Carry extra gas or Not???

[Toledo Mark]

Make a trip in about 4 weeks.  Will be on the road for about a week.  Trying to figure if I should carry extra gas.  I will be traveling the following roads and I know many of you have traveled them so I am wondering about how convenient gas stations are. I have a 99 standard with 5.3 gallon tank.

Toledo, Ohio to Syracuse, NY - along turnpike then I90.
Syracuse, NY north on 81 into Canada. Route 401 into Toronto.
Toronto north to Barrie, then 69 to Sudbury.
From Sudbury east on 17 to Sault Ste. Marie.
From Sault Ste. Marie north on 17 around Lake Superior to Thunder Bay.
From Thunder Bay 61 to Duluth, MN.
From Duluth Route 2 to Crystal Falls.
South on 141 to Green Bay, WI
From Green Bay on 43 to Milwaukee
From Milwaukee on 94 into Chicago
Then back to Toledo.

I would prefer toi feel no need to carry extra gas.  What are your opinions, thoughts, and ideas.

Thanks a lot.

[fudgie]

No advice on them roads but when we go west I carry. Usually a quart water bottle full. Figure it'll get me 10 miles or so. It dont take up space.

[sandy]

No need to carry East of the Mississippi. Just don't ride it like ya stole it. Keep it under 3200 RPM's.

[ricoman]

Send a pm to Momz, he gets over 46 mpg. If he'd tell you how he does it, you won't have a worry.

[Momz]

Valks can get very good milage, but you need to keep your tire pressures up, your air filter clean, have no vacuum leaks, don't rejet unless it is truely needed, keep your bike as light as possible and keep your motor below 3000 RPM.

Your bike will get worse mileage if you use ethanol blended gas.

[ricoman]

Valks can get very good milage, but you need to keep your tire pressures up, your air filter clean, have no vacuum leaks, don't rejet unless it is truely needed, keep your bike as light as possible and keep your motor below 3000 RPM.

Your bike will get worse mileage if you use ethanol blended gas.

If you keep it below 3000 rpm how do you keep up with other Valks? (or almost anything else on 2 wheels).
Now we know how you get over 45 mpg.

[valkmc]

You will not need extra gas on most of those roads. I grew up near Syracuse and rode many of those roads. There is plenty of service just don't run to reserve before filling up.

[Momz]

ricoman,

Expressway speeds in 5th at 3000 RPM is like 68-70 mph.

How often do you ride at 3K+ in the twisties, back roads, or surface streets?

I've been known to ride fast, but not stupid.

[NITRO]

I know from our ride last summer that you should be fine from SSM through the rest of your trip. Just make sure you stop when you have the chance to. Once you're in MN/WI you'll be able to stop every 15 miles or so.

[Hoser]

If you have an unmodified pingle petcock, as I do, it would not hurt to carry a quart or so.  I do. I have never used it.  I usually gas by 150 miles on my Tourer.  Hoser 

[BigAl]

There is a product called Spare Fuel,,, that travels better than regular gas in a Jar.

Rememeber one thing.

A gallon of Gas has the same potential power during an explosion,,,,,,,,,,,, as one stick of Dynamite.

Join Triple AAA,,, it will be less explosive.

Al

Or try Spare Fuel.

SAFE to store in your vehicle SPARE FUEL® is a non-flammable fuel, safe to keep in your vehicle at all times.

**It can also be used on gas powered motorcycles, boats, and other recreational vehicles.**
Octane level: 91+
Gets the SAME miles per gallon as regular gasoline
Storage shelf life is tested for over 10 years
Each container comes with an attachable pour nozzle
SPARE FUEL is safe for you and your engine

[FPG52]

Hi...Live in Rochester NY...mid way between Buffalo and Syracuse....just road some of that today on way back from Americade.  Can only comment on first two entries...rest areas and exits at most 40 miles apart so no issue there...from Toronto on cant help you.  A pointer...it seems the past few weeks NY State has been trying to balance the budget by giving our speeding tickets...troopers on ALL the roads with radar traps...there is about a 10 mile stretch of rt 90 just before Syracuse that is under construction and posted down to 55 for speed limit...there is always a trooper hiding  in that stretch so watch your speed in NY.  In any case have a great ride!!
FG

[Bugslayer]

I always carry extra fuel when I travel. It's saved me twice, and an unknown rider (on the side of the road) once. .... He sure was happy to see me.

[Mr. Nuts]

Rememeber one thing.

A gallon of Gas has the same potential power during an explosion,,,,,,,,,,,, as one stick of Dynamite.

Hey! There's your weapon AND protection from running out of gas. Get a Zippo lighter and a bottle of fuel. If you get mugged first throw the fuel on them. If they don't run...light and toss the Zippo.

2 problems solved and everything is nice and legal.

[Gary]

My son brought along a small container of gas when he and I did a little traveling and he was on his 97 1100 Shadow. He could go somewhat safely to about 90 and then hit reserve. I think reserve offered up an extra swallow .

It leaked once, and made for quite a fuel leaked mess as you might imagine. The fuel vapors never seemed to quite let up and that was early on in the trip. 

Also keep in mind headwinds and crosswinds. Sometimes even the best layed plans of gas stops and mileage can be hampered by factors like the wind, leaky valve stems, etc.

You can't cover them all. Try to resist that little voice inside telling you to wait till the next station.

[Toledo Mark]

I bought two Reda gas cans that are one gallon each.  I think I will carry one in each saddle bag.  Google them and you will see what they look like.  They fit ok in Champion Sidecar bags.  The way I am packing I will have the room.

[donaldcc]

I bought two Reda gas cans that are one gallon each.  I think I will carry one in each saddle bag.  Google them and you will see what they look like.  They fit ok in Champion Sidecar bags.  The way I am packing I will have the room.

I have one of those that I carry on long trips.  Saved me once in strong headwinds.  Seems very safe.

[Hoser]

Old seafoam cans don't leak if you really get them tight.  Hoser

[MrArn]

When planning your trip try using a site like http://www.gaspricewatch.com/. While I don't really care about a couple of pennies in price, it does give you an idea of the number of stations in some of the smaller towns.

[john]

   " resist that little voice inside telling you to wait till the next station. "     

[Gear Jammer]

You can never have too much gas, unless you're on fire,,,,,,,   Right Highbinder ?  

[R J]

I've ridden around all the lower 48 states 3 times, that means, touched every one, and have yet to need extra gas or run out.      You have a trip meter, USE IT.    My rule of thumb is if I come upon a gas station and my trip meter reads 90 or more miles, I stop and gas up.

Out West, I've never had a problem or worried about how much fuel I have left using my rule of thumb above.      I don't like a stick of dynamite in my saddlebag.    I've seen what it will do to a tree stump.

Don't ask, but dad kicked my arse for blowing one up.............

[PhredValk]

I rode from Thunder Bay to SS Marie and on to southern Ontario, and back, last year (and will be doing so again starting next week). I have a 99 IS and never got close to reserve until into Northern Manitoba (the trip is Edmonton, Alberta to Southern Ontario). I start looking for fuel around 110 miles, and there's lots of small towns up there, as long as you're not riding after ten at night.

Many places are the kind you'd stop at anyway; Giant Nickel in Sudbury, the Pancake Bay Trading Post north of the Soo, giant Canadian goose in Wawa, sights and vistas abound.

I ride with an extra 4L of gas on trips like this, but have never needed it. Nice to help out a fellow rider on the shoulder with an empty GL1200 though.

I'll be coming home the second week of July, and if we get the timing right, I'd love some company from the Barrie area to T-Bay.
Fred.