Iceland in July/August
 

We're heading to Iceland in July for a month on our XT250 & DRZ400.
Wondering what to expect in terms of weather, conditions of the roads & mileage between petrol stations... wondering how much spare petrol we need to carry as we only have wee tanks!

I guess it depends upon where you are going!

I'm heading there early July, having to leave behind the bike as I'm taking my 16 year old son on his first adventure holiday and renting a 4x4 seemed the better option for us.

From my research i see that the majority of highlands do not have any fuel stations. expect fuel on the main ring road and in larger areas of population.

However, F26, the longest mountain track, is only about 400km long, and I'd expect bikes like yours at low speed to return much better fuel figures than at higher speeds.

Obviously detours and safety margins are going to alter the distances a bit but I'm sure a 5 litre can would see you good. Also, the place will be well visited by people at that time of year, so if you run out, or breakdowns occur, there is always the fellow travelers code!

There are a couple of apps put out by the major fuel brands that show locations and opening hours plus there are a few unattended stations that require a chipped credit card.

Other apps provide tracking and emergency services and another gives road and weather conditions.

If you need local phone service, the post offices sell starter kits and top ups without needing ID and connection is fast and easy.

Davebetty - We will each have a 3.8 litre rotopax with us which will give the XT 13.6 litres and the DRZ 18.8 litres... it could be close depending on what roads we end up on! Keep a look out for us as we also arrive on Iceland in early July!

Tony - will look into these apps. Will need to check our roaming charges!

Do either of you know if it is usual to cook with Meths on Iceland? I know most bikers use petrol stoves but we like the quietness of meths... old school!

Safetravel - The official source for safe adventure in Iceland is a good source of info - click on the menu at the top.

We have been three times and each time we were forced to move camp into town and snuggle up to a big building on the lee side to escape the wind. Not sure how tents would survive but it is part of the deal.

Hello

Weather:
From snowstorm to sunshine(up to 20°) prepare for everything.
Heavy sidewind can be a problem on tracks.
Camping equipment should be up for that.

Petrol:
It depends on where you go.
Along the tarmac ring road no problem.
If you go to the highland roads you should plan carefully.
Road conditions in Iceland | Road conditions in Iceland | The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration
I had on my XT660Z 23l plus 2x5l cannister.
This gave me the freedom of not making detours for gasstations.
Also if a river is too deep to cross you have to return the route you came on, so calculate 150-200% of the actual distance.
Every 100km I fill up the main tank from the cannisters, so no Problem with the weight, and fill them only when needed.


Offroad, meaning leaving the track for only 1m is highly illigal.
But, there are small tracks, marked with white poles every few hundred meters.
Some are very remote and maybe no one drives there, so no tire traks.
Great for your small bikes, but, no services nor rescue in a emergency.
I did only one of them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEyTJYDzw-8&t=1794s


have fun up there


sushi

hi I'm also going to iceland in juli/august. If you want we could meet up for a beer, Some time during the trip.
cooking whit Meths are ok as long as its not to Cold weathe,If you get trouble turn the container upside down ( if you can). It will not last as long But you get hot food :)

I appreciate that meths is a nice quiet option, however, it looks like wind is a real killer of heat production. All the advice that I could find was that coleman type gas canisers were the most common at petrol stations et al.

Someone is surely going to sell meths, its just a matter of finding the right thing at the right place. Go with some pre prepared translation. I'm sure that will help!

we are doing a petrol cooker with a coleman type gas cooker beside to ensure we always have something available.

Go easy!

Dave

We did it! Iceland in August 2017
 

Hello and have a good and safe trip over the land of ice and fire!

Impressive landscapes.
We surrounded the island's main road.
Tarmac? not always even on the main ring road.
Petrol: no problem but attention has to be paid, fill the tank whenever you can.
Outside the main road: on tracks the fuel consumption is higher do not rely only in distance/Km. All bikes drink by far more when riding condition are tough.
Credit card: simply a must. Most pretrol stations (outside the cities) are self service and do not accept cash. Only the pump and you there!
Wind: always there, either strong or very strong side winds at times. Care has to be paid but manageable.
Wheather: 2/4 - 16/18 celsius. Rain: almost every day.
Hotel/Guesthouses/campings: very expensive!
Food: very expensive.
Alcohol: unafordable!
Worth visiting: Definatelly YES!
Friendly people. Normally they all speak English at good level.