Who needs a GSA?

[dcstrom]

I figure the biggest difference between the S10 and the GSA is gas capacity - here's my idea to match it, AND get better weight distribution at the same time. More at http://supertenere1200.com/2011/10/31/who-needs-a-gsa/

It's just lashed together with straps for now, but if this seems viable (can anyone see why not?) it shouldn't be a drama to work up some proper attachments.

 

[Venture]

Heat from the engine will cause the fuel to expand and the can will puff out. I don't think you're dealing with a fire hazard, but maybe. If the bike goes over is there a chance of fuel easily getting on to the headers if the can busts?

I'll admit at first glance I thought you were trying to simulate the GSA's cylinder heads, then I read the post.

 

[dcstrom]

Heat from the engine will cause the fuel to expand and the can will puff out. I don't think you're dealing with a fire hazard, but maybe. If the bike goes over is there a chance of fuel easily getting on to the headers if the can busts?

I'll admit at first glance I thought you were trying to simulate the GSA's cylinder heads, then I read the post.

Yeah - I guess there's going to be some trial-and-hopefully-not-error. I was thinking some insulating material between the gas can and the engine, 1/2" thick or so. May not be enough if too much engine heat gets distributed around the area in general. I think in normal riding it would be OK, not sure about when stuck in traffic. (but the point is - when you need this you are probably going to be a long way from any traffic jams...)

There's a fair amount of clearance from the exhaust, and the rotopax is well inboard of the crash bar, so it would have to be a big-un for it to get squashed.

 

[markjenn]

There's a fair amount of clearance from the exhaust, and the rotopax is well inboard of the crash bar, so it would have to be a big-un for it to get squashed.

The headers on a non-turbocharged engine generally are not hot enough to auto-ignite fuel. If they were, older bikes would be burning down right and left as overfilling almost any 60's and 70's bike would cause gas to run down the sides of the tank and directly onto the exhaust headers. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

I don't think your fire risk is with the exhaust. Instead, it is with bursting of the rotopax due to impact and subsequent ignition from the sparks that routinely occur when a motorcycle wrecks and metal bits are being dragged across the pavement.

You may be correct that it would take a "big-un" for this to happen, but keep in mind you're probably risking quite a bit on this assumption that these fuel cells would hold up in a typical wreck. No way I'd make this assumption, not in that location.

- Mark

 

[Bill310]

This is a bad idea, plain and simple. Your life is to valuable to risk self immolation because of a motorcycle crash.

The alt rider rear rack has mounting brackets for roto pax, why not buy it, Otherwise have a custom fuel cell built.

 

[Twitch]

I’m not sure about the engine proximity, but folks mount those cells to the side of their bikes like on the side cases and rear…click the photos tab on the Rotopax site. Carrying a fuel cell is dangerous period, but if you need one, I suppose you need one.

I have a Rotopax 1.0 gallon cell, but for my KL250 which only has a 2.4 gallon tank. It’s a rugged little product, stackable if you wanted and sized (9.5 x 13.25 x 3) for a lot of options on different bikes. Something a little closer in size to consider for the ST and larger is the Kolpin 1.5 gallon fuel cell (11.5 x 12 x 4.5) that would get you a little closer to the 2.0 gallon goal. To put it on the auxiliary tail platform, I believe the grab handles would have to come off…fab up something for the boxes if they mount there. Add a couple Primus liter bottles in the tool tubes and you’ve got your 2.0 gallons.

 

[colorider]

This is a bad idea, plain and simple. Your life is to valuable to risk self immolation because of a motorcycle crash.

have a custom fuel cell built.

::026::

 

[Gat]

Nice! I did the same thing for a run up James Bay Road on my Concours. I plan to add a Rotopax mount to my Micatechs or Pelican top box.

