks you know what I did,... put the DVD with our pictures to play on the TV and watched it over and over from the couch. Never got tired of re-living our trips.

Need to learn more about taking pictures, take a class in the winter in some place. One more thing to learn!

Hope you are feeling better :thumbsup:

The DVD thing sounds like fun. I might have to see what I can do about that one.:chin:

I am feeling like a new person! Thank you all for the well wishes! :hug2:

[Lion_Lady]

Back to topic :o: I managed to run out of gas on the bike yesterday...

Had been riding about 35+ miles beyond the green light coming on. I was riding with hubby who was also getting low on gas, but his tank is bigger than mine. We're looking for a BP station, but having no luck. I knew I was getting close to running out, but wasn't greatly concerned as my trip meter (which I reset every fill up) hadn't yet reached 200 miles.

Then as I passed a car, and twisted the throttle, I got the beginning of a response, then nothing. :slaphead: I knew exactly what had happened. But, I wear earplugs, so I couldn't hear if the engine had quit. I sqeezed the clutch lever, and signalled to pull off the road. I was in the passing lane, and didn't trust being able to "drive" with control back across the slow lane to that shoulder, so I pulled to the shoulder on the nice grassy median.

Stupid stupid stupid. As I came to a stop, the engine was still running, so I turned it off. I'd heard of the potential consequences of running a fuel injected engine without fuel, so I was not inclined to "nurse" my baby anyplace. Then I removed my helmet and have a quick problem solving conference with Chaz.

No gasoline container, but we've both got GPSs, so he heads off to find the nearest ANY kind of gas station. His plan: buy a big bottle of water, pour that out, and fill with gas for me.

Meanwhile, I stand around and wait. Only one motorcycle even rolled off the throttle at seeing me, but I gave the thumbs up signal. Chaz returned in less than 20 minutes. YAY!! 1.5 liters of gas and she starts up fine. Then he leads me to the gas station and we fill up and head home.

All in all it was a lovely day to ride, yesterday!!

[sweptwingnut]

Well,,,,now you know your specific fuel range. How many miles did you get out of that tank?

[Yard o'Moto]

I just read a thread about this on another forum the other day. Some one said the aluminum containers can be had for free : so i went in search of them. Dr Pepper markets 2 energy drinks - Venom - Black Mamba, or Venom - Mojave Rattler. They come on aluminuminuminum bottles with a screw on lid, although i did not find the 24 ounce the other person said, I found 17 ounce in my area, half a liter. It was in my larger 7/11 in the single serving soda cases. Has a Large snake eye on the bottle, mamba is red, rattler is blue. Got me a couple, had some liquid refreshment, and bringing some gas for my next outing!

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn275/near-air-base/P2090089.jpg

[Luna Tique]

Good Luck with that. Just don't get them mixed up......... gas tastes nasty :wtf: :D:

[Astir]

:thumbup: Cool find!

Please keep an eye on the lid, gasoline does different things to different materials. I would be concerned the gas would deteriorate the plastic that seals the lid.

[KCDakar]

Please keep an eye on the lid, gasoline does different things to different materials. I would be concerned the gas would deteriorate the plastic that seals the lid.
:iagree:
And I would do a test of putting the gas in and setting it at an angle in the sun to see if it can handle the pressure that is going to build up inside and still hold the gas without leaking around the cap. Better to find out before you go on a ride! :thumbup:

That said,this is jm2c....

I asked my son if he would save one for me so I could see if they would work for hauling water so I was not wasting so many plastic H2O bottles when out on the road. I think it will do just fine for that but I don't think I myself would haul fuel in it unless it was the kind you imbibed in after hours. :fridayparty: It is sooo thin I would be worried about a puncture or stress break in it.:shrug:

I have seen a few bikes catch on fire from one thing or another. The only ones that got somewhat saved were the ones on the racetrack because they had fire suppressant right there on trackside. The others burned to the ground. Gas is as we all know very flammable. They make the, say the MSR bottles, to withstand the pressures of hot fuel and the possibility of dropping your bottle and have it survive along with you. I have to put in here, to try to make end runs around this to save money can in the long run cost you much much more.

Just something to think about as we don't want anybody to get hurt here! :thumbup:

[Yard o'Moto]

Fear not, I wont drink it, they are empty, washed and i wont be paying $3 for a bottle of sugared water again! ( but the drink was yummy, carbonated - kinda cross between orange juice and punch)

The bottle is pretty sturdy, not like a soda can at all.

