Extra Gas - How??

[jmax5105]

So we should be able to get around 200 miles out of a tank then? I start to pucker a little when that little yellow light comes on around 160-170. Anyone know approximately how much fuel you have left in the tank when that light comes on? Maybe down to 1 gallon? I know that the fuel helps cool the fuel pump and it's not a good idea to run low, just wondering if anyone knows at what point that light starts coming on? I've seen the little aluminum 1-liter bottles also and wondered if that might be a good idea or not as well.

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

I have ridden highway 50 in Nevada/Utah (the road Mac is referring to) a number of times and that stretch of road is nick-named the Loneliest Highway in America. With that being said, I still never needed a gas can. I can totally see how it would be necessary for a multisport bike that may not see pavement for days at a time, but on the Nomad you'd have to make a conscious effort to not find a gas station. Maybe that's what you're doing..?

If you really like to stay off major highways and to ride in the wide open spaces of the great plains. great! But you better not ride out too far into the wide open spaces because a gallon is only going to get you another 35 miles.

Again, I don't really care one way or another. Just stating my thoughts. Have fun, ride the open spaces. Don't run out of gas. :) :) :)

My experience tell me I will need the extra gas. From 1984-1989 and again from 1999 to 2002 I lived in the desert of CA. In that time I put about 30,000 miles on my bike riding the very rural/desert parts of CA, NV, OR, WA and ID all on paved roads. In in the areas above, in the areas I like to ride, it is easy to run out of gas on a 5 gal tank. Been there done that.

Speaking of US 50 which I have been on a dozen time (one of my very favorite rides) and US 6, If you do some loop rides off either Hwy, it is very easy to go 170 - 220 miles w/o seeing a gas station. Been there done that.

Even when you think you don't need the extras gas, in many of those areas all it takes is a station being closed in a one station town and you are sunk because you can't make the next town. Been there done that. It is the same issue if you ride at night, which I don't care to do, stations in small towns are often closed. Been there done that.

In the trip I am planning, I have 3 areas/routes I would like to do that a 5.3 gal Nomad can make. I may add one or two more.

So, that is why I am seeking advise on how to carry extra gas (two gals). I will need it

[ponch]

Exactly.

[Bull Durham]

Ranger,

Get the gas can(s). If nothing else, for piece of mind. Just don't fill them all the way to the top, you have to take into consideration the gas expanding as it gets hotter and the cans not having a venting system. So if there is no room to expand, then the cans will swell up.

If I was riding the routes you are and worried about gas, do it. Too many people on here worry about everything. Like I've said before, if you are so worried about riding a motorcycle, get rid of it and buy yourself a tank.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by jmax5105

So we should be able to get around 200 miles out of a tank then? I start to pucker a little when that little yellow light comes on around 160-170. Anyone know approximately how much fuel you have left in the tank when that light comes on? Maybe down to 1 gallon? I know that the fuel helps cool the fuel pump and it's not a good idea to run low, just wondering if anyone knows at what point that light starts coming on? I've seen the little aluminum 1-liter bottles also and wondered if that might be a good idea or not as well.

If you are referring to my comment about my bike's 200-mile + range, you may want to know I am talking about a Harley, with a 6 gallon tank and 40 MPG.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

If you are referring to my comment about my bike's 200-mile + range, you may want to know I am talking about a Harley, with a 6 gallon tank and 40 MPG.

That's 240 until dry. Not bad. unfortunately Kawasaki didn't increase the tank size on the newer models.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

That's 240 until dry. Not bad. unfortunately Kawasaki didn't increase the tank size on the newer models.

To date, I think the farthest I've gotten was about 210 until the fuel light started glowing. My bike isn't really broken in yet, with only 2500 miles on it. I expect it to improve as the engine loosens up.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

To date, I think the farthest I've gotten was about 210 until the fuel light started glowing. My bike isn't really broken in yet, with only 2500 miles on it. I expect it to improve as the engine loosens up.

It will. I was getting 41-43 and I hit 46-49 on the highway recently. It's a nice improvement. I never got near that with the Nomad.

[usranger74]

Last year riding mostly in KS, NE and OK, I was able to get 41-43 MPH. Last fall I put a Cobra fuel processor on and my mileage dropped to 38. ???

