What type of gas do you use in your ST? Ethanol free rec 90, premium w/ethanol? I’ve been using ethanol free or tier 1 premium. Just wondering what’s the best for my 1300?
Thx folks!
Thx folks!
Gasoline
- Thread starter ATA
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OP
OP
Is ethanol free not really necessary for the 1300? I know it’s recommended for carberated engines. I know you get about 3% better mpg with EF
Highest octane I can get so either 91 or 93 depending on brand; it's generally got 10 percent ethanol because that is what the station 0.8 miles from my house sells. Pure gas is difficult to find in this area, and yes I am aware of the pure gas website. There just aren't any stations within a reasonable distance of my general base of operations to be practical.
My ST1100 runs well on everything I have put in so far. Regular, premium, 0 and 10% alcohol. On trips, you don't always get to pick and choose. In our ST1300 I run premium, but have run the previous fuels as chance dictated. Again, no noticeable difference in performance.
OP
OP
Any concerns on the “down the road” effects on rubber/seals from ethanol?
Run what i can find. Get a minor improvement on higher octane and ethanol free but not worth the price in my math. If I was going for a sporting run I would fill with high octane but for daily commute I fill with standard 87.
As long as you keep the gas turning over no issue with ethanol in our engines. the plastic/rubber bits are of a material that are compatible. Well... come to think of it... all gas needs to be turned over, moisture will collect in the air space regardless. At least with the ethanol a bit of it will get absorbed into the fuel and be disposed of in the engine intake. Doesn't help increase power any.
As long as you keep the gas turning over no issue with ethanol in our engines. the plastic/rubber bits are of a material that are compatible. Well... come to think of it... all gas needs to be turned over, moisture will collect in the air space regardless. At least with the ethanol a bit of it will get absorbed into the fuel and be disposed of in the engine intake. Doesn't help increase power any.
Kevin_56
Site Supporter
I don't like ethanol. Corn is to be eaten not put in motorcycles.
Having said that, I can't find anything but 10%. I have run regular with no problems but I always pick a name brand station with a lot of traffic.
I don't want the gasolene to sit for days and days and high flow stations meet that requirement.
Having said that, I can't find anything but 10%. I have run regular with no problems but I always pick a name brand station with a lot of traffic.
I don't want the gasolene to sit for days and days and high flow stations meet that requirement.
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
The biggest problems I have repeatedly read about on this site regarding using ethanol fuels in the ST1300 relate to extended periods of down time. The etanol seems to form a build-up on the valve stems when the engine has been left unused for a period as short as two weeks. This causes the valves to stick in the open position causing hard starting. Once the engine starts the problem clears its self. Much longer storage times people have cited rusting of the lower fuel tank and fuel pump assembly requiring treatment/replacement.
Based on what I have read on this forum I have come to three conclusions regarding using ethanol fuels (respecting the maximum concentrations recommended by Honda) in the ST1300;
1- It can cause a slight decrease in power and miles per gallon. This is claimed by many and disputed by just as many so you may or may not notice either.
2- It is of no concern if your bike is used regularly. (My own experience is my bike gets stored for five months every winter and I have never had any fuel related problems.)
3- If your bike will not be used for an extended period I would suggest you burn off the ethanol fuel and fill up with ethanol free fuel with SeaFoam added to it and run it through the system before parking. If ethanol free is not available I don't consider it a big concern but would suggest the use of SeaFoam (or similar) for the better safe than sorry factor.
What qualifies as an extended period? People have reported the stuck valve problem after leaving the bike sit for as little as two weeks so that might be a good marker.
So the solution is to just don't stop riding!
Based on what I have read on this forum I have come to three conclusions regarding using ethanol fuels (respecting the maximum concentrations recommended by Honda) in the ST1300;
1- It can cause a slight decrease in power and miles per gallon. This is claimed by many and disputed by just as many so you may or may not notice either.
2- It is of no concern if your bike is used regularly. (My own experience is my bike gets stored for five months every winter and I have never had any fuel related problems.)
