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I have searched for what I would think would be a good SAFE portable gas container for a motorcycle. I have talked to people that have bought different types. One person happy another said fumes everywhere. I was walking threw a hardware store the other day and notice the one gallon fuel cans with pure 100% gas and 2 cycle premix. There was no gas odor around the display. I have couple 1 gallon WD 40 cans in my shop. How well would a WD 40 can work for carrying an extra gallon of gas?
 

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I have searched for what I would think would be a good SAFE portable gas container for a motorcycle. I have talked to people that have bought different types. One person happy another said fumes everywhere. I was walking threw a hardware store the other day and notice the one gallon fuel cans with pure 100% gas and 2 cycle premix. There was no gas odor around the display. I have couple 1 gallon WD 40 cans in my shop. How well would a WD 40 can work for carrying an extra gallon of gas?
First of all, that can would not be legal. I would be more concerned about a leak since the metal is very thin. Plus, WD40 is not as volatile as gasoline.
There are gas cans that are specifically made for carrying on a motorcycle but they aren't cheap.
Just search for motorcycle gas cans.
 

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I have used a couple of methods to carry extra gas including the MSR bottles. The one I used last for an Alaska trip was the armadillo. Not cheap but you can find them used on the forums. They are poplar with the adventure riding bunch.

The best thing about the armadillo is it rolls up very small when you don't need to carry gas. Then just fill it when you get in areas of possible need. I carried it empty up into Canada and when I thought I may want to add gas, I did. I used in up the haul road to Deadhorse. It has very study daisy chain loops and carrying handles. Very easy to tie down. It bounced around on some rough road sections and had direct sun on it and never leaked a drop. Then when I poured the gas into the tank after the extra gas need was over, the nozzle didn't leak and I rolled it back up and it again was not taking up much room at all.

I had the two gallon size and it rolled up pretty small.

Some containers work better than others for your need. But after having tried a few, I like this one best.

And it DOES NOT have that cotton pickin EPA type nozzle on it that for the life of me and I know it's OE on my part, spills gas all over the place.

 

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I have searched for what I would think would be a good SAFE portable gas container for a motorcycle. I have talked to people that have bought different types. One person happy another said fumes everywhere. I was walking threw a hardware store the other day and notice the one gallon fuel cans with pure 100% gas and 2 cycle premix. There was no gas odor around the display. I have couple 1 gallon WD 40 cans in my shop. How well would a WD 40 can work for carrying an extra gallon of gas?
How often do you think it would be needed to use/refill? The "canned" gas may be a good value if used very seldom/emergency use, plus it stores for long periods. Given the cost of mc specific carry cans you could buy several as needed. The metal gallon cans don't pour very well, need a funnel.
Intend to carry in/on the bike itself or packed into a trailer?? Some/most of the storage areas (side bags) get rather warm, gas expands a lot when it heats up.
Personally, I wont carry extra gasoline on the bike, but needs and results vary.
Remote fishing with the snowmobile gas was critical. Ski-Doo made a 3-1/2 gal
Snowmobile Snow Automotive tire Vehicle Motor vehicle
Tire Wheel Land vehicle Snow Vehicle
accessory carry can with mounts/straps well thought out.
 

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I currently use the MSR bottles; excellent choice. I hate to admit, but my first couple multi-state trips I used an old jack
daniel's bottle.

View attachment 416196
+ 1 on MSR. I carry 2 of the MSR fuels bottles, MOLLE'd together in these:
Currently they are in the bottom of the left saddlebag, but it also allows me to use the MOLLE system with any other luggage on different vehicles.
 
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I currently use the MSR bottles; excellent choice. I hate to admit, but my first couple multi-state trips I used an old jack
daniel's bottle.

View attachment 416196
I used to carry a couple of these. Stuck them inside a pair of old tube socks. Carried a couple of disposable funnels and just put them in a zip lock back until I could throw them away. Used them in a couple of rallies with no fumes or problems.
 

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The Reda can is actually originally designed for Harley saddle bag shape. However it gits nicely in the back corner of 01-17 saddlebags (it fits in my 18, just not as form fitting). Absolutely leak and smell proof, even in Texas heat.

Looked at the armadillo bag. Love how it states for carrying hydrocarbon fluids, yet in next paragraph says not legal and not for gas... 😳🤔

"... utility bladders for the safe transport and storage of liquid hydrocarbon products and other powersports and automotive fluids, available in 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-gallon sizes. Includes pour spout.

Armadillo Bag is not a portable fuel container as described by ASTM, EPA, ARB or other state and federal agencies. Armadillo Bag is NOT intended for fuel storage, transport or use as a gas bag in the USA. Armadillo Bag liquid power reservoir utility bladder is not a food-grade product, so we do not recommend its use for potable drinking water without filtration. "
 
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I have used the MSR fuel bottles for years but I live in Alaska. I call them my ten mile jugs (y) I rarely have needed to use them. They most commonly have been used by "other people"

I have to ask why some one in the lower 48 from the land of Lincoln with gas stations on every corner would want to carry extra gas? Traveling out west I could see doing it.
 