Good idea, i will sit one in the sun and see what happens. Yeah, that tiny little plastic gasket may not hold up long. Some one had said they made some gaskets out of an old inner tube. But can that hold up to gas? Any one know?

[Lion_Lady]

Well,,,,now you know your specific fuel range. How many miles did you get out of that tank?

I got the "dead throttle" at 197 miles. Then, after adding almost 2 liters of gas on the roadside, it was just a couple of miles to the gas station, where I added 4.785 gallons of gas.

It would seem that I've got almost a half gallon of gas that is unreachable, in my slightly saddle shapped tank... Hmmm. I usually fill the bike on the side stand, not the center stand. It is probable that I didn't have even that much gas available. But, if I were desperate, I could possibly have laid the bike over on its side to tip that last bit of gas to the fuel feed side.

P

[Lucky_Devil]

But, if I were desperate, I could possibly have laid the bike over on its side to tip that last bit of gas to the fuel feed side.

P

This is a viable option. I just read about someone doing that very thing to try and reach a gas station. They pulled over, gently tipped the bike over on its side to get fuel to drain to the fuel feed side, and then hoisted it back up and rode on. They did this several times BTW... so I think you can attempt the controlled tip-over multiple times if you're desperate.

[sweptwingnut]

I got the "dead throttle" at 197 miles. Then, after adding almost 2 liters of gas on the roadside, it was just a couple of miles to the gas station, where I added 4.785 gallons of gas.

2 Liters = .52 gallons. plus the 4.785 you added at the station gives you 5.305 gallons.

Does this sound about right for Tank size on your bike? I am actually kinda surprised at the mileage you experienced on your tank. I would have expected more but I understand the unusable fuel getting stuck on one side. That issue was remedied on the 1200GS so I wonder if you could do a similar setup on your bike to take advantage of the fuel on that side.

I always try to fill our bikes upright on the center stand but I know that when rAK rides alone that she can't do it that way.

We are considering the TourTank (http://www.tourtank.com/) for sometime in the future

[KCDakar]

This is a viable option. I just read about someone doing that very thing to try and reach a gas station. They pulled over, gently tipped the bike over on its side to get fuel to drain to the fuel feed side, and then hoisted it back up and rode on. They did this several times BTW... so I think you can attempt the controlled tip-over multiple times if you're desperate.

On my way back from AK I was following a friend across Kansas that was having bike problems and he ran out and had to do this on his KLR. He did it tell he ran out. :shrug: Then a farmer pulled up and gave him some gas. :wootrock:

[Luna Tique]

JT has done the tip the bike to reach the precious liquid before on a cross country trip back in 1972 and It DOES get you a few miles further down the road( Far enough that he made it to the station)

[KCDakar]

JT has done the tip the bike to reach the precious liquid before on a cross country trip back in 1972 and It DOES get you a few miles further down the road( Far enough that he made it to the station)

No wonder his back hurts...:hug2::w2:

[Lion_Lady]

Listed tank size for my bike is 5.4 gallons. Hubby corrected me: It was a 1.5 liter bottle of water used to transport gas.

P

[sweptwingnut]

wow! .6 gallons of basically unusable fuel would have me looking for a way to tap the bottom of the tank on that side and splice it back into the fuel line somewhere above an inline filter.

[KansasKawboy]

On my way back from AK I was following a friend across Kansas that was having bike problems and he ran out and had to do this on his KLR. He did it tell he ran out. :shrug: Then a farmer pulled up and gave him some gas. :wootrock:


This is a problem on the KLR. One guy came up with a solution.

http://www.bigcee.com/faq/fuelmod.html

[KCDakar]

This is a problem on the KLR. One guy came up with a solution.

http://www.bigcee.com/faq/fuelmod.html

I'll pass that on. Thanks. :thumbup:

[demenshea]

I was looking at getting a couple of MSR fuel canisters, the 30 oz size but then realized that it was less than 1/2 gallon. I suppose it would help on some of those NV backroads i ride where fuel is over 200 miles apart sometimes.

I can get about 200 out of my bike if I'm not fighting wind as others have mentioned. I am less inclined to carry a gas can of fuel. Makes me nervous.

