Modern Vespa

Do any of you long distance travelers carry external fuel tanks?
Rotopax? MSR? And I have seen one on Amazon thats 1.5 liters, very similar to MSR. It looks like it would be handy for extended trips in remote areas
Anybody have experience with them?

Yes, people have used those and also regular 1-gallon gas cans.

Personally I have used a 2-gallon Rotopax and MSR style bottles on long motorcycle trips.

I use "FuelFriend". Available in different sizes, colors, w/wo integrated spout, w/wo fastening lugs, Thicker or normal wall thickness, in special editions, etc.

Many accessories available, such as funnel, filler neck, spout, etc.

https://www.shop-fuelfriend.de/ (Change language and currency).
Also available at Amazon.

Perfect also for oil to go...

Just last night I installed those two fuel bottles of 1 liter each.

(The idea is a total and 100% copy of world famous Quezzie/Stephanie Yue's setup by the way.)

A Short Scooterist on a Long Ride: Around the USA by Vespa

When I took off on my, two day, 840 mile round trip ride eastward across South Dakota and back last September, I managed to stuff a one gallon plastic fuel jug under the seat.

I have since added an external hump rack, and will be using it to mount the reserve gas container on future long rides, but because I tend to travel relatively light, the underseat jug worked well.

Mopmop, I like what you did with the MSR bottles and water-bottle holders, but do you think they will be secure enough and not slip out on the road?

Only time will tell, but I have full faith. The only way for them to slip out is if the bottle holders break, something which I don't see happen. Or if the Velcro gets loose, but that's another thing I cannot imagine.

Plus, if it worked for Quezzie, it must work for others .

I've had an MSR bottle strapped to the underside of my rear rack for years.
I used very large hose clamps to secure it and never had any issues. I do need to bust out a screwdriver/nut-driver to release it, but that's not a real bother.

I've also taken the extreme measure to plumb an external fuel tank for Cannonball. It's actually quite easy to do and reverse, connecting the Aux tank supply to the vent nipple on the filler neck. This set up is rock solid as it survived a pretty serious crash with zero damage or movement.

This extended my range to 300 miles, but I do lose storage on the rear rack. Front Rack, tail bag on the seat, camelback back pack in the footwell give me all the storage I need.

You choose what works best for your needs.

Potential cruising range.

The Vespa Gts 300 is rated with a 8.5 liter tank (2.2 USA gallons)
with a potential cruising range of 190 miles.

You folks must be doing some long back road riding. At least in
my immediate riding area (Minnesota) I can easily find a gas
station to fill up. Also, I don't like to ride more than 1 hour
with out a rest stop. Old bones at age 74.

I could see the advantage of an additional gallon on board because
is could extend your range to 275 miles.

My next group ride will be a city ride (Mpls/St Paul Lakes and Parkway)
for a total of about 70 miles. Easy on one tank.

Bob Copeland

Gigi's rocket boosters are ready for deployment.

@crazycarl- I remember that impressive set up. I have to admit I was shocked to see it all stayed in place after Michigan.

I keep a 1.5 liter can similar to a rotopax, on the front of my GTV, works well on that bike because the headlight is on the fender. Knock on wood, I have never been in a situation where the emergency 100 miles of fuel did not get me to a service station.

Weighed down and riding with a moderate amount of aggressiveness, I have never really been able to get more than 60 miles to the gallon, I would really like to know how people are seeing 90 miles to the gallon. I estimate about 120 miles per fill-up.

Hola buenas tardes. En Amazon está este tanque de combustible externo de 5 litros
https://www.amazon.es/motocicleta-tanque-combustible-externo-aceite/dp/B08F1SRF65/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=1MMOGK6B819LZ&keywords=tanque+de+combustible+externo+vespa+gts+300&qid=1679506831&quartzVehicle=171-11569&replacementKeywords=tanque+de+combustible+externo+vespa+gts&sprefix=tanque+de+conbustible+externo+vespa+gts+300%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1

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The folks who have done the Cannonball run would have a good idea of what works best, since several have tried models and capacities.
I have used a 2gallon Rotopax mounted on the front below the headlight.

