Fuel consumption increase when riding on sand?

**Andrew Airnes** · #1 15 Jan 2003

We are equiping dominators for the desert and have a maximum fuel capacity of 43litres. We expect a range of 600km with fully loaded bikes. Is this a realistic figure when riding through sand?

AA

**Chris Scott** · #2 15 Jan 2003

depends where - on normal pistes plenty - an unloaded domi got nearly 20 kpl on a tour last year.
Bilma to Nguigmi tho', you wouldn't make it. (see the current Nat Geog)

CS

**peterkik** · #3 16 Jan 2003

Hi

For example: I rode the Nouabhibou-Noakchott route twice. Its partly very sandy, partly not. Last time my XT500 used 33 liter on about 550 km. The first time was worse as I was a bit overloaded and very inexperienced in the sand.
If you expect lots of sand, 43 liter will give you not much margin for errors. On the other hand, taking more will overload the bike and fuel consumption wil rise....
Its the big solo-bike-in-the-desert-dilemma.
And dont forget the space and weight of the water you have to take :-))

Peter

**Yves** · #4 16 Jan 2003

In December I meet several bikers who crossed Erg Oriental. They experienced unusual soft sand and consumed over 10L/100km with peaks of over 15L/100km.
Bilma-Nguigm are over 700km (lots of zig-zag because of the dunes). Water is available on several wells.

Fuel in N´Guigmi on black market only, next gas station in Zinder.

Some infos on:
http://www.sahara-info.ch/forum3/reports/posts/2119.asp

Bye, Yves