3- If your bike will not be used for an extended period I would suggest you burn off the ethanol fuel and fill up with ethanol free fuel with SeaFoam added to it and run it through the system before parking. If ethanol free is not available I don't consider it a big concern but would suggest the use of SeaFoam (or similar) for the better safe than sorry factor.
What qualifies as an extended period? People have reported the stuck valve problem after leaving the bike sit for as little as two weeks so that might be a good marker.
So the solution is to just don't stop riding!
I agree 100%. More cornbread on the table!!
The only issues I ever had with gas was when I bout some premium gas on my trip back from OzarkSToc. I took the scenic route home and since I was riding for fun i bought premium in a little itsy bitsy town... and in hindsight they probably sell premium only because someone bought it back in 2003. Bike started running like a big 'terd' 35 miles up the road.
Finally got that tank of bad gas out of the system, ran some SeaFoam and couple more tanks of high-turnover gasolene and back to normal.
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My 2005 was never particular about fuel. I usually ran 91 octane or better 10% ethanol but plenty of 87 octane during 180,000 miles of service. My older bikes don’t really seem to suffer the doom and gloom of ethanol either but if they are going to sit awhile I’ll dose them with ethanol blend StaBil to be safe.
267,000 miles and I only run 87 octane. I'd guess less than 10 tanks of anything higher than 87 with ethanol. Even the non-ethanol I've tried was 87. I'm sure the bike has bad valve seats carbon on the piston lead in it's belly and a plugged up exhaust system and holey hoses (sarcasm) but still my gas mileage is the same as the day it was new. 43 44 mpg most always at 75mph.
The good thing is I'm probably deaf enough and with the ear plugs I can't hear it ping all day (more sarcasm (except for the deaf part)). Run what ever fuel you like.
I did some math, in 267,000 miles that's about 6200 gallons of fuel purchased. $17,366 of 91 at 2.80 or $14,880 at 87oct. at $2.40 Only $2,500 difference in 9 years for all those miles so price wise not that much. YMMV for sure.
I was hoping to run a full train car of fuel through the bike while I have it but doubt I will make it. Train car holds 30,000 to 35,000 gallons. Only 23,800 gallons to go or 1,023,400 more miles.
I use cheap walmart oil filters too!
Bike is for sale locally (last bit of sarcasm).
The good thing is I'm probably deaf enough and with the ear plugs I can't hear it ping all day (more sarcasm (except for the deaf part)). Run what ever fuel you like.
I did some math, in 267,000 miles that's about 6200 gallons of fuel purchased. $17,366 of 91 at 2.80 or $14,880 at 87oct. at $2.40 Only $2,500 difference in 9 years for all those miles so price wise not that much. YMMV for sure.
I was hoping to run a full train car of fuel through the bike while I have it but doubt I will make it. Train car holds 30,000 to 35,000 gallons. Only 23,800 gallons to go or 1,023,400 more miles.
I use cheap walmart oil filters too!
Bike is for sale locally (last bit of sarcasm).
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I run mostly 87 with 10% ethonol in all my bikes. I have run a couple of tanks of ethanol free thru both the GW and the ST, can't see any difference in fuel mileage on either bike. Run a few tanks of premium thru the ST and can't see any difference in performance or fuel mileage. So, I will run 87 for the most part simply due to the price......
OP
OP
I've also been advised not to fill up at a station when the fuel truck is there. Any dirt in the big tanks are stirred up during this station refueling process. Will end up clogging your vehicle's fuel filter faster.
I have always run premium fuel, what ever is available. It just makes me feel like I'm taking care of my babies. I due use 90 rec ethanol free with Sta-bil for winter lay up.
wjbertrand
Ventura Highway
My ST1100 ran fine on regular grade with 10% EtOH (all you can get in SoCal) but my ST1300 would occasionally ping/knock on regular so I started using premium in that bike, also with 10% EtOH. Struck me as ironic since the ST13 has knock sensors and the ST11 didn't.
And not once did he say what gas HE uses.