My problem with that is no matter how careful you are a fuel cannister like that will soon smell like gas. Having it in there with clothing may be problematic. Plus ventilation isn't good and fumes could build up. Sorry if I sound like a nag just my opinion, of course.

The concern with keeping gas under the seat is the heat. If you are doing some long distance summer riding I would think the heat could cause some real bad things to happen with a couple gallons of gas, or worse yet if you only had 1/2 of it floating around, the vapors could cause problems, No? I am not an expert just thinking heat and gas and vibration probably are a combo you want to stay away from, especially if its between your legs.

I only used the gas container under the seat once. Excessive heat didn't seem to be a problem on that ride, and I didn't have any clothing in there with the gas container other than a rain jacket and bike cover, plus a few miscellaneous small items stuffed into the periphery of the pet carrier.

I carried what clothing I would need in a backpack, which can be seen alongside my GTS in the photo. As I said, I 'travel light'.

As it turned out, I didn't need the extra gas on that trip, but felt a lot better having it on board if necessary.

JBacklund,

Great photo says it all. Just give me a home where the vespas roam,
and the skies are not cloudy all day!

Bob Copeland

my current method (recent post by me)

Carrying extra fuel

I have a Vespa top box on my GT200. I have often carried a one gallon plastic gas can in it. I don't really care if the other stuff I put in there smells like gas. I was an amateur mechanic from about age 10, was a professional mechanic for 41 years, now retired and back to being an amateur mechanic. The smell of gas does not bother me. Here in southern AZ, gas stations can be few and far between. On several occasions I have actually needed the extra gas.

I am a bit concerned about the positioning of Gigi's "booster rockets". It seems they are fairly exposed on the sides and rearmost areas of the bottles in the event of on accident; perhaps this is an optical illusion from the angle of the pic.

On a side note - the houndstooth detail on your seat looks terrific! Very unique application.

I had that mounted very securely. I could pick up the bike just by lifting the tank.

I've also struggled getting more than 70 mpg on my GTS250, and I only get that when riding long stretches at a leisurely 50 mph.

60 mpg is more realistic for me, so 120 miles on the 2 gallon tank is what I've become accustomed to.

Dice que esta tanque es para aceite, pero es posible usarlo con gasolina tambien? Supongo que ellos no quieren decirlo pero es posible....

El depósito es de combustible, es la bomba adicional la que pone que de aceite, pero cualquier otra bomba manual serviría.

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My seat and bag were a birthday gift from our club prez a few years back. She let me pick the fabric and then got creative in the best way.

As far as Gigi's boosters go, I never thought they were too exposed, but you may be right.

Except when the seemingly daily afternoon 'Cow Killer' hailstorms rip through the region during the summer months.

My 1-gal Rotopax mounting is very secure, although has the same exposure issues as GuzziGal's "booster" setup. But when all other mounting points are occupied, under the rack is free space.

I just carry lightweight things in the top case, and even though the weight of a gallon is carried behind the axle, effects on handling haven't been noticeable.

I like that set up. I have mine on the front rack of the GTV.
But wondered if under the top box would work. I guess the question is answered. Thanks for posting.

The front rack is likely a better location, and much simpler to rig. My mount took way too much engineering, and just strapping a Rotopax to the front rack skips buying the mount.

Those bottles are pretty rugged. Hard to imagine a crash where a burst bottle is anywhere the major concern, but maybe I'm not imaginative enough, lol.

My HPE gets high 50s-mid 60s in urban traffic. On touring days, it can get up to the low 80s.

Cruising at around 50mph with nothing stopping you (e.g. highway with few intersections) seems good for the mileage. Coming down from the mountains certainly helps, although I once got 85 just going up the coast.

I've used the 1.5L primus fuel bottles on my motorcycles in an emergency. It worked great without any leaks. I may go that route in addition to a Rotopax strapped to the front rack.