So...guess i'll just get a couple of those and keep them for emergencies. It would get me another 20 mile or so...:thumbsup:

[Lion_Lady]

On another forum, somebody mentioned that there's ethanol (?) added to fuel here on the east coast in the winter... something about emissions. The result is a reduced MPG for vehicles.

That is consistent with my observations... lower mileage per tankful in the cold months. It seems like I did get to use pretty much every avaible bit of gas that was there, given that I probably did not fill it to the absolute capacity.

P

[demenshea]

On another forum, somebody mentioned that there's ethanol (?) added to fuel here on the east coast in the winter... something about emissions. The result is a reduced MPG for vehicles.

That is consistent with my observations... lower mileage per tankful in the cold months. It seems like I did get to use pretty much every avaible bit of gas that was there, given that I probably did not fill it to the absolute capacity.

P

Ethanol in CA was common last year used to reduce cost of fuel. I did read this regarding ethanol.


From Wikipedia
Ethanol is most commonly used to power automobiles, though it may be used to power other vehicles, such as farm tractors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farm_tractor) and airplanes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airplanes). Ethanol (E100) consumption in an engine is approximately 51% higher than for gasoline since the energy per unit volume of ethanol is 34% lower than for gasoline.[14] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel#cite_note-EEREFAQ-13)[15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel#cite_note-EIAATTF-14) However, the higher compression ratios (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_ratio) in an ethanol-only engine allow for increased power (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_power) output and better fuel economy than could be obtained with lower compression ratios.[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel#cite_note-autogenerated6-15)[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel#cite_note-16) In general, ethanol-only engines are tuned to give slightly better power and torque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque#machine_torque) output to gasoline-powered engines. In flexible fuel vehicles, the lower compression ratio requires tunings that give the same output when using either gasoline or hydrated ethanol. For maximum use of ethanol's benefits, a much higher compression ratio should be used,[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel#cite_note-17) which would render that engine unsuitable for gasoline use. When ethanol fuel availability allows high-compression ethanol-only vehicles to be practical, the fuel efficiency of such engines should be equal or greater than current gasoline engines. However, since the energy content (by volume) of ethanol fuel is less than gasoline, a larger volume of ethanol fuel (151%) would still be required to produce the same amount of energy.[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel#cite_note-18) In spite of that, as the ethanol-only vehicle wastes less energy, it yields the same or higher mileage.

[Luna Tique]

It is not just in the winter in New York it is year round.
Although you can find a gas station or two that offers no ethanol gas.

It is a lot of BS on the gas mileage Ethanol DOES reduces your mileage There is not doubt about it in my mind.

[KCDakar]

I get about 60 miles less to the tank on the GS. :soapbox:

[KansasKawboy]

They must change the formula in the winter here because my milage drops about 5 mpg in the winter. :mgbanghead:

[KCDakar]

They must change the formula in the winter here because my milage drops about 5 mpg in the winter. :mgbanghead:

Yep...:cool:

[Lucky_Devil]

Hope this isn't a repost (too lazy to read through this whole thread again :redface1:), but I saw this today and thought of this thread...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=429693

[Astir]

Oh excellent! :thumbsup: The one gallon stacked looks ideal for us.

[sweptwingnut]

Nice find indeed! I might have to rethink the TourTank idea and move over to these instead.

[KCDakar]

I am going to look into them also. I saw an older rider on a GS in Tok, Ak with two, two gallon ones mounted up top with the brackets. They looked very top heavy IMO but the 1 gal looks doable.

Tok,Ak

http://dakar.smugmug.com/photos/327172937_CDkUo-L.jpg

A KLR with one mounted. Again in Tok.

http://dakar.smugmug.com/photos/327173218_kpCEk-L.jpg

[sweptwingnut]

Those look like the older style Kolpins. Topheavy I agree with the way they have those mounted. I would think that with these newer ones, we could lay them flat on the back rack considering the guarantee against leakage that they are claiming. That should help keep the weight lower than the vertical mount Kolpin and the tourtank.

[KCDakar]

They are also talking about a Locking mount in the future and I was thinking (there I go again) that it would mount to the back side on my right pannier. I would need to go and measure the left one to see if it would fit.

But yes in the end laying flat would work also.:thumbup:

[Luna Tique]

Nice add this thread LD :thumbsup:

That looks like the best solution so far and reasonably priced