Ethanol
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 332
Likes: 19
From: Oak Grove, MN
The more ethanol in the gas the worse your mileage. The worse you mileage the more gas you use. The more gas you use the more the state collects in gas tax. Add subsidies from the fed in and the state makes a killing. No wonder they want to raise the ethanol content to 20% in Minnesota.
Its been here for years and I avoid it in my Harley cuz its AIR COOLED and ethanol makes any engine run hotter. I don't need to add the problem by burning corn, it just ain't right. Here in MN we can still buy ethanol-free premium at a few stations that are willing to carry it. Its just my little way of telling the state to stick their cob where the sun don't shine.
Its been here for years and I avoid it in my Harley cuz its AIR COOLED and ethanol makes any engine run hotter. I don't need to add the problem by burning corn, it just ain't right. Here in MN we can still buy ethanol-free premium at a few stations that are willing to carry it. Its just my little way of telling the state to stick their cob where the sun don't shine.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
I was forced to use ethanol blended gas on my last road trip (no other choice available) and I can state unequivocally that the bike does NOT like it. As noted previously here, the engine note changed, idle was erratic, exhaust smelled different and it felt down on power.
I'm gonna syphon out whats left and refill with the good stuff.
I'm gonna syphon out whats left and refill with the good stuff.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern, PA
We have had 10% ethanol here for several years at most stations. I have used it in everything from a Suburban, Jeep, Dodge Stratus and Ford Motorhome (V10) along with the Road King and several different snowmobiles.
You do lose some mileage, no doubt. I jot down the miles and gallons every tank of gas and get ~10-15% less mpg with the ethanol blend. I test this periodically by gasing up for a couple of tanks without the ethanol and do see the mpg increase.
I cannot say that I have noticed any significant difference in the performance of any of the vehicles or toys.
You do lose some mileage, no doubt. I jot down the miles and gallons every tank of gas and get ~10-15% less mpg with the ethanol blend. I test this periodically by gasing up for a couple of tanks without the ethanol and do see the mpg increase.
I cannot say that I have noticed any significant difference in the performance of any of the vehicles or toys.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Fuel additive?
What the Heck are ya talkin about? Any additive is gonna be about $2 a PINT at least and your gripin about mileage. Do the math.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From the wall street journal
.A: The fuel-economy ratings on new-car window stickers are calculated using pure or "straight" gasoline, not the commonly used 10%-ethanol blend called E10. I can't recall the last time I filled up using gasoline that wasn't blended in this way.
Fuel economy decreases by about 2% for vehicles running on E10, so a car rated at 25 miles per gallon will actually travel about 24.5 miles. Of course, the negative effect of blended fuel is tiny compared with the effects of changing one's driving style and keeping the car in top shape. Still, a loss is a loss. While E10, and E15, and may reduce overall oil consumption, it isn't helping individual vehicle fuel economy.
Any Bike with o2 monitors and stock configuration should get close to HD EPA estimate. If you mod your bike you will have to live with what ya get. As you travel good luck on finding what you think of as pure gas. Most places you will pay extra for a less than ethanol blend thereby negating aby mileage savings.
Fuel economy decreases by about 2% for vehicles running on E10, so a car rated at 25 miles per gallon will actually travel about 24.5 miles. Of course, the negative effect of blended fuel is tiny compared with the effects of changing one's driving style and keeping the car in top shape. Still, a loss is a loss. While E10, and E15, and may reduce overall oil consumption, it isn't helping individual vehicle fuel economy.
Any Bike with o2 monitors and stock configuration should get close to HD EPA estimate. If you mod your bike you will have to live with what ya get. As you travel good luck on finding what you think of as pure gas. Most places you will pay extra for a less than ethanol blend thereby negating aby mileage savings.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: State College, PA
Ethanol burns much faster but cooler
Used to use methanol racing and it burns up real fast compared to gasoline.
It has been in our gasoline for so long no one notices but I would bet if you
could compare the two you would do better on straight gas.
It has been in our gasoline for so long no one notices but I would bet if you
could compare the two you would do better on straight gas.
Last edited by WillieC; Aug 28, 2009 at 03:47 PM. Reason: spelling
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: SW Iowa
I've been using it for years in all my gasoline powered stuff (E-10 blend). My '08 Ultra had 5000 miles on it when I had the SE stage II done, and the heads and piston tops looked real good when pulled. Got 11,000 miles on it now and no problems with the E-10 whatsoever. I like keeping some of my fuel money right here in America.
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
