"Natural" gas tanks vs. any other colour...

DaveSw

Member
While at the bike show last month I got to talking with a fellow minding a display where a DR650, nicely kitted out for adventure riding, was on display. Upon it was an Acerbis tank - in black to match the rest of the bike. I chatted with him about said tank and mentioned I was hoping to get a natural ("clear") one later this year.

His response gave me pause... He indicated that cops don't like clear tanks. Makes them think "dirt bike" rather than street legal and invites more "discussions" than a tank of another colour does.

I'd not heard this before.

Any feedback from you folks who've been at this DS thing for a longer than I have? Do natural/clear tanks invite more stops by the police? Have you noticed such a thing?
 

Shuswap

Member
Stopped by roadblocks a few times and never had an officer even look at the bike, despite a fairly loud exhaust, obviously non-compliant turn signals and a clear Clark tank....they have shown no interest at all! BTW, I haven't sold my stock tank as a hedge against it becoming a problem one day. Not much demand for a stock DRZ tank anyway. I'd go clear next time too.
 
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Farp

Active member
I've never had a problem with a clear tank. As long as the tank is street legal there's nothing they can do about it anyway. I much prefer clear tanks because you can see how much gas you have left. I wouldn't worry about it; it sounds like BS somebody made up.

John
 

DaveSw

Member
Thanks guys! That's what I was hoping to hear. Love the idea of knowing how close to running out of gas I am. (and I'll likely keep the stock tank up on the shelf with the stock seat foam and cover)
 

Shuswap

Member
Thanks guys! That's what I was hoping to hear. Love the idea of knowing how close to running out of gas I am. (and I'll likely keep the stock tank up on the shelf with the stock seat foam and cover)

There are a LOT of DR (Z) tanks sitting on shelves around the world. I put a clear tank on the wife's new EXC-F 350 as well, no guessing about fuel levels, not that her bike actually uses any fuel at 80 mpg. I really don't care if they are road legal, sorry to say...they work for me.
 
I stayed away from the clear for stated reasons. Thinking enforcement depends on location.
Dirtbiker is a swear word on the island.
You can see fuel level fine thru the yellow clark I have.
 
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