Fuel through Mongolia and Russia?
 

From July this year I will begin a motorbike trip from Vladivostok, through Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and others. My main concern is not only fuel quality (for my DR-Z400) but also fuel availability.

I am aware that others have done this route. Can anyone offer any information on fuel availability and quality - especially through Mongolia? Are there any maps that indicate fuel stops?

Viktor

viktor,
i've already been to some of those countries (not with a bike, local transport)
you could worry about quality there, so think about filters etc ...
about quantity, you know everybody sells everything there, especially fuel, don't worry too much about that, you can still take a few liters of fuel in a tank just in case

safe travels

Dear Victor!

Yes, you're right, I did exactly this route last year. Fuel availability is not the really big problem, especially in Russia. There you can do with 300 km reach easily. For the other countries you should consider carrying a jerrycan, because 400 Kilometers between gasstations is possible.
You have to be aware that you may be fueling up with gas as low as 76 octane, which could cause real problems with your modern bike. Our BMW R 100 GS took this low grade fuel without much of a fuss, but I don't know abourt compression on your bike. Maybe consider putting in a 2nd cylinderhead gasket , you don't want to ruin your engine in these places.
Iv'e heard bad things about liquid octane boosters, in case you were thinking about this option. Appearently they are very aggressive to the rubber parts inside the carburetta, and can cause the vacuum memnbrane to tear and thus the carburetta to fail. The smarter version is to take it (very) easy on the throttle, until you get some 85+ fuel.

check out the stories about Russia, mongolia and central asia on our homepage: www.transasia.at
If you have any questions on the places, please ask!

Greetings, Patrick.

hi
those last 2 months i was in russia (from estonia to mongolia) and mongolia,
no prob to find fuel
at least everywhere 92 or 93, sometimes even 95 and 98 in big cities
otherwise, i put twice 76 and it s ok, just a bit less power
no worries so
forget octane booster etc ...

safe travels, happy trails
http://vincent.danna.free.fr/

it s no problem to get fuel in kazakhstan, quality and places
a bit of a problem in kirghistan, most of the times you get 80 octane, that s all, not so many places too

safe travels
http://vincent.danna.free.fr/