Gas and five-oh in Death Valley

[nicebloke]

We're off to DV this weekend, and there's two stretches of our trip that look a little iffy on gas for my GSX-R600, being 130 and 140 miles respectively. I've heard anecdotal tales of gas stations in Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek and Shoshone, all of which would remove any doubts about "making it". Is this true? Anyone got contact info for those stations so I can check on their hours and see if they have 91 octane gas in stock?

Oh yeah, and anywhere in particular we need to be careful about watching our speed? We don't plan on being mental but I'd hate to settle into an easy 70-75mph on those straight roads and get popped for a 55 limit...

[chuba]

Originally Posted by nicebloke

I've heard anecdotal tales of gas stations in Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek and Shoshone, all of which would remove any doubts about "making it". Is this true?

Can't say about Stovepipe Wells (supposedly the station's underground tanks were being replaced, or something like that, when I passed through there last), but yes, there are gas stations in those locations. The stations in Shoshone and Furnace Creek are Chevrons. One station not mentioned is Panamint Springs Resort, which is a Shell, and the last time I was there, the pumps were available for use when the office isn't open all hours of the night (credit card only).

Oh, and be prepared to pay out your nose.

[Stradatourer]

I've heard anecdotal tales of gas stations in Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek and Shoshone, all of which would remove any doubts about "making it". Is this true? Anyone got contact info for those stations so I can check on their hours and see if they have 91 octane gas in stock?

I filled up in February of this year at each station you have listed. Stovepipe had 87 octane only. FC and Shoshone had 91. I don't know if it's always this way. I put 87 in my Ducati and it was fine. As I recall, the engine prefers the 91 but the ECU can retard the ignition to account for different octanes.

The price of the gas may have a 5 handle at FC, but who cares on a m/c.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by chuba

The stations in Shoshone and Furnace Creek are Chevrons. One station not mentioned is Panamint Springs Resort, which is a Shell, and the last time I was there, the pumps were available for use when the office isn't open all hours of the night (credit card only).

Was there in February... yes, there are gas stations at Furnace Creek and Shoshone, as well as Panamint Springs... however, we had issues with the one in Furnace Creek as the pumps went down after 5 p.m. and wouldn't take anything - credit, debit, etc. If you're there before 5 while the attendant is still there, you're good to go. After that, it's a crap shoot.

[chuba]

Originally Posted by Tyle

however, we had issues with the one in Furnace Creek as the pumps went down after 5 p.m. and wouldn't take anything - credit, debit, etc.

The sticky experience I had was arriving at Furnace Creek with a teensy bit over 1/4 tank of gas in my 4Runner and before I could get anything into the tank, the power goes out. Attendant says power could be out for minutes or hours. Panamint Springs Resort is, unbelievably enough, 50-something miles away, although there's no guarantee that the power isn't out there also. After ten minutes nothing happens so I rolled the dice and the power was working when I arrived at Panamint Springs Resort and was able to fill up. Had the power been out there too, there was no way in hell I would be going anywhere until service was restored - the next nearest station would be 45 miles away to the south in Trona, or in Lone Pine, another 50 miles NW with a long, winding (and also gas-eating) climb out of Panamint Valley to start with.

I've been fortunate not to have been in many situations where things were being cut rather close, but this one was so far the most worrisome.

(Note: at the time I was there, the Stovepipe Wells gas station was unavailable due to repair/construction...)

[paxman1]

If I can make it on my Sporty, 3.2 Gallons you can.......

Mark

I took this picture Sunday........at Furnace Creek.

[IMG][/IMG]

[chuba]

Yoiks!

[JPM]

Originally Posted by paxman1

If I can make it on my Sporty, 3.2 Gallons you can.......

Mark

I took this picture Sunday........at Furnace Creek.

[IMG][/IMG]

With prices like that you need the five-o around; that’s highway robbery.

[bosozoku]

Originally Posted by nicebloke

We're off to DV this weekend, and there's two stretches of our trip that look a little iffy on gas for my GSX-R600, being 130 and 140 miles respectively. I've heard anecdotal tales of gas stations in Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek and Shoshone, all of which would remove any doubts about "making it". Is this true? Anyone got contact info for those stations so I can check on their hours and see if they have 91 octane gas in stock?...

Does your bike need premium?.

[nicebloke]

Originally Posted by bosozoku

Does your bike need premium?.

No, but it's recommended, and since fuelling bikes is cheap I have no problem paying for premium. If I had to use regular I wouldn't worry...