Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I was curious as to whether there is any danger or risk of explosion by having a small can of reserve gas strapped onto a bike rack for longer stretches?

Yes there is.

There's a risk of it baking in the sun, and obviously a serious risk if you crash.

However 'adventure motorcyclists' do it all the time and I haven't heard of many explosions. In their case (crossing Africa etc.) there's not really any alternative, but on everyday roads I think the risks would outweigh the benefits.

You know, I go backpacking quite often and sometimes white gas just isn't available so I use my Whisperlite stove with gasoline.

I carry around 1 liter aluminum cans of the stuff in my pack for days on end.

It's not a big deal. There's some risk associated with crashing, but not much more than there already is IMO.

On reflection you are right, I think a 5L plastic petrol can would be tough enough to hold together except in a serious accident. I had visions of a 20L Jerry can bouncing around on the luggage rack.

Tanks are vented to atmosphere and will leak on any bike if you tip them over. If you crash there's gas everywhere. So I figure the risk of a jerrycan breaking is basically irrelevant.

the one i linked in the other thread is meant for back packing. the gases get all riled up and cause some extra pressure when it is jossled around, so you arent suppoed to fill them up all the way. As long as you follow the rules and do that you should be fine.


http://www.rei.com/product/695245?vcat= ... AMPING_TOC

Sev wrote:Tanks are vented to atmosphere and will leak on any bike if you tip them over. If you crash there's gas everywhere. So I figure the risk of a jerrycan breaking is basically irrelevant.

Jerrycans, at least all the ones I've seen, are sealed. That's why they have the characteristic pattern on the sides, which allows the can to expand when the temperature changes.

Plastic and metal petrol cans sold as spare fuel containers in the Uk are also sealed. This is required by law otherwise the fuel will evaporate over time and fill the car or garage with explosive fuel vapour. I think it's probably the same in other countries.

yea, all of them are able to be sealed. the venting can be closed for storage.

I camp with an MSR Dragonfly Stove when I tour - it will burn just about anything. For tens of thousands of miles, I have carried an MSR 1 liter bottle filled with super gas in my luggage. It has never leaked a drop nor have my clothes ever smelled. I"ve never actually used the gas for the bike but it's nice to have an extra 10 miles or so if I need it or come upon another rider who has run out of gas.