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I once forgot I had switched to my reserve fuel supply the last time I rode and ran dry at midnight in the middle of nowhere. No gas stations anywhere in sight. Shortly after that experience I got rid of my bike so this question hasn't come up until now. I have started looking for another bike and it occurred to me that it would be a real comfort to carry along an extra quart or two of fuel. Does anyone carry extra fuel that's not in the gas tank? Is there a safe way to carry extra fuel. I ended up pushing the bike for a mile or so, and walking for another two miles to the Highway Patrol station for help. I intend to never need do that again.

JR

They do sell auxilliary fuel tanks, but it isn't a very pretty install as there really isn't anywhere you can hide it on a bike. Only advice I can give, is fill up before you think you'll need to. Learn where you usually have to switch to reserve. Next time you fill up, zero the tripmeter and next time you're getting close to the magic number, find yourself a gas station.

A few suggestions -

Some bikes now have fuel gauges, or you can buy aftermarket ones for the bike. Check around.

If you buy a dual-sport type of bike like a BMW GS, a Kawasaki KLR or similar, you can often buy larger fuel tanks for them

Kawasaki KLR's and Older BMW (airhead) GS's also have aftermarket tanks made out of translucent plastic so you can see the amount of fuel still in the bike. Problem is, they (plastic tanks) may or may not be road legal where you live.

Finally, you could always strap a spare gas container somewhere to your bike. The biggest problem I see with this is that you'd have to USE the gas every few months and put new gas in the container - because if you let it sit, by the time you have an ememrgency, it will probably be bad and wreak havoc on your carbs or fuel injection.

Extra fuel? I sometimes carry a candy bar or some cookies, but nothing really big.

Carrying extra fuel would be dangerous. Adding an auxillary fuel cell is a big deal ans would only extend the miles on your basic problem...

Hopefully, you'll be more careful about using the 'reserve' switch.

P

Lion_Lady wrote:Carrying extra fuel would be dangerous.

Pam, I think you would die if you came over here to Italy and saw the people zipping around on their LPG modified scooters ... They have Pressurized LPG containers (Like the kind you use in a gas barbecue) strapped to their back seats!!

Seriously, though, there are ways to carry extra fuel safely and tap it into your existing fuel system (Depending on the bike) without making it a fuel cell.

not to be a jerk, but carrying extra fuel won't help the basic problem here which is lack of foresight.

Unless i was going on a long distance trip on a lot of unfamiliar roads i don't think i would need to carry extra fuel.

if you find remembering to fuel up is an issue, make it part of your start up routine. check lights, check brakelights, check fuel level, check tires, check petcock all before you take off.

depending on the bike you choose, adding a small camp stove style of fuel can into a hard bag wouldn't be too bad. you could probably put some velcro straps to hold it upright and not have too many problems with spillage.

Also consider the bike for the task. Taking a fuel sucking bike (like many of the sportsbikes) across the desert or way out into the country without planning for stops is a mistake. If you ride only where there are few gas stops you need one of two things - as mentioned a spare fuel cell, which will look ugly, be hard to hide, and be a potential serious hazard, or buy a bike with a long range and prepare better. I think the Concours (by Kawasaki) for instance has a 7.4 gallon tank. That will keep you in fuel for quite a while. I know some of the BMW's have large tanks too, as they are meant for long-stretch of road (or no road) riding. That's my 2 cents - or more like 20 cents - I tend to be wordy.

I've thought about carrying some extra in a bottle in a backpack because my reserve switch doesnt work, however the image of a fireball sliding down the road keeps me from doing it. Seriously, I've been fine for 2 years using the trip to track my range and I fill up when it's getting close to my magic number.