How long is gas good for in a Rotopax on your bike?

[Magdump]

So, how long does one trust gas to be good when stored in your Rotopax on your rear rack? A month? More? before you need to rotate the gas out?

Sloshing around for countless miles on the rear rack while baking in the sun can't be good for maintaining octane right?

 

[scott123007]

So, how long does one trust gas to be good when stored in your Rotopax on your rear rack? A month? More? before you need to rotate the gas out?

Sloshing around for countless miles on the rear rack while baking in the sun can't be good for maintaining octane right?

It will easily last for a couple of months, especially if you keep it FULL. Why don't you just commit to using it every couple of months or throw some Stabil in it when you fill it, and get at least 6 months with no worries?

 

[markjenn]

If kept full/sealed, I would think it wouldn't be affected much by sloshing around. Folks like to worry about gas going bad, but my experience is that stored in a well-sealed gas container, it lasts for many months, even years. Now sitting in a vented tank or your carbs, that's a different story.

- Mark

 

[tomatocity]

Rotate your Rotopax gas. Every so many whatevers... pour the Rotopax gas into the fuel tank and refill the Rotopax.

or

Put an additive in the Rotopax. When you use this it will help rid your fuel tank of moisture plus it stabilize the Rotopax fuel and last longer.

Recent event: My KLR had been in the garage for 3 years 9 months. I replaced the battery... turned on the key... and it started immediately (after I used the choke). I did not stabilize the fuel in the KLR fuel tank. Yes I am going to pour the remaining fuel out and add fresh fuel.

 

[dcstrom]

Or - don't fill it until you're going somewhere you might need it. You don't need the extra weight, and you're not likely to run out of gas riding around MD are you?

 

[mrpete64]

If you can find high test non-ethanol gas it would probably be good for a few months. I, personally, agree with the comment about not leaving any gas in your storage cans until you need to go out on the road where gas might be an issue. Then fill them up. It would be prudent to cycle your gas. Most of the gas today is pure sh*t. When you could get "real" gas none of this was an issue.

Mr. Pete------>
aging hippie

 

[greg the pole]

Ive kept my gas in my rotopax for close to 6 months. Typically if I don't use it, either my lawnmore, or pressure washer get the old gas.
I always have it full, you never know. besides, what difference does 4L make on a 580 lb bike

 

[booner223]

That's an interesting test. Especially with no results. You would have thought you would have seen some sort of break down. I did have problems when I was out in Yuma Arizona with the quality of gas. It broke down after about 6 months and the bike I had at the time would not run. I drained the tank and put fresh gas in and it ran like a charm. Maybe that's the difference is where you buy the gas and what quality of gas you buy?

 

[Bappo]

If you use NO ETHANOL gas it will last a year, easy. Especially if you use seafoam or something similar. I get to my cabin once a year for a couple weeks and have never had bad gas and it sits for most of a year.

There is a "recommendation" in some circles to have twelve 5 gallon cans, each one marked with a month. At the end of March, lets say, you empty the March can and refill. That way you always have 60 gallons for emergency reserve.

But always use gas with no ethanol.

 

[longride]

I can't figure why you just don't rotate the gas regularly. How hard is it? Dump in the gas from the rotopax , fill the rest of the tank, then fill the rotopax. Why spend time guessing, hand wringing, and worrying? Why the drama? :-[

 

[yz454]

Your test with the gas in the jars has proved the point . Try that with race gas and see how long it, stays in the jar .

 

[caillou]

besides, what difference does 4L make on a 580 lb bike

approximately 60 miles or 100 km walking and/or pushing a 580 lb bike. That is a significant difference ::013::

 

[EricV]

Or - don't fill it until you're going somewhere you might need it. You don't need the extra weight, and you're not likely to run out of gas riding around MD are you?

::026::

Really now, if you're wondering how long it will last, you didn't have any need to carry it after all. There is zero reason to carry extra gas day to day. Sure, it might make it easier to help someone else out, but if you're still running out of gas at your age, you're having other issues. Fill it up for long trips that are out of your known area or when you believe your route will have a longer stretch w/o known gas stations. Drain it into the bike when you're at that last gas stop before getting home and top off the main tank from the pump.

I run a fuel cell on the bike. I may fill it completely when doing longer rides, or may only put a couple of gallons in it to match my wife's range when we are traveling together on trips. Regardless, if I put gas in the cell, I'm using it before I get to the next gas stop. And I'm running it out completely before getting home. I very rarely leave any gas in the cell when it's parked in the garage. Simply no need.

And if your rides generally don't last more than one tank of gas, just take the Rotopax off and leave it with the camping gear.

 

[OX-34]

Like Eric I run an auxiliary tank. Its a tool to carry more fuel, but not a standby nor a fashion statement. It gets used within 24 hours of whenever I filled it, because I needed the fuel.

That's why I filled it.

When I arrive home I never have any fuel in the aux. Ever.

Same for my other bikes with jerry cans. Unless you're keeping it for the coming zombie apocalypse or something I'd suggest pouring into the tank of any vehicle that gets used and fill it up next time you are going somewhere it may be needed.