Long Motorcycle Trip - Oversize Tank or simple Petrol Can, which one is better?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Big tank or petrol can - what to choose on a long motorcycle trip?
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I have very interesting topic for today - oversize tank or petrol can, which one is better for a long motorcycle trip? Let’s make it clear right from the beginning, for oversize tank I will specify any tank above 20l, because it is obvious that with 10l on the motorcycle will be difficult to travel. So oversize tank or petrol can? In this video I will tell you the pros and cons of both options, stay with me!
As you already know, in the last 10 years the big adventure motorcycles become very popular. GS 1200, Yamaha Super Tenere, KTM 1090, 1290, Triumph Tiger and many more…This new fashion went around the world, sprayed the message that it is almost impossible to make an adventure trip if you don’t have one of the models I just said. They went even further adding huge petrol tanks 25, 27 and even 30l to some of the models. The idea behind is that when you go to really wild and remote areas, without petrol stations around, you can have this huge 500 or 600km range and you don’t need to worry about anything. That’s right, but like many other ideas it is good only on paper, let me explain you why:
First and very important, it will be very difficult today, in 2018 to find places around the world, with so many km without petrol station. Now, as usual, the resistance will attack me, no, you are not right, in Central Asia, in South America, in the African desert or Australia you can find many places like that. I was in Central Asia, 3 year ago and the longest destination without petrol station was 450km, but they were working on the new road there, which is means that there will be petrol stations. South America, I hope to go there next year, but I am sure that the reality is very similar or better. What about Africa or Australia? There are millions of people live there driving cars or ride motorcycles, do you think that they all fill their tanks once per 500 or 600km? This is unserious. What I basically trying to say is that there will be more than enough solutions to fill your tank and you don’t really need to worry about. It might be just a simple barrel and local guy, but you will find petrol.
Of course the resistance never give up - what about the desert, Australian outback or somewhere in the mountains? There are no roads there, how you going to find petrol station? Guys, how many of you ride big Adventure bikes in these areas? Let’s be honest and confess that any bike above 200kg, include the luggage will be way too heavy on such a trip. How many GS 1200 Adventure owners you have meet in the desert, in the mountains or in the bush? It is absolutely nonsense! Everyone, who ever try to ride motorcycle off road, know that the weight is always matter. Did you remember the great movie Long way round, Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman, with their 300kg BMW? I am sure you do. It is a great movie, great riders, but they had large support team and could have done it much easier if they have lighter bikes, especially in Siberia and Mongolia.
To make the long conversation short - on the wild and remote adventure trip, without possibility to refill your tank, you should go with as lighter as possible motorcycle. The big adventure bikes with huge 30l petrol tank are nothing more than useless piece of metal.
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If you want to learn more about the long motorcycle trips check the rest of the videos in the channel or by my book: "How to become a better long distance motorcycle rider" rtw-adventures.com/books-1.html
I am getting ready to do my first "long distance" ride on backroad trails and roads so this is a very important subject you cover here.
Thanks for the ideas. I usually ride all off road dirt bikes but my friend is loaning me a 701 husqvarna enduro with a Deseret tank.
This is much smaller than big adventure bikes but will be my first time with the bike so I am now researching fuel range and luggage options.
Thank you for the tips!
I was 20 minutes away from ordering a fuel blader ah ah thanks for the info i just saved 200$canadian because if the video ah ah.
I'm planning a trip in '22, and have been wrestling with the decision between a larger tank or extra carry tanks. Thanks very much for your thoughts on the subject!
People laugh but my adventure bike is a 1974 TC185 Suzuki.. Riding it anywhere is an adventure on it's own.. :) I use clip on tanks like the Longhaul, they're easy to fit and best of all when you get somewhere you can strip everything off and ride around the town like just a normal bike.. Yeah it's underpowered and slow but I want to go slow and see the landscape I'm riding through instead of it being a blur outside the corner of my visor.. I can fix pretty much everything with a handful of basic tools and the bike comes standard with a hi/low ratio gear box just like your modern 4wd off road vehicle.. My biggest piece of advice is before you buy any bike is to sit down and write a list of all the things you are honestly going to do with the bike.. Not the things you kinda fancy doing if you have time or the things you dream that one day you will do but the things you're actually going to do.. Once you have that list buy the bike that fulfils those criteria.. For me the one and only bike that fitted the list of my criteria was the '74 TC185 Suzuki...
Great, as I always said the bike is just the tool, the most important is to ride.
Two-stroke engine, I like it very much. Light, powerful, simple as a hammer. In eastern Europe there were almost only two-stroke motorcycles, the best was german MZ ETZ250 and czech JAVA or CEZET 350 (two cylinders).
Awesome
I agree 100%! Honesty with oneself is tough, but truly the way to find the right bike.
Joe Lunchbox An old trustworthy bike is way better than a hot sexy complaining girlfriend
Best bike ever XT350... 12 liter capacity... 400km autonomy... once I entered the reserve (it is two liter), and at night all gas stations were closed... the speed reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h and I made it to destiny with the 2 liter... on next morning i checked the tank and there was even half a liter on tank... ... 60km with 1,5 liter of petrol... but at 60km/h...
I was riding threw very rural florida one time and hit reserve I made I to the gas station and the engine ran out of gas and I had to coast into the station.
@@brettkelly4575 that happened to me in my car one time. I silently rolled up to the gas pump.
I did a long circuit in Australia 7000 km in a week, in a Hyundai iMax diesel with 80 l tank (and a spare 20 l can). The longest stretch without fuel available was between the Barkly Homestead (on the way from Tennant Creek) to Mount Isa, at 450 km; this has the trade wind as a nearly permanent headwind so pay attention to the warning signs(!). Travelling on my V-Strom 1000 I just took a 10 l fuel can. That fitted handily in the Givi side luggage and carried over 230 km worth of fuel, even at highway speeds. I only used it once, between Pinnaroo and South Hay (415 km) on the way from Adelaide to Sydney on a Sunday, when the intermediate fuel station was closed. Going from Sydney to Lightning Ridge or Broken Hill, no problem on any trip, other than thunderstorms with lots of lightning and the highway 3 metres above the rest of the flat land (Not a spark plug! Not a spark plug!).
