E15 Gas

[pliskin]

I read an article in a bike mag that talked about E15 (15% ethanol gas). They said it's going to start showing up at the pumps soon. According to them you cannot run it in any bike, mower, marine or any other small 2stroke. It will destroy those motors. Also, they say it's not good for your car either unless it's a "flex fuel" vehicle. Proponents of E15 are expected to say it's ok to burn in older cars but they are a little bias. I will not put it in anything I drive, that's for sure. BEWARE!

On the same note, there was another thread start here about ethanol free gas. I'm into my first full tank of ethanol free on my GS. The bike is running great. It ran great before but now it seems to be a little better. It could be in my head but it seems to be a little quieter and does not struggle at low rpms. At 2.5 to 3krpms it pulls right out with any hesitation or knocking. Also, seems like at the high end it's not screaming as loud. Just less chatter in general. I could almost describe it as Addias's did his new plugs. I'm going to keep running it and see how it goes.

Another thing, ethanol free gas does not have the strong smell of gas for some reason. I filled 2 5gal cans and had it in my car for 3 hours (windows cracked) and could hardly smell it when I got in. Same with poring it in the bike. Very little smell.

[jestercinti]

Unfortunately, I think it will get worse before it is better.

They (meaning CARB, the EPA, etc.) have decided that everyone drives a car.  Therefore, these laws and regulations are made for cars.  Also, even though our bikes emit less emissions that a Prius, it's the amount of emissions per unit of measurement (like parts per million, parts per billion) that is how they rate how "clean" your engine burns.

Had this argument the other day with a Prius owner.  We went back and forth, and finally I told her that she spent over $20,000 on a car that gets my same fuel economy, not to mention the net environmental impact is higher (nickel mining, smelting, battery, shipments via polluting ships to China, etc.) compared to my $3500 bike made in Spain.

** Stepping off of soapbox now **

[Formori]

Unfortunately, I think it will get worse before it is better.

They (meaning CARB, the EPA, etc.) have decided that everyone drives a car.  Therefore, these laws and regulations are made for cars.  Also, even though our bikes emit less emissions that a Prius, it's the amount of emissions per unit of measurement (like parts per million, parts per billion) that is how they rate how "clean" your engine burns.

Had this argument the other day with a Prius owner.  We went back and forth, and finally I told her that she spent over $20,000 on a car that gets my same fuel economy, not to mention the net environmental impact is higher (nickel mining, smelting, battery, shipments via polluting ships to China, etc.) compared to my $3500 bike made in Spain.

** Stepping off of soapbox now **

^^ totally agree with this

I've argued with people before about how in ppm the bike isn't better for the environment, but as a whole I burn less gas, less oil, pay lower insurance (which statistically helps the environment by not giving more money to gas guzzling insurance owners  ), and costs less overall in parts and such.

I had a choice when I came home from school this year, buy a car or a bike for my work commute until september when I go away again. I might have to deal with crappy weather sometimes, but I've saved over 250% so far of the cost of a car by getting my bike, and it's way more fun!

[ohgood]

Unfortunately, I think it will get worse before it is better.

They (meaning CARB, the EPA, etc.) have decided that everyone drives a car.  Therefore, these laws and regulations are made for cars.  Also, even though our bikes emit less emissions that a Prius, it's the amount of emissions per unit of measurement (like parts per million, parts per billion) that is how they rate how "clean" your engine burns.

Had this argument the other day with a Prius owner.  We went back and forth, and finally I told her that she spent over $20,000 on a car that gets my same fuel economy, not to mention the net environmental impact is higher (nickel mining, smelting, battery, shipments via polluting ships to China, etc.) compared to my $3500 bike made in Spain.

** Stepping off of soapbox now **

get back on your soap box. your motorcycle is moving (you plus bike) maybe 500 pounds. the Prius is likely moving 3200-4000 with occupants. your fuel mileage SUCKS in comparison of occupants and freight moved.

tires....

your bike will eat two every 7-10k miles. the Prius maybe 4 every 50k. more likely only 2.

engine oil.... bike, every 3k. Prius every 10k, but twice as much.


the one, and only place you are more efficient is the energy used to produce the product at manufacturing. I have no idea how much is saved here. the fact is, over a 15 year lifespan, the Prius will beat you on pountds moved and possibly consumables also.

carry on. motorcycle economy sucks.

[Big Rich]

Back to the E15..........

I thought the whole process was in the planning stages? And IIRC, they were aware that not all vehicles could handle e15 like they can e10 gas, so they would actually have to install new tanks at every gas station to keep it separate. The sheer cost of that alone was the deal breaker.

But that's all from memory and it could be very wrong.