How do I carry petrol on my motorcycle? The different solutions: from additional devices to tank changes

Does your two-wheeler have a small fuel tank? Are you planning a raid to the edge of civilization? In both cases, you're probably wondering how to increase your bike's autonomy. Ixtem to the rescue! In this article, we reveal all you need to know about carrying fuel on your motorcycle! From point-to-point cans to additional tanks, we present our favorite products so you can tackle the Pamir Highway, survey the Saharan deserts or just go to the bakery 200km away where the baguette is better baked. Enjoy your reading!

What does the law say about this? Can you ride a motorcycle with 50 liters of petrol in 50 old bottles of Contrex? Unfortunately (or fortunately, actually), no.There is a European regulation, the ADR, which governs the transport of hazardous materials, including your favorite precious unleaded. What does it say? At the risk of disappointing you, if you want to cross Europe without stopping, you can't carry more than 333 liters of gasoline per vehicle. What's more, your fuel tanks may not exceed 60 liters each.

The precious liquid must be contained in approved containers. Water bottles are out. How do you know it's approved? It's written on them. In particular, you'll find a mark with the UN symbol. For the record, these certified cans must have a rubber seal to ensure a watertight seal.

No ambiguity on motorcycles then? Well, not quite: the ADR stipulates that the vehicle in question must be equipped with a suitable 2-litre fire extinguisher, and the containers must not be subject to friction in the event of an accident. Impossible to guarantee on a motorcycle... As you can see, there's a bit of a grey area when it comes to 2-wheelers.

Before we present our favorite canisters, let us give you a few words of advice:

- Choose an approved container

This will guarantee an impeccable seal and avoid any administrative hassle in the event of an accident. The materials used for these certified cans are resistant to hydrocarbons, so you won't end up feeding your bike with a gasoline/plastic mixture.

- Avoid overfilling

Gasoline expands with heat. It's a good idea to give it room to breathe. For some containers, the fill limit is clearly indicated; for others, it's up to you.

- Make sure it's securely fastened

If your 10L jerrycan decides to take a powder while you're happily crawling through a rut deep in the Auvergne, don't worry. The situation becomes more delicate when the bottle escapes, hurtling along at 130km/h on the freeway. So be careful.

- Keep away from hot spots

Engine, muffler, exhaust line are all areas to be avoided when stowing your 10L feeder. This is common sense.

- Thou shalt lighten up

What's the point of lugging around an extra 15L of fuel for your daily commute? If you don't need it, we recommend emptying your jerrycans and other containers. Firstly, because petrol doesn't age very well; secondly, because it will extend the life of your canister; and thirdly, because it will limit the risk of an impromptu Cinescénie du Puy du Fou-style show in the event of an accident.

From a small additional can to a replacement for your original tank, here is our selection of products for every capacity and every budget:

Cans and bottles for small volumes

Primus bottle (leading brand in the camping and bushcraft world).

This type of capacity (1L or 1.5L) obviously doesn't allow you to make a detour to Mongolia when you go to get bread. But can you? It's a good safety net, a sort of 2nd reserve. The advantage of the bottle format? It's rigid and easy to store anywhere: strapped onto soft luggage, attached to the frame, or fixed to a topcase thanks to the matching bracket.

Givi Tan01 2.5L bottle. The advantage? Here again, you can slip it in just about anywhere. Strap it onto your bike, put it in a bag or attach it to the matching hard case.

Flexible and rigid cans from 3 to 20 liters

Okay, so far, we've been "troubleshooting". What are the solutions for crossing a Kazakh desert?

We've selected several products for you from the Desert Fox brand. 3, 6 or 20 liters, these cans have a special feature: they're flexible. The advantage? They take up almost no space when empty. Virtually no space at all! A crucial asset for long-distance travelers for whom every cm³ is important.

----> Desert Fox TRAIL 3L motorcycle jerrycan

----> Jerrican Desert Fox OVERLAND 6L

----> Jerrican Desert Fox XTREME 20L

You want tough? Need a rock and tree-proof container? Good news! Overland Fuel has you covered: notched cap, metal fastening system, ultra-resistant materials... These cans are perfectly suited to trail runners with a propensity for viander. The best part? The system is modular. So you can stack your water and fuel reserves on the same support. A truly high-quality model straight from the Netherlands. If the resemblance with Rotopax is striking, you should know that these are two distinct brands, but that their products are compatible.

----> 4.5-liter OVERLAND FUEL canister

What about the good old metal jerry can? Let's just say it has as many strengths as weaknesses. Its strengths: a stunning look worthy of the great adventurers and a robustness cut out for well-engineered off-roading. Its weaknesses: its indecent unladen weight and its lack of a lashing system. And yes, unlike Overland cans, which are designed to be transported by motorcycle, the steel feeder requires you to cobble together a support.

----> 5L military-style metal jerrycan

Additional and auxiliary tanks (fixed devices)

What's the point in opting for detachable canisters if your quest for autonomy is permanent? So whether you're an enduro rider who loves competitions or a long-distance adventurer, here are a few products for you:

We start with auxiliary tanks from Acerbis. Ranging from 2 to 6 liters, they can be mounted on the front or handlebars of your motorcycle. Permanently installed, they can be connected to your tank, allowing you to use them as a permanent complement. The problem is that, while they're particularly well-suited to enduro bikes, they're a little less suited to our trail bikes, which require a few hours of DIY to fit them properly.

----> ACERBIS Handlebar Fuel Tank 2L

----> ACERBIS 5L additional front fuel tank

Camel ADV offers additional fuel tanks that fit in better with the lines of the bikes. Located on the side of the rear seat, they offer 5 to 7 liters of extra volume, while still hugging the curves of your bike. The downside? There' s no universal model. So, if you don't ride a Yamaha T700, CRF 300L, BMW F650/700/800 GS or KTM Adventure, this product is unfortunately not for you.

----> CAMEL TANK 5L Yamaha 700 TENERED additional tank

Replacing your motorcycle's original fuel tank

The ultimate option for increasing range? Gain volume without compromise? Replace your original fuel tank. This is what Acerbis (still them) offers for many models of motorcycle. So, if you're the proud owner of a CRF450x with €371.50 in your pocket, you can go from 8.6l to 25l of fuel! Can you believe it? Over 600 km of range. For the record, this extra volume is not the same for all bikes. It will cost you €419 to upgrade your Africa Twin CRF1100 from 18.8L to 25L.

----> Acerbis 25-liter fuel tank HONDA CRF450X 05-13

----> Acerbis 25-liter fuel tank Black CRF1100L AFRICA TWIN

Now you know all about transporting fuel on a motorcycle! All that's left for us to do is to wish you the best of adventures, whether in the Mongolian steppes or on the trails near your home. Are you looking for a little inspiration to take the plunge? Take a look at our words of passion!

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