Fuel supplements

[MR. H1956]

Does anyone use injector cleaner in their gas? Or does it even help to put it in? Just asking since I do it about every 3rd fill up. In our 2011 RT.

[Grayfox]

Don't know if it helps or not but I use it all the time.

[Bob Denman]

Snake Oil.jpg

Spend your money on fuel: it'll make you feel better!

[Mad Mac]

I think today's fuels have enough "detergents" in them to keep injectors clean. The only additive I put in ours is Stabil when I top off the tank to store it during the winter. Have had good luck and it always starts at the first hint of spring. Mac

[jroberts650]

I use Stabil Marine Fuel Treatment in every tankful. Around 1/4 oz treats 5-6 gals. Main reason is to resist moisture in the fuel.

[ofdave]

Actually some fuel additives do work.
Seafoam is a favorite of mine and many who ride the 6 carb Honda Valkyrie (any carb bike for that matter). The low speed carb circuit gums up easily with the use of ethanol fuel and using Seafoam can clear this up and avoid a carb rebuild.

I understand our Spyders do not have carburetors
Techron has been used with success by many to keep injectors clean, as have Stabil, StarTRon, Biobor (marine diesel & aviation), and a few others. Claims made by the cheep ones are bogus.
Frequent riding virtually eliminates the need for our gas engines to need an additive. Algae builds in diesel fuel and additives can control that to a large degree.
Do we need to use an additive? Probably not, except for long term (more than 45 days) storage (and Stabil has a good record for that use.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to run it through a tank every few thousand miles though. Like Techron or Seafoam

[JayBros]

A waste of money!

[Jetfixer]

I strongly suspect that if it was at all required or even helpful, the engineers at Can Am/Rotax would be sure and tell their marketing departments to print that in the owners manuals and require Can Am brand treatments.

[Garf]

I have used StarTron for the past 5 years in my BMW 1200RT and never had a fuel problem.
Plan on doing the same with the Spyder. 1oz with each fill up.
Supposed to neutralize the corn in today's junk fuel

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Snake Oil.jpg

Spend your money on fuel: it'll make you feel better!

........ The vast majority of additives do next to nothing ...jmho ... Mike

[Chupaca]

We may never look in there and see the effect. Advertisements can show you whatever they want. The ryding effect is negligible at best and the higher priced gasoline say they have it in theirs. I use seafoam and have had no problems. One could say I would never have had a problem had I not used it don't want to find out and it has no negative effect...

[Easy Rider]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to run it through a tank every few thousand miles though. Like Techron or Seafoam

This.
Techron for injected engines.
Gumout or Berrymans B12 Chemtool for carbs.

My opinion of Seafoam is not quite as high as yours.
I consider it overpriced snake oil.
None of it's ingredients are particularly good solvents for fuel residue.

P.S. There is absolutely NO good reason to add anything to every tank full.

[jroberts650]

This.
Techron for injected engines.
Gumout or Berrymans B12 Chemtool for carbs.

My opinion of Seafoam is not quite as high as yours.
I consider it overpriced snake oil.
None of it's ingredients are particularly good solvents for fuel residue.

P.S. There is absolutely NO good reason to add anything to every tank full.

I'm not sure that I would agree with that last statement. I'm not saying you're wrong but think of this. Our fuel tank is right over the engine and subject to extremely high temps. When temps like that go up and down, moisture forms. And ethanol attracts moisture. Especially since the fuel system is atmosphere vented.

For the $5 I pay for Stabil and only use 1/4 oz in each tank, the cost is very minute and lasts me several months. And I use it in my atvs and mowers also. For 5 years I have never had to drain the tank because of degraded fuel or even cleaned carbs because of gummed jets. So to use In my Spyder and have that piece of mind, I'm ok with it.

[Easy Rider]

I'm not sure that I would agree with that last statement.

For the $5 I pay for Stabil and only use 1/4 oz in each tank,

And I think that if you really believe that 1/4 ounce of anything diluted in 5 gallons (640 ounces) of fuel is doing anything useful, you are just kidding yourself.

But in many cases, perception is reality......so do whatever makes you feel good.
It certainly won't hurt anything.

[jroberts650]

And I think

You think is exactly that.... a thought. Not fact. So unless you've done the tests and provide evidence that it does nothing, do what you want with your equipment. I know how mine has been using the treatment. And that's all I need for proof.

[Zip]

http://www.fuelsystemguide.com/what-is-the-best-ethanol-fuel-treatment/

[Zip]

http://www.fuelsystemguide.com/what-is-the-best-ethanol-fuel-treatment/

[robtdonna]

Or, if available, you can pay a little more and use non-ethanol fuel. Which is my preference.

Here's a good Non-E locator.

https://www.pure-gas.org/

[ofdave]

This.
Techron for injected engines.
Gumout or Berrymans B12 Chemtool for carbs.

My opinion of Seafoam is not quite as high as yours.
I consider it overpriced snake oil.
None of it's ingredients are particularly good solvents for fuel residue.

P.S. There is absolutely NO good reason to add anything to every tank full.

My comments on Seafoam are based on first hand experience, not hearsay.

[Bob Denman]

Straight Gas did give me about a 10% bump in fuel economy...
But these engines will handle E-10 fuel without any problems...

[Highwayman2013]

You think is exactly that.... a thought. Not fact. So unless you've done the tests and provide evidence that it does nothing, do what you want with your equipment. I know how mine has been using the treatment. And that's all I need for proof.

Have YOU done any research or have any proof of what you are doing has any effect? I don't use any treatment and mine runs fine. How's that for anecdotal evidence.

[MR. H1956]

Thanks to all. Never know till you ask. I've used seafoam and Lucas injector cleaner before on my semi trucks. All info is always welcome. Happy Trails to everyone ride safe ride often.

[jroberts650]

Have YOU done any research or have any proof of what you are doing has any effect? I don't use any treatment and mine runs fine. How's that for anecdotal evidence.

I use stabil marine in every small engine I have.... 2 atvs, 2 mowers, generator and wood splitter. I have been using it exclusively for 5 years and have yet to have any problems, clogged jets or filters or just plain bad gas that won't burn. I never have had to drain the tanks or carbs or take the carbs off to clean since using it in my gasoline. Try that with ethanol gas that's untreated and see what happens.

That's my research and all the proof I need.

[jroberts650]

If you burn through your tanks pretty regularly, no you shouldn't need to use any. But during storage or if you don't ride a lot and the fuel sits. It will benefit to use the stabilizer. I could care less whether anyone uses it or not. I'm just stating my preferences and my experience using it and not using it.

Just don't bash people for using it regardless of your opinion. They have their reason to use it.

[Fire34]

http://www.fuelsystemguide.com/what-is-the-best-ethanol-fuel-treatment/

Star Tron is what our dealer recommended for winter storage, I started adding some the last coupe of rides for the season, might want to add some during the riding season also. Just toooo bad we cant stop the ethanol boondoggle.

Dave