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Cross country on the TransAmerica Trail

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Pre-Trip #5 Minnesota- Part 5

Posted on July 28, 2023 by WheeledGeezer

We encountered a downed tree lying across the trail. I immediately starting scouting a trail around the blockage. Meanwhile Jack pulled out a saw! Excellent planning on his part.

We did a fuel range test on Jack’s bike as part of this trip. We are told there are sections on the TAT where we will need to go over 200 miles without service (more if we make a wrong turn) so we need to ensure we can carry sufficient fuel.

Jack’s Honda 300L comes with a 2 gallon tank and he has chosen to carry a 2 gallon fuel bladder to extend his range. We drove until his tank ran out which was 135 mile range at 1400 foot elevation and mixed riding at moderate speed. The bladder has an advantage over a rigid fuel container in that it does not take up much room when you don’t need it and it can accommodate vapor expansion quite nicely.

The KTM EXC-F 350 comes with a 2.1 gallon tank and Scott chose to replace the stock tank with a 4.5 gallon tank. It should give sufficient range and we will test it before we get to the long sections.

Stock 2.1 gallon tank
4.5 gallon tank manufactured by IMS. It wraps around and extends in front of the radiators.

Both bikes are using engine control units that are not stock. They yield more power and therefore are a bit more thirsty which shortens our range.

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