Thanks TrailPunter! Do you find the air flow through the rads and out the holes in the tank sufficient to keep the bike nice and cool on the trails?
I just wonder how much of an effect that tank is going to have on handling? I know the 4.5 gal IMS on my 2006 when full, dramatically changes things things up front.
I wonder about handling as well, but I mena it is what it is. The range on the 610 is seriously limiting where I have ridden WA, OR, CA, NV, AZ, MX. Adding gas in cans is still adding a lot of load no matter what. and I figure for a day ride the tank half full might actually make it better cuz it's holding the same gas but holding it lower. Anybody run through a tank yet and got an actual range number? Any real issues with instalation or fitment? I am super interested in one, but it is just about $150 over my comfort level for a farkle.
Man those tanks look like real high quality compared to the IMS offerings. Huge yes, but people want it so there you go. I saw one in red with the lower potion with a black stickers on it and it looked nice. Looks kinda stock from a short distance. And yes, fill it half way and your bike might feel even lighter than stock.
KLOC, Yes the bike has enough airflow at lower speeds. It does feel heavier in the sand, but that is to be expected. The fit and finish of the tank is very nice. The fit on the front cross brace is a little tight, and I'll probably take a file to it for a little better clearance. I'm also planning on putting some foam in the tank to minimizes fuel slosh. R/ Mike
Please when you can let us know how much of the 6.6 gallons are actually useable before the bike runs out of gas.
The farthest I've gone so far was 220 miles. It was a mix of highway and two track. With the Leo Vince silencer and O2 sensor removed I'm averaging 50 mpg. I would guess that 300 miles is not out of the question. R/ Mike
Hi Mike, Thanks for that info. What I really would like to know is how many tenths of a gallon are left in the tank when the bike dies, since MPG will vary from rider to rider based on terrain and state of tune. My last translucent tank I made a mark at the "stranded by the side of the road mark" (at which point I could lean the bike over for a few more miles) and then I would mark another for each gallon of fuel above that point. This of course means running the bike "dry" to find out, so the answer to this question may be a long time coming...
Can these tanks be painted?? How are you guys liking these tanks now that you've had them awhile? Anything you don't like about them? Anything they've affected in a bad way on the 630? How much weight is the tank compared to the stock tank??
Really? With this tank you will be adding up to 21 lbs of gasoline to the weight of your bike. Is a couple lbs of plastic even a thought? _
I suspect he's thinking he could put one on but not fill it up all the time unless he really needed the range. Sloshing is a problem as well - fuel tank foam is quite often installed.
Don't get wrapped around the axle.....just thoughts and ideas. It doesn't mean it's got to make sense or be reasonable!! One mans mod doesn't mean it's got to be for everyone. Don't read too much into it!!
BTW, I've never heard of any kind of paint sticking to polyethelene in a satisfactory way. "Messy" is the word that comes to mind. And I've done a lot of paint work. Did a quick search and found this right away: Acerbis a major manufacturer of motorcycle gas tank told me that their tanks for off road (dirt) bikes are Reticulated Polyethylene (PE-X). According to them they are not repairable nor paintable. Painting could be performed if the tank is fluorinated (not very practical for me). The ones for street bikes are Polyamide (nylon).
Nothing wrong at all with this mod, never said anything to the contrary. I actually think is a great addition and if I could afford one would probably have it already. If you have a need/want for the longer range and like the tank do it. Just saying don't sweat the small stuff. One or two pounds here or there means nothing so don't let it affect your decision. _
I read a post somewhere that this tank is compatible with the BRP submount for Scott's damper, ie the headtube clamp with the bolt hole flange fits, the blogger even included pix (thanks whoever you are!). Does anyone know if the cross brace is compatible with the Leo Vince titanium header on the TE630? I hear it's tight on the stock header, might be more room with the LV but need to know if it fits. The tank is obscenely expensive in my view. However it holds more than a right side muffler converted to extra fuel tank + a Rotopack, the combination of which certainly does not improve handling. One person's comparison stated that because the wings go so low that with 5 gallons the Safari felt less top heavy than the IMS with 3 gallons (FI 610). Also they have a reputation for very good design and construction, pix on the Ozzie sites sites show it to be as narrow as the stocker and narrower than the carb'ed 610 5 gallon tank that I barely tolerated (spreading wings, multiple petcocks that need rebedding every 2k, poor fit, rough finish). I just sold the behemoth 41 liter TT tank from my 1150GS Sport since that bike has mostly become a pavement queen and gas is thus easy to find. So I am making an extravagant outlay for the TE630 Safari tank despite the astronomic price tag. Just need to know that the cross brace will clear the LV Titanium header....does anyone have this combo?
