Auxiliary fuel tank for the Yamaha Super Tenere XT1200Z/ S10

[rtwpaul]

I'm looking for a little help here...

as the Super Tenere is now becoming a bike of choice for long distance overland travel it has one major drawback - FUEL CAPACITY - to not have any worries on the road a range of 300+ miles nowadays is must...i know i rode round the world in 2014, and did Ushuaia to Prudhoe Bay in 2011

I am leaving Jan 2016 on a RTW on my 2012 S10, over the last four months i have been looking into way to carry more gas, options are limited

tank being cut and rewelded, then painted...ballpark $2000+
roto pax
Iron Butt set up with rear mounted auxiliary tank, doable but again difficult with a passenger
Fuel bladder
Rear saddle tanks...not an option with saddlebags and a passenger



as this ride will be two up, the last three don't really work that well due to either safety or position of fuel, and the first one is a last resort due to cost involved

The Safari name was used as its most recognized for larger bikes options for tanks, this doesn't mean they are the only option out there...there are a lot of US companies too...IMS, Acerbis etc

so if it happens to be Safari i have some Australian friends who are willing to make contact with Robin Box, owner of Safari Gas Tanks Australia, if they are the company to make the tank

Looking at the website i would presume pricing would be inline with the Triumph and Ktm 950 tanks they already make ($900 +/-), but not as high as the Ktm 990 ($1600) as that is two separate tanks

I am hoping that a US company will step up as their prices area a lot more reasonable and sub $750 would be great

Having had other over sized tanks from Safari and Acerbis on my other bikes i would hope a gain of a minimum 2 gallons but more preferably 3 gallons would be a great gain, so based on 9 US gallons/ 34 liters...this in turn would push mileage up to (based on mine 42.5mpg US) 382.5 miles per tank



i am going to post the same thread on supertenereforum as well to see if we can get this done...for all of us, and if we can get a yes then maybe a group buy???

would you be interested at all, i guess there is three types of yes

1. i'd buy right now if it were available
2. once its done and i like the look of it i'd buy
3. maybe in the future if my needs/ cash flow require it

let me know and i will update this first post with members name in a list

thanks in advance


i'd buy right now
1. rtwPaul
2. Dallara
3.OX-34
4.TheMuffinMan54
5.randomride
6.Sup-Ten
7.VgnSTRider87
8.Arktus
9.




Once its done
1.supercal
2.tomatocity
3.BergDonk
4.SilverBullet
5.SPX
6.Northernstar
7.Roge
8.Bigbore4
9.Jud
10.sander
11.NicolasR
12.432Hz
13.BSTARD
14.Glenn C
15.432Hz
16.True Grip
17.jmoore
18.Mark R.
19.sallydog
20.Ozmac
22.BHumW
23.Bushyar15
24.daveburton - owns 2 S10's
25.daveburton - owns 2 S10's
26.HBL
27.squarebore
28.ohyeahsure
29.ridefire
30.ThorRex
31.limey
32.arjayes
33.vnp514
34.Extorris
35.road_donkey
36.craigd
37.Lerxstdawg
38.Dagny_Taggart



in the future
1.dcstrom
2.JackBurns40
3.sidetrack one
4.AVGeek
5.Baja Explorer
6.twinrider
7.pub610
8.Blue Mule
9.llamabomb
10.Lutsie
11.GB
12.dave6253
13.Killacurb
14.ViperJustin

 

[dcstrom]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Paul, halfway round the world now, Sth America for a year and never had to dip into my reserve supply (rotopax). Came close once. In Morocco now heading to Iran/Pakistan/India, don't anticipate being short on range either.

If I was doing it again I would try harder to find a fuel bladder - rather that have to carry the mostly-empty Rotopax all the time. Or get a number of one liter bottles and get creative with places to strap them. But the bladder would be my first choice. Only use it when you think you need to, and even then only carry gas for 50 miles, stop and top up the tank, fold the bladder up and carry on...

I have a rule though and that is fill up when half-empty, unless you're sure there is gas further down the road. As long as you're not doing an Iron Butt the time wasted at extra fuel stops doesn't matter! ::024::

 

[rtwpaul]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Last year in Kazakstan i went 400 miles between gas stations with fuel, i avoided Uzbekistan on a route i really wanted to ride because the range was 600miles, in Argentina in 2011 i went 300 miles...this is why i'm looking,

i like to have only panniers on my bike so i can get off an leave it and not be concerned at all, i don't really like/ want rotopax or fuel bladders hanging off my bike and not knowing if i should or shouldn't fill them up, the only time you know you need fuel is when its not available

over and above this i have a guy i know who is trying to source smaller 7 liter fuel bladders that pack very small, that size is more acceptable...i'll keep everyone posted about what i come up with as a final option

 

[OX-34]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

One major highway in Australia's most populous state has no fuel for over 400 miles after midnight. The state of Western Australia has no fuel for over 500 miles late at night on one highway linking major mining and fishing towns. We understand the need for range.

I spoke to the Safari tanks guy at a motorcycle expo a couple of years ago and he said it was simply a matter of numbers, so you are on the right track here RTWPaul.

I've since added an auxiliary cell to mine, but I'll see if I can drum up a bit of interest in the long distance community here in Oz for some numbers and redirect.

