8 Best Fuel Options for the BOTW Master Cycle Zero (Weapons Ranked)

I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit tearing across Hyrule on the Master Cycle Zero. As a real-life rider, the first thing I wondered was what this thing actually runs on. It doesn’t take petrol. It eats your weapons, bows, and shields, which makes the question of the best fuel for the BOTW motorcycle a strangely practical one.

Feed it carelessly and you’ll burn a favorite sword before you realize it. Feed it smartly and you’ll cruise from Gerudo Desert to Hebra without a stall or a regret. Here are the eight things I actually feed mine, ranked by value and usefulness.

A quick note: the game never publishes exact fuel math. Everything below comes from my own riding time and rough comparisons, so treat the specifics as practical guidance rather than lab data.

How I Think About Fuel for the Master Cycle Zero

Before the list, let me explain how I judge fuel. I look at three things: how long a weapon seems to keep the engine running, how easy it is to replace, and how much I’d miss it in a fight.

The best fuel isn’t necessarily the strongest weapon. It’s the one that gives me solid ride time without hurting my combat kit. That’s the same logic I apply on my real bike, where I look at cost per mile instead of just the sticker price at the pump.

Why Efficiency Still Matters in a Video Game

If you ride in real life, you know how much fuel use depends on habits. I’ve written before about the 125cc motorcycle fuel consumption per km you can expect from a small commuter. The same mindset applies here: know your range before you leave.

In BOTW, I do a quick inventory check before every long trip. If I’ve got six or seven spare weapons, I’m comfortable. If I’ve got two, I’m walking.

1. Savage Lynel Crusher — Best Overall Heavy-Hitter Fuel

When I want the longest, most confident ride, I reach for the Savage Lynel Crusher. It’s a big, tough two-handed weapon, and it consistently felt like the most rewarding thing I could drop into the engine.

The catch is that it’s a seriously strong weapon. I only burn a Savage Lynel Crusher when I’ve got a spare, or when it’s nearly broken and about to vanish anyway.

Why I Like It

The Savage Lynel Crusher gives me the “fill the tank” feeling I’d get from a full tank of premium petrol. If I’ve got a long run ahead, burning one up front means I can stop worrying about the engine for a good while.

The Downside

It’s a Lynel drop, so replacing it means fighting a Lynel. Don’t treat it as disposable unless you’ve got several.

2. Royal Guard’s Claymore — Best Premium Fuel When You Have Spares

The Royal Guard’s Claymore is another heavy, durable weapon I’m happy to burn when I find extras. Royal Guard gear shows up reliably once you start exploring Hyrule Castle and the surrounding areas.

I like the Royal Guard’s Claymore because it feels substantial in the engine without being a rare trophy. It’s my “premium fuel” for crossing Hyrule in one go.

If you’re picking up several on your way through the castle grounds, burning the extras is a no-brainer. If it’s your only one, I’d keep it for combat.

3. Knight’s Broadsword — Best Mid-Game Workhorse

The Knight’s Broadsword is the fuel I burn most often in the mid-game. It’s common enough that I rarely feel bad using it, but sturdy enough that it gives a respectable run.

I think of the Knight’s Broadsword as regular unleaded: dependable, easy to find, and not a big decision. If I’ve got three or four in my inventory, I’ll throw in one or two before heading out.

My Typical Use

I keep a couple of Knight’s Broadswords in a dedicated “fuel slot” mentally. That way I never confuse them with my real fighting weapons when I’m panicking in a menu.

4. Soldier’s Broadsword — Best Budget Everyday Fuel

The Soldier’s Broadsword is my pick for budget fuel. You’ll find them lying around early camps and Bokoblin outposts, so they cost you almost nothing.

On its own, the Soldier’s Broadsword doesn’t give the longest burn. But if I have a pile of them, I can keep feeding the engine through a long ride without ever touching my good gear.

This is the closest thing to cheap petrol in the game. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps you moving.

5. Hylian Shield — Best Shield Fuel (Use With Caution)

I’ll be honest: burning the Hylian Shield feels wrong. It’s one of the best shields in the game, and I’d normally never feed it to an engine.

