Acerbis sets world record for distance traveled on one tank of gas

Jun 21, 2023

Acerbis is best known for its plastic bodywork accessories. Chief among them is it’s line of large-capacity gas tanks. Many riders turn to such add-ons for extra mileage between fill-ups. Acerbis pushed that concept to the Nth degree when it set out to capture the Guinness World Record for distance traveled on a single tank of gas.

In honor of the company’s 50th anniversary, Acerbis set up the AC50 project. The venture started with a stock Honda Monkey. The team then tossed the model’s 1.5-gallon metal fuel cell along with the OE fenders and side panels. In their stead, Aceribis fabricated a 28.5-gallon gas tank from fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The one-piece unit functions as the bike’s bodywork, but it also adds around 230 pounds to the miniMOTO. For context, a fully fueled Monkey weighs 231 pounds off the showroom floor.

The XXL fuel tank offers a 28.5-gallon capacity. — Molded from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, the XXL fuel tank increases the Honda Monkey's fuel capacity by 27 gallons. Acerbis photo.

Based on the Honda’s claimed 156 mpg estimate, the modded Monkey should cover up to 4,446 miles before returning to the pump. That’s more than enough range to cover the distance from Los Angeles to Chicago — and back. For Acerbis’ purposes, the gas-sipping Monkey can easily span the nearly 2,600 miles between the brand’s Albino headquarters in northern Italy to Norway’s North Cape, the northern tip of Europe.

The AC50 project embarked on that record-setting journey on June 10. Leaving Italy through the Brenner Pass, the route weaved through Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland before sprinting to the finish line in Norway.

Acerbis' AC50 Honda Monkey traveled to the northernmost point of Europe on one tank of fuel. — The route from Acerbis' Albino headquarters to North Cape spans seven countries and nearly 2,600 miles. Acerbis photo.

To keep the Monkey on the move, the squad divided seat time among three riders: Alicia Sornosa, Andrea Rastrelli, and Maurizio Vettor. The trio battled inclement weather throughout the final leg of the journey, but ultimately arrived in North Cape on June 15. During the six-day trek, the custom Monkey traversed 4,183.8 kilometers (2,599.7 miles), earning Acerbis the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance driven on a single tank of fuel by a prototype motorcycle.

Acerbis' XXL fuel tank yields more than 4,600 miles of range. — Acerbis' 28.5-gallon XXL gas tank adds around 230 pounds to the Honda Monkey's petite frame. Acerbis photo.

Despite reaching the northernmost point of Europe, and seizing a world record in the process, the AC50 team isn’t calling it quits just yet.

“The journey continues and will only end with the last drop of fuel,” proclaimed company CEO Guido Acerbis.

Without refilling the record-setting Monkey, the team headed south for the return trip to Albino. Fans can track the homeward voyage at the dedicated AC50 webpage, but what I really want to know is when Acerbis will offer its AC50 Monkey gas tank to the masses.