5Likes
 |

25 Nov 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Posts: 252
|
|
Why are Acerbis Tanks so expensive !
Hi All
Just in the prepping stage of my TT600RE and want a bigger tank,
So a few weeks ago a shop said they could get one for £240... now I thought that was expensive, anyways decided to bite the bullet and buy one
Rang today to find the price had gone up to £350 !!
I mean for what?? a mould lump of plastic !
So for now I think I will work out a way of strapping a jerry can somewhere on the bike.
Just wondered how people justify spending that amount of money?
Cheers
Geordie aka Will
|

25 Nov 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bassett, Nebraska
Posts: 276
|
|
I am in the same boat as you. Can't justify the money for an expensive custom tank, so found a large used plastic tank off an XR650 that I was able to adapt to my bike with some custom brackets.
Plastic gas tanks seem way overpriced. Unless you've tried to make your own. Then you realize how expensive it is to produce limited runs of specialized products. Producing custom injection molds is not cheap. Nor is the english wheel and other custom tooling needed to make a custom metal tank. Which is why custom small runs of gas tanks are so expensive. Thank goodness for jerry cans.
Kindest regards,
John Downs
|

26 Nov 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Posts: 252
|
|
Yep I will go for a Jerry can unless a cheaper one comes up on ebay
Im quite happy to pay good money for something I can look at and think "yep thats worth the money" but for a plastic tank... it will never be that !
Cheers
Geordie aka Will
|

26 Nov 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
|
|
I expect they are so expensive because of the cost of a mold for something that is made in relatively small numbers, although the cost of the molds is coming down as like everything else the Chinese are making then much more cheaply than we can.
|

26 Nov 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
|
|
Check out E-bay, there are guys who can weld who make race, grass tracking tanks etc. Made me a 10 litre auxilliary tank for 90-quid.
I'm an engineer. It's a while since I bought plastic automotive parts but with any blow or injection moulded part tooling and set up costs are key. Take ten shots to get it right then do a run of five parts and your costs just trebbled. Run of five thousand parts and no one will notice.
This isn't what drives Acerbis though it's what they might use as an excuse. The market is swamped with Starbucks customers who'll blow two grand to make their bike look like the one inside the cover of the Touratech catalogue. The market is now saying Acerbis tanks are worth £350 so they'd be daft to hold their prices. Prices only fall when someone else stumps up the cost of entry or some other fashion takes over. I've been out of this market for ten years but would guess you could make a profit selling these tanks for £200.
Andy
|

26 Nov 2011
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Posts: 252
|
|
it would be interesting to find out the raw cost of a tank ... but then its like the KFC secret ingredient... something we will probably never find out.
When you look at say, a large screen tv these days, you can pick up a fairly decent screen around the £350 mark.... then I think well theres lots of little circuit boards and components... however I still look at an acerbis and think.. its just a blown out lump of plastic
Surely if they lowered the price then they would sell more units.. at £200 all my bikes would have larger tanks !
Cheers
Geordie aka Will
|

26 Nov 2011
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Helens
Posts: 763
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by geordie_e
Hi All
Just in the prepping stage of my TT600RE and want a bigger tank,
So a few weeks ago a shop said they could get one for £240... now I thought that was expensive, anyways decided to bite the bullet and buy one
Rang today to find the price had gone up to £350 !!
I mean for what?? a mould lump of plastic !
So for now I think I will work out a way of strapping a jerry can somewhere on the bike.
Just wondered how people justify spending that amount of money?
Cheers
Geordie aka Will
|
Because people will pay it ?
Not sure where you are going, but do you really need a larger tank ?
Bigger tank, more weight.
We took our Aprilia Pegasos through Latin America, they have a 15 litre tank. All we did was add a 2 (US) Gal tank on the back of each after Mexico.
And then we didn't need to use them until Chile !
|

26 Nov 2011
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,364
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceP
Because people will pay it ?
Not sure where you are going, but do you really need a larger tank ?
Bigger tank, more weight.
We took our Aprilia Pegasos through Latin America, they have a 15 litre tank. All we did was add a 2 (US) Gal tank on the back of each after Mexico.
And then we didn't need to use them until Chile !
|
I concur. Unless you're going well into the middle of the Saharan nowhere, you don't need a big tank (and you'll also need to know how to ride an overweight shed competently). Take plastic jerry cans where (possibly) needed.
Or even better cola bottles (won't rot with petrol inside; hole big enough to take petrol pump nozzle....)
I believe Colebatch did all of his Siberian/Mongolian trips just on a standard 14 litre xChallenge tank.
With ref to the costs of Starbucks fashion accessories (Acerbis) from Italy: consider the changes in £/euro exchange rates. All imported stuff into the UK is becoming more expensive.
cheers
Mr Starbucks (who has an aftermarket 27 litre tank for his DRZ and a 38 litre one on his Transalp: not to mention the standard 24 on his Africa Twin... hypocrite  )
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Hybrid Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
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...
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)

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!

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!
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.
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.
|
|
|