Hi Greg,

Ive run a Safari tank on the DR for about 4 years now, I don't notice fuel 'slopping' around at all but when it is full it puts quite a bit of weight up front which doesn't do much for the handling on soft sand/deep gravel.

fitting/removing can be done in about 10 minutes, if the tank is full when you refit it the lobes will sag a little bit and it can be a bit fiddly to get the 10mm bolts through the cross brace and into the tank threads on each side, but it just takes some practice.

a few points worth noting:

-the carb fuel inlet should be turned 90 deg left to let the tank drain fully.

-extra rubber washers should be used between the cross brace and tank otherwise the brace can rub on the tank.

- the bolt on wiring clamps/retainers on the frame each side close to the headstock should have the tops trimmed back as they rub on the inside of the tank.

-it can be difficult to push the tank forwards enough to get the 2 rear securing bolts into the frame sometimes, you can use a tyre lever into the front seat retainer tab to lever the tank forward a bit.

-The locking Acerbis cap that you can buy does not vent well, unless you are really worried about someone tampering with your gas, use the stock one that comes with the tank.

- After a while it will stretch out, I can squeeze ~37 litres into mine now, good for 700-800kms depending on elevation/terrain/load/how much WFO throttle I use

- The Safari tank restricts the turning lock quite a bit, for tight tracks it is not ideal trying to pull a U turn.

Would I buy the Safari tank again ? Yes

For a long trip I prefer to have my fuel in one place, you will have enough luggage/food and water on the back end already.

You can run the Safari tank with 20-25 litres most of the time and full when you have to, personally I like having a long range and not worrying about running out of gas.

As for durability, my DR has been down quite a bit, including a few big crashes and cartwheels, the Safari tank is a bit scratched, but Ive had no issues with it leaking at all.

I think the Acerbis 25 litre would be fine too with a fuel bladder/rotopax on the back, the DR would probably handle a BIT better in softer sand, but with the front suspension sorted out it wont make THAT much difference.


As for running the bike stock, I did that around South America, (apart from removing the EPA blanking plug, fitting an extended fuel screw and a Twinair filter) but I wish I had done the carb needle/slide/airbox/exhaust mods BEFORE our trip, the DR runs a lot better, pickup is better, it pulls harder and still has close to stock fuel consumption.

Let me know if you need more info.

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca