Kwik Trip gasoline question.

[dukesguy]

I live in southern Minnesota. There is a rumor that the highest octane gas sold at Kwik Trip stores does not have ethanol added to it. Does anyone know if this is true or not?

[Ricky-D]

Here ya go.  Look it up for your location.

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp

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[NITRO]

Here in Eau Claire one of our Kwik-Trips sells the "recreational  gas" with no ethanol. There are a couple other station (one Shell that I can think of) that advertises their premium gas as ethanol free. I use it for storage over the winter, but have noticed poorer mileage with it under normal use.

[Ricky-D]

Here in Eau Claire one of our Kwik-Trips sells the "recreational  gas" with no ethanol. There are a couple other station (one Shell that I can think of) that advertises their premium gas as ethanol free. I use it for storage over the winter, but have noticed poorer mileage with it under normal use.

That makes no sense. You should be having better mileage per gallon from non-ethanol enriched gasoline.

Simply because there are more BTU's in non-ethanol enriched gasoline that in ethanol enriched gasoline, volume for volume.

Regardless, the problems encountered with ethanol enriched gasoline make it a no brainer when deciding which to use in the Valkyrie.

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[Valker]

Check www.pure-gas.org

[Disco]

That makes no sense. You should be having better mileage per gallon from non-ethanol enriched gasoline.

Simply because there are more BTU's in non-ethanol enriched gasoline that in ethanol enriched gasoline, volume for volume.

I know, so please, someone, help me understand how/why the worst mileage HayHauler, 5_19, and I got during the entire TX, NM, CO, WY, SD, ND, MN, WI, MI, IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, TX trip to and from InZane XI was on the one tank we all bought in Mena, AR which was advertised as ethanol-free?   ???

[RainMaker]

That makes no sense. You should be having better mileage per gallon from non-ethanol enriched gasoline.

Simply because there are more BTU's in non-ethanol enriched gasoline that in ethanol enriched gasoline, volume for volume.

I know, so please, someone, help me understand how/why the worst mileage HayHauler, 5_19, and I got during the entire TX, NM, CO, WY, SD, ND, MN, WI, MI, IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, TX trip to and from InZane XI was on the one tank we all bought in Mena, AR which was advertised as ethanol-free?   ???

Well, in northwest Arkansas, they don't put ethanol in the gas - they use moonshine.  So it's ethanol free.

[Ricky-D]

"I know, so please, someone, help me understand how/why"

Though I did use the BTU as the final arbiter in the ethanol/no-ethanol question, the difference is minimal at best. Meaning you probably will not see any real world difference.

There are many more factors affecting gas mileage than just the ethanol content.

Probably the greatest factor is how the test is performed and the repeatability of the accuracy of the test you use to determine MPG figures.

The other factors we normally have no control over such as truthfulness of the claims of the fuel suppliers that run the gamut from octane claims to pump accuracy, and not to dismiss altitude changes and ambient temperatures.

All that I don't really care about anyway. I pay more for non-ethanol enriched gasoline which probably makes it a more expensive alternative when compared, but I know this:  My Valkyrie runs better on the non-ethanol gasoline, and I don't have to add any fuel additives to my gasoline to keep the motor running smoothly without any problems.  I run premium (93 octane) for all the same reasons.

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[sugerbear]

didn't i read on here someplace that you get lower mileage with premium?

[Ricky-D]

"didn't i read on here someplace that you get lower mileage with premium?"

I sincerely doubt that!

There is a feeling by some that you get no better mileage with premium.  I disagree.

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[Willow]

didn't i read on here someplace that you get lower mileage with premium?

It has been stated by some and contested by few (Ricky being the noteable exception).

Premium is not the quality of the fuel, only the marketing name applied to the octane rating.  If you're buying premium for your Honda Valkyrie you're simply wasting your money.  The engine is rated for 87 Octane (or lower if you're at higher elevation). 

[Fudd]

If the fuel has ethanol in it- it should have a sticker on the pump advising so. 

On a recent trip through Nebraska, the 100% regular (non-ethanol) gasoline cost more than the ethanol enriched premium.  They try to promote ethanol because a big chunk of the nation's corn is grown there.

I paid the difference to get the regular.  I like to eat corn, I just don't like to feed it to my Valkyrie.

[Jess from VA]

didn't i read on here someplace that you get lower mileage with premium?

It has been stated by some and contested by few (Ricky being the noteable exception).

Premium is not the quality of the fuel, only the marketing name applied to the octane rating.  If you're buying premium for your Honda Valkyrie you're simply wasting your money.  The engine is rated for 87 Octane (or lower if you're at higher elevation). 

Absolutely correct, unless you're running a trigger wheel that makes the bike knock on regular (pretty bad on mine) .  When I get around to the belts, I will be turning mine into a Frisbee, since the only difference I can discern between two '99 ISs (one with 4-degree, one with OE), is a need to run premium in the one with the 4-degree.

[Farther]

I like to eat corn, I just don't like to feed it to my Valkyrie.

I like to drink my corn and so does my Valkyrie.

[Ricky-D]

I installed the six degree trigger wheel and reaped about two more miles per gallon.

That's on premium gas which I now have to use.

Never did the math so I can't say whether or not it's a loss or a gain.

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[Farther]

You put a 6 degree in your IS?

[PAVALKER]

You put a 6 degree in your IS?

According to an older post/board it appears he has....

Ricky-D:
I run a 6 degree wheel in my I/S and burn premium gasoline, always have.  No problems at all!  I don't normally ride at 100mph or above so any top end loss is irrelevant to me.

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[Ricky-D]

Yep,

"I run a 6 degree wheel in my I/S and burn premium gasoline, always have.  No problems at all!  I don't normally ride at 100mph or above so any top end loss is irrelevant to me."

113k miles and no problems.

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