My motorcycle is not saving me gas.

[dentheman]

Because I ride all the time now, instead of just sitting at home watching TV! For example; today I was just going for a ride, but ended up going 181 miles.

I have noticed my butt seems to be getting used to the saddle. Before it would get uncomfortable in less than 2 hours, but today it didn't start bothering me until nearly 3 hours. I did take a couple ten minute rest breaks, so maybe that is the difference.

[Water Warrior 2]

It is simple economics. If you enjoy something it will cost you. The good thing is you get out in fresh air and make new friends and see new things. The rest breaks are the ticket. Get up off the bike, stretch your legs and get the blood circulation up and running. Walk back and forth, take a pic or 5 just because you can. Drink some water at every stop. It does a body good.

[dentheman]

I will drag out my hydration backpack from my bicycling days. That way I will have 3 liters of water that I can sip on the go if I raise my faceshield a little. Also, I can put a sandwich and some snacks in the pockets. Finally, a recent thread about carrying extra fuel gave me the idea to get one or two MSR bottles so I can carry a little emergency fuel in the backpack.

[alantf]

I will have 3 liters of water that I can sip on the go

That's over 5 pints of water. Just make sure there are plenty of trees along the route, that you can "go" behind. :whistle: :crackup

[dentheman]

I will have 3 liters of water that I can sip on the go

That's over 5 pints of water. Just make sure there are plenty of trees along the route, that you can "go" behind. :whistle: :crackup
I mostly ride miles away from civilization where there is little or no other traffic, so that isn't a problem. Even on long bicycle rides I never drank all 3 liters. Looking for places to "go" can be a problem on the highway with a bicycle, it usually requires finding a billboard or some other structure nearby, there are not many trees along the highways in west Texas!

[Water Warrior 2]

I will drag out my hydration backpack from my bicycling days. That way I will have 3 liters of water that I can sip on the go if I raise my faceshield a little. Also, I can put a sandwich and some snacks in the pockets. Finally, a recent thread about carrying extra fuel gave me the idea to get one or two MSR bottles so I can carry a little emergency fuel in the backpack.
Just a word of caution. Do not carry anything solid in a backpack. MSR bottles are really hard to land on if you have a mishap. You could easily bungie a couple to the pillion seat and be safer.

[Skunkhome]

Gee, I wrote an entire response bases on your riding a gz250 than realized you aren't talking about a GZ. Still I just can't imagine you riding anywhere so wide open even in Texas where you can't find gas after hitting the reserve. On the GZ I can ride another 66 miles after it calls for reserve but I do keep a eye on the trip odometer and start looking for a place to refuel at 190 miles. Thanks to the 9:1 compression ratio the bike is happy with any gasoline legally pumped in the USA. At my age I find it necessary to find a pit stop long before the bike.

[dentheman]

Oh yeah, there a few small towns out where I ride that don't have gas stations, 7-11's, etc. I do fill up on my way out, but don't want to depend on reserve to get me to a gas station 30+ miles away. I would rather be safe than sorry by carrying some extra fuel. I don't know how far that .8 gal. of reserve fuel would get me.

WW, I do have a 2 gallon plastic gas can that I will strap to my sissy bar/backrest, rather than carrying a hard container in my back pack. No need for a MSR bottle after all.

[Rookie Rider]

I wouldnt carry bottles of fuel with me when i ride. I find it a hassel and not necessary

[Water Warrior 2]

An extra 2 gallons would be good for a really long ride and no worries about range. I used to carry an extra gallon on my dirt bike when exploring the foothills of the Rockies. It was well secured just below the headlight on the upper fork tubes.

[mrlmd1]

Just to be sure you went out in a burst of flames when you hit the tree or went into the ditch. :poke2: :poke2:
I would put the extra tank in a more protected place, on the rear.

[jonathan180iq]

Because I ride all the time now, instead of just sitting at home watching TV! For example; today I was just going for a ride, but ended up going 181 miles.

I have noticed my butt seems to be getting used to the saddle. Before it would get uncomfortable in less than 2 hours, but today it didn't start bothering me until nearly 3 hours. I did take a couple ten minute rest breaks, so maybe that is the difference.

Let's be fair here... How much did that 181 miles cost you?
$12?

I mean, that's still pretty freaking cheap entertainment ;)

[Water Warrior 2]

Just to be sure you went out in a burst of flames when you hit the tree or went into the ditch. :poke2: :poke2:
I would put the extra tank in a more protected place, on the rear.
Initially I tried the rear fender but it was too tall on a tall bike to get off and on easily or quickly if need be. With the number of times I had off road get-offs the front mounted container never gave me any grief and was small enough that it was fairly welll protected by the bike in a fall. I did smack into a few branches now and again but the gas container seemed to be branch proof. I think the container had to prove it was as indestructable as the bike. Proper preparation was paramount in my mind when dirt riding and I spent a lot of time just making the little things work better and more fool proof.
My riding buddy's bike was the one I always spent time wrenching on at the end of the day. He was too cheap to buy the mags with helpful hints to foolproof a bike. Now we have the internet with world wide experience from thousands of riders giving us "How To's". Info at our finger tips. Wonderful.

[Rookie Rider]

Im with Johnathan