7000km in 7 days?
Thats crazy man. 7000 in 7 days. I just did 1200 km straight for 16 hrs and I felt like a zombie. 😂
@@chavez4ever111 Endurance travel on/in any vehicle comes down to driver comfort, on the bike a good seating position is essential in covering distance, I've also found riding the twisty roads far more relaxing than the highways.
I have found places in the US where the sign says no gas next 150 miles. They were not lying. That was in Texas. In Wisconsin I ran across a stretch as well that fuel was a problem. The first gas station was closed years before. The next one was just being built. The third one was getting new tanks and was closed. The fourth was listed as 25 miles away. I had only 15 miles of fuel left. Thank god it was all downhill.
ah yes the long down hill.... when our big bikes cross that 100mpg threshold and we feel like gods.
You'll hate Australia.. I'm trying to figure out how to cross a 950km (600 mile) stretch with no fuel stops 🤣
Fuel bladders also work good, as soon as the tank is down on fuel enough pour the fuel in from the bladder and roll it up leaving you with very minimal weight or space problems for the rest of your trip. ps never had any issues with Safari tanks if you go that way.
Thanks for adding, useful info.
great idea...🤟😁
Love the way you simplify everything! You save me money an equally if not more so important, weight. Thank you sir .
I am glad that you found it useful. It helps me, why not to share it?
Wishing you where around 30 years ago, had to learn those things the hard way on my own adventure. . Please listen he knows. .
Motorcycle Adventures oh I do share , next I'll remind to subscribe!
Such good advice. Aligns with all my experience. The biggest bonus it that when you are in difficult conditions, you can take the extra weight off and carry it across the obstacle making for a much lighter bike to ride through the hard stuff. Also if you get a hole in your tank, you don't loose all your fuel overnight, you'll have enough to go get more. Great channel, great advice.
Thanks Peter! Agree with your points as well.
Great series of videos from someone who knows what he's doing! I've done long distance with a huge tank (40L) on an XR600 Honda and found the bike almost unrideable as it was too top heavy when full. I did most of the trip with it only half filled. As it cost me the best part of $1000 and a week of making up extra mounting brackets, a new seat etc that was a considerable waste of time and money - particularly as it was replacing a 20L one that fitted perfectly.
On the other hand I've just come back from a trip where the 9L tank the bike came with was just too small. Needing to stop for fuel every 80-90 miles is a complete PITA and gets a bit worrying when you're out in the middle of nowhere. I took a 5L can with me (actually the same red plastic can you can see in the title shots) and it gave me a bit of security even if fixing it onto the bike with elastic straps took a bit of thought. It got used a couple of times when I got too ambitious with how far I could get (yeah I recon I can make it to that town ...).
If it's kept near your luggage just make sure the cap seals properly. A few years ago I had another can leak petrol into my sleeping bag while I was riding. It took months to get all the smell out and I had to sleep in it meanwhile.
Very useful information. I hope that it will helps to the future enthusiast to take the right decision.
*"The weight is always matter"*
True
Which only goes to prove you're not travelling fast enough. 😂
your approch is very practical.......bikers should hav mindset like u.....yet another crisp vdo.....regards from india...keep riding
Thanks!
I have to totally agree with you there. Every time I try and rationalize the high cost of an extended range tank, I keep coming back to the petrol can solution. Far lower cost, keeps the original look of the bike and it's rarely needed for the type of riding I do. If I'm really concerned about range, I just fill up the Kolpin Fuel pack and use it up as soon as I can so the weight is back in the gas tank and not on the rear rack. Great video, as always.
Thanks man! Ride safe!
I agree with the fuel bladder comments. They are excellent when needed, easily rolled and stowed away when not. Lightweight, but unfortunately they can be a bit expensive. But, you don’t have to worry at border crossings about them not letting you bring external tanks in, just hide them in a bag.
I have an aftermarket tank on my main travel bike, but it’s an XR650L...so basically it just equals a normal sized tank, lol.
Agree
The longest road between two towns in South Africa is 250 kms (between Calvinia and Ceres) so your advice for riders about petrol cans is spot on here. Thank you for your very useful videos.
Good to know, thanks for taking time to watch and write a commend!
On a adventure trip to Bella Coola l met a man riding a BMW 1200. l was on my DR650SE. He told me he had dropped his bike six times riding in a dessert. He had to unload his bike before lifting it with much difficulty 6X. The bike would slide in sand as he lifted. He said he was tempted lighting it on fire... He liked my bike and how l had armed it. He said he wish he had one like mine and may buy one. He is a very nice man. We had our motorcycles tied down next to each other on ferry deck...
l have 5.2 gal tank (19.6L) that carries me 340km if l ride nice, then my reserve. l wish l could show you both bikes together. Smaller bikes allow more freedom. l would never want a large bike, windshield, heated grips, kinda takes away from the feeling...
Ride safe everyone.
Yes, the weight always matter.
well let me tell you if you have ever eaten a rock or bird at highway speed you will then be a windshield guy ,in regards to heated grips it depends...i cant justify them. every good rider has his winter/wetweather gear on the bike so they are never stranded.
Always filling the external fuel tank with gasoline prior to alcohol, giving that extra special flavor...:)
Hi, You are completely right Pavlin, I live in Wales but I'm argentinean and I've been a lot around Patagonia years ago and I don't think that you'll find distances over 400 km without petrol stations in this years. Less in Europre !! Thanks for the video, Gus
Good to hear that, thanks Gustavo!
thats the way todays markets work: create needs that don't exist to sell expensive things nobody needed in the first place
Advertisement is everything, the highest budget always win.
