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  #1  
Old 4 Oct 2013
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tank range too small
I recently returned from my first motorcycle tour. I took my Honda Shadow 750 around Brittany for 10 days with my girlfriend on her 125 shadow (it was a great trip and left me hungry for more) the downside was my tank range is only 100 miles whilst my girlfriends was just under 200. Our tour was taking the smallest possible roads which meant that on occasion fuel was an issue.

I do have another bike with a tank range of over 200 miles which would be the simplest solution to kit that out for touring but it would be pricey and my knee hurts over long distance on that bike so its an uncertainty.

my cruiser is totally decked out for touring and can carry loads whislt providing all day comfort it just lacks the fuel capacity i want.

is it safe to store fuel in plastic containers on the bike? is it a fire risk in the sun or the event of a crash and also what the likely hood of it being stolen off the unattended bike whilst they are parked up.
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Old 4 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryD12345 View Post
is it safe to store fuel in plastic containers on the bike? is it a fire risk in the sun or the event of a crash and also what the likely hood of it being stolen off the unattended bike whilst they are parked up.
I'd guess that your bike has a metal fuel tank but there's loads around that have plastic tanks as std and a whole world of aftermarket plastic tanks out there. Petrol isn't going to catch fire just by sitting in a plastic tank in the sun but it will expand as it heats up and if you've filled it absolutely to the top it may, depending on the design of the container, force its way out. Most containers designed for fuel won't have a problem but if you decide to go with a couple of Coke bottles ....

I've never had a problem with theft but my extra fuel is usually out of sight as I'm uncertain about the legality of carrying it. Hopefully others may be able to throw a match into this area to light it up.

For a tour of Normandy I'm surprised you found a 100 mile range restrictive but it would be if you were venturing further afield. The 75 mile range on my little Suzuki drives me to drink at times on a long run.
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Old 4 Oct 2013
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These fuel tanks meant for marine use are slimmer than the normal ones for auto use and easier to pack on a bike.
Ocean Slim Tank - Fuel, Fuel Tanks | Mailspeed Marine
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Old 4 Oct 2013
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thanks for the info and smiles
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Old 4 Oct 2013
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If you are travelling with someone else who has a bigger tank/longer fuel range then all you need is a piece of pipe to siphon fuel from their bike to yours .........
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Old 5 Oct 2013
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Originally Posted by pebble35 View Post
If you are travelling with someone else who has a bigger tank/longer fuel range then all you need is a piece of pipe to siphon fuel from their bike to yours .........
Done that so often in the middle of the night (from a friends bike of course ) when we've run out and my one piece of advice would be to practice your technique beforehand on something that tastes less disgusting than petrol.
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Old 5 Oct 2013
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You can get bulb prime syphons meant for emptying fish tanks for a few quid. Petrol will eventually attack the plastic but it takes months.

Andy
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Old 5 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryD12345 View Post
my Honda Shadow 750
her 125 shadow
my tank range is only 100 miles
my girlfriends was just under 200
Quote:
Originally Posted by pebble35 View Post
If you are travelling with someone else who has a bigger tank/longer fuel range then all you need is a piece of pipe to siphon fuel from their bike to yours .........
Syphoning fuel between vehicles is always an option, but it is best done between machines of similar fuel consumption figures and tank sizes, in my view.
In the case above, the 125cc bike will have a small tank from which it can't afford to lose too much fuel; but, in extremis!
Nevertheless, I usually carry a bit of clear plastic tube for this purpose, whereby I could syphon fuel from anyone who is prepared to sell it to me.
I always carry a length of tow rope, of size suitable for motorcycles.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mustaphapint View Post
These fuel tanks meant for marine use are slimmer than the normal ones for auto use and easier to pack on a bike.
Ocean Slim Tank - Fuel, Fuel Tanks | Mailspeed Marine
I like these and HD poly should be very robust: as is often the case, the marine industry has solutions which are very good for bikes and their asking prices are often much better value.
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