But if you’ve got a duplicate, or it’s close to breaking, the Hylian Shield is a rewarding burn. It’s sturdy, and I noticed it gives a strong run compared to flimsier shields.

When I Burn It

Only when it’s nearly broken. Otherwise I leave it in my inventory where it belongs.

Think of it like draining an expensive synthetic oil right at the end of its interval. Much like choosing the best motor oil for 4 stroke motorcycle engines, you want to get full value out of premium material before it’s gone.

6. Rusty Broadsword — Best Junk-Drawer Filler

The Rusty Broadsword is exactly what it sounds like: a weak, beat-up blade that I’d never use in a fight. That’s what makes it ideal fuel.

I pick up every Rusty Broadsword I see for this reason. They clutter my inventory, and the engine happily takes them.

The burn is shorter than with sturdier weapons, so I load several at once. It’s the “top it off with whatever’s in the garage” option.

7. Boko Club — Best Throwaway Top-Off

The Boko Club is everywhere. Every Bokoblin camp is littered with them, and I never feel guilty tossing one into the Master Cycle Zero.

On its own, a Boko Club won’t take you far. But when I’m nearly empty and don’t want to touch anything valuable, a Boko Club gets me down the road a little further.

I treat them like pocket change for the engine. A handful makes a real difference when you’re close to the next stable.

Pro Tip

Keep your junk weapons together in your mental inventory map. In a pinch, you’ll know exactly where to reach.

8. Tree Branch — Best Emergency Fuel

The humble Tree Branch is the ultimate last-resort fuel. It’s free, it’s everywhere, and it’s the weakest thing on this list.

When I’m stranded with an empty engine and nothing else in my pack, I grab a Tree Branch from the nearest tree and feed it in. It won’t give you a long run, but it’ll get you moving again.

I’d call it the equivalent of a gas can you keep under the seat. It isn’t what you plan to use, but it saves your day when you need it.

How to Stretch Your Fuel Further

Just like a real bike, your riding style affects how quickly you burn through resources. If you’ve ever looked into the causes of high fuel consumption in motorcycle engines, you’ll recognize the habits: heavy throttle, constant acceleration, and wasted idling.

In BOTW, I try to ride smoothly, avoid unnecessary stops and starts, and shut the engine off when I’m not actually traveling. A little discipline goes a long way.

Plan Your Reserve

On my real bike, I always know where my reserve position is. If you’ve ever wondered about the motorcycle fuel switch on off reserve settings, the lesson is the same: never start a long trip without a backup plan.

In the game, my reserve is a stack of Rusty Broadswords and Boko Clubs. I don’t touch them unless I have to.

Don’t Neglect Maintenance Habits

I also like to keep my real-world habits sharp. Knowing the top engine oil for 4 stroke motorcycle use cases helps me keep my actual bike running smoothly, which is a nice break from burning swords.

My Quick Fuel Strategy for Long Rides

Here’s the simple routine I follow before any big trip across Hyrule.

• Count your spares: I want at least five or six burnable items before I leave.
• Burn junk first: Rusty Broadswords, Boko Clubs, and Tree Branches go in before anything valuable.
• Save the heavy hitters: I only burn a Savage Lynel Crusher or Royal Guard’s Claymore when I have duplicates.
• Keep combat gear safe: I never burn anything I’d need for the next boss fight.

Common Mistakes I See (and Made Myself)

The biggest mistake is burning a great weapon in a panic. I once fed a favorite sword into the engine because I was fumbling through menus, and I regretted it for hours.

The second mistake is not carrying enough spares. Running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere, with only a single stick and a bad attitude, is not fun.

How I Avoid Them

I slow down in the menu, double-check what I’m selecting, and keep junk weapons easy to find. It takes two extra seconds and saves me from real heartbreak.

Final Thoughts

The best fuel for the BOTW motorcycle really comes down to what you can spare. For long hauls, the Savage Lynel Crusher and Royal Guard’s Claymore are my go-to premium burns when I have duplicates. For everyday riding, the Knight’s Broadsword and Soldier’s Broadsword do the job nicely.

And when I’m scraping the bottom of my inventory, the Rusty Broadsword, Boko Club, and Tree Branch keep the wheels turning. Load up smart, ride smooth, and enjoy the open road.

Frequently Asked Questions