What Everything Motorcyclists Should Know About Ethanol Blended Fuel

Motofool · June 26th, 2013, 11:52 AM

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fe...blended_fuels/

"The energy-unit-per-volume of ethanol is about 35 percent lower than gasoline. Because fuel economy is proportional to energy content, increasing the ethanol quotient can reduce fuel mileage. The effect with E10 is usually negligible—about 3 percent—but fuel economy for E85 vehicles is usually about 25 percent less than with gas. Ethanol is more corrosive than gasoline, which can promote engine damage, especially to aluminum. Ethanol is also hygroscopic (it absorbs water vapor from the air), which can be especially problematic for motorcycles that aren’t ridden every day.

Ethanol contains 37 percent oxygen by weight, giving E100 an effective octane rating of 115. The more-commonly available E85 blend has an effective octane rating around 105—significantly higher than pump gas. The enhanced resistance to detonation and cooling properties delivered by these high-octane fuels allow ethanol engines to be tuned with very high compression ratios and radical ignition timing, and still safely produce superior horsepower compared to a conventional, gas-fueled engine."

Snake · June 26th, 2013, 12:00 PM

Great info! Thanks.

rojoracing53 · June 26th, 2013, 12:13 PM

Wait why does an extra 5% of ethanol reduce fuel Econ by another 22%?

Joshorilla · June 26th, 2013, 12:21 PM

That article is BS, nobody would put E85 in a car or bike not rated for it, anfd the e10 stuff you all use it says the effects are negligable at 3% less efficient.

Any vehicle rated for e85 is going to have all the mods to make it safe for e85 so all the corrosive stuff is a moot point.

Besides, I drink the equivilent of three litres of e6 every friday and i'm fine

Racer x · June 26th, 2013, 12:39 PM

I am going to run e 85. I tried before and ran into what I think was coil weariness.but in October this year I am going on the dyno and trying again. The power potential is there.

Panda · June 26th, 2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer x

I am going to run e 85. I tried before and ran into what I think was coil weariness.but in October this year I am going on the dyno and trying again. The power potential is there.

Does the ability to run higher compression offset the lower specific energy of the fuel?

Joshorilla · June 26th, 2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

Does the ability to run higher compression offset the lower specific energy of the fuel?

Yes, if the fuel contains 33% less energy, and you can double the compression for example, without premature combustion, you've made a net gain.

lgk · June 26th, 2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

Does the ability to run higher compression offset the lower specific energy of the fuel?

imo, if you are racing and have fuel injection the specific energy doesn't matter as much. the anti detonation characteristics, are a benefit for sure. the cost is not that great compared to other high octane fuels.

but then you need to rebuild your motor with high compression pistons, new ignition, new fuel system, tuning, etc.

using it as a fuel to get cruising power riding daily on a low compression moto is where the energy/gal comes as a disadvantage.

i would be for ethanol if the price was $1.50/gal

DaBlue1 · June 26th, 2013, 04:35 PM

Only ethanol free gas (87 octane) for me, when I can get it.

rojoracing53 · June 26th, 2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Only ethanol free gas (87 octane) for me, when I can get it.

Does it cost more?

We no get over here in Ca

DaBlue1 · June 26th, 2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Does it cost more?

Yea, on the avg it's about 20 cent more per gal than E-10, but depending on how and where I ride, I can get 3-5 miles more per gal and a small performance boost.

rojoracing53 · June 26th, 2013, 05:56 PM

That's like buying premium, .20 cents is totally worth it.

allanoue · June 26th, 2013, 06:23 PM

a quick Google search shows e85 is 18% cheaper
http://e85prices.com/

Racer x · June 26th, 2013, 06:51 PM

For racing purposes pump e85 will not work.
The e85 from the pump can have from 10 % to 25 % ethanol depending on the season. So for me 5 gallon is about $75.00

CZroe · June 26th, 2014, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Only ethanol free gas (87 octane) for me, when I can get it.

E0 was available only as 90 octane when I picked some up on Monday at a local gas station.

DaBlue1 · June 26th, 2014, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

E0 was available only as 90 octane when I picked some up on Monday at a local gas station.

Way better choice than 90 octane with 10% ethanol.

big-daddy-59 · July 6th, 2014, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Wait why does an extra 5% of ethanol reduce fuel Econ by another 22%?

because it's not an extra 5%...it's an extra 75%. E85 is 85% alcohol.

June 26th, 2013, 11:52 AM	#1
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	What Everything Motorcyclists Should Know About Ethanol Blended Fuel http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fe...blended_fuels/ "The energy-unit-per-volume of ethanol is about 35 percent lower than gasoline. Because fuel economy is proportional to energy content, increasing the ethanol quotient can reduce fuel mileage. The effect with E10 is usually negligible—about 3 percent—but fuel economy for E85 vehicles is usually about 25 percent less than with gas. Ethanol is more corrosive than gasoline, which can promote engine damage, especially to aluminum. Ethanol is also hygroscopic (it absorbs water vapor from the air), which can be especially problematic for motorcycles that aren’t ridden every day. Ethanol contains 37 percent oxygen by weight, giving E100 an effective octane rating of 115. The more-commonly available E85 blend has an effective octane rating around 105—significantly higher than pump gas. The enhanced resistance to detonation and cooling properties delivered by these high-octane fuels allow ethanol engines to be tuned with very high compression ratios and radical ignition timing, and still safely produce superior horsepower compared to a conventional, gas-fueled engine." __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

June 26th, 2013, 12:21 PM	#4
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	That article is BS, nobody would put E85 in a car or bike not rated for it, anfd the e10 stuff you all use it says the effects are negligable at 3% less efficient. Any vehicle rated for e85 is going to have all the mods to make it safe for e85 so all the corrosive stuff is a moot point. Besides, I drink the equivilent of three litres of e6 every friday and i'm fine
	0 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

June 26th, 2013, 12:39 PM	#5
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	I am going to run e 85. I tried before and ran into what I think was coil weariness.but in October this year I am going on the dyno and trying again. The power potential is there. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

June 26th, 2013, 06:51 PM	#14
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	For racing purposes pump e85 will not work. The e85 from the pump can have from 10 % to 25 % ethanol depending on the season. So for me 5 gallon is about $75.00 __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

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June 26th, 2013, 12:00 PM	#2
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Great info! Thanks.

June 26th, 2013, 12:13 PM	#3
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	Wait why does an extra 5% of ethanol reduce fuel Econ by another 22%?

June 26th, 2013, 04:35 PM	#9
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Only ethanol free gas (87 octane) for me, when I can get it.

June 26th, 2013, 05:56 PM	#12
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	That's like buying premium, .20 cents is totally worth it.

June 26th, 2013, 06:23 PM	#13
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	a quick Google search shows e85 is 18% cheaper http://e85prices.com/