staff@slashgear.com (Daniel Trock)
2024-04-02 14:15:14
www.slashgear.com
There have been some attempts at alternative fuel types for motorcycles over the years, including diesel and methanol in heavy-duty and racing bikes, but one of the most prominent is ethanol. Back in the 1970s, in response to the rising cost of gasoline, ethanol fuel emerged as an attractive alternative. Since ethanol comes from readily available sources like corn, it’s considered a greener alternative to straight-up unleaded gasoline. There are even ongoing experiments to convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide pollution into ethanol for fuel.
Gas stations usually have an ethanol-gasoline blend on tap for around the same cost as regular or less. However, unless your motorcycle was specifically built from the ground up to properly accommodate ethanol fuel, you’re likely to get poor performance out of it. Unlike regular gasoline, ethanol can absorb ambient moisture from the air. Ethanol bound to water will eventually separate and settle at the bottom of the tank — drastically reducing the octane rating of your fuel.
Ethanol allegedly produces fewer emissions than gasoline, though this is still a hotly contested topic. That said, its presence can boost engine performance, which is why some premium fuels contain it in small amounts to increase the octane rating. The trade-off for a majority-ethanol blend is more frequent repairs and replacements on your bike. Unless you’re riding a motorcycle built to accept ethanol fuel exclusively, it’s probably better to just stick with unleaded.