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View Full Version : Fuel Bottles - Extra Mileage


nvoelsch
05-25-2010, 10:04 PM
Why I have been wondering this lately, I'll never know. I already get 200 miles +/- between fuel ups before the light comes on, but I've been thinking about strapping a fuel bottle or two behind my saddle bags to extend my range even further. You know, for those trips in eastern Oregon where fuel is scarce and I keep planning routes in my head.... :laughing:

Anyhoo, I've been doing some homework and thought I'd share... you sportbike riders with small gas tanks might take interest! :rolleyes: And actually, that's probably one of the reasons that sparked me to look into this - on rides, sportbikes tend to have to fuel up more often than I... so duh, if I was on a long trip with bikes with fuel needs, what solutions do I have? (see, I am the caring and thoughtful type sometimes)

MSR sells a 30oz fuel bottle (REI has them here in town, I just checked last night) for $20. http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/MSRFuelBottle.jpg

Primus sells a 1.5 liter bottle for about $20 as well and can be bought online.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/PrimusBottle.jpg

Okay, so here's my math (Professor Wes, please check):

Let's say my bike gets 50mpg (rounded a bit) and I have a 5 gallon tank. 50x5=250 miles maximum.

1 Gallon = 128oz, so 128oz = 50 miles
1 Liter = 33.8oz, so 3.8 liters = 50 miles
1 ounce = 0.39 miles
1 liter = 13.15 miles

A Primus 1.5 liter bottle x 13.15 miles = 19.72 miles to the bottle. (1.5 liters x 33.8oz = 50.7oz capacity)

A MSR 30oz bottle x 0.39 miles = 11.7 miles to the bottle.

So if both bottles cost $20, the better bang for by buck is the Primus. And if I were on a sportbike (even with slightly less mpg), wouldn't 15 extra miles of riding (in an emergency fuel shortage situation) be better than 15 miles of walking?

Scary what goes through my mind sometimes.

ZX-14
05-26-2010, 11:57 AM
:thumbup:Nice post Nathan! I think that is some sage advice.

MTS620
05-26-2010, 08:41 PM
I have two of the liter bottles for that exact reason. haven't had to use them yet, but it's been close a few times.

nvoelsch
03-06-2011, 11:01 PM
Finally done! Wow, almost a year.

I ordered two "Operator's Manual Canisters" from AgriSupply:

http://www.agrisupply.com/operators-manual-canister/p/67670/cn/1900088/

I also picked up two MSR bottles from REI and used a tube sock on each one to take up the space between the bottle and the inside of the canister (about 1/8 inch or so).

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/FuelBottles1.jpg

Used some laquer thinner to take the yellow instructions off.

Mounted them underneath my tail on the inside of the luggage racks:

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/FuelBottles2.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/FuelBottles3.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/FuelBottles4.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/FuelBottles7.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/FuelBottles6.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/nvoelsch/FuelBottles5.jpg

So now I can extend my range, or help out my fellow sportbike friends who don't have the same range I do.

Plus, I think I can put a can or two of beer in each... :yes:

MTS620
03-07-2011, 04:08 PM
that's pretty slick. I like it.

laptraffic
10-01-2011, 06:10 PM
Very cool....and your right, 15 miles of riding beats pushing anyday. :clapping:

lubirdy
10-02-2011, 08:29 PM
Looks almost stock. Well done, sir.