Ethanol gas
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
At 140,000 plus miles, the only evidence (maybe,) of ethanol damage were the brittle fuel lines in the fuel tank when I changed the fuel filter (finally) at 90,000 miles. Either that or they were junk to start with. There is no other evidence of bad things happening at 14 plus years old on her from ethanol.
Stiggy, thanks for the report, sorry to hear about your bike. Feels almost like reading an autopsy report on your motorcycle!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,537
Likes: 6,411
From: Honah Lee
It will not hurt a thing...All we have had for years. The sillyness quoted on problems like weedeaters and such is the oil mix, not the ethanol. This is parts out of my 1990's lawnmower and a small old Gardenett tiller. Work on many small motors all the time. 10% if anything will absorb a small amount of water and pass it on thru. Don't fall for the coolaid the tin men sell.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:08 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 127
From: Chandler, Arizona
The article specifically references e15. OP asked about e10.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
I had to have a carb rebuilt every year on lawn equipment, or bikes when I stored with E!0, even with Stabil or Seafoam. My small engine mechanic recommends adding Stabil and running engine dry since E10 came out. I only use E0 the last few years and have had no carb problems.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
the only places I can get ethanol free gas around me is at marinas or airports - my bike is not a boat nor a plane so those places are a little difficult to access. On trips, if I pull into a station that has ethanol free gas, I will fill up with it but don't really notice a difference, but then again, I'm trying to enjoy the ride and not pay attention to every little thing the bike is doing.. I used to check mpg every tank (kept a log on my iPhone and a spreadsheet at home) but stopped that when it started to consume me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Unless you own an old POS, the ethanol BS is just hype. My tractor, boat, motorcycles, and yard equipment all run on e10. I store them that way also. Never a problem starting them. No varnish or any other bs. Run a quality fuel with detergetns and don't worry about this nonsense.
I own several "old POS" (actually show winning old POS). They all run better on non-eth of course. I run E10 often but only because there is nothing else available at the time.
When stored E10 doesn't really varnish, it instead eats aluminum carburetors and leaves behind the nastiest, foulest smelling, non-burning crud you can imagine.
The ethanol BS is not just hype, it is fact, even in newer vehicles modified to run it (I have several of those too). Everything I own makes more power and gets better mileage on non- eth gasoline. This fact cannot be denied.
If you're going to store long term (6 mo. - 1 year) you should always drain E10 from the system. If it's going to be for more than 1 year you should also drain non-E10 or you'll have issues for sure.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Yantis, Texas
I own several "old POS" (actually show winning old POS). They all run better on non-eth of course. I run E10 often but only because there is nothing else available at the time.
When stored E10 doesn't really varnish, it instead eats aluminum carburetors and leaves behind the nastiest, foulest smelling, non-burning crud you can imagine.
The ethanol BS is not just hype, it is fact, even in newer vehicles modified to run it (I have several of those too). Everything I own makes more power and gets better mileage on non- eth gasoline. This fact cannot be denied.
If you're going to store long term (6 mo. - 1 year) you should always drain E10 from the system. If it's going to be for more than 1 year you should also drain non-E10 or you'll have issues for sure.
When stored E10 doesn't really varnish, it instead eats aluminum carburetors and leaves behind the nastiest, foulest smelling, non-burning crud you can imagine.
The ethanol BS is not just hype, it is fact, even in newer vehicles modified to run it (I have several of those too). Everything I own makes more power and gets better mileage on non- eth gasoline. This fact cannot be denied.
If you're going to store long term (6 mo. - 1 year) you should always drain E10 from the system. If it's going to be for more than 1 year you should also drain non-E10 or you'll have issues for sure.
Thanks again everyone for taking the time to respond. E10 was my concern. My bike might sit for 2-3 months at the very most but no more than that. As I said, I am fortunate that I can still get non-ethanol in most towns in Oklahoma which I will continue to do but if there is a time when I have to use 10% I won't worry about it nor drive all around looking for non-ethanol. I will have the advantage of filling up with non-ethanol prior to winter and the ensuing 2-3 months of sitting idle.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Here in California there is nothing but e-10. More cars and bikes here than anywhere else too. Are you hearing of a rash of problems? No. And you would hear of it if there were any because HD riders on this forum are like old ladies, they love to sit and complain about everything. Yes I have an older truck(1977), my daughter has a 73 Nova and small engined equipment, no issues.
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