Who carries extra gasoline, and in what container?

Bill Hilly · 09-19-2022, 09:52 PM

I took a ride across a long ridge (Foster Ridge) that leads into the next county over, and ended up in unfamiliar territory. I came to another long ridge (Jim Ridge) that I knew lead back into familiar territory, but I knew it would take me out on a main road about 15 miles from home. I was thinking that if I went the opposite direction it would lead me back towards Gunville Ridge, which I knew would be a shorter way home, Well I was wrong, and went several miles in the wrong direction, and when I saw the homes getting closer together I knew I was lost. I saw a guy out, and he said I was in Putnam County. He said that I should turn, and go back the other way. I was worried about running out of gas, but didn't. The gauge on my TBR7 reads empty sooner than it should, and I never even had to use reserve, but the incident made me want to be able to carry spare gas. I had already thought about a gallon oil jug, because the actual small gas cans are so expensive. I happen across some small metal 32 ounce bottles of 90octane , ethanol free gas that was on clearance at Walmart , and even though it was still $3.75 if I remember right, I figured it was like paying $2.50 for the can. I only bought one, but may buy another . Have any of you carried extra fuel in oil jugs? Or do you know of better options.

Ironhorse 332 · 09-19-2022, 09:56 PM

I've used a quart oil jug on occasion.

Mudflap · 09-19-2022, 10:31 PM

I use an aluminum bottle made to hold camp stove fuel.

Magician16 · 09-20-2022, 07:07 AM

Like Mudflap, I carry a liter of fuel in a burrito tube. I've been doing it for years because the Magician holds less than 2 gal. I had to use the reserve twice before I added the burrito tube. I've had to use the gas in it twice since then. It gives me at least 15 more miles.

Wild Dog · 09-20-2022, 07:40 PM

Last year i went riding, i saw i'm going to just ride to anywhere...
It happens than in anywhere it was quite windy, not side wind or in the back, but in the front..
I knew my motorcycle could do 300 km per tanks, but thanks to the winds and that i was forcing the engine it only did 200...
Lucky me there was a gas station near.

Since that day if i'm going to ride to some place unknown, i carry a can.

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8 liters and it's easy to mount in the motorcycle.

flopsweat · 09-21-2022, 11:17 AM

This guy looks to be new to the TT250 game and has posted a few videos. Gas can mod, and he cited Trevor over on the Trerackscity Moto channel as the inspiration.

zero_dgz · 09-21-2022, 12:13 PM

Since my RXB250L has a fuel tank about the size of a shot glass (1.8 gallons usable capacity) and its reserve is absolutely useless (you get roughly 1-2 miles out of switching the petcock to "reserve") I always carry extra fuel. In normal daily life I have two 30 ounce MSR aluminum fuel bottles, one on either side. If I'm going far afield I have a 1.3 gallon fake Rotopax style fuel can I keep on the rear luggage rack.

TominMO · 09-21-2022, 12:54 PM

That gas can mount is nicely done! Simple, effective, cheap.

ScoTT250 · 09-22-2022, 09:05 PM

Back when I had my CT90s (1.5ish gallon capacity), I would take a gatorade bottle on long rides. Those 32 ounces could get me 20 miles or so. Pretty sturdy plastic too. Would I solve the problem that way today? Definitely not, but I honestly never had an issue

krat · 09-23-2022, 09:58 PM

You do understand that the TBR7 carries nearly 3.5 gallons of fuel??

I get 60 MPG (Not speedo klicks) out of mine and if yours does the same that would give you 200 miles range on a tank (300 klicks metric on the speedo).

Not many places in the eastern US where you can go 200 miles between gas stations.

Megadan · 09-24-2022, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krat

Not many places in the eastern US where you can go 200 miles between gas stations.

I think the issue/concern for most guys isn't when they are on the street, but in the woods. Otherwise, I agree with you 100% It isn't like aroubd the central and western part of my state, or some regions in the Rockies where there are stretches that can potentially not have fuel for 150 to 200 miles. Even in those areas, I have never run out of fuel on a bike, because after 150 miles or so of riding, my legs and behind could use a breather, and I never pass up a fuel station in BFE if I am at half a tank or less.