Prey on people insecurities, yes its a common campaign.
I rode a 1200 GSA from Alaska to Argentina, it was way too heavy when filled with fuel. During that ride there was only 1 time whilst in northern Alaska that I needed the range of the 30L tank... A normal size motorcycle tank of 20L tank is more than sufficient, it's only once in a blue moon that you will need more fuel, on those super rare occasions strapping a plastic fuel can to the back of the bike is no hardship.
Absolutely agree.
I like all of your videos. I'm surprised you didn't mention this and it's why I choose and auxiliary can. The bigger tank even road riding forces your legs apart with little ability to change positions, then if offroad and needing to stand, a skinnier tank is better. And honestly, having ridden 10 and 15+ hour days non stop, my ass and knees were happy to get off the bike every 175 miles, if just to fuel up and go. That 5 minutes standing to fuel the bike was needed. And after 7-8 hours and the pain starts, it doesn't get better, just worse as each hour goes by. But even you're iron man and can stay on the bike 400 miles at a time, a smaller tank is better for rider positioning.
Ich mag deine art zu erzählen! Und was du sagst hat auch immer Hand und Fuß! Ich kenne auch viele deiner älteren Videos! Und du hast dich unglaublich gut entwickelt, ton, die art lustig Fakten rüber zu bringen! Auch das du auf deinen Reisetrips jetzt was erzählst und keine Musik läuft finde ich Persönlich klasse! Bitte weiter so und lass dich bloß nicht von einigen wenigen durch kritische Kommentare verunsichern, man kann es nie allen recht machen und mit der Wahrheit schon gar nicht ;-) Ich kann mir vorstellen wie anstrengend es ist bei so langen Touren auch noch Videos zu machen, danke das du uns teilhaben läßt an deinen Erlebnissen!
Danke!
I’ve been riding my Honda VTX 1800C with 17 litres tank for almost 100 000 km. On a highway at speed 150-160 I have maximum 200 km, then Reserve lamp and gas station. It’s a nice distance to make a short stop. And 5 litres gas canister makes me more relaxed on a long distance trips on an unknown roads. 👍🏻
Thanks for sharing!
Good video bro. Africa is a bit of a problem with fuel. Some countries like mine Zimbabwe has perennial fuel shortages. When you embark on any trip, you have to make sure you have enough fuel to take you there and back, because there is absolutely no guarantee you will find some along the way,even though there are plenty service stations. Most are dry most of the time. So, while you talk from an ideal world's point of view; it may not apply in many parts of Africa.
Excelent...I bought a petrol can and mount it on the tail of my DR instead of a big tank, that actually wouldn't be need it...
Good video - you forgot one point a smaller tank means you have to stop more often to fuel up and gives you a chance to get a rest off the bike. My bike has a 200 mile range and even that is far too long between stops on a long trip, I try to stop every hour or 100 miles. (My Iron Ar5e is on back order from Motorrrad.) :)
Correct.
Same here !! 1 hour or so or 100 miles . we are 2 up and stop often 😎😎😎😄😄😄🍺🍺🍺
Pavlin, you are right as usual. In Northern Canada, we have some roads with gas stations between 350-400km apart. Enough for a 20 liter tank and maybe carry 1 liter extra in a bottle.
Good, I am glad that most of the viewers think like me.
Obviously you have not ridden the Dumpster highway, or gotten of-the-path from the Denali highway in Alaska... 20 liters is not enough. I am going to Labrador next weekend, and we do have one stretch above 500km (you have to plan for the longest stretch). My bike has only a 13 liters tank, so I did install a 7 liters under-seat auxiliary tank that I use only on expedition. But even with it, I am bringing a fuel bladder to complement my 2 tanks. But I agree with Pavlin that add-on fuel is way better than having a big & heavy tank all the time. My friend bought the GS Adventure, and regret it 99% of the time...
"The solution is simple - petrol can". You made my day brat. This has been the only solution i have ever used for long distance, they are 1/20th the cost of an aftermarket tank and not that difficult to strap to the bike. I love your videos, hard-hitting, honest and factual. Keep it up!
Thanks Viktor! Good luck on your trips!
Love your video’s, Thanks for your insights!
Spot on again Sir. When you have to lift a full or near full oversized tank off the bike for a repair you will agree. Empty it, into what or where and then you need to put some back to get going. More often than not, the reason you've had to take the tank off is because of a fuel issue, most FI bikes have the fuel filter inside the tank, so it had to be emptied. If you've just filled with bad fuel, you've just contaminated the whole tank and ate you sure that's the cause. At least if you have a separate can of known good quality, you can use that to test if that's the problem (what I do). If you are travelling in company, the other rider can go off in search of fuel with an empty can while you do repairs. Transferring fuel, especially if you don't know what the problem is, just puts both riders at risk, better to keep one reliable bike and in the worst case they can pillion you to safety our help.
Very true.
EXACTLY why I ordered a F750GS to make a nice adventure bike
Good, enjoy your trips!
Smart choice! the 1200 is like a hippo.
The Australian outback is a place where petrol is very scarce, even in 2018, very small population.
When you think that some of the cattle stations or ranches are over a million acres then it can become a long way between stops, the Paris line across the Simpson desert is 500 Klms of sand dunes, for example.
You would be crazy to ride a big bike in these conditions but even a smaller bike needs close to 50 litres of fuel to do the crossing.
Fuel bladders seem to be the best way to carry fuel in such circumstances, they come in different sizes and take up hardly any room when empty, cans are not so good because of the bulk, even a full fuel bladder does not take up much room and can be strapped on reasonably easily.
In the end it comes down to preparation, a bike in the sand or muddy conditions will use more fuel than sitting on a bitumen road so it helps to calculate that into the equation when working out fuel range, but that comes from doing lots of riding in various conditions.
