How important is the "EXTRA" fuel tank??

[Burnerboy]

I sent my order/and bike in for a new RS trike on my 2010 Goldwing a month ago, (still waiting for it to be built)

My question: I passed on the extra gas tank, and went with the more storage space route...

Do I really need a extra gas tank, with extra weight added, and loss of storage space??

How much more fuel do we really use because of a triked out bike?? How much MPG loss will I notice??

10/11/16
Thank you
Ronnie

 

[tfdeputydawg]

At I-state speed (approx. 70mph) I lost around 5mpg. YMMV
I did not opt for the aux. fuel tank either. By the time I need gas, I'm more than ready to get off for a while anyway!

 

[Ayatolla of Rockin' Rolla]

I'm with the deputy on that one. Have a 6 gallon tank on my 1500 which is more than enough,I have a rule to stop every 100-150 miles for R & R so I opted for the extra storage on my RS

 

[G.W. Viper]

I think it depends on how you ride...If you go on long trips, then it might be a good idea. If you just ride around town, then I don't see the reasoning to buy one. In my case I ride mostly around in my area, so i opted not to get one. I believe my 1800 has a 6.6 gallon which equals close to 200 miles.

 

[mhgoldwing]

I have one on my Roadsmith and glad I have it. Twice I planned to stop in a small town for fuel only to find out the GPS and road signs were out of date and the station had closed.

It also allows me the freedom to decide where I want to purchase gas rather than being confined to some Podunk burg that may not have what I want.

It also gives me extra fuel should one of my riding mates need a little juice since their machines will only go 120-150 miles.

Yeah, glad I got it. YMMV.

 

[Ed Hobgood]

As you can see, there are good reason to get the extra tank and there are good reasons not to get the extra tank. It all depends on you and if you ride with others that have the extra tank. For me I'm ready to get off the trike after a hundred miles or so. Most of the time I ride with two other trikes and we go between 120 and 150 miles before we need fuel. My butt normally tells me that enough sitting at one time. Getting off for fuel and streching my legs for five min is just about right and then I'm ready for some more riding.

 

[bikerbillone]

I'm with mhgoldwing (Mike), I got the aux tank, for the same reasons he did. I also had one more reason when I was having my conversion, if you find you have buyers remorse because you didn't get the aux tank, to bad so sad, almost impossible to get it done, unless you have enough money.

 

[rodekyll]

It depends on how far apart the gas stations are. Up here you need a minimum 150mile range to ensure you can get to the next stop. Weather and road/traffic conditions can play heck with your fuel consumption and ride plan. If a station is closed/burned down/no gas you need to have another 100 miles range to go forward or back, or you're simply stopped. As some above noted -- just because the gps says there's gas ahead doesn't mean it's available to you.

I built my trike with 10 gallons native capacity and room for another Gerry can or two. So far the on-board fuel has been enough, but I still ride the plan of never passing up a fuel or potty opportunity.

 

[lgjhn]

It all boils down to what you plan to do with the machine.
IF you just plan to tool around town and maybe take an occasional day or weekend trip, you could do without it.
IF long-distance touring is in the equation, it's a great option to have.
IE: Two-up, pulling a trailer, loaded to the gills....and the highway sign says: "Next Service Area 75 miles". You'll be really glad you have it when the fuel needle drops and that red low-fuel light comes on and ya still have about 35 miles to that next Service Area...LOL
Personally, I wouldn't be without it.
Next to maybe the HD sway bar, it's the best option I put on my trike.
Our stops are more like 200-250 miles apart rather than the 150 or so that many folks do.
Yes. You will loose a little space in the trunk and the added weight is minimal.

 

[CrystalPistol]

'97 GL1500 / Lehman GTL trike .... always at least two up ..... and sometimes pulling trailer. It'll get between 29 and 38 mpg depending on speed and load. 100-150 miles on a leg and someone is always ready for a stop. Never have I found myself wishing I had another 6 gallons taking space away or waiting for fuel to transfer.

 

[bikerbillone]

Fuel transfers on the fly, no waiting. However, gotta be alert ya don't forget that fuel is transferring or you'll smell gas, the machine will sputter. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[ROAD DOG]

I sent my order/and bike in for a new RS trike on my 2010 Goldwing a month ago, (still waiting for it to be built)

My question: I passed on the extra gas tank, and went with the more storage space route...

Do I really need a extra gas tank, with extra weight added, and loss of storage space??

How much more fuel do we really use because of a triked out bike?? How much MPG loss will I notice??

10/11/16
Thank you
Ronnie

I have a 08 GL1800 CSC it did not have the xtra tank when I bought, I bought & installed the xtra tank it was a lot of work to install that tank after the it was triked. I get about 32MPG if I ride with somebody on a bike with a six gallon tank getting 50MPG they can go 250 miles were as with the stock Gl tank at 150 I'M looking for gas , If I buy a new trike it will have the xtra tank .

 

[CobraXL]

Do you need an aux. tank? No. Is it a nice option to have? You bet. Is it worth $500-$800? What do you have to sacrifice to afford it?

One thing I'm appreciating about the aux. tank is the flexibility it gives. Sure--most everyone is ready for a break after 100-150 miles. But it's nice to be able to take that break at a roadside park or scenic spot and not have to plan all your stops around gas. Carry a small cooler for drinks/snacks and you can go most of the day without services.