Fuel cells for longer trips
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Actually, George, we do a lot of touring, but, admittedly, rarely out west. Of course, if you live in an area like that, I suppose you do what is necessary to keep yourself from running out of gas as you obviously do.
I bet it's been a long time since you've run out of gas yourself, hasn't it? What's the difference between you and those that do run out of gas? Preparedness and maybe a little more smarts.
I bet it's been a long time since you've run out of gas yourself, hasn't it? What's the difference between you and those that do run out of gas? Preparedness and maybe a little more smarts.
Perhaps those that run out don't get 300 miles per tank. I get a little over 200on my 2008 UC and most of my bikes got little more than 100 miles/tank.
Sure if your familiar to the area you may know theres an open gas station 5 miles away. Usually the people who run out are just passing through. Occasionally it will be a mechanical problem (fuel leak).
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
Part of touring is going someplace you have never been and riding roads less traveled. Allowing fate to lead you in a direction you did not mean to go but ended up being great because you were riding. My bike will do 200 easy and has gone to 250 before so I plan for that, but if the laws that be say this is not my day then I get to make new friends and have a laugh at my misfortune. Great post on having a backup plan for the time your plans fail and for bailing me out if you are passing me as I am sitting on the side of the road laughing and wondering who I get to buy a beer for.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 8
From: Retired and living in the mountains of NE PA
Sh*t does happen, but I can also tell you of MANY cases of pure stupidity I've seen including times when I'd pull over to check on a disabled motorist and find they were out of gas two miles down the highway from the gas station they'd just passed. Yeah, it happens more often than you'd imagine.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Trooper, I imagine you've seen alot and could amuse us with stories for hours. Actually I'd like to hear some of 'em for a good laugh! Long time since I've belly-laughed.
If I can help the "stupid", I'm going to help the "stupid". Lord knows I'm not always made up of "smart" myself
. My hope would be in helping, the individual will be more cautious in the future. I know I'd be more careful, especially if Sara were with me . She'd beat me with a stick, oak mind you, if I ran out of gas with her in back!
Woman's meaner 'n a snake
(that's a lie)...
If I can help the "stupid", I'm going to help the "stupid". Lord knows I'm not always made up of "smart" myself
. My hope would be in helping, the individual will be more cautious in the future. I know I'd be more careful, especially if Sara were with me . She'd beat me with a stick, oak mind you, if I ran out of gas with her in back!Woman's meaner 'n a snake
(that's a lie)...
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Top of Texas
Nope, don't carry any extra fuel.
Myself, I stop and fuel about every hundred miles so always have 'exta' in the tank...and a quick potty break or whatever for me as well.
Riding in the midwest - that is ND, SD, WYO, MT, NEB, KS, IA etc. there is, frequently, a hundred miles between fuel stops. Not everyplace in the USA has a gas stop every 10 miles.
Myself, I stop and fuel about every hundred miles so always have 'exta' in the tank...and a quick potty break or whatever for me as well.
Riding in the midwest - that is ND, SD, WYO, MT, NEB, KS, IA etc. there is, frequently, a hundred miles between fuel stops. Not everyplace in the USA has a gas stop every 10 miles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
All of which would come out in the conversation when I stopped to see what the problem was.
Sh*t does happen, but I can also tell you of MANY cases of pure stupidity I've seen including times when I'd pull over to check on a disabled motorist and find they were out of gas two miles down the highway from the gas station they'd just passed. Yeah, it happens more often than you'd imagine.
Sh*t does happen, but I can also tell you of MANY cases of pure stupidity I've seen including times when I'd pull over to check on a disabled motorist and find they were out of gas two miles down the highway from the gas station they'd just passed. Yeah, it happens more often than you'd imagine.
For me the fuel thing is probably just the old boy scout upbringing. I like being that guy that has the tool no-one thought of, or the tire plug kit and the mini compressor, or the extra pair of gloves for the dumb *** that forgot his, or those surprise ice cold brewskies in my saddlebag cooler on a hot summer day.
When it snows hard or the rivers are ris'n up here in good ol'e WA, me and a buddy like to hop in the truck with waders, towstraps, winch, chainsaw and go out and have adventures helping people. That's just how we roll.
Everybody else can roll however they want.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Territory of Tucson
As most of you said: "Planning is the best policy for gas stops". However, what most of the riders here in the West already know is that when riding through the vast areas of our state (such as the reservations), and what visiting riders from smaller or more populated states should know, is that you may fill up at some small town or village, ride another 50 miles or so, find another station and pass it up, only to discover the next town which may be well over 100 miles away does not have a station or they are closed on weekends or when they damn well please!
I, as I assume most western riders do, fill up at that "50 mile" station just to be safe.
If you think I'm spoofing, just check the map of Arizona and look at the Navajo Reservation - about as big as most Eastern states and really sparsely populated!
I, as I assume most western riders do, fill up at that "50 mile" station just to be safe.
If you think I'm spoofing, just check the map of Arizona and look at the Navajo Reservation - about as big as most Eastern states and really sparsely populated!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 1
From: Boise, Idaho
As most of you said: "Planning is the best policy for gas stops". However, what most of the riders here in the West already know is that when riding through the vast areas of our state (such as the reservations), and what visiting riders from smaller or more populated states should know, is that you may fill up at some small town or village, ride another 50 miles or so, find another station and pass it up, only to discover the next town which may be well over 100 miles away does not have a station or they are closed on weekends or when they damn well please!
I, as I assume most western riders do, fill up at that "50 mile" station just to be safe.
If you think I'm spoofing, just check the map of Arizona and look at the Navajo Reservation - about as big as most Eastern states and really sparsely populated!
I, as I assume most western riders do, fill up at that "50 mile" station just to be safe.
If you think I'm spoofing, just check the map of Arizona and look at the Navajo Reservation - about as big as most Eastern states and really sparsely populated!
Yep, I agree. I always take a couple liters in the MSR containers that TR mentioned. It can get pretty lonely in southern Utah and Arizona, and you never know if the next gas station is there or even open.
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