I run a 19 litre IMS tank on my DR 650 and it is a good size for me, the 30 litre Safari tank is popular but it does add the extra bulk which I am not keen on and they become a pain to refit once removed.
Once again another excellent topic you raise sir with good advice, many may disagree with your thoughts on big bikes but I think it is great advice for novice riders or guys new to ADVENTURE riding, do not get sucked into the marketing hype, adventure is what you make it and try not to limit your adventure, get off the beaten track and find new horizons.
Very good and useful points, thanks for adding!
I feel you WhiteDRguy!
I know what you mean!
You gotta know what your're doing in the Aussie outback!
I agree that you need to know what you are doing in the outback. On my two trips around Oz (2005 & 2015) (unfortunately not on two-wheels) I can't remember more than 350 kms between fuel, and that includes the Oodnadatta Track, Gulf Country, Kimberleys, etc.
Много благодаря за всички съвети. Благодарение на вас, се отказах от тежки и скъпи мотори. Все пак мисля само да прекося Европа.
Take care and keep up with your useful and informative videos .
You are welcome anytime! Ride safe! То с Европа се почва...
My bike has a 200 mile range with stock tank. There are only a few places in North America that you can't find fuel in 200 miles. The guys who want the HUGE tanks have them for fashion and not function...like many other things in their lives. I know a guy who rode across the States in the early 70s on a stock Honda CB350 with a 3 gallon tank. Nuff said. Again, another great sensible video from a man who knows from practical experience.
Thanks Mark!
THANKS PAVLIN, U R ALWAYS LIKE A BIG BROTHER TEACHING US NEW THINGS AND SAVING R MONEY BY TELLING US SIMPLE WAYS TO TRAVEL. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WHEN I'LL HAVE A BIG BIKE WITH A BIG TANK I'LL TRAVEL, BUT U CHANGED IT ALL. U R ALWAYS SPOT ON.
To travel the world you need only will to do it. The bike is just a tool...
Sincerely I agree fully! I rode in South America 30years ago. Mostly dirt road. No gas station in 500Km. Of course on that time but now I believe there are some more places to refill the tank of motorcycle.Now I use only small petrol tank.Your skills are always welcome ! Thank you.
If you did it without problems 30 years ago, now will be 30 times easier. Thanks for watching and commend it!
Totally agree. But if you've already got panniers and a lighter pack on the pillion seat/rack area, or even a pillion, the location of the extra fuel can is a real issue. The crying out need is for front weight to counter that luggage at the rear end, help stabilise the bike and assis in gust resistance.
The safest I've ever felt when I used to tour on a pedal cycle was when I had front panniers attached and loaded. Yes it's a bit of a handful, but the balance is perfect. I converted a rear rack to fit two lightweight brackets bolted to the mudguard lugs, and braced against the ends of the forks. It worked really well.
I really don't see an equivalent option for motorcycles. So I agree with you, go for a smaller bike that does more to the gallon/litre. In truth Boorman and McGregor are bullshitters. They were not adventure riding. They were pretending to do it for a TV programme.
If I'm on a long ride, I'm on my Harley and I stick to pavement. With an 800 lb bike and a bum knee, even dirt roads are more "interesting" than I'm willing to do for any length of time. The bike that I have (TRR250) that could be used for the trails and dirt roads that you do is not one that I would be willing to ride 1000 miles on.
Still, your comments are also good for people who do long rides on pavement. My tank is supposedly 5 gallons (20.645 liters) and this includes the reserve. I'm not particularly thrilled with the idea of pushing it, so I *really* don't want to run out of gas. I've had a motorcycle many years ago that when it hit 100 miles, you started looking for a gas station immediately. This was back in the days when gas stations were not open for 24 hours even though they were along the interstate highways. I've actually had to pull up to a gas pump and sleep there while waiting on the attendant to show up the next morning. I would much rather have the choice to refuel when *I* want to, not when the bike *has* to. I can get 200 miles on the tank with my Harley if I'm on the highway and not driving aggressively. But do you really want to risk finding a gas station that is there right when you are running low? I used to keep a 2-liter soft drink bottle filled with gasoline as an emergency stash and I've had to use it a couple of times over the years. You need a funnel to put the gasoline in the 2-liter bottle, so you just treat it as an emergency stash and don't regularly use it.
I'm currently in the process of making an external 5 gallon tank to go on the luggage rack of my Harley so that I can take a long ride into Mexico this summer. There is concern that not all gas stations having 91+ octane gas, so having an extra 5 gallons would be nice. I've plumbed it into my existing fuel system by running a fuel line from the tank to the crossover between the two sides of the tank. And, of course, I've added a cut-off valve on the tank so that I can leave the fuel shut off until the main tank is partially empty.
The tank itself is a Harbor Freight portable air tank where I welded / brazed a fill neck in the top and a 1/4" FNPT bushing in the bottom. I ground off the original handle and leg.
Great advice again... and what I like the most is the simplicity of getting things done best way. Thanks man. Greetings from Croatia.
You are welcome anytime!
I live in Outback Australia. I own an Africa Twin. It is a good bike for the outback because big bikes are comfortable for longer rides. Towns are often more than 300km apart. I use an external tank. If I a planning on a long trip for safety. It is dangerous to run out of fuel when the temperature is >45c. Same reason I take extra water. This is my experience. Also I don’t ride alone if I can help it.
Agree
Wow! Finally someone who gets it! Now let's talk about how many days of clothes you need to carry with you and the full sized bath towel you should probably leave at home!
Man braucht auf jeden Fall einen Ersatzkanister on board, auch wenn er leer wäre. Was tun, wenn die geplante Tanke nicht existiert und die nächste keinen Sprit hat. Alles mehrfach passiert, zuletzt Namibia. Da hilft dann nur, Kanister unter dem Arm und zur nächsten Tankstelle trampen...
Nur gut, dass mein Tank 33l fasst.
