Ethanol gas
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Yantis, Texas
Ethanol gas
I know this topic has most likely been discussed a lot but I would like your opinion on ethanol gas. I have a 2009 ultra classic and the owners manual states it is OK to use 10% ethanol. I have been lucky so far and have been able to find non-ethanol gas pretty easily in Oklahoma but when I begin taking out of state trips it might become more difficult. Do you worry about ethanol gas to the point that you will carry Stabil or Startron, etc. in your bike just in case you have to use ethanol gas or is it really a non-issue? Thanks for input.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
non-issue on machines made for it like your 09.
ethanol will give reduced MPG, for most of us 2 or 3 MPG
reduced emissions, reduced combustion chamber temps
- that's about it.
mike
ethanol will give reduced MPG, for most of us 2 or 3 MPG
reduced emissions, reduced combustion chamber temps
- that's about it.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jul 25, 2014 at 10:08 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 675
Likes: 252
From: Alberta
A little less energy in ethanol, runs a tad cooler, you can get higher octane gas. newer equipment is good for up to 10%. A lot of the mustang guys with forced induction like the ethanol laced fuel.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Yantis, Texas
Thanks a bunch guys. Eases my mind to that it really is nothing more than a performance/mpg issue. Makes sense about the storage concern. I will still look for non-ethanol for the mpg gains but now I won't be worried about damaging the engine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,203
From: Oxford, Nc
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.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
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From: Wisconsin, USA
I avoid E10. I absolutely won't store for Winter with it.
This site is helpful but incomplete.
http://pure-gas.org/
This site is helpful but incomplete.
http://pure-gas.org/
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Chandler, Arizona
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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
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.