Shane and Annette Cudlin from Australia rode there Tenere in the 2013 Iron Butt Rally with about 8 extra litres in the front tank. Shane did the welding himself and it had to comply with IBA rally rules.

Tabasco does a beautiful tank, but maybe getting a local bike or chopper builder/welder to start from scratch for a one off may still be economical?

What extra volume do you expect/desire from a safari or other tank anyway? You mention 7 litre bladders (plural). Casual theft proof implies a Frankentank/Safari tank or auxiliary hard mounted when parked.

Shane and Annette even considered a low-profile aux cell to go UNDER the pillion seat. Shane is much, much taller than Annatte. There is already some wasted space with that raised plastic box thing that the pillion pad mounts to, that could accommodate some litres with the right shaped aux.

 

[dcstrom]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Yeah it all depends on your route of course, and whether you are doing IBA stuff where want to go as long as possible between stops, and where you're likely to be riding through the night. I'm in no hurry most of the time, so get most of my riding done in daylight, most of the time.

If you source those bladders Paul, I'd be interested in one, and dumping the Rotopax.

 

[rtwpaul]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

thank you for the responses...I started the thread to see what actual interest is out there, i know there are lots of options for carrying fuel etc...would just like to keep the thread as easy to read document for prospective tank makers

if the numbers are not right for a larger company like Safari i will then forward the information to every single tank maker i can find in the hopes one says yes



***so for now i don't want to be condescending to any members or this thread turn into a debate....if you could simply put a yes if you are interested and then - how interested

 

[OX-34]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Don't mean to be annoying, but how many litres/gallons are you hoping for?

I think that question is relevant to the manufacturers as well as the riders.

 

[rtwpaul]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Don't mean to be annoying, but how many litres/gallons are you hoping for?

I think that question is relevant to the manufacturers as well as the riders.

i am hoping for an increase of around 2 gallons or slightly more, bring the tank over 8 US gallons or even up to 9 US gallons and over a 300 mile range

 

[tomatocity]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

"once its done and I like the look of it I'd buy"

It would be comfortable to have a larger fuel tank. Last year I traveled to Wyoming / Montana and carried a spare gallon of gas using a Rotopax. Never used it but was close twice. A larger tank would reduce the amount of planning.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

::017::
Curious if you guys riding the T abroad just ignore the premium octane needs of the Tenere?

 

[RCinNC]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

::017::
Curious if you guys riding the T abroad just ignore the premium octane needs of the Tenere?

When Nick Sanders took that Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego ride a couple years ago on the S10, he said he often had to use low octane fuel when he crossed into South America. He said it presented no real issues for him other than with VERY low octane fuel, which cause some minor pinging. Once the engine was torn down after the trip, there was no evidence of any damage at all, and this was with 50,000 miles on the odometer. With all the miles he puts on an S10, I have to respect his opinion.

http://supertenere1200.com/2011/09/15/nick-sanders-answers-your-questions/

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Haha, you know the US of A is not the only place in the world with premium fuel. We even got the color TV last year.

Cool, in another ten you should get flat screen tv.


Thank you RCinNY I had read about nicks journey was hoping for some more input

 

[Don in Lodi]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

In the early days of the Tenere, they had a rallye prepped Ten that had a real clean aux tank tucked into the rear subframe rails, kinda replaced everything between the rails with a clean tank. All you need is a route for the tail light wires and a place to hang the plate, everything else is plastic that can go in the round file.

 

[rtwpaul]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

When Nick Sanders took that Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego ride a couple years ago on the S10, he said he often had to use low octane fuel when he crossed into South America.

i'm more aware of him and his ride in 2011, i was with him on the south to north run, i split off in Mexico and did 65,000 miles on my xt660z tenere from that point onwards....


but this thread has nothing to do with him, quality of fuel...this thread is just to see if there is an interest in having a manufacturer producing a larger tank for us that do ride long distance miles, so let me know if you are interested or not if the product is produced

 

[rtwpaul]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

In the early days of the Tenere, they had a rallye prepped Ten that had a real clean aux tank tucked into the rear subframe rails,

yes i am aware of this but this is not what this thread is about, i am not looking for options and alternatives...this thread is just to see if there is an interest in having a manufacturer producing a larger tank for us that do ride long distance miles, so let me know if you are interested or not if the product is produced

 

[Don in Lodi]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Ah, I thought you were still looking for options, your list was very short. Sorry to have wasted your time.

 

[Roge]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

::017::
Curious if you guys riding the T abroad just ignore the premium octane needs of the Tenere?

Mine runs fine on 91 Octane, there is no 95 and seems to get better mileage, no pinking or loss of power.

 

[Bigbore4]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

"once its done and i like the look of it i'd buy"

 

[stutrump]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

Rtwpaul. You can put me down as a No.3. Cheers

 

[dcstrom]

Re: Over sized Safari tank for the Super Tenere

::017::
Curious if you guys riding the T abroad just ignore the premium octane needs of the Tenere?

Yep, used to use premium when I could get it, then through most of Central and Sth America there was no premium. I chucked a bit of octane booster in the 84 octane fuel in Bolivia. In Europe I can get Premium but don't often use it, seems like a waste of money when the bike has been fine for tens of thousands of miles without it.