Using Ethanol

[pat]

When touring the west it seemed like ethanol/gasoline mixture was everywhere and the only high octane fuel available. Any thoughts from the Kansas, Nebraka/west riders about your experiences with it. I rode only the highways at considerable speed, and didn't feel a difference, what about stop and go performance?

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I did some stop and go stuff in NE with no real difference noticed. It is worth mentioning that it is a luggage-loaded GS with my not-so-petite form sitting astride and so it was no track day testing if you know what I mean.

[Arkyride]

Not a problem if the posted 10 percent ethanol is accurate. However if they load it beyond that rate--lookout!! My son, on a Ducati, and myself on a KLR were travelling in Western Ks and fueled up at one of the few stops available---we could see the fumes wafting out of the tank as we filled. A short distance later, his bike quit, then my KLR started running really bad. I added choke to mine which helped, and his Ducati tank was pressurized from boiling gas--opened the cap and it whooshed. It was a very hot day and the sun on top of the tank and the engine heat under compounded the problem. Henceforth-- if I can find NON ethanol gas, I will buy it. Sometimes the middle grade is posted 10 percent ethanol. Avoid it!! Quote " I'm from the government and I'm here to help you"