[WoodyZ]

Hey y'all. There's been some discussions on this and most of it has been of a positive nature. I found a station very local that has non ethanol gas and tried it today. I didn't get to go far on it since I was already filling up in a light rain that got worse by the time I got it home. Only problem with this is it's 90 octane and it was 4.11 per gallon, but that's only about 1.60 more per tank. I figure it's worth a try to see if I notice any difference in performance, doubtful, or any change in gas mileage, ehhh maybe. LOL. The cost difference probably won't equal any increase anyway. We'll see.

Anyone care to weigh in that have run non eth and either noticed a difference or haven't?

 

[wanderingbear]

I've always been meaning to try this since I can get it in Frostproof too so let me know what you think.

 

[WoodyZ]

I will keep everyone posted here Jerry. I may give it 2 or 3 tanks to get a good average and really a good chance to see if I really notice a difference.

 

[polecat]

i get about 20 miles more to a tank

 

[VTX-Dan]

I'm in Texas, and all of the gas stations in my neck of the woods have "up to 10% ethanol".
A friend and I made a trip through Arkansas a couple of months ago, and there was ethanol-free gas all over the state. In fact, we only saw a handful of places that had ethanol.

I really couldn't tell much difference in my X. My friend rides a HD (fuel injected), and he didn't notice a difference either. Your experience may vary, but I doubt you will find it to be worth the extra cost.

 

[WoodyZ]

i get about 20 miles more to a tank

Thanks Jason, will let you know.

I'm in Texas, and all of the gas stations in my neck of the woods have "up to 10% ethanol".
A friend and I made a trip through Arkansas a couple of months ago, and there was ethanol-free gas all over the state. In fact, we only saw a handful of places that had ethanol.

I really couldn't tell much difference in my X. My friend rides a HD (fuel injected), and he didn't notice a difference either. Your experience may vary, but I doubt you will find it to be worth the extra cost.

Thanks Dan. Yeah, we'll see what happens.

 

[frostbite]

We've got both up here - ethanol is a nickle cheaper. When I was OTR our fleet dept. tried ethanol for about six months. Made us go back to standard, said the price difference didn't make up for the loss in mileage. And those people tracked hundreds of vehicles over many miles.
That was when gas was $2 a gallon, now at $4 ethanol is still only a nickle cheaper. I'll stick with standard.

 

[The Old Fool]

In theory, you should get better gas mileage on non-ethenol gasoline. Gasoline has 114,000 Btu per gallon and 10% ethanol has 111,800 Btu/gal. So expect about a 2% drop in gas mileage burning 10% ethanol fuel.

 

[TxRad]

In theory, you should get better gas mileage on non-ethenol gasoline. Gasoline has 114,000 Btu per gallon and 10% ethanol has 111,800 Btu/gal. So expect about a 2% drop in gas mileage burning 10% ethanol fuel.

those numbers are pretty accurate but a little misleading as it take 1.6 times as much ethanol to produce the same power as gasoline. I run ethanol in an Imca mod at 2 different tracks. one on gas and one on ethanol. I have to swap the complete fuel system each time. Not to mention timing and advance.

 

[lamaybl5711]

I've heard you get better mileage from the non ethanol stuff but I don't know if the price difference would make it worth the switch. I'd think you'd have to get 10-20 mpg increase per gallon to offset the extra cost.

 

[trkrJeff]

those numbers are pretty accurate but a little misleading as it take 1.6 times as much ethanol to produce the same power as gasoline. I run ethanol in an Imca mod at 2 different tracks. one on gas and one on ethanol. I have to swap the complete fuel system each time. Not to mention timing and advance.

Were not talking straight ethanol, but 10% blend.

 

[WoodyZ]

The extra cost per tank full is only around 1.60 or so, since we are talking usually less than 4 gallons. That's less than the cost of one gallon of any gas. If one gallon of gas usually gives me around 35 to 45 miles, and the non eth gives me 20 miles or so per tank extra, then the cost is a little cheaper per tank than running E10 since gas is around 3.50 right now. Not much of a difference, but we'll see what the actual results are. Thanks for weighing in.


Also, just a note. Took a short ride today, about 50 miles, 2 up and it seemed to run smoother at lower RPM's. Not sure if this is psychological or not. Ran about the same otherwise, but too early to tell.

 

[trkrJeff]

Mine runs around 155 miles per tank to reserve, on 91 octane non ethanol. I filled with 87 E10, only got 122, but was also avg. About 75-80 mph.

 

[WoodyZ]

Mine runs around 155 miles per tank to reserve, on 91 octane non ethanol. I filled with 87 E10, only got 122, but was also avg. About 75-80 mph.

Yeah, that's why I'm gonna try to give it a good couple tanks to get a good average. I will fill up with it before meeting up for the ride next week.

 

[jhpate]

I got apprx 20 miles more per tank. Reserve on ethanol 140. Reserve on no ethanol is 160.

 

[trkrJeff]

Yeah woody, I normally run only 91 non ethanol. But took a trip, just stopped when I had to.... Next time I might plan it out s little better.

 

[WoodyZ]

Well, this place has 90 and on Sept. 15th they will be going to 93.

 

[JawzX01]

If burning non-ethanol, considering it's "more powerful", wouldn't you need to adjust the carb to really see the mileage difference? You're expecting about the same power and if non-ethanol burns more efficiently, I'd expect you can have the carb provide a bit more air and bit less gas....

Just my thoughts.... as a I-know-nothing-on-this-topic contributor.

 

[WoodyZ]

Not sure if it's a "more powerful" thing or not. Maybe more of an efficiency thing. I guess it's probably small enough difference that the carb can run either without adjustments to see a difference.

My not knowing much about this too answer, LOL

 

[wa.bound]

Woody-you know the current issues with Amaury's bike; he was told to use non-etho which we do have a service station right here in town. I need to fill mine up tomorrow while I'm out so I'll go there and give it a try a couple times. Thing to remember is that while we may have it local (some do, some don't) but out on the road-you're not likely to find it often, especially on road trips. So, we'll just wait and see what happens in the meantime.