mileage

[Porter]

I've actually had a few conversations with friends on this issue lately. I have a couple of buddies who swear ethanol is the worst thing you could ever put in your bike. Although I'm certainly not saying that ethanol is good I don't necessarily think it's bad either. From what I can tell my bike runs just fine on Ethanol. When I need gas I just stop at the closest station and fill up with premium. I don't even pay attention whether or not it's ethanol. Maybe the performance isn't quite as good but I don't notice it. As long as I'm rolling down the road I'm happy.

That being said are my buddies right? Is ethanol potentially harmful for the engine?

Not necessarily. There are racing cars that run on ethanol and such. Problems can and are arising because we curently have a system that was developed and optimized for gasoline. Adding ethanol (and all it brings with it: reaction with some engine components, water, contaminants, lower energy content, higher food prices, etc...) is the issue. Right now they are feeling their way along, incrementally. First it was 10%, now we are moving to 15%. From a mechanical perspective, I think as long as you are riding (replacing the fuel often with fresh fuel) you are fine. This was similar with gasoline (100%), as I am sure you know. But ethanol has much more instability with regard to the "shelf life" in your tank. Stabilization additives make a big difference here, but if you are riding often, don't worry about it. Storage longer than a month: additive is a good bet. Also I am talking about 10% Ethanol in gasoline. Not sure of all the impacts yet on 15%.

 

[Hoople]

As long as I'm rolling down the road I'm happy.

Then you have Nothing to worry about. The Feds will get their way.

Their way of thinking,,, Want to shove your policy down a persons throat? Just change or increase the dose every year a little bit at a time until you get your way. After all, the average person can't remember what they did yesterday right? After they adjust and get use to the current dose, just increase it again.

 

[Porter]

+1 Hoople!
So true.

 

[01dynaglide]

I think he is the only one that has gotten BETTER. I'm with all of the others on here, mine has been way worse!

 

[trvlr]

Just change or increase the dose every year a little bit at a time until you get your way. After all, the average person can't remember what they did yesterday right? After they adjust and get use to the current dose, just increase it again.

Like frogs in a pot of water...slowly being brought to a boil, are we minions. Heard the venerable Senate majority leader tonight on the evening news saying "the Tea Party only came about because the economy has been so bad over the past few years. As soon as the economy gets better, which is happening right now, the Tea Party will long be forgotten."

Not on my watch pal.

I hate politicians. I really do.

 

[marcus22]

I get way worse mpg when i use gas with ethanol in it. ethanol also burns hotter. and with an air cooled bike, i want nothing to do with it.