[ponch]

Originally Posted by usranger74

Last year riding mostly in KS, NE and OK, I was able to get 41-43 MPH. Last fall I put a Cobra fuel processor on and my mileage dropped to 38. ???

I never got above 38 with Iowa corn fuel and with straight gas, 40-43. The new bike does better than that on corn fuel, so I will be real hopeful once I get out of this state on the road to see what it does. I know on my road trip with a suburban, my average fuel economy for the life of the car went up 2 MPG on that trip and I've had it 2 years/40K miles. The gas here stinks. I'd bet it gets more than the 10%.

[usranger74]

NE still requires stations to label corn gas and thus I know I am not buying it. However, as I go west into KS and NE, it is very hard to find premium gas and that sucks.

[zoom45]

If you ride a 1500 carbed Nomad you better get gas near 100 miles or you may not make it to the next station especially if you don't know where it is. I will carry extra gas in the back box on a very long trip but just in case it did leak, it's behind the exhaust and won't get on the bike. If you have an accident with it in there, the gas is probably going to be the least of your problems. It a risk some will take and some won't. Up to the individual.
Zoom45

[macmac]

Originally Posted by Bull Durham

Ranger,

Get the gas can(s). If nothing else, for piece of mind. Just don't fill them all the way to the top, you have to take into consideration the gas expanding as it gets hotter and the cans not having a venting system. So if there is no room to expand, then the cans will swell up.

If I was riding the routes you are and worried about gas, do it. Too many people on here worry about everything. Like I've said before, if you are so worried about riding a motorcycle, get rid of it and buy yourself a tank.

I could live with this advice. But I like that Rotex thing better.

I use plastic gas containers, but not hangin off the back end of a bike.

Man you take a hit there, and yer gonna be laying on the ground and unable to get away and a firey death isn't high on my list of cool things to do. I always worry about getting rear ended.

Crossing the USA I carried Coleman fuel 1 gallon at a time in a steel open ammo box mounted on my trailer behind the cooler and before the sears car topper box.

I use MSR alloy bottles all the time and had 3 on that trip too. I forget what they hold. These were stored inside joint compound buckets in the trailer with soft articals around them. These are the fuel cells for my MSR stove.

I can see having a container and maybe filling it at the last chance gas, and as soon as it is used air dried out a good long while.

Liquid gas is as safe as it gets. You can drop a ciggy butt in a bucket full and the ciggy butt will just go out, but scatter that (atomize) and there will be a big boom and one hell of a fire ball, and that can happen easy getting rear ended.

I been down to the point I copuildn't move once before. I got burned on the pavement, and couldn't move one damnned inch to a cooler place.

Had there been fire as well, I wouldn't be setting around drinkin a cold brewski and typoin' as I do today.

I like the rotex container best and that could fit in a saddle bag before it was used. After it was used if it was mine I would lash it to one side of the sissy bar or the other, with the cap off, or loose.

[macmac]

My 01 had the lellow light come on at 137 miles like clock work stock. 148 modded up in cal.

I only rode that bike once solo, after that it was 2 up and pulling a trailer over 15,000 miles in one ride.

My 06 1600 has the light come on at 178 most of the time, which is 2 up.

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by Bull Durham

Ranger,

Get the gas can(s). If nothing else, for piece of mind. Just don't fill them all the way to the top, you have to take into consideration the gas expanding as it gets hotter and the cans not having a venting system. So if there is no room to expand, then the cans will swell up.

If I was riding the routes you are and worried about gas, do it. Too many people on here worry about everything. Like I've said before, if you are so worried about riding a motorcycle, get rid of it and buy yourself a tank.

If I may............coming from our hottest state and working with plastic 5 gallon fuel jugs for jetskis and boat all summer long. As was said, don't fill the can all the way up. In addition, before sealing the cap down tight give the can a little squeeze on the sides. It'll allow the plastic to expand some without bursting/splitting a seam or shooting the cap off.

Even with an air space in the can, it'll still expand to the point of bursting if it gets really hot. The air and fuel will both expand and it can get ugly. Squeezing the sides before sealing it up gives you some room for the expansion.

Changes in elevation will make a big difference too.