fuel range on RIM sand tracks

[8340SU]

When people say that fuel consumption double in sand tracks, does it mean that really doubles?

I'm on a 650gs, which means this: 23kplx17l=391kms on tarmac roads as written on Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, and by my own experience is more or less so.
So, on sand this would mean something like a 200kms range!?

Doing the Nouadhibou / Nouakchott piste (480 km) or Nouadhibou / Atar (540 km) how much extra fuel would I'll need to carry along? 15, 20 L ?

Thanks
Paulo

[Chris Scott]

When people say that fuel consumption double in sand tracks, does it mean that really doubles?

I think they are exagerrating Paulo. This might momentarily be the case in dunes but how long can you keep riding a loaded bike in real dunes before you fall off and break your neck?

On your bike (which is very economical but has a small OE tank) I would aim for 15kpl overall whichever piste you choose - that will give you some reserve if you get lost. Neither is that sandy for long.

Remember that having the rear tyre at correct pressure for your load will help it grip not spin - also good for saving fuel.

Ch

[Frank Warner]

On an R80 G/S I get 21km/l on a good solid road (hard packed dirt) [at 80 km/h - 50mph]
On sand I get 13km/l (simpson desert) ... so not quite half. Mind you that was teh rig road .. not the french line .. so that would be worse.

As Chris says .. you are not likely to be travelling on continuous sand .. it would ware you out ..

[Jose Brito]

Hi Paulo,



Are you planning to go to Mauritania soon?
I'm leaving in about 15 days for a 1 month trip.
Maybe I can carry your fuel in my car if the timing is suitable for you...



Cheers,
José

[8340SU]

Hi.
Frank and Chris, thanks for yours answers.

José,
I’ll be leaving in two weeks too. It will be a two month solo trip, but I’ll be glad to make some parts of it with other overlanders.
My idea is to go NKt off road (if I can manage…) then east to Nema and then to Timbuktu, maybe via Nara / Sokolo / Nampala (I guess it’s easier this way).
After, the idea is to put the bike in some boat in the Niger river, go to Mopti and visit Dogon Country, Djenne, Bamako. I don’t know yet if I’ll go to Guinea Conakry.
On the way back Kayes, Kiffa, Tidjika, Atar, Nouadhibou (uff!).

We’ll keep in touch!
Paulo

[Jose Brito]

Hi Paulo,


I'll be leaving Portugal the 14th of November.
My plan is more or less like yours, but I'll be staying in Mauritania the all time, exploring the bordering areas with Senegal and Mali.

Maybe we could team up for the beach piste?

Send me an e-mail to: jcbrito £££ mail.icav.up.pt
Replace the £££ by @

Cheers,
José