Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Rear fuel tanks Rear fuel tanks
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Jul 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 143
Rear fuel tanks
Apologies for spamming more than one forum, but...

Has anyone had experience of using/fitting rear fuel tanks (ala desert rallye bikes)?

I'm trying to evaluate the advantages of fitting rear tanks against an oversize front tank. Adding 15 litre rear tanks to a bike with a 25 litre main tank would bring the fuel capacity to 40 litres, whereas an oversize front tank can be purchased instead. 40 litres of fuel in 3 seperate chambers may have less influence on the bike's handling than 40 litres sloshing around in one chamber. I'd like people's advice on this.

Thanks in advance.

Iain.


http://www.africanqueens.de/_html/pr.../kpt__601.php3


Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 31 Jul 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
Won't you need the rear space for pannier?

------------------
A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Aug 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 143
I would hope that a rack could always be built to accomodate the fitting of rear tanks. I wouldn't have thought that they would put the bike outside any regulations on the maximum width of a bike.

Anyone with experience want to comment?

Iain
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Aug 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Zaandam, Holland
Posts: 119
Hi

A friend of mine used reartanks (about 6 and 8 liters on either side) on a KTM 4LC. Using soft luggage (Orlieb bags)there was no need for a rack, just throw them over....
I think over 1000 Euro's is quite a lot of money for 'only' 15 liters. My personal opinion is to use jerrycans for those few times you really need extra fuel (see the HondaTech discussion), and use those 1000 Euro's to fill them :-)
But thats just my opinion.

Peter
__________________
Peter Kik
Zaandam, Holland
peter.kik@tip.nl
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Aug 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 143
The expense of rear tanks is a debatable point. Paying 1000 euro, for example, for 15 litres of rear tank seems expensive. A 40 litre front tank may cost about the same. 40 is a much bigger number than 15!

However, taking an Africa Twin as an example bike, fitting rear tanks would bring the total fuel capacity of the bike to 40 litres, which is exactly the same as removing the original front tank and fitting a 40 litre front tank. So for roughly the same amount of money you end up with the same total fuel capacity. Not an obvious conclusion.

Whichever way you look at it though, oversize or additional fuel tanks are always going to be more expensive than bungeeing a couple of jerrycans to the bike. The flip side is security, jerrycans can be easily stolen from a bike.

Iain

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Mar 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 4
Here's my tank

http://www.morrowmarsh.ca/concours/t...ell-custom.htm

Inexpensive, good quality and can be enlarged or reduced to suit.
__________________
David J. Morrow
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Mar 2003
POB/London's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London / IOW
Posts: 486
The idea of a rear top-mounted tank is not new... The Touratech-sponsored privateers in the master Rallye, the Optic Tuisie and even the Dakar have been using a setup like this for a while:







The kit costs 950Eu and gives you a fuel capacity of about 40l. You didn't say what bike the plan was for? Have you looked at the Bernd Tesch boxes? They can be ordered with an integral water/fuel cell.

I can easily get 240miles (?? km) out of the 23l on my XT - do you *really* need more than this? And if you have 40/50l of fuel, you will have distance but no time - how will you carry enough water?

Just my opinions...
__________________
=-=-= ON THE EDGE! =-=-=
My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 9 Mar 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
David, Great Tech page you have there... Keep it up .

------------------
A.B.

OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
ShortWheelbase.com – Jeep preparations.
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 8 Apr 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 9
If you are still looking this site may interest you, lots of stuff and extra rear fuel tanks.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/bajadesi....jsp?login=YES
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:36.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top