Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
which tank-capacity is needed for panamerica? which tank-capacity is needed for panamerica?
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 Carl Parker, Always curious Tibetans, Tibet, China

Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!


Photo by Carl Parker,
Always curious Tibetans,
Tibet, China



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Sep 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Köln/Cologne (Germany)
Posts: 222
which tank-capacity is needed for panamerica?
Hi folks,

starting on 01.05.10 I will cross Canada from east to west, Alaska and then go south to south-south-america (more or less the panamerica).

My bike has only tank-capacity for 300 to 350 km. Is that a problem? Who has experiences?

In which contries spare canisters are forbidden?

cheers
Panny
__________________
www.krad-vagabunden.de
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Sep 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Quote:
Originally Posted by Panny View Post
Hi folks,

starting on 01.05.10 I will cross Canada from east to west, Alaska and then go south to south-south-america (more or less the panamerica).

My bike has only tank-capacity for 300 to 350 km. Is that a problem? Who has experiences?

In which contries spare canisters are forbidden?

cheers
Panny
Hey Panny,

If stick to civilization and near the usual route, the longest stretches will be heading to Prudoe Bay and on Ruta 40 in Argentina. Your 300-350 km range range will be fine for the rest of the trip. If you carry a 5 litre gas can, that should do you fine for the few long hops. I doubt spare cannisters are forbidden anywhere, if they are, many people are ignoring that rule. Have a good ride.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Oct 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Andrews
Posts: 662
Hi Panny, do not buy an expensive container for the run up to Prudoe 'cos you will have to throw it away if you decide to fly from Panama, even those guys are a bit funny about loose fuel smelling containers, use dried out litre water bottles if you can't get anything else but decant them as soon as possible. (you may have to fill them up covertly in the US or Canada) Also for the deep south make sure that you get a container with a nozzle that will fit into the tank when the refuel needs to flow. Patagonian winds as well as increasing the bike's consumption also tend to distribute most of your back up fuel downwind if you try a refuel without protection for the liquid from container to tank, just upending the aforementioned bottles works if you take the screwcap off first and accept a small spillage. I speak from personel experience, trying to make a funnel out of a paperback cover 'waterproofed' with a Tesco bag on a breezy cone day could be fun, but it wasn't. Remember the old RAF aircrew code, when you are half full never ignore a fuel stop or a toilet. Enjoy your trip and ride safe.
__________________
Mike
---------
Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Apr 2010
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
Hi all!

Thanks for this topic! I'm also concerned about that part of the South America. We're leaving for our RTW trip in August. Do you know any nice cheap preferably reinforced fuel containers?

cheers,
Andy
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Apr 2010
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
The standard 22L tank on the GS1150 was plenty for the Americas going solo. I only carried more fuel on the Atacama stretch and from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni. Going two up will use more fuel however.

I used a 5L water bottle from a garage which worked great but also bought a plastic 10L jerry can that pissed the fuel all over the place. Go figure.
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Apr 2010
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 4,005
I used my extra fuel several times--mostly when gasoline stations were mysteriously without gas, a couple of times out of sheer laziness, once or twice when I really needed it and would have been totally stranded without. You can carry gas in any sort of container you want, limited only by your sense of aesthetics and, if applicable, safety.

When calculating fuel capacity and range, don't forget that a stiff breeze will cut mileage by at least 25% (and there are some breezes in Patagonia, along the Peru coast, and other places), as will riding on soft surfaces. My KLR has hit reserve as early as 135 miles compared to a more typical 210 or more, just due to headwinds. I've had mileage as low as 30/gallon. That's roughly 12.5km/liter, for you world citizens.

I'm currently carrying a 5 liter, code-approved gas can. Previously, a 10 liter, non-code, white plastic thing I bought used in Bolivia. No one cares.

Hope that helps.

Mark

(from somewhere nondescript in central Paraguay)
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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
PanAmerica: 4-6 months... pecha72 Route Planning 14 16 Aug 2008 18:24
Acerbis XR600 / 250 High Capacity tank labratmike TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 28 Mar 2007 09:42
Wanted: Hi capacity tank for 1150GS sffiremedic TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 20 May 2006 06:07
Gear needed to outfit R80GS (esp tank) ScooterNC TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 9 Sep 2004 23:53
TTR600 Large Fuel Tank Needed Marcus TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 19 Oct 2000 00:25

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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 01:18.

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