Every time this subject is brought up I immediately think of this question.


If given the choice (and these two only) between 87 ethanol free and 93 with ethanol which do you choose?

 

Here in Central FL, Shell High Test gasoline is 93 octane. On group rides with HOG or three other clubs with whom I ride, I cannot always find Shell or other 93 Octane fuel, so I will go with any 91 octane when the needle is toward the "E".
Again, I have to report that on two bikes, where we pulled the heads to do upgrades on cams, the Shell had kept the tops of the pistons clean of carbon deposits.
Old guys like me do tend to stick to those things that appear to work.
Between my 2013 HD Limited and my 2010 Bonne. One is easier to handle and the other is easier on my butt end! Guess which??

Go Donald!!!
Steven

I am already choosing 93 octane with ethanol, over the available 87 octane ethanol free. Wouldn't everyone who knows what low octane does to a high compression engine do the same?
Steven

 

95 normally but using 98

 

Ethanol shouldn't be used in motorcycles or small engines at all...

It's one of the biggest scams passed down to us in the last few decades.

 

It's a corn subsidy. And ironically, as one of the largest corn producers and exporters, the US in 2016 imported 1.3 Million tons of corn!!!


https://www.indexmundi.com/agricultu...&graph=imports

 

Quote: "Ethanol shouldn't be used in motorcycles or small engines at all...
It's one of the "

I agree with Trigger Happy. However, here in Central FL at least, there is no alternative. Where they sell gasoline without Ethanol, it is only 87 octane.

When I am out in the countryside, backwoods, gas stations are not everywhere anyway. I, many times, have to put in any high test gas that is available in the neighborhood.

What can I do to avoid damage that many people tell me is being caused by gov'mt. mandated fuel containing 10% Ethanol???????????

Frustrated Steven

 

Exactly. They pushed it under the guise of emissions, but every bit of data I've read shows that ethanol doesn't really burn any cleaner, produces less power, and carries a lower octane ratings. It also eats fuel lines, gums up injectors, etc. Oh, and let's not forget water separation...

There's one gas station I'm aware of a few miles from me here in east Orlando that sells 91 (or was it 93?) octane ethanol free. You're right though. For some reason FL really jumped on the ethanol bandwagon. It drives me nuts. I lived in Missouri for a few years and I could find ethanol free everywhere.

 

After trying to poison all North Texas with gasoline that contained MTBE the paid-off city councils, commissioners courts and NTCOG got their money from ADM et al and changed to ethanol ordinances.

 

if your motor don't ping ...your good to go...( bike or car).....premium is a waste of money if the motor don't NEED it....In my bike I use regular or mid grade during the cool months ( no ping and runs just fine) and premium when it above 90* -- stock motor --

 

87 ethanol free for sure. Our food doesn't belong in a gas tank. Unfortunately ethanol free is not available in my part of Ohio. Last fall I took a ride to Georgia and found 91 octane ethanol free. I ran a few tanks of that and noticed a difference vs 93 octane with corn. The bike just ran better and seemed like it had more power.