Bill Hilly · 09-24-2022, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

I think the issue/concern for most guys isn't when they are on the street, but in the woods. Otherwise, I agree with you 100% It isn't like aroubd the central and western part of my state, or some regions in the Rockies where there are stretches that can potentially not have fuel for 150 to 200 miles. Even in those areas, I have never run out of fuel on a bike, because after 150 miles or so of riding, my legs and behind could use a breather, and I never pass up a fuel station in BFE if I am at half a tank or less.

Yeah, I actually live within 6 miles of gas stations, but I don't always go into town when I ride, and I don't always have a full tank when I leave. The situation that I mentioned in the original post in this thread is just an example of me going on a ride on a whim, and going further than anticipated. I can't remember exactly how much gas I got when I did fill up afterwards, but I am thinking it was about 2.3 gallon. I want to have extra fuel on board for the peace of mind, because as I stated ,the fuel gauge reads nearly empty way too soon.

krat · 09-25-2022, 02:25 AM

I'll bet you know exactly how far your car will go after it hits empty!

Give your bike the same consideration and remember that the fuel gauge is just a decoration added to motorbikes a couple of decades ago. I doubt there is an accurate one anywhere. I have four in the shed and not one of them is "accurate" if you think empty means empty.

Until fairly recently your petcock functioned as your gas gauge. You ran it until it stopped then turned on the reserve and went to a station.

I also remember a lot of sloshing the tank back and forth using the ear as a fuel gauge, and a couple of guys that used sticks to check their fuel level.

TominMO · 09-25-2022, 07:34 AM

Also leaning the bike way over to one side to get gas from the non-petcock side over to where it could be used. Since many/most bikes didn't have equalizer tubes. Carrying extra gas is in effect giving you two reserves.

China Rider 27 · 09-25-2022, 12:01 PM

Carrying extra gas I think can be important in remote areas and only the foolish or shall we say the ultra adventurous go there knowingly without careful analysis of fuel requirements. Especially important if you ride alone. Carrying extra gas is also the ultimate insurance against an unidentified (until to late) gas leak or a ruptured gas tank from a drop. That is also why I would not carry a large tank on the side because it will get eventually whacked (at least in my riding world). It works on the tail rack but does change the bike handling some. Two small fuel bottles also seems a good solution. I recently got a 3/4 gal tank I think a good compromise. They have come down in price a good bit recently.

09-19-2022, 09:52 PM	#1
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 934	Who carries extra gasoline, and in what container? I took a ride across a long ridge (Foster Ridge) that leads into the next county over, and ended up in unfamiliar territory. I came to another long ridge (Jim Ridge) that I knew lead back into familiar territory, but I knew it would take me out on a main road about 15 miles from home. I was thinking that if I went the opposite direction it would lead me back towards Gunville Ridge, which I knew would be a shorter way home, Well I was wrong, and went several miles in the wrong direction, and when I saw the homes getting closer together I knew I was lost. I saw a guy out, and he said I was in Putnam County. He said that I should turn, and go back the other way. I was worried about running out of gas, but didn't. The gauge on my TBR7 reads empty sooner than it should, and I never even had to use reserve, but the incident made me want to be able to carry spare gas. I had already thought about a gallon oil jug, because the actual small gas cans are so expensive. I happen across some small metal 32 ounce bottles of 90octane , ethanol free gas that was on clearance at Walmart , and even though it was still $3.75 if I remember right, I figured it was like paying $2.50 for the can. I only bought one, but may buy another . Have any of you carried extra fuel in oil jugs? Or do you know of better options.
	0

09-20-2022, 07:07 AM	#4
Magician16 Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 468	Like Mudflap, I carry a liter of fuel in a burrito tube. I've been doing it for years because the Magician holds less than 2 gal. I had to use the reserve twice before I added the burrito tube. I've had to use the gas in it twice since then. It gives me at least 15 more miles. __________________ 2018 Bashan Storm(sold) 2016 Magician 250
	3

09-20-2022, 07:40 PM	#5
Wild Dog Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Argentina Posts: 756	Last year i went riding, i saw i'm going to just ride to anywhere... It happens than in anywhere it was quite windy, not side wind or in the back, but in the front.. I knew my motorcycle could do 300 km per tanks, but thanks to the winds and that i was forcing the engine it only did 200... Lucky me there was a gas station near. Since that day if i'm going to ride to some place unknown, i carry a can. 8 liters and it's easy to mount in the motorcycle.
	2

