Alcohol in the Gastank

[James Bruce]

Here in Idaho, the state legislature is looking to mandate 10% alcohol in every gas purchase by 2010. What's the prevailing wisdom about this kind of action?

[Cliffy777]

powerful lobbying efforts from people in the state of iowa.
i have read things for and against ethanol. i never understood how using those BIG FREAKIN TRACTORS to spew carbons while they tend to and harvest the corn is better than just burning 100% gas.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

It's all about $$$$$, not the environment. :banghead

[GSTom]

powerful lobbying efforts from people in the state of iowa.


As a native of Iowa (moved south years ago, but often a visitor to the Tall Corn state) I resemble that remark. My take?
It is partly about ecology, the warm and fuzzy use of alternative fuels, reducing dependence on foreign oil, yada yada.
No story is quite as simple as it seems, so its also about the demise of the family farm and the huge subsidies paid out to big farmers and Agri-Biz (read well connected political contributors, cronies of both parties) and creating additional markets for their crops and products. Enough rant about politics.

When in Iowa, I have often out of necessity run what I lovingly refer to as "Corn Gas" in my 88 K100LT. My mileage drops about 10% from using straight 91 octane gasoline, but within my usual riding style I don't notice much if any difference in performance.

[Burnszilla]

More money for corn farmers. More problems for our engines. :cry

[flash412]

What's the prevailing wisdom about this kind of action?Where motorcycles are concerned, alcohol clearly works best when reserved 'til the end of the day, for the rider.

[James Bruce]

As hot as my K11RS runs on hot days, I'm glad to hear of no appreciable difference in how your K100 runs. No vapor lock? Other mechanical issues like breaking down rubber?

[SweetT]

I seem to remember reading a report done by the Audobon Society (I think it was them) where they concluded that it actually takes more petrol to grow the corn (plowing, planting, appling pesticides, harvesting, trucking to distillery, etc.) than is saved by using ethanol in the gas. I think Audobon Society was kind of upset to admit this...

[GSTom]

As hot as my K11RS runs on hot days, I'm glad to hear of no appreciable difference in how your K100 runs. No vapor lock? Other mechanical issues like breaking down rubber?

As in my previous post, I have used it on trips to Iowa, but not any long term usage. The ever present Casey's General store that every small town has sells only ethanol blend AFAIK. I think a tank or two now and then is not going to hurt anything (rubber, etc.), but I don't know about constant exposure. I never experienced vapor lock even on a hot day in my K-Heater. The gas/alcohol blend is around 90/10, so it isn't a strong alcohol solution (only about 20 proof so it is less than schnapps :D )

I agree with Flash that the proper place for ethanol is inside the rider at the end of the ride and not in the tank.

[YB in IN]

I saw a thing on the History Channel the other day that said that the availiable acerage to grow enough corn to meet the demand of the U.S. isn't near enough to be able to. I think that eventually hydrogen will be the prefered fuel.

[roy]

Here in the land of Lincoln most of the stations are using an ethanol mix. To date I have had no problems with either carbeurated or fuel injected vehicles. Newest vehicle was a 2002 with 70k miles and no problems.
Only concern that I have ever read about is that is stations with low volume sales the alcohol can seperate from the fuel. If you get a high mix of alcohol it can be real damaging to your engine. This supposedly is a very low risk factor but still a possibilty.

Chicago has to run some form oxengenated fuel, maybe some one else can explain what that is other than more expensive. :dunno

[jdiaz]

Here in the land of Lincoln most of the stations are using an ethanol mix. To date I have had no problems with either carbeurated or fuel injected vehicles. Newest vehicle was a 2002 with 70k miles and no problems.

I haven's had issues either. My K75 has had 14 years of IL fuel thru it, and when I replaced the fuel pump rubber once out of fear in 1992, it was still pliable and completely intact. The rest of the rubber hoses in the tank are 15 years old and seem to be holding up ok.

[1flyer]

The aircraft guys aren't happy at all with this. There are several aircraft engines that use automotive gas and this alcohol mix will cause problems for them.

http://www.eaa.org/communications/eaanews/050126_mt.html

[bikerfish1100]

any bike i've ever run (R100, K75, K1100, R1100) on ethanol blended gas was unhappy with it. mpg down, performance down (not massive, but certainly enough to notice), value down.
eat corn, drink alcohol, burn petroleum. not necessarily in that order.

[James Bruce]

any bike i've ever run (R100, K75, K1100, R1100) on ethanol blended gas was unhappy with it. mpg down, performance down (not massive, but certainly enough to notice), value down.
eat corn, drink alcohol, burn petroleum. not necessarily in that order.


Thanks, bikerfish1100. That's about what I expected to hear.