Safari Tanks ROCK !!

Discussion in 'Dakar champion (950/990)' started by Apple Jam, Jul 12, 2011.

  1. Apple Jam

    Apple Jam Ride Oregon First

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    Just had to add some "fuel" to those considering these big f'n tanks.
    My advice? Buy 'em, you'll love 'em.
    Tired of 170 mile range? PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!

    I pushed the range as far as I could, to empty these monster tanks,
    just to see how much fuel I could actually fit in them.
    I do not yet know how far I can go when the fuel light comes on,
    but I'm thinking I got pretty close to really empty.

    [​IMG]


    Safari advertises 10.5 gallons, and I've heard reports of 11 gallons, but.....
    Holy Moly. 11-1/2 gallons :clap

    [​IMG]


    The Clear ones are just plain ugly, but on this bike, they look the part anyway.
    The black ones have just gotta heat up in the sun and expand that gas.
    The Orange ones look better than I expected when I ordered them.
    But they are still a bit on the ugly side.
    I think they look perfect for what I want from this bike.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    They are a bit wider than stock to be sure,
    but personally, I think they are easier for my knees to grip when standing.

    At half full, the weight is actually carried lower than stock, so BETTER than stock.
    When full, they are surprisingly not very noticable while riding, but noticably harder to get straightened up off the kickstand.
    The front forks feel it when I hit big bumps, so I turn the knobs up on the preload just a bit when I'm full.

    I'm expecting 350-400 miles range,
    and rear cargo capacity is left untouched for loading up plenty of luxury camping gear.
    #1
  2. SUVslayer

    SUVslayer Long timer

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    That is a monster tank fo sho. A mod I'd like to do eventually.
    Question: How easy is it to get on and off compared to stock tanks? And is it even possible to take if off if full??
    thanks for reminding me I need to spend more money!
    #2
    mattscott likes this.
  3. GlobalTech

    GlobalTech Adventurer

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    Geez, that would be just shy of $100 to fill up in England :D
    #3
    HighRiver likes this.
  4. Apple Jam

    Apple Jam Ride Oregon First

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    Putting them back on is not perfect, but totally fumble-able when empty.
    I'd assume it's possible when full, but I'd hate to take them off/on when full.

    Spend more money, yes. And waaaay less time at gas stations.
    And less time looking at maps, looking for the next big-enough town to get gas in.
    Just ride all day. Or two days off-highway.
    .......Just Ride........until the water pump fails :lol3
    #4
    nk14zp likes this.
  5. Geek

    Geek oot & aboot

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    Here is a photo from earlier today...

    They'll stretch to where you can get 12+ gallons.

    45+ gallons on 4 bikes :D

    [​IMG]
    #5
  6. ktm

    ktm Been here awhile

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    what about driving on sand?
    I'm already having troubles in pulling up the bike when I fell (I know, I am not good yet), guess how it'd when you add such extra weight and drive on sand.
    #6
  7. Apple Jam

    Apple Jam Ride Oregon First

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    And me getting these tanks is YOUR FAULT, dammit !!
    Thanks for your informative threads & info, Geek :norton

    I try not to do that anymore.
    But I'm still willing to, to get where I wanna go.
    #7
  8. Geek

    Geek oot & aboot

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    You ride it like you ride it in sand with normal tanks.

    There's no rule that you have to have 100 lbs of fuel on board... :D

    :freaky
    #8
    Qwik likes this.
  9. motorcycledave1000

    motorcycledave1000 Speed Thrills

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    $4.089!!!! :eek1 a gallon plus a $1 :eek1 for credit/debit card use & after all that money no fuel comes out the nozzle????:huh

    At least you are ethanol free.
    #9
  10. Apple Jam

    Apple Jam Ride Oregon First

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    Small town dis-advantage....

    Small town advantage


    I assume it's to remind us not to pour our own money (gas) on the ground????????
    #10
  11. sabink

    sabink Been here awhile

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    I got 500 miles easy road riding with mine. They are 12 gallons exactly at the moment.

    When I take it off I first connect the lower bolt, then the front, the top and lastly the back. The shape of mine is far from the original and I get nearly 2cm (close to one inch) difference in the front bolts :(
    #11
  12. SF_Rider

    SF_Rider Been here awhile

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    I love my 990. I am however getting/am very frustrated with the short range. This was true before I added the remus pipes. But not while getting 20 to 25mpg it's redonculous. A 'touring' bike that can only go about 125 miles between filling.

    Very intrigued by the bigger tanks. Weighing the pros and cons. The only cons seem to be $$ and added weight of having more fuel on board. Maybe in addition to a non-factory look.

    Are there any other major negatives? Are there rattles, etc? Is the fit and finish solid looking up close?

    thanks.
    #12
  13. bikyto

    bikyto Dans le doute...gaz!

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    What kind of tank does the "army" ktm has? looks custom made:ear
    #13
  14. Whip

    Whip Onward through the fog

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    I think they add balance to the bike.[​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    #14
  15. Geek

    Geek oot & aboot

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    Yup! CJRacer is upto more stuff :bow

    [​IMG]
    #15
  16. bikyto

    bikyto Dans le doute...gaz!

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    Metal tanks, hand welded! wow... sweet
    probably more room for the 2WD mecanism too!
    #16
  17. bikyto

    bikyto Dans le doute...gaz!

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    What is that square box in the bike in the background (that replaces the left exhaust)?:D
    #17
  18. Geek

    Geek oot & aboot

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    Photo from Craig's blog:

    [​IMG]
    #18
  19. Geek

    Geek oot & aboot

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    That's the bad ass storage container I've been waiting for Craig to finish the design of (and it turned out great!).
    Holds a ton of stuff.. they had 2 tubes, full tool rolls, tire irons, extra front sprockets, etc etc in each of them.

    You are going to have to wait to get one though.. because I'm first in line :ksteve

    :lol3 :freaky

    I've been looking through their blog to find a better pic.. here's all I came up with so far

    [​IMG]
    #19
  20. bikyto

    bikyto Dans le doute...gaz!

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    wwoooooww.... ok ok.. second in line!! :D
    #20