Been through South America (Columbia, Ecuador, Peru. Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay) on a 1200GS (non adventure model), and had no issues with fuel stations (both legal and illegal). They were everywhere (I did have an 8L auxiliary tank that I ditched in Peru. I just did not need it). Also, a lot of South America is at a high elevation, as a result I was getting on average 60 percent increase in distance per liter (less air, less fuel). I knew I would get some increase, but that was amazing. So yes, you were dead on with your assumption that there are no fuel issues in SA.
This is what I am talking about. The reality is always different. It is good to be prepared, but on what cost?
I knew very little about South America, so I brought the extra tank. I think it cost about $49. If I had seen your video before my departure I would probably not have brought it. To be honest, it was a pain in the ass, which is why I ditched it. Never even came close to there being a problem.
I brought the big BMW because I am 2m tall and 110kg. It was more for geometry than engine size.
Thanks, very important matter. Looking forward to welcome you here in Uruguay, South America
I look forward to come...
Hi again, I have a little 650 GS Sertão and some times (speccially in Australia) I used to ride it with an extra 5L petrol tank, just in case.
Now that I'm back home, in Portugal, I barely need it because there are villages every 10km or 20km (due to higher population density, compared to the Aussie outback or the Great Dividing Range mountains!)
I chose to buy the 8L water/petrol bag from Touratech that is flatened in the front tank bag, just in case I need it, so I can ask someone else to fill it up in the closest petrol station and come back to save me!!
Good decision. It's good to have it.
Thanks for a great video. I have found it true. My XS1100 (1980) runs out at 150KM or so Off road however I use an XT250 and it never seems to run out!! I ride it with my wife on the road (250 Elite Scooter) and she gets 100MPG! Lots of fun.
True
You're idea is simple , and u tell it so simply . that's what I am like about u. Even when I am out for touring I always use Jerry can for extra petrol.
As always great advice. This comes after years of experience.
Rumour has it Pavlin, Mac Gregor and Boorman left a BMW 1200 GS stuck in the mud in Mongolia.
Do they?
When I was crossing Australia there was a sign outside of Cook which is on the Nullabor plain saying no food or fuel for the next 862KM!!
I’ve got a photo with my with standing next to it....
The great central road in Australia (Perth to Alice) is about 300 km between fuel stops. I’ve done it. Took me 4 days to cross Western Australia west to East 😳
Pavlin is correct - the average rider rarely needs massive fuel volumes. There is also another comment in the comments about how a smaller tank is good for everyday use when you are not undertaking expedition touring, which I agree with. Better to carry fuel if it’s REALLY needed.
Cool!
Another great video with common sense solutions. In the west, everyone, especially the so-called experts, only know how to fix a problem by throwing as much money at it as possible. Your suggestions are far more practical.
Well, I am coming from East. During the years we learned to be flexible and to think twice.
I have been using a 10 litre fuel bladder. When empty it takes up little room and when full it sits comfortably across the pillion seat.
Good solution.
Awesome as always! Ride safe my friend :)
I will, the same for you!
Clap Clap Clap! well said! Swap my BMW GSA for a light KTM 690 enduro R! couldnt be happier! riding in Middle east area.. so sand, mountains, rocky areas.
Have fun!
on our trip around the world for more than 2 years and and over 70 countries (all counties in north, center and south America except Guyana and Suriname) i never saw a longer distance than 400km without a gas station :) so don't worry about that :)
Great video as always:)
Well done, congratulations for the trip and big thank you for taking time and watch my videos. Ride safe!
Mostly true, however there is locations in Canada this will generally hold provided you don't make any excursion in the back country and stay on the main road. For example, from Montréal, QC to Radisson, the longest path without fuel is about 370 km, however, if you decide to go somewhere else, say you want to go to Eastmain or even a quarter of the way to Eastmain from the pathway to Radisson, you may easily increase your need for fuel above the largest bike tank you can find.
So, this is generally true if you stay on main roads in the wildest areas.
As a wise ADV rider once said " no one complains about smaller and lighter just bigger and heavier "
Absolutely true.
I think cans are better BUT in my country (third world) they don't wanna fill plastic cans on gas stations because you'll see how much petrol they really give you and how much they charge (they charge more than they really fill). But they say they don't do it because of some 'fire safty' reasons.
I know what you mean.
That is also true in some gas stations in Argentina too. The solution is to fill the motorbike tank, get a few meters away from the gas station, use a hose to get the fuel from the motorbike tank to plastic can and then get back to the station to fill up the bike´s tank again. Did that many times.
Thank you for the advice, I always use plastic can as spare fuel for my bike@@steeltube195
Giant Loope Gas bags are another option, empty roll up and Stowe away. When you use it put gas in tank as soon as you can to get the full bag off the bike. Nice option.
True
Excelent video !!! And you are right. Last year I ve made an adventure trip through my mountains in Romania. 80% of the shit :) I carried I did not use. So this year I will pack veeeeery light and enjoy more.
Correct. Thanks for watching and commend!
Great tips. I was looking for an oversized tank but with the video I realized that I can get benefits only by using spare tanks. My plan now is to by flexible tanks. I am thinking in 2 bags of 20 L that I will fill with 15 L due to safety reasons. My bike has a 10 L tank only and I can ride 230 km. With 40 L capacity I can go as far as 920 km. More than enough!!!! And the best thing is that I can sell the bike and keep using the bags for my car or my new bike!!!! Great work on this video!!!!
What ever solution work for you. Just keep riding.
Let me know what bags you get and how they work out for you. I need to do something similar...
Take a look in this video.... Many tips and special information about the bag tank. I saw that Giant Loop also has similar product.
th-cam.com/video/mUYf1tsqJL8/w-d-xo.html
Anything under 300 km range and you're riding a motorcycle. Why stop if you don't need to: lube chain, rest butt, check coolant, warm hands or fill tank. Weight up front and high has nice anti-gust property. Leave the bags on and have a nice grocery-getter.