09-21-2022, 12:54 PM	#8
TominMO Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: De Soto, MO Posts: 1,871	That gas can mount is nicely done! Simple, effective, cheap. __________________ 2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself
	1

09-22-2022, 09:05 PM	#9
ScoTT250 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: CA Posts: 16	Back when I had my CT90s (1.5ish gallon capacity), I would take a gatorade bottle on long rides. Those 32 ounces could get me 20 miles or so. Pretty sturdy plastic too. Would I solve the problem that way today? Definitely not, but I honestly never had an issue __________________ Scott CA High Desert Currently: 2021 TT250 1981 XL 185 project 2003 Buell Blast P3 (for sale) Formerly: 1986 Suzuki GS450 1979 Suzuki GS400 1968 Honda CT90 1974 Suzuki TS250 1978 Honda XL175 1997 Suzuki GS500E
	1

09-19-2022, 09:56 PM	#2
Ironhorse 332 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	I've used a quart oil jug on occasion.
	1

09-19-2022, 10:31 PM	#3
Mudflap Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,872	I use an aluminum bottle made to hold camp stove fuel.
	1

09-21-2022, 11:17 AM	#6
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	This guy looks to be new to the TT250 game and has posted a few videos. Gas can mod, and he cited Trevor over on the Trerackscity Moto channel as the inspiration.
	2

09-21-2022, 12:13 PM	#7
zero_dgz Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 252	Since my RXB250L has a fuel tank about the size of a shot glass (1.8 gallons usable capacity) and its reserve is absolutely useless (you get roughly 1-2 miles out of switching the petcock to "reserve") I always carry extra fuel. In normal daily life I have two 30 ounce MSR aluminum fuel bottles, one on either side. If I'm going far afield I have a 1.3 gallon fake Rotopax style fuel can I keep on the rear luggage rack.
	1

09-23-2022, 09:58 PM	#10
krat Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: KY Posts: 260	You do understand that the TBR7 carries nearly 3.5 gallons of fuel?? I get 60 MPG (Not speedo klicks) out of mine and if yours does the same that would give you 200 miles range on a tank (300 klicks metric on the speedo). Not many places in the eastern US where you can go 200 miles between gas stations. __________________ %90 of the Chinese motorbikes ever made are still on the road. The other %10 made it back home.
	1

09-25-2022, 02:25 AM	#13
krat Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: KY Posts: 260	I'll bet you know exactly how far your car will go after it hits empty! Give your bike the same consideration and remember that the fuel gauge is just a decoration added to motorbikes a couple of decades ago. I doubt there is an accurate one anywhere. I have four in the shed and not one of them is "accurate" if you think empty means empty. Until fairly recently your petcock functioned as your gas gauge. You ran it until it stopped then turned on the reserve and went to a station. I also remember a lot of sloshing the tank back and forth using the ear as a fuel gauge, and a couple of guys that used sticks to check their fuel level. __________________ %90 of the Chinese motorbikes ever made are still on the road. The other %10 made it back home.
	2

09-25-2022, 07:34 AM	#14
TominMO Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: De Soto, MO Posts: 1,871	Also leaning the bike way over to one side to get gas from the non-petcock side over to where it could be used. Since many/most bikes didn't have equalizer tubes. Carrying extra gas is in effect giving you two reserves. __________________ 2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself
	1

09-25-2022, 12:01 PM	#15
China Rider 27 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: PNW Posts: 982	Carrying extra gas I think can be important in remote areas and only the foolish or shall we say the ultra adventurous go there knowingly without careful analysis of fuel requirements. Especially important if you ride alone. Carrying extra gas is also the ultimate insurance against an unidentified (until to late) gas leak or a ruptured gas tank from a drop. That is also why I would not carry a large tank on the side because it will get eventually whacked (at least in my riding world). It works on the tail rack but does change the bike handling some. Two small fuel bottles also seems a good solution. I recently got a 3/4 gal tank I think a good compromise. They have come down in price a good bit recently.
	1