This is also my experience. Where and how I ride impacts MPG quite a bit. Being able to see how much gas I have left lets me decide whether to go for the big loop or turn back early.

 

[QUOTE=go cytocis;488891 ... AND, I am not limited to hauling fuel! All sorts of other 'liquid cargo' can also be transported [/QUOTE]

You mean that stuff you "rent" , that is best not consumed in too large a quantity?

 

Haha, yes! As a matter of fact, I just used the rack this afternoon to get some liquid I "rented" home. I'll be trying it out any minute now!

 

..AND you can still add the 3 gallon tank for $250 for a mega load of gas carrying capability.

 

Another aspect to consider is how much capacity do you really need? Gasoline weighs approximately 6 lbs at sea level. That four to six gallon aftermarket tank is going to be heavy when its full. If you dont need that range between gas stops, go with a smaller tank and less weight.

 

When you don't need the capacity, you don't have to fill the tank all the way. Plus the plastic tank is lighter than the stock steel tank so that offsets some of the weight.

 

I read on here that the difference from stock(metal) to aftermarket (plastic) will only be the difference of about 1/2 a gallon of fuel, so about 3lbs. by going up 1 gallon you carry an extra 3 lbs of weight.

 

A 2 gallon tank is really too small for a dual sport IMO. It's fine on a dirtbike that you trailer to the trail and then ride. A dualsport is made to ride slab to the trail, have some fun, and then ride back. 50 miles in and back without getting lost is a limit on my fun. I'm always thinking about gas. I always hit the reserve on my way out which is too close for comfort. I know I got another 10-20 mile range at that point, but I still carry backup. I guess the 3 gal IMS is nice, but $250 for a plastic tank seems a bit high. I'd be more inclined to get it if it was 4 or more gallons. I guess like anything, I gotta pay if I wanna play. I find it interesting that most here have replaced or supplement the tiny stock tank yet the mfgs still build them with small tanks. If I was designing the 2014 KLX, it would have a 4 gallon tank... and a 400cc motor.

 

more fuel adds weight
like 7 lbs per gallon or something
so they probably choose a small tank because the engine is small and all that weight add up in the end

 

We're all fat 42+ yo guys. A pound or two won't mater. It's also not a race bike. In the end many willingly add the weight in gas. If I was looking to get a new dualsport bike and I was looking at two identical bikes but one had a bigger tank, no question, I'd go for the bigger tank.