How Far to Go?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Interesting.... His advice was for my 2013 Versys and is working well on that bike. And as far as I can tell the 89 non-ethanol is working fine for the Harley, except mileage is lower than I think it should be. Perhaps I will try 93 in the Harley and see what happens.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Simple robust and damn hard to break.
The newer vehicles are very different critters and what you need for them isn't even close to what old vehicles like!!!
People who are good with the new stuff aren't necessarily good with the old stuff and visa versa.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
Not to be ignorant, but what is the stuff we're getting at the pumps....ethanol or non ethanol? Should we be putting a fuel additive in periodically or what? I think I remember something about one or the other not being good for rubber gaskets, never gave it much further thought.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
Ethanol fuels are not good for o-rings etc. Unfortunately if you live in highly populated areas, you can't get away from it...
Would be nice to know though if there is an additive that would protect what we have...
Would be nice to know though if there is an additive that would protect what we have...
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Not to be ignorant, but what is the stuff we're getting at the pumps....ethanol or non ethanol? Should we be putting a fuel additive in periodically or what? I think I remember something about one or the other not being good for rubber gaskets, never gave it much further thought.
Most of what you get at the pump is up to 10% Ethanol. There will be a disclosure on the pump. Some stations offer non-ethanol, but they are rare. The Wawa near my house offers non-ethanol in 89 octane. If you google "non-ethanol gas" you will find gas stations that sell it.
I use non-ethanol on my carbureted bikes when I can. I use 87 octane with ethanol on my newer EFT bikes.
My understanding is ethanol is not big deal as long as the bikes don't sit but that it is a bigger deal with carbureted motors than with EFT.
Some people call non-ethanol "boat gas". I believe it is particularly bad for boats since they tend to sit longer.
But my beliefs are all second hand beliefs I have accumulated by asking people.
Last edited by Sorg67; Mar 23, 2017 at 01:28 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Agreed. I take my bikes to a shop where the owner works on the high end BMWs, Ducatis, etc. They have another guy who works on Jap bikes and a third guy who works on Harleys.
They are really good. I go all the way to the other side of town for them.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 286
From: Buford, GA
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,638
From: Poolville
This site lists ethanol free gas by state. http://pure-gas.org/
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
You jogged my memory Sorg. I remember now inquiring with my auto mechanic a few years back about it. He too said if the bike doesn't sit for lengthy periods, shouldn't have to worry. Never gave it any further thought since then.