Is it Ok to use ethanol gas? Anyone have problems?

[scubadown]

Have a 2013 ST-L with the 998cc. Have been using non-ethanol gas since I bought the bike in 2017. It was easy to find non-ethanol in FL, and NC but since moving to SE VA I find it hard to locate non-ethanol gas. Thinking about switching to ethanol blended gas. Anyone have problems using this stuff.

 

[Woodaddict]

Can use ethanol gas whenever you want. Just longer time inactivity can make it go bad. So at anytime can switch back and forth. It's switching between 87 and 93 octane the ECM has to adjust. I use 10 % ethanol 87 octane all the time

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I have the 1330 engine and have used ethanol gas for the past 83,000 miles with no issues. I had two V-twins, and they used gas with ethanol with no issues either. There is a very, very slight issue with loss of power, but it is too small to measure... Good luck... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bfromla]

Will also see a decrease in MPG. https://www.pure-gas.org/

 

[old Timer]

No problem here In my BMW's, Spyders etc.

 

[BajaRon]

Ethanol fuel is OK. On long trips where I'm going to be burning it quickly, I don't worry about it at all. But here at home, I always put straight gas in my Spyder because I don't know how long it might sit. It's saved me a lot of grief over the years, I'm sure.

 

[troop]

The only time I'm concerned about using 10% ethanol is for my 5 month winter storage. Only 100% gasoline for that.

 

[racoon]

I use fuel stabilizer when I park my ride-on lawnmower for the winter.
Should I do the same for my Spyder?

 

[FrogmanDave]

I use fuel stabilizer when I park my ride-on lawnmower for the winter.
Should I do the same for my Spyder?

Yes you should.

 

[Bfromla]

I use fuel stabilizer when I park my ride-on lawnmower for the winter.
Should I do the same for my Spyder?

Helps as well as oil change before or after hibernation. Better IF can get stabilizers mixed in & enough time to actually be in fuel line/system -not just in tank. (IF) - no guarantees but does seem to help.

 

[ARtraveler]

The consensus seems to be ok on the 87 w/ 10% ethanol. My 998's were in AK when I began using 87 octane. No ethanol fuel there. We moved to Arkansas in 2019. Linda was driving a 998 Spyder then. We used 10% ethanol and 87 octane without any issues. No layovers here, so did not use any fuel stabilizers. Longest without riding was a couple weeks. Never had issues with the 1330's and 87/10 mix either.

 

[BajaRon]

Helps as well as oil change before or after hibernation. Better IF can get stabilizers mixed in & enough time to actually be in fuel line/system -not just in tank. (IF) - no guarantees but does seem to help.

Not all engine oils need to be changed annually. Though if you're not sure, it's best to just do it. For some lubricants, it's a waste of time and money.

Your 2nd thought is an important point that many miss. Just adding stabilizer to the gas tank when you put the vehicle away is not going to get the job done. You need to fill the tank to the top and ride/drive for a few miles. This not only mixes the stabilizer, but delivers it to every part of the machine. Most importantly to the fuel injectors on a Spyder. And to the float bowl on a carbureted vehicle. I'd go a few miles more on a carburated machine as it takes more fuel use to deliver sufficient stabilizer to all areas.

 

[racoon]

Better IF can get stabilizers mixed in & enough time to actually be in fuel line/system -not just in tank. (IF) - no guarantees but does seem to help.

The instructions for the product I use, STA-BIL, says to calculate how much you need to add based on the fuel tank size, add the needed amount and then fill up the tank, and then run the engine for 5 minutes.

 

[scubadown]

Thanks everyone. I'm switching to ethanol blend.