It's not about the possibility of the absence of a petrol station. It's about the possibility to loose the way and to feel save not to be without gas. AND in many countries it is NOT ALLOWED to carry more than 10l gas in an external container in some countries even less.
AND sometimes it happens, that a gas station has no gas.
@ phil martin: NO, in countries where the distances are so far from one to the next gas station, they selling gas out of bottles and you could take the bottle too. the petrol can is not needed.
Very good point. We had some problems with fuel because of closed petrol stations, but mainly because we decided not to refuel for some reason or another. Having big tank or carrying gas can is more for a peace of mind, I guess.
I know, that's why everybody is free to use whatever suit to him.
In 96 my bro and i took my xr650 with custom sidecar across canada to alaska down to baja mexico than along southern coast to fla keys up the eastern sesaboard 3 1/2 month trip stock tank brought jerry cans never a thought on bigger bike tank wanted the weight low in the side car
Today is even easy.
Hi Pavlin, it is absolutely correct, what you say, directly from out the practice. I agree to 100 %. Petrol cans are (too) cheap and useful. But the the guys with the big an expensive adventure-bikes (the wannabe´s)) never will agree with you. Their mom already picked them up from the playschool in a big SUV ... And i fear, sometimes BMW or KTM will send you a killer .... :-) Ride save my friend, Hans
I will not even expect them to agree with me, the idea of this video is to help who are able to think logically and taking rational decisions. When I was young boy and have arguments with my father, he use use to say " It is your head - break it if you wish!"
hahaha that was a good one :)))
Great videos and solid advice. Thanks for offering both.
I traveled around the west of USA with a trailer, reducing my mileage from over 45 to 35mpg. But then, on a trip to California, my wifes bike ran out of gas a mile from where we had planned to fuel (she need premium and the chain of stations the big Costco chain has is usually $.10 or more cheaper). But that day we ran into a headwind, and as I hadn't thought we would need a can for that trip, I didn't take it (an overnight trip). All she needed was < 1/2 gallon (2 litterrs) to get down the road.
AT that time we had a small dog who rode everywhere with us in a satchel made for on the tank use. Except he was an escape artist, so I couldn't leave him on my bike. I had gone left across a busy intersection, but she had gone right. All the parts store that was next to the gas station had was large 20L (5 gallon) cans and wanted $20US. An old coffee can would have worked, but not available. Well, finally the guys in the tire shop loaned me a can and after running across this busy intersection (4 lanes) to where she was we got her going again. If it had been safer, we could have pushed her bike over, but there wasn't a light control on this intersection and with the dog, just too hard (and a hot afternoon in the desert SE of California). We did get going again, but from then on I always carried an empty (no reason to put gas in it) 6L (1 1/2 gallon) can strapped to the back of the trailer.
Since I will no longer be pulling the trailer, I will get each bike one of those 2 to 4L size mountable cans to carry. The peace of mind of knowing when in doubt, put gas in it, or not, will help. Most of the time in the America's you will find an open station, but when you go off the main highways that extra security will make a difference.
Price: Crossing into California from Arizona to California can add $100/gallon to the price (roughly $.25/L), so carrying enough gas to get you past the expensive, tourist area gas stations helps the pocketbook. There is an internet service in the US called "Gas Buddy" that you can access that tells you location and recent pricing of stations all over. When making a trip in the US, I plan my legs of the trip to provide for savings. We may stop 50 miles early, but save $10 to $20. for two motorcycle (or car/truck).
Here I go with a simple post and get all, as we say, preachy. Thanks for noticing and keep your gret videos coming.
One more thought, that extra can can make a difference if there is a disruption in gas in a region. Our last US trip, there had been an accident on one of the main gasoline distribution pipes. where our route was, we had trouble finding gas in Tennessee, then the next day in North Carolina, only because we happened upon a fellow rider who knew where the only open gas station was for miles around, we were able to fill up and continue. That trip I didn't have spare gas with me, I wish I had. We had to put in low octane (all that was available) and the next day before we find another station with premium, my wife's V-twin 800cc Kawa Vulcan started running rough. We were able to limp into a friends place in Virginia where I examined the aftermarket exhaust pipe. Under the heat cover, right where the front cylinder made a 90% curve, a 1 1/2" by 1" hole was in the outside curve (previous owner changed from the OEM). I believe the lesser grade made the pipes hotter and a backfire blew it out. Cost us 4 days and $250 to get going again.
Just saying, I wish I had had cans then. We could have dumped both into her bike to stretch it out farther.
So when on a long trip, unless a reliable source says no problem, plan for such issues.
Thanks for the these nice and detailed commends Kenneth! Good luck on your future trips!
Fantastic video. Thankyou. Was wondering about options for my 2016 AT. Very helpful.
I am glad that it helps!
Thanks for this amazing tip.... yes will wait for a lighter adventure bike to release and opt for add on cans for the petrol. Thanks again.
I can add one more drawback of can,is that likely hood of theft.I now call you adventure bike ride scientist,such practical and ground to earth videos you post and in simple language , always wait for your vlog.Thanks
Thanks Jay! Ride safe!
Absolutely to the point... You nailed it... Thank you 😀
Thanks!
Hi from Australia. Love your videos - the Mongolia trip was fascinating and I would love to do the same one day. I ride a cruiser (Kawasaki Nomad VN1700) and have also ridden on many long trips. Melbourne to Perth was one such trip, also around Tasmania and Victoria. You are spot on with your advice about huge tanks - not necessary here in Australia. We do have plenty of petrol stations around. And in remote places, yes it makes total sense to buy a petrol can to allow for longer distances. Please keep up the great videos and next time you visit Perth Australia I would be honoured to meet up with you for a ride :)
Thanks! I have plans to be there next year.
