Non-ethanol gas?

[zackod]

For my fuel-injected Valk, wondering what, if anything, could be realized as benefits if I switch to non-ethanol gas . A Wawa just went live close-by with the Blue pump (89 Octane - costs 10% more) option.   I doubt the higher Octane will be of any benefit, but maybe non-ethanol feature will.    Also wondering if anybody is using a fuel additive, frequency of use, what (short and/or long term) benefits experienced.     Right now i fuel with 87 ethanol octane, never adding a gas additive.   Maybe their's a better way.

[Pete]

Better mileage, more BTU's in standard gas.
I do not use additives, as I use non ethanol regular gas.

[Robert]

I would try the non ethanol and higher grades to see which one the bike likes. These bikes technically can run on pretty much anything. But they do have a knock sensor and some bikes perform better on different grades of gas. Non ethanol is generally going to give you better mileage even though  a power increase may not be noticed.

[Bighead]

Better mileage, more BTU's in standard gas.
I do not use additives, as I use non ethanol regular gas.

Not on an 1800 but filled up today on my '99 IS and had to hit reserve at 160 miles where as yesterday 189 on corn fuel and yes the riding conditions were very similar.

[st2sam]

I can only get 91 octane non-ethanol, cost way more than regular corn gas in NE.PA..

I did try a few tanks. What I found is the added cost didn't increase MPG enough.

I believe the comp. ratio is 8.9>1 on our bikes.
What I have read and my own personal findings is high test is a waste of money with a compression ratio so low.

However - Every once in a while I'll put some mid-grade (89) in the tank; just because.

[Pete]

Better mileage, more BTU's in standard gas.
I do not use additives, as I use non ethanol regular gas.

Not on an 1800 but filled up today on my '99 IS and had to hit reserve at 160 miles where as yesterday 189 on corn fuel and yes the riding conditions were very similar.

I also have an IS using non-ethanol and it has never hit reserve from a full tank in less that 200 miles.

All my testing indicates 4 to 5 percent improvement in mileage over ethanol (10%).
I have tested on bikes and cars and it is very consistent.

Check your choice of tables - GAS contains more energy than ethanol.

[hubcapsc]

I go out of my way a little to put non-ethanol in my carbureted 1500,
but not so much on the fuel injected 1800... unless your bike sits up a
lot, I don't think it really matters. My Red Max weed eater cranks up
easily even on last year's ethanol gas, but there are a few hoses and
stuff down in the gas tank that have eaten away and had to be replaced.
The 1800 probably expected to be force-fed ethanol gas, I think modern
vehicles probably deal with it OK...

-Mike

[AdrianR]

Okay, if this is some kind of bait I AM TAKING IT!

Most everyone here knows where I stand on this...ETHANOL SUCKS ARSE!!!!

Run you bike on non-ethanol gas as much as possible.

HUGE difference (well conservatively 3-5% diff.) in performance and mileage. You'd have to be DEAD not to notice any difference in run characteristics and fuel mileage.

If you cannot easily get non-ethanol gas like the situation is where I live, get one of the many additives on the market and treat the gas in your tank. IT IS WORTH the expense.  Stabil, Stratron, Amsoil, Lucas Oil...etc., etc., all make products that treat ethanol in your fuel tank.  Typically you add one ounce to a full tankful.

Remember folks: Gasoline engines run best on *gasoline*, NOT ethanol..about as brain dead as it gets.

[Adirondack Bill]

The only non-ethanol available  near me is 91 octane. Yes, it costs a little more, but you are not filling up a 18 Wheeler! The most you will ever need is about 5 gallons. I use the non-ethanol all the time, and the bike runs great. And for those of us living up north, I would much rather have non-ethanol sitting in my tank for several months during the winter than corn gas due to the moisture content.

[dans2014]

I saw no difference in performance BUT, non-ethanol will not go bad as quick when stored. If you ride all the time your waisting money. If you store it for more than two weeks buy it