I live in northern Pa near the NY border, NY has lower state gas tax so that is where I get gas. Non-ethanol is abundant in the Binghamton/Vestal area. Cash or credit 10% ethanol 87 is 2.69 and ethanol free 93 is 3.17. My LT needs premium and I run the 93. https://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=CT
What I find strange is in north Texas I have not found non ethanol. Marinas should have it but they would be very inconvenient. However, when I cross into Oklahoma I have no problem finding it all the way to Kansas. I just filled up today while in Oklahoma. I think it was $2.50.
Ed, glad to see you still view the board once in awhile. My 1300 is still running strong with 140,000 miles on it. I still have the aux fuel tank mounted like you had it on your X. I don't need it as often now since a lot of my LD rides are on my Royal Star Venture. I bought a used 5 gallon for it. Only wanted 3 gallons but the price was right.
I finally made it up the Dalton. Very hot for up there. My X would have made it but it would have taken a beating plus I would have to have cleaned it. I rented a BMW750GS with no windshield so plenty of mud on my visor. I rode it like I stole it, returned it, and they cleaned it.
Maybe they are just crazy like a fox. If they know their market well enough to price something ridiculously and yet it still sells... then why shouldn't they?
I'd say the crazy people would be the ones who actually cough up that much money to buy an ethanol-free gallon. But if this shop happens to cater to a mix of affluent but stupid people, sounds like a match made in heaven. :thumbup:
Honestly, if you have a fuel-injected engine, it's a closed loop fuel system, and 10% ethanol won't cause any problems for at least 6mos all by itself. If you wanna run StaBil or StarTron for peace of mind, go for it. Now E85 will likely cause injector crusties after sitting for more than a month. BUT, you can tune to incredible HP gains with it. Think of it as race fuel, not really good on the street.
Carbs however, vent to the outside, and that ethanol will evaporate after a month, leaving honey-like goo in the bowls and on the needles. Non-ethanol gas won't turn to varnish for many, many years in most cases.
Since non-ethanol gas is not readily available (most boat docks/marinas have it)without spending more in gas to go GET it, and charge MORE for it, it's just as easy to get a fuel treatment. You can get the canned non-ethanol gas from Home Depot or Lowes, but that works out to be $12 a gallon. -WHAAAAT???!!
What's your peace of mind worth? No one can say, but you.
Sorry, but I would not leave, depending on where you live and the climate, E10 or E15 gasoline for 6 months. It's not just about the fuel rail or the injectors. Remember your tank is vented as well, and if in a more humid area, cold to warm causes the tank to exhale, warm to cold, it will inhale, moisture along with air. Ethanol and moisture = bad! Temp variations also speed the separation of ethanol and gasoline, making the situation worse. Fuel stabilizer keeps the ethanol in suspension, keeping it from attracting and bonding to moisture. A month or two, you're likely okay, but why take the chance?
Filled up today with 90 octane non ethanol 'Rec Gas' for $3.09 here in Southern Middle Tennessee. Been running this gas every year for a while during the cooler months, and I think it's worth it when considering the limited riding days. I do short rides every week or so and top off the tank each time...
Here in Canada, the only commercial ethanol-free fuel available is at Shell. Their 91 octane v-power is the one. I know most folks run 87 octane and that's cool. But for me, I always run 91 octane.
Stihl dealers sell a stihl Moto mix. It's 93 octane with 50:1 synthetic oil. It comes in several sizes and the gallon costs over $31 and they sell a lot of it, even here where non ethanol is readily available at many places from 87 to 93, reasonable priced. The Moto mix is much better than just non ethanol, it's 99% pure gas, the best pump gas in the United States is 55% good stuff and 45% crap that will burn and produce power but will turn into gum and varnish if left to sit long enough. It has a shelf life of 10 years until you open the can , it's packaged with nitrogen,,no oxygen.Moto mix will evaporate,except for the oil mixed with it, and it doesn't contain the crap that causes gum and varnish.$31 is a lot but how much does a new carb cost? How many carbs could you "winterize" with one gallon? If I had a generator that was critical for it to run maybe once every two years,I would keep it full of something that it is completely impossible to cause gum and varnish. Run anything you want but when I store my stuff, chainsaw,weed eater, generator,outboard motor,snow blower,lawn mower, it's worth it to me to put stuff in it that won't ever cause problems. I ride my bike almost every day of the year so it's always cheap stuff for it.
Not saying it's better.Not sure about the other gas but I have had formal training on stihl stuff. The 45% other stuff is aromatics and olefins, seriously. Gas in the US is cheaper than most other countries,partly because they don't refine that stuff out.
I always use 87 octane at 10% alcohol in my VTXs. When they are stored either over the summer or over the winter, I add Stabil to the fuel.
I buy 90 octane, alcohol free gas for my small gas engines ($2.999 a gallon). When I store the four stroke engines for the summer or winter I add Stabil. The biggest problem I've had with gas that is mixed with alcohol is deterioration of fuel lines.
I am hoping to make it up to Nova Scotia so I can finish my Newfoundland/Labrador trip that was cut short in 2016 when the X fell on my leg thus breaking it.
This time I plan to ride a little farther north before heading east. If this ride works out I plan to stop by your place so I can buy you lunch. I still have you phone number unless you changed it. Hard to believe I bought that tank from you so long ago.
I haven't decided if I will ride my RSV or the VTX. I would like to be able to say the VTX made it to Newfoundland and Labrador, the only province/territory with real roads it hasn't been to (Hawaii is the only state missing). The RSV is a little more comfortable and a lot less miles. Of course what is 140,000 miles for a honda?
As it is now I will meet a buddy from Oklahoma somewhere between Niagara Falls and the ferry in Nova Scotia, probably Vermont.
I'll be in touch.
Merry Christmas
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