Ethanol
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: SE Wisconsin
We have had ethonal in SE Wi for at least 15 years or more. Motors actually run better but use more fuel. As far as storage I have never had a problem with snowblowers, lawnmowers, boats.....as long as its not sitting for more than 6 months. I always store them with the tank full and add a little Seafoam. Stuff works excellent for cleaning the fuel system.
One more note I would like to add is at the local race track some of the guys are switching to E-85 in the modifieds because there is much more hp to be had. But the fuel cell and fuel system has to be slightly modified for the corrosive ethonal. There will be all kinds of neg hype if it is new in your area but dont worry it wont harm your motor, just your wallet a little.
One more note I would like to add is at the local race track some of the guys are switching to E-85 in the modifieds because there is much more hp to be had. But the fuel cell and fuel system has to be slightly modified for the corrosive ethonal. There will be all kinds of neg hype if it is new in your area but dont worry it wont harm your motor, just your wallet a little.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 74
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse NY
Plastic
All the flex fuel cars have to have gaskets that won't deteriorate with ethanol fuels and the gas tanks have to be stainless or plastic, ethanol will also eat some hoses. So there has to be some changes to Motorcycles when we change to E85 fuel.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
It's good to know that the ethanol won't harm the bike. It's also good to hear about Citgo and Sunoco. We don't have Shell, which it looks like most of you prefer.
So what is a good gas to buy?
So what is a good gas to buy?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 87
From: Huntington, NY
It wont harm your bike but once you get into the 15% range (or more), some of us may have issues (government is trying to mandate this) with warranty and driveability problems with not just our bikes but our cars as well (Can't wait for that day!!!) Also look for lower mpg with the increase because our low compression engines cannot burn ethanol efficiently and in turn cause loss of power and loss of mpg. Let the fun begin!
Last edited by coppertop666; Jun 9, 2009 at 08:42 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Next is type: Premium... always.
Last is whatever is closest to you when you're about to run out
Fuel containing Ethanol, is what they call a "reformulated" fuel (oxygenated). Less total energy per oz, but cleaner.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg.htm
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 941
Likes: 27
From:
[quote=DGDyna;5114581]It's good to know that the ethanol won't harm the bike. quote]
Ethanol won't hurt your bike in small percentages like 10-20% accept that fuel mileage will suffer. Fuel mileage suffers because the stoichiometric ratio of Ethanol is around 7:1 and gasoline is 14:1.
Burning Ethanol does not equate to more power. In fact performance will go down in a engine designed and built for gasoline, then running mix ethanol especially E85. If the engine is built designed around Ethanol it can turn out some impressive power. But the MPG suffers greatly since it takes twice the amount of fuel to air as gasoline.
E85 is alright for building a race engine. Is complete crap for touring around since the mpg is so much worse. It does burn cleaner exhaust, but given the mpg it is actually less clean in full then burning straight gasoline. The cleanest fuel in a whole from process to burned we have now that I am aware of is Natural gas.
Ethanol won't hurt your bike in small percentages like 10-20% accept that fuel mileage will suffer. Fuel mileage suffers because the stoichiometric ratio of Ethanol is around 7:1 and gasoline is 14:1.
Burning Ethanol does not equate to more power. In fact performance will go down in a engine designed and built for gasoline, then running mix ethanol especially E85. If the engine is built designed around Ethanol it can turn out some impressive power. But the MPG suffers greatly since it takes twice the amount of fuel to air as gasoline.
E85 is alright for building a race engine. Is complete crap for touring around since the mpg is so much worse. It does burn cleaner exhaust, but given the mpg it is actually less clean in full then burning straight gasoline. The cleanest fuel in a whole from process to burned we have now that I am aware of is Natural gas.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
As far as brand, Chevron/Texaco are hard to beat. Shell comes in a close second. All three are pretty much everywhere.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg.htm
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg.htm
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 4,883
From: Missouri City,TX
Ditto...at least in my area, I don't have a choice... all gas stations have their tanks marked "may contain up to 10% ethanol". I use Chevron out of habit or Shell if no Chevron station is close by.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
Off the top of my head I can think of Mobil, Sunoco and Coastal (always the cheapest although I'm not sure of the quality).
I'll pay attention when I go to lunch and let you know if I see any others.
I'll pay attention when I go to lunch and let you know if I see any others.