First, a proviso. It's an early post-Christmas morning, and all the rellies have just departed home... The house is quiet, but my mental functions are not, er, functioning. Must be all that Xmas pud. One strong coffee down, internet on, maybe I need another coffee...

I was reading on another forum (GT-riders.com) about the addition of ethanol in gasoline (petrol), commonly known as gasohol. Gasohol is used in place of benzine gasoline throughout Thailand and, I believe, the USA. What I have read suggests that the alcohol component in the gasoline may have a number of negative effects on older bikes, namely:

- The ethanol reacts with older carb gaskets, O-rings, and fuel pipes, to cause the "rubber" to split and perish.

- The ethanol binds with H2O in high humidity environments like Thailand, to draw water into the fuel tank and, eventually, the carbs.

- The ethanol causes the carb slides to "gum-up" (technical expression).

My question is, in the absence of benzine based gasoline, is Gasohol safe to use in an NC30? Will the ethanol component result in the fuel line degrading? Am I sitting on a major fire risk until all the old pipes, gaskets, and O-rings are changed?

Perhaps someone running an NC30/35 in the US might like to comment. I really want to avoid a New Year's BBQ! Thanks, guys.

10% ethanol (E10) is quite common in Australia. I wouldn't use it personally for all the reasons you list. The Australian Government released a list of vehicle models which are compatible with E10 fuel. No Honda bikes are listed as compatible (or any of the big 4 bike manufacturers for that matter).

I reckon it would play havoc with floats/float needles and fuel line as you say. But I spose you could keep your eye on these parts if you have no choice but to use it.

There was a discussion on ethanol fuel a while back:

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=20605&hilit=ethanol

Thanks for the linky, superlite. I'd searched for "gasohol", not "ethanol"...

With a tank full of Shell Optimax Gasohol sitting in the NC30 (oh yes, after promising not to, Shell have added ethanol to their Thai-blend Optimax), and having read the previous thread, I'm heading down to the shops for 1m. transparent pipe, pronto. The scooter can have the gasohol.

The NC30 will run fine on Thai RON 91 benzine which is still fairly available in areas we can't get 95. I have read all the negative press about Gasahol and have still used it when there's been no other choice. There is no immediate fire risk to your bike and the rubber in your carbs is not going to degrade overnight. Use up the fuel in your tank and top up with benzine. Good excuse to go riding

I fill gasohol if nothing else is available but normally I'm using 91 benzene. If you're filling 91 from a rural gas station check for engine knock at low rpm high load (high frequency metallic rattling noise). That's the only problem I had with gas in Thailand.

Many also think the ethanol fuels are causing Ducati plastic fuel tanks to expand and distort.

vfrman wrote:Many also think the ethanol fuels are causing Ducati plastic fuel tanks to expand and distort.

That`s true. My Ducati 1198s fuel tank expanded due to the ethanol in the US fuel... Luckyily I got a new one from Ducati!

krisztian_andre wrote:I fill gasohol if nothing else is available but normally I'm using 91 benzene. If you're filling 91 from a rural gas station check for engine knock at low rpm high load (high frequency metallic rattling noise). That's the only problem I had with gas in Thailand.

So you have experienced engine knock using RON 91? I haven't as yet with the NC35. However I recently installed a high compression motor built by JD Hord into my SP2 and I'm worried how that's gonna deal with the local fuel.

andreasmkr wrote:

vfrman wrote:Many also think the ethanol fuels are causing Ducati plastic fuel tanks to expand and distort.

That`s true. My Ducati 1198s fuel tank expanded due to the ethanol in the US fuel... Luckyily I got a new one from Ducati!

Yes, the only problem with your new tank is it is the same as the old one, so the problem will probably come back. I should have waited for the 2011 1198s. Aluminum tank is standard, along with a bunch of other stuff I consider essential (DTC, slipper and quick shifter to name a few!)

Ethanol is also just plain shite anyway. The whole idea being a renewable energy is great... but unfortunately for petrol heads, having a lower calorific value then petrol means you need more juice for the same bang.

I run my bike on 95, a cleaner motor is a happy motor :)