R1200GS TT Aux. tanks: Pros/Cons

[SQD8R]

I'm considering adding the TT aux tanks. and I'm wondering if those who have had experience with larger Aux tank can enlighten me on the pros and cons of a larger tank. Specifically:

1. How much of a factor is the bigger tank on handling?
2. Have you had to add an aux. fuel pump and the pros and cons of adding it.
3. Generally what do you think of the tank modification, was it worth it and would you do it again?
4. Problems working with TT?
4. Anything else?

Thx for your time and consideration.

[george t]

Originally posted by SQD8R:
[B]I'm considering adding the TT aux tanks.

Damn! is no-one fitting those TT tanks? I was hoping that someone was going to say

"they are great and that everyone should go out and spend GBP 850 for the pair and that they make the 12GS look even better, they are of the usual TT high quality finish (!) and they are dead easy to fit and they make the GS handle even better on the dirt".

.. but I suppose not!

is strapping a plastic 1gallon jerry (that costs GBP 4.50 ) more attractive option ??

my apologies for thinking aloud

g

[Timo]

Personally, I like the 1 gallon Jerry option. It says: "I'm cheap... See you in Peru"

And it can be carried to get fuel, serves as a (red) beacon when the rest of your bike is buried in the sand, and can be ditched when/ if you no longer need it!

[SQD8R]

George T,

I've decided to order them. A few reasons. I like a challenge and I love to tinker and there's really not much else to do to my 12GS. I've got the luggage, gear, no GPS, but I'd liek the big tank . They are essentially like gravity fed units used in IBA events but contoured tank side panels and up front. I've placed my pre-order in and expect arrival sometime @ the end of March. More info gleaned from emailing TT.

Q. Hi there,
>
> Will the fuel pump, if required, be pre-installed and part of the kit
> or can a gravity fed set work? If a fuel pump isn't supplied, what
> output level of fuel pump is required? Does the prototype tap into the
> the fuel line or into the main tank? I'm assuming the fuel pump
> requires an external, to CANBUS, power source, meaning tapping into a
> fuse box or directly to the battery as well as a on/off switch of some
> sort, since the fuel pump won't work all the time, Right? So I'm
> guessing it runs fuel into a main tank vent with a selectable pump
> switch? That way you can add the fuel at will? Correct?

A. The original plan was to have it automatically pump into the main tank
when the fuel light turns on. But the latest word is that BMW is not
going to "allow" that.

So the current plan is that there will be a manual-switch operated pump
(included) that you turn on for a specified amount of time. I have no
idea how fast it pumps but if it is 2L per minute then for example you
would have to run the pump for 4 minutes.

I am certain that customers will figure out how to gravity-feed it. We
have some ideas, some testing has been done with gravity, but the kit
will be sold as "bolt-on" which requires a transfer pump.

To add to this Kaoko said this when I inquired if they were building one...

We have decided not to develop a tank for the R1200GS. It is too complex for our method of manufacture.

Regards,
KAOKO


so the TT tank or the GS ADV are the viable options. I'll take the TT one, a little more capacity and a bit more interesting conversion, IMO.

[norbert and francoise]

well you could also swap your GS1200 for the new GS1200 adventure !!! that's 13 L xtra tank capacity ...

as info, highlights of new GS1200 adv. vs GS 1200 are:
- 33 L tank, which means 13 L extra (cruising range of aprrox 650 km)
- larger windshield, plus the larger tank = better all weather protection
- tank, engine and valve cover protectors in SS
- SS luggage rack
- new offroad seat
- adj hanle bar alu
- longer spring travel
- cross spoke whells
- wider footrests
- 720 W alternator
- special add. headlights
etc
Was showed on Brussel motorshow jan 06.
First delivery april 2007.

norbert

[george t]

SQD8R
dear me! seems that you are a bit strong on the "hands on tinkering" side which means you would enjoy playing with the TT tanks on the GS.

Do lets us know how you get on. Maybe even get some photos going.

I have been thinking about extending the range of the 12GS & to be honest the idea of fitting an adventure tank on a standard gs would be my first option, primarily because I can ride in the local BM dealer get rip off and ride out again with a bigger tank.

But not sure if that is possible plus is going to be a while before spare ADV tanks are available and me having that sort of money available.

Having said that I am thinking of other goodies from the 12gs ADV I can fit on my standard GS.

screen, pegs, handlebars, SS crash protector.

[beemerbird]

Hi all. The TT fuel pods for the R1200GS are made here in Australia, for TT.

I'm having them fitted to my bike on 20th February, (yeeehaaa!) and I will then be doing about 8-10,000km in a short period of time - about 2 weeks or so - for testing purposes. I'm not sure of all the technical details yet, but I do know that each pod has its own filler, so it means filling three tanks all the time!

After I've done the testing, I'll add some comments here on HU for those who are interested in them. Or you can email me off-list - addy in profile.

Margaret, Tasmania, Oz

[SQD8R]

Originally posted by george t:
SQD8R
dear me! seems that you are a bit strong on the "hands on tinkering" side which means you would enjoy playing with the TT tanks on the GS.

Do lets us know how you get on. Maybe even get some photos going.

I have been thinking about extending the range of the 12GS & to be honest the idea of fitting an adventure tank on a standard gs would be my first option, primarily because I can ride in the local BM dealer get rip off and ride out again with a bigger tank.

But not sure if that is possible plus is going to be a while before spare ADV tanks are available and me having that sort of money available.

Having said that I am thinking of other goodies from the 12gs ADV I can fit on my standard GS.

screen, pegs, handlebars, SS crash protector.

Checking with my dealer the adv tanks possibly won't be available for quite some time, he doesn't even have the part numbers yet. The TT side tanks have now gone to gravity feed only, instead of a second fuel pump. It's likely that there will be two tap-ins into the main gas tank, 1 per side. As soon as I have it I'll be taking some detailed pictures and set up information and I'll repost when completed.