Ethanol Gas vs non Ethanol

[JayHawker]

Where I live (Eastern Kansas) most of the gas stations only have gas with 10% ethanol, a few have gas without ethanol but it is 87 octane. According to owner manual for my 2012 RT limited I should use 91 octane gas. Question is should I use 91 octane with ethanol gas or would it be better to get the 87 octane gas without ethanol and add a octane booster.

 

[Chupaca]

Choices choices..!!

We have only ethanol added gas so I run the 91and some sea foam every few tankfuls to counter the side effects...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

The fuel system is designed to handle the ethanol...
The key is really the octane rating; us what the manufacturer says to, and don't worry about the ethanol. :thumbup:
But if you can get the proper octane rating WITHOUT it: get yourself a tankerful!

Yes: the computers can do their magic, and probably allow you to run kerosene in the bike... But for the best performance out of the engine; use the proper octane. nojoke

 

[DrewNJ]

It doesn't happen often, but I agree with Bob.
IMHO ethanol is a bigger concern in marine environments, especially those boats that see limited use and/or those that only see marina gas.
You likely won't own your spyder long enough to worry about soft part deterioration due to ethanol.

 

[Commander]

I use Sta bil and put some in at every fill up. I keep a bottle in the frunk

 

[Gray Ghost]

Yes, our engines are designed to handle gasoline containing ethanol, as long as it is fresh. Ethanol has a usable life span of about 90 days. Not from the time you pump it, but from the time it is mixed. Old ethanol gas can cause problems for your engine. It is especially problematic for carbureted engines, we have probably had 10 instances of having to tear down carbs, clean and rebuild in the last couple of months all from letting non treated gas sit in their system.

If your Spyder is going to be sitting for a bit, use some sort of stabilizer. Even if you are regularly using your Spyder, make sure that you aren't always topping it off at 1/4 tank. Every so often run it until it is almost empty in order to get rid of the old gas.

 

[ursamajor35126]

I always add an ounce or two of this to each tankful. Works great and keeps all the negative aspects of ethanol abated.

http://www.starbrite.com/en/startron

 

[ARtraveler]

No ethanol in Alaska gas. Most refueling stations offer 87, 88, and 90. Remote areas usually do not have 90.

I usually recommend going a half tank when on road trips. That way, if you hit some "bad" gas, you are mixing with half a tank of "good." Usually, less consequences than a full tank of "bad."

Have never encountered gas that screwed up the :spyder2:. Have had some that "slowed it down" a little.

 

[Bob Denman]

It doesn't happen often, but I agree with Bob..

:shocked:

:thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I DO THIS

I add Startron which does two things , gives a slight boost to the Octane and supposedly negates the Ethynol.........Don't confuse RECOMMENDED with MUST USE or ONLY USE ..................BRP recommends 91 in the 998 engine ........but it is designed to operate fine on 87.......IMHO if I could get 87 NON-Ethyl ....I would get that...........It has more Power .......................PS I ran my GS and then my RSS only on 87 and never had an issue ......Mike :thumbup:

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Just run what ya have available. The key is using fresh fuel, not necessarily the octane or ethanol. Lots of interesting reads on ethanol out there if ya get real bored. They can all be summed up by 3 words....."use fresh fuel". If you have ethanol in the tank, and the bike is gonna sit a while, add the recommended amount of marine grade (green stuff) Stabil, or some Startron as mentioned.

 

[Bob Denman]

PS I ran my GS and then my RSS only on 87 and never had an issue ......Mike :thumbup:

But Mike,

Due to the lower combustion ratios in the 990 series engines; 87 WAS the suggested octane for them...
(10.8 to 1, versus 12.2 to 1n the 991 series...)

 

[DrewNJ]

I guess I'm old school. I'd never run 87 in a 10:1 motor.....let alone 12:1 or higher.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BUT BUT BUT BUT

But Mike,

Due to the lower combustion ratios in the 990 series engines; 87 WAS the suggested octane for them...
(10.8 to 1, versus 12.2 to 1n the 991 series...)

But Bob if you read His post HE HAS a 2012 RT with a V-twin ENGINE !!!!!!!!!!............:lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie:................I also run it my 1330 but you knew that :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:...........................Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

I was referring to YOUR use of it, in a pair of 990 series bikes...

 

[Marker]

I use the highest octane possible. When visiting USA I always buy the highest octane available not worrying about ethanol.
The octane rating is the important factor. Never had a problem with my 2010 RT S SE5.
Always never top off tank try to keep gas fresh If spyder will be sitting for a while I will add some stabilizer to tank and run spyder for a 10 min before parkinfg it.

 

[Bob Denman]

I guess I'm old school. I'd never run 87 in a 10:1 motor.....let alone 12:1 or higher.

:shocked:
Drew,
:agree: One of us must be doing something wrong, if we're agreeing with each other...

 

[medicineman48]

I just purchased a 2015 Spyder but I have been running 87 octane non-ethanol in my 2011 RT for four years. Ethanol absorbs water and destroys rubber seals. I have never had a spark knock or hesitation using the non-ethanol.

 

[Bfromla]

This should help. http://pure-gas.org. Helps me on trips best try one octane lv per month, i also use gas cubby app on phone keeps better info than i do in notes, memory. G'luck


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Tango]

If you can buy "pure gas" by all means do it! Ethanol gas robs 10% of the gas's power out put. I wish it was readily available near me. :thumbup: Tom :spyder: