R1200GS Pod Tanks finally arrive.

[SpyInTheCamp]

Out of interest, how many litres do they hold? Had you considered getting the Adv tank instead?

It'll be interesting to see if the handling is affected when fully fuelled.

Like many, I like the idea of a larger tank range but don't want the compromise of extra weight and what goes with it. Then again, I'm rarely ever in a situation where I wont get to a petrol station. Another reason why the extra cost of an Adv wouldn't make any sense to me.

Kai

 

[Stumpy]

Out of interest, how many litres do they hold? Had you considered getting the Adv tank instead?

2x 8 litres

 

[Kong]

To SpyInTheCamp,

To SpyInTheCamp,

"how many litres do they hold? Had you considered getting the Adv tank instead?"

It is as Stumpy said, the tanks hold 8 litres on each side. I priced every item needed to install the Adv tank and it came to about AUD $1800, so there wasn't much difference in price. The main two reasons that I bought these tanks instead of the Adv tank is that I can remove them from the bike in about 10 mins and they hold more fuel.

I've modified the main tank as well so as for how much they actually hold - I'm yet to find out. I will measure how much it takes to fill them from scratch and hopefully I am able to do a ride from Townsville to Mount Isa and back (~1800km) this weekend. I'll use the gps to get average speed over the distance and from that try to come up with some solid figures.

I've spent a fair bit of $ on the bike so far - there is a 21" front rim to come yet as well as a Hatt Sommer under seat exhaust. It is a lot to put into a bike but I've built up a picture of the exact bike I wanted and it is now getting pretty close to it.

What I plan to do is hopefully by the end of the year I can sell my business and do a 4-5 year world tour. I'm not really interested in doing the tried and tested roads. I've done a few desert crossings through Oz and for me places and people are better further from the cities.

Kind Regards.

 

[MATKAT]

Pod tanks mess

What a bodge that looks...................... better to have put an ADV tank on, wouldn't cost that much more and it would look a lot better

To all,

Photos so far.

Kind Regards.

 

[rdover]

I suppose it's all about flexibility of use. If you only need 36 litres 3 or 4 times a year and the refit time is 25 mins then that is a reasonable option.

I tend to do long rides that would mean filling up several times a day and in the remoter parts of Scotland that is not always an easy option especially when its pissing down with rain so I've got a 12GSA.

 

[The Bede]

What a bodge that looks...................... better to have put an ADV tank on, wouldn't cost that much more and it would look a lot better

... I remember a thread on ADVRider about fitting the GSA12 tank to the stock GS12, it ends up being something of a bodge and requires some customising of side panels etc, and there are still gaping holes all over the place IIRC.

... On balance I think I'll stick to a $20 20litr jerry-can if I ever need the extra juice on board, unlikely IMHO ... though the colonial cuz'z may have different considerations.

... On the upside, it would appear Touratech actually deliver to Australia

 

[BBB61]

Not so. The early tank conversions on ADV Rider didn't look so good because the Adv side covers were not available, but that was rectified. They look as good as the the standard Adv now.

 

[Burra boy]

G'day Kong

I've had my tanks for 6 months and can offer the following advice. 1. Don't try to paint them - it's a complete waste of time and money - DAMHIK 2. Don't fill the tanks to the brim, especially if you've drilled the filler neck on the main tank - you'll find that the high fuel level in the main tank caues siphoning to the lower pod tanks and even after 100 kms or so it'll still run out of the overflow.

Having said that, the extra range is bloody useful! Enjoy

 

[Kong]

Burra Boy

To Burra Boy,

As you have done - my tank has the neck drilled - did it while everything was off the bike. I'm going to experiment with filling them to the brim - I believe that if you keep the valves shut on the pods until the main has dropped significantly I'll be able to get full use of the 3 tanks.

Have you had a chance to rattle the whole setup for any distance across corrugated roads yet? ie. What has come loose or have you had any problems with it all. I spoke to Tony Kirby about his and he has had no worries with it at all.

To all,

When I bought the bike in May 05 the GSA was not available in Oz. When it did arrive I felt that there was no significant difference between the two to justify changing over.

Kind Regards

 

[bmwrich58]

I think it looks interesting,but I'm more curious as to what the tanks looked like before they were mounted. You know,with the plastic wrapper removed.
Where the fuel lines connect,kinda valves used to shutoff flow,is there a cross over pipe somewhere? Things like that.

I entertained the thought of going that route (side pods) with my '05,then was going to just buy the Adv Tank and all the extras and fit it.
But then in the long run,I sold my '05 and ordered an '07Adv.

 

[Captain Pugwash]

To all,

When I bought the bike in May 05 the GSA was not available in Oz. When it did arrive I felt that there was no significant difference between the two to justify changing over.

Kind Regards

Eh ?

Apart from the obvious fact that the GSA has a 33 litre tank,which would have been the over-riding factor living where you do.


So you are now going to all this expense and hassle to fit these Touratech tanks.

I must agree they do look a bit of an afterthought,especially as you will have 3 tanks to fill,and then you will have to fiddle with shut off valves etc just to get to use all that extra fuel.


Each to their own I suppose.

 

[cookie]

you will have 3 tanks to fill,and then you will have to fiddle with shut off valves etc just to get to use all that extra fuel.


Each to their own I suppose.

too much like the day job?

 

[Captain Pugwash]

too much like the day job?

Nah,the 'office' is more simple than that and it holds a few more litres (like 158714...ish)

 

[Kong]

More photos of the Pod tanks.

To all,

Here are more photos with what it took to fill all three tanks. The tanks were completely empty when I began filling them – I know this because I pushed the darn thing to the servo. It was a total of 39.5 liters which surprised me a bit, but I believe the extra went to the main tank that I drilled the filler on. The LHS pod took the 8 liters with the right taking a bit over 8.5 liters.

I certainly noticed a difference taking her off the center stand after filling, but once I got her going I could still throw her around as normal – somehow felt more solid on the road dealing with crosswinds and blasts from passing trucks.

How much of the fuel that gets used and how much is left in the tank will have to wait until this weekend with a trip to Mount Isa. So, more info soon.

“I'm more curious as to what the tanks looked like before they were mounted. You know,with the plastic wrapper removed. Where the fuel lines connect,kinda valves used to shutoff flow,is there a cross over pipe somewhere? Things like that.”

I’ve included extra photos – don’t have any of them off the bike out of the plastic – sorry.

Kind Regards.

 

[Kong]

Photos continued

Photos continued.

 

[adventure-spike]

that cant be a beige topbox can it?

 

[Kong]

Top box

No - just normal silver - photo taken @ sunset etc.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

i guess aesthetic quality doesn't matter up in Queensland...

its not purty is it ?


$1.20 -ish for fuel though.....lets see...thats about half UK price

 

[MikeP]

Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that, I think it improves the looks!

The only thing I don't like are those crimped hose clips, they always seem to lose tension and start leaking.

 

[Kong]

aesthetic quality

i guess aesthetic quality doesn't matter up in Queensland...

its not purty is it ?


Functionality over aesthetics for me.