Good day to all, I am finally getting some time off next month and plan to visit a bike race in France and then ride into Switzerland and Italy. I will camp mostly so I will take a stove to cook on. I will cook a little steak/onions, rice, vegetables, chicken and of course boil water. I need a stove to boil and simmer. Weight is not much of a problem, my old Beem can carry a lot. Petrol would be a nice fuel as I'll have five gallons of it on the bike but weight/space is not a problem so I could take parrafin or meths in another container with no worries. My stove collection will allow me to choose from a Svea 123r, Optimus 91, Coleman 442, Baby Enders, Borde Bomb, Manaslu 96, and a Optimus 8r. I have other stoves but this little lot will fit just right in my Krauser pannier, only one of course What do YOU think would be a good choice? Apart from the Optimus which has its own pots/pans I will take some titaninum gear I picked up in Japan recently. Ideas please...... Regards, Alan
Alan, I would take the 442, and pick up some coleman fuel in France, where it is cheap, have a great trip mate
Hi Trevor, IF I remember right, the litre bottles I had off a mate were 2.65? each, but I would think you could pick up bigger bottles of the stuff.
I would go for the 442. Lots of power, great simmer with a broad flame. If you have room, an 8R, Borde or other stove for boiling duties while cooking on the 442
Good Morning, Alan! First of all, have a fantastic, and safe trip! I know we'll all look forward to photos, stories, and reports, upon your safe return!! As to stoves, if Coleman fuel is easily available in France, then I'd also recommend the 442 as your primary stove. It can boil water very quickly, simmer your veggies, and also cook your steak/chicken, and other goodies, without burning the crap out of them! BUT, I'd also toss in the Borde, just for grins!! Hey, it, too, runs perfectly on Coleman fuel, and it would be an outstanding addition as a second burner, and just for the ever-lovin' fun of having it along!!! It's small, and would not take up much room. I vote for both the 442 AND the Borde!! 8) 8) 8) 8) Have a fantastic adventure, lots of fun, and a safe return! God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
I'd say take the 8R - so you can do without an extra windscreen - with a Midi-pump and cap, for preheating and maybe extra pressure at high altitudes, and the Borde besides. This combination worked faultlessy for me on a 5000-km motorcycle camping-trip 2 years ago to Spain. If you have it, better still would be just a (one) Primus 71 better simmering and fitting amongst luggage. Once again include a Midi-pump and cap. All these will work just fine on ordinary Euro-petrol, so don't bother about taking along extra Coleman fuel. Remember, 'light is right', even on a BMW. Jur
Well, thanks for all the messages, I am glad I got a response. I can't say I've seen Coleman fuel on my travels outside of the US/UK. That said I could use un-leaded juice but I find it does not run so well with the 442. I guess I am always drawn to the Svea 123r as it's so Mr. Reliable. I forgot I have a couple of '71's, thanks Jur. My 8r, no matter how many times I rebuild it still leaks from the stuff box on a high heat I do have a new carry case for the 8r so it would be nice to use it. So, no one rates the Manaslu????? Thanks friends, Alan PS. Doc, I shall send photos of course and bore you with menus and miles covered
Hi Alan, I'll be different, and vote for the Manaslu. The others are hiking stoves. You're going touring. The photos will look much better with the Manaslu, it's a beautiful stove. After all, you aren't going on such a trip for practical reasons, are you? And it is probably the most stable of them. We wouldn't want you to spill your lunch! By the way, give us a pic of the titanium pots. I'm a real fan of the stuff, and have a good set of Snow Peak that my 123 snuggles into. Cheers, Tom
Hi Team. Id pick the one that runs best on bike gas. 8R would be ok, and a nice easy shape to pack, ditto the 71L. In that cast the, the choice is clear: 123r (for the built in pricker) powered Sigg rig 8)
I've put a huge number of trips on an old heavy-flywheel beemer. Top choice - 8R - just pop a float chamber and fill - no funnel, no mess and no problem. Before I got the 8R I used an optimus "00" - pint of paraffin does a whole week - I can see the attraction of the Manaslu 96 and a sigg bottle with paraffin..
I highly recommend an Optimus 99 over an Optimus 8R. The Optimus 99 has a cookset built into it and it will run unleaded gasoline just fine. Coleman fuel is BEST but if you are stuck without Coleman fuel you can always just drail at little fuel from your motorcycle tank. Best of luck and please post some photographs, Andrew Large
Ermmm, I have narrowed down my choice to these: Primus 71, Svear 123r or a Manaslu 96. I like the first as it's small, good heat output and runs on petrol. The second is great because it is so reliable but negatives are that I use it nearly all the time, why have so many stoves and use the same one? The Manaslu I like because it looks lovely and after a bit of testing I note it is very, very frugal on fuel. Downside of Manaslu is I'll need to take a small bottle of meths to pre-heat. Oh, deciions decisions If I was to put money on it I think the Manaslu may win...... Best wishes, Alan
Prime it with petrol! It's a bit smoky but you can do it outside and then move inside once it is lit.
Hey, Alan, I vote with Ian on this one: Go for the Manaslu 96, prime with petrol, and enjoy the fun you'll have with this neat stove!! You will be "unique", Lad, that's fantastic!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
The Manaslu, The Manaslu !! Yes, yes The Manaslu ! And when you visit Italy I'll get a few of my Sicilian 'friends' pay you a visit and lighten your load ! "Don Salvatore, mi serve un favore" Spudz
I'd say a meths bottle is the lesser drawback of the Manaslu. An old Zippo lighter fuel can filled with meths should suffice for the whole trip. However, the kero in the stove's tank probably won't, so you'll have to take some extra of that - besides that motorcycle tank already full of petrol! Not very logical, but then taking a Manaslu on a motorcycle camping trip wouldn' t be quite rational anyway. Jur
Please don't laught at me but I actually measured the volume of meths/petrol needed to fill the priming cup on the Manaslu I must get out more..... The cup's volume is 7.5ml or about a quarter of a fluid ounce. I calculate that a small bottle of meths, say 100ml (3.5 fl/oz) will give me around 14 - 15 primes'. Enough for my needs and of course, as Ian points out I can always drop a float bowl on my Beemer and prime with petrol., although I don't want my nice new Japanese stove to go all sooty! However, I amy just take my Primus 71 and be done with. I am looking forward to the ride and seeing lots of different places but I am really looking forward to cooking a meal on my stove Regards, Alan