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They most commonly have been used by "other people"
Traveling out west I could see doing it.
Yup, over the last couple of decades I have used my bottles a dozen+ times... only 4 times for myself. But I am in the SW, and I tend to explore. I see a turn off that looks interesting, and I'm like "Hey, wonder where that goes....", and off I go!
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
I have used the MSR fuel bottles for years but I live in Alaska. I call them my ten mile jugs (y) I rarely have needed to use them. They most commonly have been used by "other people"

I have to ask why some one in the lower 48 from the land of Lincoln with gas stations on every corner would want to carry extra gas? Traveling out west I could see doing it.
extended travel is the reason. My wife trike has tried to leave her stranded a couple of times
 

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Just a follow up to the gas bag I used on my Alaska trip. It is pretty dang rugged and does not take up much space when empty like a rigid empty can does.


Desert Fox also makes a similar bag that was designed for the military. You could buy that one also.

The Armadillo does label as not intended for fuel storage.

I talked with several ADV riders with several crashing on rocky trails and no issues with the Armadillo bag.

Everyone make your own decision on what's best for you.

Be it this bag for gas, a trailer hitch on your bike, a reworked ECM or dark side tires.

Ghost Rider 2 and others, read all the offered in good faith tips from everyone and go with what works best for you.
 

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extended travel is the reason. My wife trike has tried to leave her stranded a couple of times
I currently use the MSR bottles; excellent choice. I hate to admit, but my first couple multi-state trips I used an old jack
daniel's bottle.

View attachment 416196
Put me down for another who, while I had my '01" Motortrike without an aux-tank, I carried two of these while out west. Like others, I never needed them but some riding buddies did. I tend to, when out west, never pass up a gas station that I did not like....just because. Having said that, each of the last two bikes have had an aux-tank installed. 4+ gallons and I like them. I tend to fill it up at the start of the trip and then on the way home, move the aux-fuel to the main tank and run it out prior to home. I realize that might be a pricy fix, but.....it would reduce the possibility of having something that you forget to pack, forgot to fill, or had some sort of accident with. Just my two cents. Lots of good suggestions made.
 

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I have to ask why some one in the lower 48 from the land of Lincoln with gas stations on every corner would want to carry extra gas? Traveling out west I could see doing it.
There are times when a gas station that you expect to be open may be closed. Same reason I carry a tire patch kit.
 

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Side Note on carrying fuel in the desert... I have had zero issues in the summer on any of the MSR bottles I've had. The hottest extended day I've ridden in was 121°F. Hit that in western AZ from Hope, up through Parker, Lake Havasu to Bullhead City. I stopped in BHC at the first Cricle K I saw - ran in, bought 2 large waters, poured one over my head and drank the other!

However, I do empty the MSRs into the bike every 3 months or so when doing a regular fill up, then refill the bottles to prevent "stale" gas from going into my tank.

The Bladder type carriers are interesting, I may look deeper into those. Love the information I glean from this forum! :cool:
 
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I have two of the Reda cans, have mixed reviews myself. They are less than the one gallon advertised. That is no big deal, but on both of the cans I have, the outlet, whatever the technical term is, either warped or otherwise got fricked all up, so near impossible to extend out of the can to use, and mine both would leak enough that you wouldn't want to pack clothes nearby for sure. To be honest though, last time I used mine was 10yrs back or more, so new ones may be a different story. I always found it ridiculous that all cans seemed like they must leak to be "approved" containers. You can put gas in a quart Gatorade bottle, and it will never, ever leak, but that would be a horrible safety concern. Personally I vote for the unauthorized cans that don't leak over approved that always do.
 

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I have two of the Reda cans, have mixed reviews myself. They are less than the one gallon advertised. That is no big deal, but on both of the cans I have, the outlet, whatever the technical term is, either warped or otherwise got fricked all up, so near impossible to extend out of the can to use, and mine both would leak enough that you wouldn't want to pack clothes nearby for sure. To be honest though, last time I used mine was 10yrs back or more, so new ones may be a different story. I always found it ridiculous that all cans seemed like they must leak to be "approved" containers. You can put gas in a quart Gatorade bottle, and it will never, ever leak, but that would be a horrible safety concern. Personally I vote for the unauthorized cans that don't leak over approved that always do.
Yeah, I have mixed feelings about my REDA. Although it’s a ‘nice to have’, it can be a pain in the ass to use. If needed. I do not like the spout whatsoever. I usually have a disposable funnel for overspill
 
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