Safari tank weight vs stock tank weight

[syzygy9]

I am interested in a 40L Safari tank but am concerned about the effect it will have on handling, particularly making the front end too heavy.

Does anyone know the weight of the stock 990 tank? the 40L Safari tanks weigh in at around 30lb (~14kg) which I am guessing is probably about twice as heavy dry as the stock tank.

How does the tank affect the bikes handling? Fit heavier fork springs?

As penance for my questions, I have posted a pic of a Aquiline/Safari tank on a 2011 990R (a very nice build by a local dealer).

I have a few more photos of this tank which may be of interest, but seem to be able to only upload 1 photo (??).

[blue]

I've got a 990r with the safari tank. I'm not sure what the weight diff is but I don't really notice the extra weight unless 3/4+ full. Handling def affects handling full. For me at 90kgs the R suspension copes ok with the extra fuel where as a respring would be require on the standard 990 I would think.

If you're around you can take mine for a blat sometime and see for yrself

[Knackers]

Fit some heavier forks springs regardless

[syzygy9]

Hi Blue,

I didn't realize you had the Safari tanks on your bike. I'd love to come around and see it sometime.

I am not too concerned about the filled weight, for general trundling around I guess I'd only half fill them (servo up the road which is handy) or keep the stockers on. But I am worried that the tanks even half full would turn this nice sweet bike into a pig. If that's the case I'd prefer to just strap a 12L bladder to the back when I needed it.

As an aside, I am also interested in the R (lovely bike) but aren't sure if I can get my feet to the ground! (dropping your macho bike at a set of traffic lights because you can't touch the ground could get old very quickly!). The 2011+ models are a bit lower.

The 990 and 990R both have the same spring rates (0.48), but the R has a couple of inches more of it!

How are you finding the tanks, swelling a problem or has that now been sorted (or was that just a NA problem with methanol blended fuel?).

hi knackers, saw your photos on my general trundling around the net looking for some info on the tanks, comforting to know that you can still hurl this 300kg behemoth around in the dirt!

Another pic given my (seemingly) 1 photo per post limit.
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[DefyInertia]

now THAT is a GIANT tank

[Hodgo]

Its a shame that there are no crash bars for the bigger Safari tank on the ADV bike.

I reckon a bit of a lay down would do some serious damage to them.

The safari tank on my SE really only becomes noticeable when the tanks full. (Less Wheel Stands).

General handling isn't much diff.

[Pete640]

I had the safaris and they are defintely heavier than the OEM parts. Also wider between the legs while sanding and when full you'll need a respring. Ive got the 0.52s in there now (R length) and I reckon 0.56 would be necessary if your filling them for off road..

[syzygy9]

Pete,

That's also a question, how much extra springing. My thinking would be to bump to .56's and get the valving adjusted to suit the new spring rate. There is a big change in weight on the front end when you go from full to empty. But 40L, damn that's a decent amount of rocket fuel . . . and lot of it seems to be carried really low.

[Deadly99]

For a similiar price add some rear tanks (from Pete640). Keep the bike "skinny" in the middle and distribute the weight

[cjracer]

When I was weighing parts for my AWD build up. I think the Aqualines weighed in at about 13lbs each. I found the Aqualines to be about the same as OEM tanks. You need to figure in the front shrouds and hardware too. Plus emission stuff inside them that get removed. They look HUGE, but don't add a lot of lbs.

Biggest plus is it keeps the weight LOW for general use and trails. 6 gallons of fuel is below your knees.

Empty the tanks feel no different than OEM, it's HOW MUCH you put INSIDE them that makes the difference.

Don't worry about crashing them W/O crash bars. They are strong and we've tested it time and time again. I've cut a tank apart. It's almost .25" thick.

We might have some bars available in the future if there is enough demand. More support than the TT option.

If you need range and don't want to damage the OEM tanks ($$$$$), these are great options.

[Apple Jam]

Originally Posted by cjracer

I found the Aqualines to be about the same as OEM tanks.

Biggest plus is it keeps the weight LOW for general use and trails. 6 gallons of fuel is below your knees.

Empty the tanks feel no different than OEM, it's HOW MUCH you put INSIDE them that makes the difference.

Don't worry about crashing them W/O crash bars. They are strong and we've tested it time and time again. I've cut a tank apart. It's almost .25" thick.

While I never weighed mine ('07 990) I subjectively agree with CJ.

I notice better handling when 1/2 full or less, but worse when full.

and,.... I REALLY LIKE the wider width for sitting and gripping the tank with my knees better on rough roads,
.....but it required wider pegs when standing.


Just Buy Them. I am VERY happy I bought them. No BAD (unless they're full).

They are plenty tough. Don't worry about that.
I fall plenty, and plenty hard when I do. They have taken LOTS of abuse.
They are scratched, chipped into in places, and the black guards are torn up some,
but they are very structurally sound.

And you CAN see through the orange ones, to see your fuel level.

HERE is some additional discussion

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[syzygy9]

CJ, thanks, that is the first piece of (albiet qualititative) info I have seen on the relative weights of the Aquiline/Safari tanks and the 990 stockers.

So if I was to summarise the information so far;

• dry weight of Safari tanks roughly the same as the dry weight of stocks tanks and associated paraphernalia;
• Safaris half full subjectively feel better (carrying first 20L or so lower) than the stock tanks;
• Safaris full definitely feel worse than stockers (now carrying 40L);
• some increase in fork spring rates and valving to compensate for increased full weight of tanks may be required;
• minor increase in width at knees which some like and some don't;
• tanks are pretty strong and don't need crash bars.

edit (thanks 'pops' - I hope I have got your numbers right) -

Large Tank 5.8 kg (Safari tank) = 24.2lb for the 2 tanks
Small Tank 4.7 kg (stock tank) = 20.68 lb for the 2 tanks

There are undoubtedly some additional weight saving with the removal of the canister and fairings (as well as crash bars if you have them) which probably brings the Safari tank dry weight within a gnats whisker of the total dry stock tank weight.

The last (dot) point is an interesting one as with stock tanks I would probably run crash-bars and with the Safari's I wouldn't, so there is a potential weight saving there as well.

another photo
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[blue]

G'day syzygy9

I'm back in town in a week so I'll give you a shout then and you can check it out.

Cheers

[syzygy9]

Originally Posted by blue

G'day syzygy9

I'm back in town in a week so I'll give you a shout then and you can check it out.

Cheers

Hi Blue,

I am currently sitting on a support vessel half way between Australia and Indonesia and won't get back until late Nov, but will be in Perth from than onwards (will be working back in the office - dry land at last!). Love to come and see your bike when I'm back. PM me.

cheers

[M.Mars]

Some really good info on here. I've been debating on the safaris for a while ... but i want to see if they will fit on the new 1090r or not since i plan on buying that when it comes out ....

btw the tank bag on that bike is mounted in the opposite direction ( a had to nit pick a little ) might want to tell the dealer that