Years ago I learned what works by looking at what people use in third world countries like Africa, Asia, India.... These areas have low incomes, and survive on the durability, reliability and availability of replacement parts for their tools. This is why the Toyota Landcruiser can be found in every corner of the globe. Doing more with less is far more respectable than having some big fancy gear that you never actually learn to utilize.
Agree
speaking of Long Way Round. Do you remember their cameraman, Claudio. His bike broke down in central Asia. He was able to pick up a used, cheap, much lighter bike. He was the envy of both Ewan and Charley. This supports your claim that lighter is better.
ps. the only other con to the petrol can that I can think of, is that you are sacrificing luggage space for the fuel can.
Well said my man !! They even said they wished they had taken lighter bikes on that trip .if they were alone and no support they would of had big big problems . . Great video. 😉
True
Center of balance/gravity vs bottle, cans, bags...secured higher or beyond the rear axle.
I'm from Germany and in the past 25 years, i traveled round about 200.000km all around the world.
I can ensure you: You will always find fuel. Even at the most remote places in Africa.
Also, i've never seen one of these big adventure bikes outside of Europe. (For a good reason!)
Thanks for sharing your experience!
You been to Australia? I'm trying to figure out how to cross over 950km stretch with no fuel stops on a drz400 😅
I like to carry a fuel blivet/bag it is light and small and I only fill it and strap it to the top of the pannier when I am going to need it. great video as always, ... thanks.
Nice option, thanks for adding.
As you say, finding a gas station is seldom a problem, so adventure biking with a 20 L tank is possible almost everywhere. However, then your driving is more focused on finding the next gas station. You have your rest next to the gas station, eat what is available there, and talk with people that visit gas stations, or work there. The animals that you see there are sparrows, seagulls, craws, and maybe the gas station owner's dog. Of course, this is OK if it is what you want. In the end of the driving day, you can find a more remote camp site, and if you don't need to count the days, you can have rest days for local excursions.
I live in the North and drive mostly in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. During my driving day, I try to enjoy the local nature. I prefer to have my breaks next to viewponts or peaceful places that I find, rather than gas stations.
I bought my R1200GSA three years ago exactly because of the operating range. I am still happy with this choice, as my need for the fuel capacity is permanent. For safety reasons, I can't imagine carrying an extra fuel can with me all the time. If I some day buy another bike, it may be lighter but it will have comparable operating range.
You don't need to think about petrol stations all the time if you have 20l tank. I cannot believe that you stop once per 700km. It is not only gas, it's water, food, coffee, tea or something else but you will need to stop and buy it. If you like your bike and your style, just keep doing it. I never said that this is the only choice, just tried to be helpful to the new riders.
I usually drive 150-200 km and have a break. I prefer stopping in a peaceful place, not too close to the road, and put up a tent or a tarp if I need to rest. When I need to buy food, I find a shop and do not worry if there is a gas station there. I fill the tank in the end of the driving day, before I set up my camp. My typical day drive is 500-600 km, so I usually need to fill the tank only once every day.
My previous bike had a 19 L tank. After driving with it a couple of years I made my conclusions about the fuel capacity. I just wanted to comment your upload since you did not discuss this aspect of the bike operating range. Thanks for the inspiring TH-cam channel, I have watched many of your uploads and picked some ideas from there.
I know this is an old Vid mate , but I’m toying with the idea 💡 of a long range tank for my XT 660 R ( as you know they only have a 15 ? Lt tank capacity. Their are two companies that make them ( one ☝️ is cheap but I hear 👂 crap ) the other is good but. VERY expensive ( over 1500.00 Australian. I do have a Rota pack like in your vid - so that gets me around 20lts , I also have a 3lt fuel ⛽️ bladder - it’s flat so takes up no room , their is distances in Australia of over 400kms ( without fuel ) I agree ☝️ with you on the cost aspect and that the tank may not mount that well (. Or if you damage it , not easily replaced )
Regards
Paul
What you’ve pointed out in relation to the uselessness of a big tank is true. However, people sometime use a big tank under certain circumstance, at least in my country.
1. You are not allowed to carry a petrol can. If you are a citizen with a can full of petrol, you are considered as a threat to public safety. So, if you are found to carry a petrol can by the police, they’ll take it away. Sure, it is absurd, but its just something you cannot argue about. Plus, even if you are not caught by the police, the petrol station just cannot sell you any gas more than your tank capacity. They are not allowed to.
2. The quality of the petrol is not always good enough, especially when you march into places that are less developed.
1+2 makes your trip easer to struggle with the petrol supplies, and a big tank seems to be a reasonable solution.
3. Now there is the funny part. If you are in a group travel, and all the other bikes are super advs. You may feel a bit of peer pressure there that whenever you are in need to fill up, all others must wait. In this case, maybe, the super advs generate its own demand...
True
Great advice Pavlin. My 95 Transalp will now in a few days get its new soft luggage from your great tip on the 21Brothers. With 4 pockest for 2+ L bottles. The transalp 600 has not the best fuel range, and 18 L tank, but with this brilliant luggage i can easy fit everything. And get 8L more fuel (If i need to). And get the range from 329km to 476km if needed. So thanks for all tips.
No problem my friend, I am glad that it helps! Send my regards to 21 Brothers, they really did great bag.
Will do, and yes they did. Dont think a larger brand (not to be namned) will custom your luggage system for your needs, and for 1/3 of the price.
Forgot to mention that your presentations are useful for motorcycle touring of the non-adventure variety.
Adventure is just piece of mind. It could be found everywhere.
A good idea to think about the weight & limitation of getting fuel thru out the journey
I hope that it will help someone to make the desired trip easier.
I carry gas almost all the time. My riding buddy bought a new Tiger and can go easily 250 miles. My old Wing went 208 miles and stopped. I had a 1 liter bottle that got me to a gas station. My adventure bike has a small tank. Big tank is available but expensive. I carry a 8 liter can.
Thanks for sharing!
