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Back up fuel supply

cedarbrook63

cedarbrook63

Junior Member
Everyone is different - some like to stop every hour or so - have a smoke, stretch that stiff back, chill and look around, while some like to crack on as far as gas fumes and nerves of steel will take them.

When you're on a long ride - planning your fuel stops is really important. I haven't ever had it happen but it must be a real pain to run out of fuel out on the road. Now here's my question -

Are there any legal or insurance issues to carrying fuel anywhere on your bike other than the fuel tank? Does anyone carry any extra fuel - a few litres whatever - in a strong secure container when you're going on a long trip and maybe can't be exactly sure of the next fuel stop - just as a back up?

Just wondering. It's not really an issue in Western Europe, or, I imagine, most of the USA - but with a range of 110-120 miles on my Sportster and a long trip coming up this summer the thought crossed my mind.

:newsmile099:
 
My bikes being carbed have a reserve although it is only .9 of a litre it is sometimes enough to get out of trouble but we tend to fill up at around 100 miles wifes bike has about a 20 litre tank and mine is about 15 and we need between 8 and 9 litres at a fill although we have gone 150 miles without filling
i do find that on longer trips the fuel goes a wee bit further
however a couple of spare litres may be a good idea
Be aware that i think it is an offence to run out of fuel on the autobahn in Germany

Brian
 
cedarbrook63,
I suppose carrying extra fuel is not that bad of an idea, as long as you are sure of the integrity of the container. There are laws which prohibit using non-DOT approved containers, at least in the US.
Question, what is your fuel tank capacity, your range seems low to me, I had a 2007, 1200SE which had a 4.5 gal tank and usually managed ~ 180 miles before the reserve light came on.
 
gator508 said:
cedarbrook63,
I suppose carrying extra fuel is not that bad of an idea, as long as you are sure of the integrity of the container. There are laws which prohibit using non-DOT approved containers, at least in the US.
Question, what is your fuel tank capacity, your range seems low to me, I had a 2007, 1200SE which had a 4.5 gal tank and usually managed ~ 180 miles before the reserve light came on.
Click to expand...

Wow 180 miles! That's way more that I would dream of with my Sportster Gator. My reserve light is a joke and always has been - it comes on anywhere from 50-80 miles depending on how much town/out of town riding I'm doing.
I'll ask the tech to have a look next time it's in. Thanks for the tip on the DOT approval. I'll look into what's available, especially since - as Brian points out - you don't want to have die deutsche Polizei getting cranky with you for running out of petrol.
 
If you are tight for space finding a small container for holding petrol may be a bit of a challenge however a lot of camping stoves made for high altitude work off petrol as butane wont work so you may get small capacity petrol bottles from an outdoor centre rather than a motorcycle or car place

Brian
 
Looking at cedarbrook63 sporster, muffler goes under right side bag. I would put fuel in left side bag just to avoid the heat from the muffler.
Would this be a concern or am I being overly cautious.
 
JBC2565 said:
Looking at cedarbrook63 sporster, muffler goes under right side bag. I would put fuel in left side bag just to avoid the heat from the muffler.
Would this be a concern or am I being overly cautious.
Click to expand...

No to overly cautious - if I was carrying any spare fuel - it would be in the left bag and NOT the right. Intelligent point.

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TripleJ said:
Looks like this one might fit the bill and is sold by Chopper at Chops Garage .That Chopper sells this product would be a good enough recommendation for me to consider it if I were in the market.


REDA Gas Can: News
Click to expand...

Very neat product TripleJ. As you say if Chopper rates it - that's a good recommendation.

.
 
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cedarbrook63 said:
No to overly cautious - if I was carrying any spare fuel - it would be in the left bag and NOT the right. Intelligent point.

================================================



Very neat product TripleJ. As you say if Chopper rates it - that's a good recommendation.

.
Click to expand...

This does look like a very good container and may be a solution for you. But...I still wonder, unlees you have the smaller 3.5 gal tank, I would think your gas mileage should be better. JMO. Cheers!!
 
fin_676 said:
My bikes being carbed have a reserve although it is only .9 of a litre it is sometimes enough to get out of trouble but we tend to fill up at around 100 miles wifes bike has about a 20 litre tank and mine is about 15 and we need between 8 and 9 litres at a fill although we have gone 150 miles without filling
i do find that on longer trips the fuel goes a wee bit further
however a couple of spare litres may be a good idea
Be aware that i think it is an offence to run out of fuel on the autobahn in Germany

Brian
Click to expand...

It is an offense to run out on the autobahn in Germany. From what I hear, it is a really expensive fine too. Pretty rare that someone runs out, so I guess the law works well.
 
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