Flex fuel, 88 & Crosswinds

[Caven]

Last weekend I took a ride from Salt Lake City to tour through Arches National Park and CanyonLands in southern Utah. This required me to cross the High Plains of central Utah. During this ride I experienced significant crosswinds. I saw two wheeler riders who looked dangerously close to peril because of these crosswinds, and I did need to wrestle my Spyder to keep a straight line. My riding experience, just like my technical knowledge, is scant indeed; so, I wonder whether anyone has any guidance on how to cope with buffeting crosswinds specific to our configuration of the trike?

On the same trip I inadvertently added Flex-fuel to the Spyder because it was the only one on the gas pump options signaling a step up from the lowest grade (which at that pump was 87). Since reading the manual, prompted by messages on this form, I've been adding whatever fuel is one step up from the base (which is usually called 'Silver', 'Plus' or 'Extra' at my local pumps). However, on this occasion I just glanced at the numerals and added the fuel indicated as 88 ~ and only at the end did I see I was adding fuel with 15% ethanol additive. To my question ... Is ethanol at this concentration a problem or not for the 1330 cc engine?

Thanks to all who respond to questions and offer comments here. It's my primary education about my favorite ride.

Caven

[Chupaca]

On the wind I have found that mostly it is you the driver that fights the wind and if you relax and just lean into it you are fine. I have never had to fight the spyder but Have been knocked about quite a bit and passenger as well.
As to the fuel it is not a problem and I would recommend getting some sea foram at your local autoparts dealer. This is good every few tankfuls to counter the ethanol but the 87 will work fine.

[Caven]

Again, my technical naivety is on-display ... is the Sea Foam the same sort of fuel-stabilizer as 'Stabil' which I've been using for over-wintering these past few years?

Caven

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Again, my technical naivety is on-display ... is the Sea Foam the same sort of fuel-stabilizer as 'Stabil' which I've been using for over-wintering these past few years?

Caven

I'm not sure the STABIL will cancel the added Ethyl ….. StarTron claims it does cancel the Ethyl. …. IMHO I would siphon most of the Gas in the tank, ( and use in your car one Gal at a time ) although I don't think 5% more Ethyl will actually hurt the Spyder …..BUT NEVER DO IT AGAIN !!!!!...……..Mike

[4 MARIE]

Don't use E85 no matter what. Your local has called "silver, plus, or extra" will be a couple octane
points higher than regular, and a couple cents lower per gallon. These are all alcohol added, to varying degrees.
I don't like it because of the scrubbing effect on your fuel system. This is certainly worse on older vehicles.
Scouring out the fuel tank, and fuel lines, drying out rubber items, etc. Your machine will still run okay, but mileage,
which isn't great in the first place will suffer.
Now about the wind issue. Hey I'm from Kansas, and have seen ferocious wind in lots of places I've ridden on two wheels.
Heavy side wind is okay, but it's the break from it that can be dangerous, like when a semi makes a windbreak, or you duck
under an overpass, and suddenly have no wind.

[pegasus1300]

I am surprised that you found E15 in Utah. We are usually 10% or Ethanol Free (because of all the ATV's and snowmobiles.). What road did you take to Arches, US 6?

[Caven]

Park City to Heber City, then Provo and onwards to Price. Only a short distance about Provo on the interstate.

Great ride with the sun highlighting the red rocks both going and coming.

Caven

[SpyderAnn01]

A BajaRon Anti Sway Bar will help in the wind and so will leaning your head into the wind.

[UtahPete]

Again, my technical naivety is on-display ... is the Sea Foam the same sort of fuel-stabilizer as 'Stabil' which I've been using for over-wintering these past few years?

Caven

I've used Sea Foam to clear up an idling problem on my VStar at the recommendation of the mechanic, who wasn't able to investigate further in the time I had before leaving on a long trip. It worked very well. So, I think that it's more of a solvent for removing buildup in fuel delivery systems than anything else. I could be wrong.

The problem with ethanol is that it absorbs moisture, so if that tankful of 15% were to sit in your tank unused for a period of time, it could create a problem with water in the fuel, which is why Sta-Bil would be the solution.

If that tankful of gas got used up without any engine performance issues at the time, I doubt you have anything to worry about.

[Easy Rider]

As to the fuel it is not a problem and I would recommend getting some sea foram at your local autoparts dealer. This is good every few tankfuls to counter the ethanol but the 87 will work fine.

First, if the winds are strong enough to make you uncomfortable......your brain is trying to tell you that you ARE IN DANGER and you should STOP riding until it dies down.
I never ride when sustained winds are 30 MPH or more or there are reported gusts above 40.

Then....here we go again with Seafoam.
Do you really NOT know that one of the main ingredients in Seafoam is......ALCOHOL ???

As for the "flex fuel" quesion: The OP REALLY needs to pay closer attention to the gas pump labeling.
When most people talk about "flex fuel", they mean E85, which can be a serious problem.
E15 however should not be, especially when it is mixed with some fuel already IN the tank.

[UtahPete]

Park City to Heber City, then Provo and onwards to Price. Only a short distance about Provo on the interstate.

Great ride with the sun highlighting the red rocks both going and coming.

Caven

Next time you're in the area, let's get together. I can show you a couple of ways to go that route which avoids the freeway altogether.

[Bob Denman]

E15 won't hurt your bike...

But don't make the same mistake with E85!

[Caven]

Friends, fellow arachnids: Thanks, as always, for the freely provided insights.

Most of the time the posters & respondents in this forum seem like grizzled, mechanical experts (I sometimes feel like I'm the only one of you that didn't do a lifetime of work at General Motors). So, thanks for helping out this no-nothing 'mechanic.'

My truth is I once had to ask whether the spyder has a water-cooled engine or not. I still don't know where to find the oil-gauge. There, I've said it.

Are there ever any rallies where REALLY SIMPLE STUFF IS EXPLAINED in no-nothing-type language?

Best to all, Caven

[Bob Denman]

Just keep asking; and we'll keep answering.

[SuperG]

The OP had an interesting observation on wind buffeting. I say that, because my experience is different. I find the stability of my RTL phenomenal in a crosswind. I think I might be a bit biased though as high-winds is an everyday event New Mexico. I remember appreciating the weight of my Goldwing as a bulwark crosswinds. My Roadstar though, not so good in a crosswind.

[UtahPete]

The OP had an interesting observation on wind buffeting. I say that, because my experience is different.

I find the stability of my RTL phenomenal in a crosswind. I think I might be a bit biased though as high-winds is an everyday event New Mexico.

[Easy Rider]

F I still don't know where to find the oil-gauge. There, I've said it.

That's not too surprising.......since there isn't one.

[UtahPete]

That's not too surprising.......since there isn't one.

Isn't it up there with the engine brake switch?