100,% RIGHT. THANKS PAVLIN . YOUR GREAT
You're welcome!
I was driving on some dirty tracks in the alps and the fuel consumption was higher than on asphalt. 17 km per liter are just a dream, 10 km per liter are more close to reality. So extra fuel is always something nice to have!
A can is better if you can fix it in low position on the bike, IMO. In that way the center of gravity is moved down and the bike is easier to drive in offroad. A 7-8 liter tank placed as high as the seat is no-go option, IMO. In such case a bigger tank is far better.
What ever suit to you.
I have seen videos by ItchyBoots, some in South America and some in Africa in which gas is very hard to come by in some areas. In some areas regular people sell you gas, nit gas stations, and they can be home or not, they can be out too. What you say is logical, but not practical sometimes. Like Albert Einstein one said, "logic is what tells us that the world is flat." Of course reality is different.
I don't need a super tank, but my Tenere 700 has a tank of 4.2 gallons. I wish it had at least another gallon. Anyhow, good video!
Thanks for taking the time!
thanks for sharing all your experience Sir, very very helpful for my first longer trips
I am glad that it helps!
In south amerca there are someplaces where service stations will not sell gas to nonresidents. In Mexico small villages sell gas out 1gal. jugs but you have to ask where the fuel is.
I agree with you my dear friend, the last summer 2017, I travel alone from the center of Mexico to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on a round trip, at least in that part of the world only occupies my small RotoPax tank. 3,6L on one occasion, on the last stretch of the Dalton Hwy before arriving at Prudhoe Bay, sincerely occupy more gallon with water than gasoline, to give just one example the price difference of my bike F800GS with the F800GS Adventure that has a widened gas tank is more than 1000 USD, it is really preferable to load a small tank, thanks for your videos.
You are welcome anytime Jorge! Congratulations for the trip!
I live in Miami, if one day you are going to riding your bike in this part of the world let me know, welcome to your home
Thanks!
I have an XR650L, it comes with a 10 litres tank, the farthest I have made it with a full tank is 80 miles, in this case you DO need a bigger tank or carry huge gas cans. But I agree with you on most bikes don't need it.
Yes, that's why I said at the beginning of the video, over 20 l.
5 liters of petrol are less than 4 kilograms. Larger tank also is not that heavier than smaller. Am not an adventure rider, I ride mostly on paved roads, but I also prefer lighter bike. Yet is way more convenient with larger tank even in areas with petrol station every few dozen kilometers. I had a bike with 14l tank, and I wasn't very happy with it. Now i have 20L tank and it's fine.
This is exactly what I said in the video. Oversize I mean 30l., then the weight difference is noticeable.
Good video !! Important point of view! Saludos desde Mexico!! Gracias por compartir !
Thanks for taking the time!
Dude, I love your videos, they've become a staple of mine on TH-cam. But, I had to laugh when you said in this one "How many GS Adventure riders do you find in the desert, the mountains, the bush (and the outback)? None, because it's ridiculous to take bikes of that size!" Or words to that effect.
Truth is, in Australia, there are a LOT of guys riding those exact bikes, with luggage, up gravelly mountain ascents, down snotty descents, through tens of kilometres of deep sand, and through remote areas of bush (outback) where there is sometimes (albeit rarely) a genuine *need* to carry 500 km worth of fuel, or be prepared to walk.
Me, I ride a G310GS with an 11 litre tank that gives me a little over 200 km in hard going, and carry a 20 litre fuel bladder that I use as I go (not when I run out of fuel).
Like I said, I love your videos, and I travel light! 😁
Thanks for taking the time, man!
I think you missed a big part on the weight distribution. Adding a bigger tank puts the extra weight in the best spot for the bike, where as the petrol can adds extra weight up high and onto your luggage racks (could be a problem if riding a bike with a weaker sub frame). Whereas the tank puts the extra fuel pretty low and up near the front wheel which is generally a really good spot for weight when riding off road.
Having more fuel also gives you peace of mind which can be nice in it's own way and can make trips more relaxing.
Good video and points, but I think it is a little bit too biased against bigger tanks and miss a few of their pros :) (Especially for the case of smaller bikes 400-600ish cc's that generally have 10-15L base tanks)
The extra can you will have only when you really need it. It will be in very rare cases. The weight of the big tank you have to carry all the time. So far, in so many places around the world was only once or twice when I need more than 20 l of petrol.
Haha well in my eyes 20L is already a big tank :D I could see why more then that is a bit of a waste of space.
I was more considering for lightweight adventure or dirt - adventure conversions and the pros and con between getting a bigger tank vs carrying fuel. Then the comparison between can and tank is very important since you really 'need' extra fuel as 100-200k range is a worry.
(Background info, I ride a DRZ400 with a 10L tank and am on the fence about getting a larger tank or just carrying a jerry can for bush adventures in Aus) I think i'm leaning towards just using a can after watching your video since you can just leave it at your campsite and do some more difficult trail riding and then come back for it.
you are absolutely right man thanks for sharing.
You are welcome anytime!
That was so much helpful great video
Thanks!
Pavel, you are so wright...South America is no problem for fuel..
Thanks man!
One more cons of the can is that you need more time at the gas station. And you need one more stop on the way, to fill from the can in your tank. Best regards, Martin
Bigger tank is heavier.. is it? Most aftermarket tanks are plastic and are not heavier than OEM they replaced. Extra weight comes from extra gasoline and by the same token you don't have to fill it up all the way.
Africa Twin Adventure model is 25lbs heavier, but 11 of them due to extra gas, 7-8lbs due to engine guards standard.. the rest (6-7lbs) due to different forks, metal rack, bigger skid plate and bigger tank.
Rotopax aren't that light; heavy plastic and mount adds more than bigger tank. And most of the time it will be full even when it is not needed.
Yes most adventure bikes are too big and too heavy to ride off-road, but it is not because of the tank ;)
Thanks for watching and adding this commend!