Trying to post again. Alaska trip prep. Extra gas on BMW Panniers.

I tried to post this before but it didn't work. So here goes again. I have a 800gs with an Altrider luggage rack that i added the rotopax mount. I was trying to figure a way to carry more gas without have cans having off the bike. So i made a bag to cover a 1 gallon rotopax that would allow me to mount additional rotopax on each pannier lid. Is there a law agains have a cover on a gas can? I have used some scrap outdoor fabric from an upholstery shop. If it won't get me in trouble with the 5.0 i will purchase some Cordura and make a few for my trip. Here is a link to the picture of what I made. https://plus.google.com/photos/112284364223576166508/albums/5760250895155784625

Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks.

Well, I can't help with the gas-carrying laws in Alaska, but I endorse your plan to cover the can with cordura instead of that, um, festive material.

But I have to ask, where in Alaska are you riding where you feel the need to carry 3 extra gallons of gas? It's only 244 miles from Coldfoot to Deadhorse, and I don't know of any longer on-road distances between gas stations in that state. Seems like the one Rotopax should do the trick.

I only used one extra gallon 5 different times.

Here is my alaska trip report. On the last page is my data sheet with all my stops and fuel used.

Here is a pic of my bike.




Wish you the best on your trip. Let me know if you have any questions.

David

Guess I was just worried about not having enough. If one will do it I will use the bag for extra water. Thank you for the input. Want to.be prepared for the worst.

How did you mount that rotopax to the frame? We're you worried about heat? Out if the way though.

Here is how they are mounted.

One SW-Motech engine guard kit.




Some brackets welded to the engine guard from the local welding shop. Bolt Kolpin brackets to engine guard.



And magic!




To answer your question, no, I don't worry about heat. The tank is sealed and expands more just sitting in the sun than it does when I'm running down the road. It is one of many options. Some people comment on it being exposed in a wreck, but it doesn't seem worse than a TT tank IMHO.

David

Is it safe to assume that your seat is a Sargent? if so please tell me more, just got a 2012 F650GS and am thinking I'm
going to need a seat that will make some miles. Could this be the one?

Ditto on only needing one extra gallon in Alaska with my F8. That said, I did wind up buying a 2-gallon can when I was up there and strapped it to the top of my pannier for the trip up to Dead Horse. If I go again, the 1-gallon Rotopax is all I'll take.

It works for me, but there are some negative comments from people also. My friend who has more miles on a bike than I do says, "everybody's butt is unique".

It does let me slide forward some on normal riding, but not bad. I like the narrow front and wide spot towards the back of the sitting area. I think the sliding problem is the nature of the beast with that type of seat.

David

Guess I will keep the options open for a while.

Hijack over!!!

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-MjtCZxmyWeQsCk7Amqi3tMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SmOsaSUEJNI/UJZ93rXcK7I/AAAAAAAAAz0/jcfF3g9m1qI/s800/20121103_144432.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112284364223576166508/RotopaxBagConcept?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">rotopax bag concept</a></td></tr></table>
It will have a handle and straps on the top to secure to panniers if you don't have a bracket.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XZEmMGdbMq4E35uoYidjLNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rfdtpbI_mII/UJZ-DJIP4QI/AAAAAAAAAz8/RS8IjtyeVsQ/s800/20121103_144420.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/112284364223576166508/RotopaxBagConcept?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">rotopax bag concept</a></td></tr></table>
Different view.

Have you considered the Adventure Tank? http://www.advtank.com/products/bmw-f800-gs-auxillary-tank

I've got one and it is nice when you are trying to cover serious miles.

Just curriois, what side cases and racks are these?

Thanks, -Kevin

Are you talking about the BMW aluminium panniers?

Factory BMW Panniers. Altrider rack with rotopax mount.

No wonder… I hadn't even considered the factory ones. They look great!
Thanks for the response.
-Kevin

+2 on Adventure tank! Love mine!

Don't mean to stir the pot but we have just done the Alaska trip this past summer, including the Dempster highway (killer ride).

I, like you was really concerned about carrying extra fuel especially with the two bike. In the end the worry and the effort was all for not. If you have one rotopax you have got enough. If there are roads then there are people and if there are people then there is fuel. I also found that the 800's fuel economy really shines off the pavement where the speeds are lower.

When the road gets tough as it did for us during extreme weather on the Dempster you will wish you didn't have all that extra weight onboard.

I'll chime in here with my experience from this past summer as well. I rode solo on my 09 f800gs from Michigan to Alaska and back. I took a 2 gallon rotopax with me. In reality 1 gallon was all I needed. I didn't go up the dempster, but I did go up the Dalton to Deadhorse. I used the extra gas 4 times. Three times for my own bike and once for a guy I had come across on a Honda that ran out of gas. I needed the spare fuel twice on the Dalton. Once in Stewart BC when the gas station ran out of gas for about 3 hours and I didn't want to spend the night there.