When I ride NY or Vt and use non ethanol my mileage jumps from about 34 to the mid to high 40's and the bike seems to run cooler, to me it's worth the extra cost for the fuel.
How To Improve Fuel MPG on R3T
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rocketjohn
Top Fuel
I've noticed a difference with pure gas myself.
Joesmoe
IMOKUR2
Ethanol was banned in the late sixties at Indianapolis Speedway after some fires (ethanol flame cannot be readily seen by the human eye). Further pressure was put on ethanol use indirectly by fuel quantity restrictions intended to restrain the upward increase in average speed and resulting high energy, high injury crashes, and ethanol has a far lower caloric content than comparable hydrocarbon fuels, so racers trying to get as far as possible between pit stops abandoned ethanol with nary a whimper. We note the recent Triumph land speed record attempt used ethanol, in order to use blown engines with extra high compression ratios, and ethanol's one advantage over comparable hydrocarbon fuels is a research octane rating of approximately 113.
So why has it risen its ugly head once again? -- POLITICs -- and more specifically FARM POLITICS.
Over the years, industrial agriculture has increased the efficiency of crops, which has depressed prices. Farmers throughout the history of man have been favored by most governments, and we are no different, and in 2008 fuel scare, the farm belt garnered enough votes to favor ethanol blending in fuel.
In every other respect, this is BAD SCIENCE, and BAD ECONOMICS.
Ethanol lowers fuel mileage as other posters have noted as its combustion produces less energy per mass.
Ethanol is a net energy consumer, given what is required to cultivate and harvest, process, and transport the crops -- in this case corn.
The corn in question could feed people, so this is another strike against ethanol.
Someday -- an aside here -- there will be enzymatic cracking of saw grass and such plants that are no use to the human food chain, and that will be a different argument.
In the mean time, every time you and I pull up to a pump that has the sticker "this fuel contains ethanol" you and I are experiencing BOHICA where politicians have yet again, reached into our pocket anonymously to send money to their special interests. And we pay twice, because we have to fill up more often, and worry about possible issues with our engines.
So when you get that notice from the American Motorcycle Association requesting you contact your elected representative to urge them to vote against the EPA mandating more ethanol in our fuel, do it, with a vengeance. Tell all your friends too. Ethanol is bad for everyone EXCEPT a handful of big corn growers.
So why has it risen its ugly head once again? -- POLITICs -- and more specifically FARM POLITICS.
Over the years, industrial agriculture has increased the efficiency of crops, which has depressed prices. Farmers throughout the history of man have been favored by most governments, and we are no different, and in 2008 fuel scare, the farm belt garnered enough votes to favor ethanol blending in fuel.
In every other respect, this is BAD SCIENCE, and BAD ECONOMICS.
Ethanol lowers fuel mileage as other posters have noted as its combustion produces less energy per mass.
Ethanol is a net energy consumer, given what is required to cultivate and harvest, process, and transport the crops -- in this case corn.
The corn in question could feed people, so this is another strike against ethanol.
Someday -- an aside here -- there will be enzymatic cracking of saw grass and such plants that are no use to the human food chain, and that will be a different argument.
In the mean time, every time you and I pull up to a pump that has the sticker "this fuel contains ethanol" you and I are experiencing BOHICA where politicians have yet again, reached into our pocket anonymously to send money to their special interests. And we pay twice, because we have to fill up more often, and worry about possible issues with our engines.
So when you get that notice from the American Motorcycle Association requesting you contact your elected representative to urge them to vote against the EPA mandating more ethanol in our fuel, do it, with a vengeance. Tell all your friends too. Ethanol is bad for everyone EXCEPT a handful of big corn growers.
Last edited:
sonny
Living Legend
The key words there are BIG CORN GROWERS. Major corporations Invest In corporate farms. Gee what major corporations have large amounts of expendable income to invest in something as risking as farming? Add in a few politicians and you have a win win situation for the oil companies. Get the picture? I am all for improving the environment but Ethanol is not the answer. I never run Ethanol in the Rocket. Running it in the Harley is a nightmare. Did it one time and the poor thing coughed and spit. The fiat abarth has no pick up and go and the gas milage drops dramatically with Ethanol. We have three gas stations here in Henryetta Oklahoma only one sells Ethanol gas. The other two gas stations slant convenience stores sell real gas at a decent price. Lucky me. 
Idaho Red Rocket 3
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OP consider making a few minor modifications to your bike. Get a set of Triumph TORs exhaust pipes or a set of D&D exhaust pipes. They both eliminate the cats. Then download an updated tune with TuneECU. There is a tune that unlocks 30 horsepower for your bike. Fuel mileage will not suffer, but increase a little. And your grin and fun factors will increase immensely.
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