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Photo by Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

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


Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



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  #16  
Old 4 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by limpopo View Post
Hi Ted
Thanks for your thoughts. I have to say that if I can safely carry additional fuel in such a way that I won't lose it or it wont be "lost" while I can't attend to the bike I'll do so. On the other hand the TT tank I was offered is not much more expensive than what Rotopax cans and fixtures would cost. I would still need to sort the water out as well though. The heavier the bike gets the harder it is to handle and the more of a pain everything gets to be in general. Nothing you did not know...just thinking out loud...
Thanks again!!
Well if its cheap then maybe its worth your while... Having all your fuel in the tank is definitely better... The point I was making is the expense vs useage factor..

imo, The golden rule is always "lightweight and simple"...

Ted

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  #17  
Old 4 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Squily View Post

Advantages:
Plastic tank- can take quite a beating without issues.
Plenty of range
Easier to remove tank than standard tank with that stupid valve at the back
Excellent wind-shield for your legs.
Looks cool.


Disadvantages:
Cost compared to other solutions, i.e. carrying two jerry cans mounted on the crash bars lower down
Bit more top heavy
Does restrict airflow through radiators a bit, especially if you have tankbags hanging down, e.g. VP45 Touratech type
Lot more difficult to get to engine without stripping tank off.
When going downhill (such as mountain passes), the last 5-7 liters of fuel sits in the front of the tank and the fuel-taps are above the the fuel line
Hard to find crash-bars that fit around the tank- think only Touratech makes some and be prepared to make your own or modify.
Other bits, such as Boano fairing not compatible with big tank and be prepared to modify.
As I my wife asked me if we really need it. I said the same "Not really, but it looks pretty cool" Ok, that was that. No big tank for us.
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  #18  
Old 4 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
I packed up extra fuel crossing the desert in Sudan..

There I did need more fuel.. I had a 10L jerry can which was in a specially made cradle where some would put a top box. It was empty 99% of the time through Africa. I knew there was fuel half way to fill up. For me it wasn't feasible carrying an oil tanker on my bike for a tiny part of the trip..
You can get petrol multiple places along the Nile so if this was the place you needed most fuel, I wouldn't say you needed a long range.


Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
It's not about "sticking to the main routes".. It's about planning your journey better. Make sure you know where you can buy fuel. Even if it's a shack with plastic bottles or diverting your route to fuel stations. It's all information you pick up on route from other travellers or the locals. That's why I carry a paper map and a marker pen..
Planning doesn't make petrol. If you want to go deep into the desert or some other remote places you will need petrol. There are places I had to skip because my range was to small (like Van Zyls pass) and it nags me..
I always carry a paper-map and I take notes on the map. It's mostly useful in populated areas.




Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
There are VERY few places in the world where you need 600 miles of fuel. Where there are people and roads, there is usually fuel...
Those needing 600 mile fuel ranges are the extreme. Good on you.. There's only so much desert I like riding. I find it quite boring.

Yes, 600 miles is extreme but 500 miles would be nice.
Northwestern Namibia, Algeria, Libya, northern Moz and even Iceland are places where fuel are hard to find. There are countless other places.

I saw a F650GS with a TT39 tank and it had practically 600 miles range.


Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
You pack and prepare for what you are going to do... If you're specifically intending on doing long trips out into the desert then that big tank makes sense. If you're not then it's just a waste of money and a lot of weight to drag about.
More or less, but I hate to use equipment that limits my options:

43L VS 33L

+
I can buy a 43L for the money I get for a 33L
The 43L lowers COG
The 43L (plastic) can take more beating then a 33L (steel)
The 43L has better room for my knees
The 43L is lighter then the 33L


-
The 43L is ugly

(This is for my bike, not sure if it's valid for the AT)


Quote:
Originally Posted by limpopo View Post
Thanks Alibaba!! Nice pictures and it looks like you had an awesome time. I do believe that your fuel needs are somewhat extreme but an eye opener though )
Just a pleasure, but 43L is not extreme
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  #19  
Old 5 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post

...

Planning doesn't make petrol.

...

Just a pleasure, but 43L is not extreme

Agree. I sometimes have to take extra fuel above my 43l. I also believe in a safety buffer- especially when you're exploring off-the-beaten tracks. Worst case scenario- do you have enough fuel to backtrack where you've just come from?

And incidentally, different people travel for different reasons. Some people for the social/culture, others for the landscape/isolation. Deserts are not boring- but beauty is the eye if the beholder. Deserts are also classified in various ways, but one way is by rainfall i.e. <250mm/year. And more than a third of the world fall in that category. Some of my favorite (not sand dominated) deserts include the Richterveld, Nullarbor, lower Okavango delta and Painted desert.

And like Alibaba said- plenty of places where there's people, but no fuel- especially in a third world country, but not limited to those areas. Australia is one of the remotest places on the planet. And other places, like Canada, I'm sure will have similar remote areas.
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  #20  
Old 31 Jan 2014
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I had similar thoughts whether I shoul duse a large front 43 liter tank, jerry cans or what else. In the end I constructed fiberglass side tanks, capacity 17 litres. Very happy with them and gave me that security when off road.
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  #21  
Old 4 Jan 2015
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Africa Twin long range tank
All: Happy new year! Here's my solution for additional liquid storage. I prefer to carry a lot of water while in the desert. Also, I don't care to pack water or fuel near other items (camera equipment, spares, clothing, food, etc). The following setup provides two additional gallons of water or fuel on the crash bars. Each container holds one gallon and may be removed in seconds. I hope this helps.

Photo of stock bars from Rugged Roads:



Photo of altered crash bars with welded mounts to accommodate RotoPax: (try to ignore the colorful accessories)



Photo of RotoPax Mounting Fastener:



Photo of custom upholstered container cover:



Photo of final result:

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  #22  
Old 4 Jan 2015
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Africa Twin long range tank
Photo of final solution (2):

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