Yes, they could be dangerous but there's also a few gallons of gas sitting in a metal tank between my legs... ::024::

 

[Checkswrecks]

As I mentioned in your ADV post:

 

[rem]

That is a very clever concept, and looks great. I'm wondering about the weight, especially on the very back end of the panniers .... how much fuel will one of those hold?? R

 

[justbob]

For those using the SWMotech mounting hardware, it looks like there might be enough space between the bike and the bag to fabricate a mount on the in side of the right bag to mount the gas container in that space. Using the SWMotech bracket, not the bag as the mount. In this location it would be somewhat protected from a fall.

 

[Venture]

For those using the SWMotech mounting hardware, it looks like there might be enough space between the bike and the bag to fabricate a mount on the in side of the right bag to mount the gas container in that space. Using the SWMotech bracket, not the bag as the mount. In this location it would be somewhat protected from a fall.

Better mass centralization in that location as well.

 

[elizilla]

This is where I wish I could weld. There's a huge space inboard of the right side bag, with my Givi tubular racks. I'd like to put either a Rotopax fuel can or a Pelican laptop case in there (depending on my destination), but the rack tubes cross the space wrong and block me from putting anything but tool tubes in there.

 

[colorider]

For those using the SWMotech mounting hardware, it looks like there might be enough space between the bike and the bag to fabricate a mount on the in side of the right bag to mount the gas container in that space. Using the SWMotech bracket, not the bag as the mount. In this location it would be somewhat protected from a fall.

Yes, I have been looking at this space as well for some sort of storage, and as Katherine points out, the Givi rack offer even more room in this area.

 

[dcstrom]

Thanks guys - yeah, I considered the risks of placement there. Nothing's perfect - the people with gas mounted on the rear of panniers could be in trouble in a rear-ender, or people who use plastic jerry cans for "emergency" gas are more at risk, no matter where the container is mounted, cos those things will burst easily.

So yes I can see there is some risk, but mitigated by the fact that I'm not planning on using these routinely - these would only be full of gas
- at times when I expect a shortage
- and only for the first 100 miles or so after filling up. Gas in the Rotopax would then be transferred to the tank

So, they'd be used infrequently - a few areas of the US maybe, Alaska definitely, and some places in South America. Most of the time they'd be empty.

They are well inboard of the crash bars, which I would expect would protect them in even a high-speed sliding crash. In a big impact, not so much. But that's a chance you take at any time, gas or no gas it's not going to be good.

Wreckchecker suggested switching the tool tube and the Rotopax. Weight-distribution-wise this is probably the second-best location. That's something I'll look at. The aim is to keep the weight forward and low - beside the engine has to be the best place to do that. Mounting to the front of the panniers, but with most weight taken on the passenger footpeg, should work pretty well and be slightly less risky (but only a bit less - you're still screwed in a big impact!). Willl see what I can come up with.

 

[Wanderer]

Hello,
At his point I'm planning on the Trans Labrador Highway next year and will probably need to carry gas. The Roto Pax looks like the way to go. I'm running Yamaha OEM bags and was thinking about mounting the can on the inside of the right bag. Any comments, thoughts?
Thanks,
Norm

 

[Twitch]

At his point I'm planning on the Trans Labrador Highway next year and will probably need to carry gas. The Roto Pax looks like the way to go. I'm running Yamaha OEM bags and was thinking about mounting the can on the inside of the right bag. Any comments, thoughts?

If you have room inside the cases, a Fuel Bladder might be a better alternative.

 

[Wanderer]

HI,
Just to clarify, when I said inside the right bag what I meant was on the outside, but on the front portion of the bag instead of the rear. I was thinking this would provide better weight distribution and less concern if there was a rear end collision.
Thanks,
Norm

 

[~TABASCO~]

Be safe with that bud.............. I think all the reasons have been gone over... ::008:: If you need an aluminum tank made just let me know..

 

[johnpitts01]

Just a few things to add.

Keep in mind whenever using Rotopax or any extra fuel container;
As soon as you have enough room in the main fuel tank stop, empty the spare fuel container and move on.
This puts the fuel weight where it should be on yur bike and minimizes the potential for any issues with the fuel in the containers.

Plan your route. If fuel is readily available on the route, don't pack the extra fuel.