[Ducati] Ethanol blends

[A. Tam]

There are some complaints about "carburetion" quality with some of these fuels on late model bikes and, at least here in Illinois, some folks seem to be having more fuel issues as of late. But, I haven't had any mechanical/fuel system issues arise because of the presence of ethanol. 
   
  The owner's manual of many modern cars and my SV contain verbiage that the car/bike can sustain 10%+ ethanol fuel blend. I don't recall that in the Ducati manual but from experience, I don't think it will suffer any serious ill effects.
   
  However, compared to Sunoco 96 (typical "cheap" fuel at some tracks), I noticed there is a slight seat of the pants difference in (subjective) idle quality, smoothness and overall engine performance.
   
  My SV has 35K+ miles running this stuff and my Ducati has over 12K. I have no choice as Northeastern Illinois has been using 10% ethanol blend for many, many years at virtually all petrol stations, especially in Chicago.
   
  I am mildly annoyed that we are forced to pay more for fuel that is of seemingly inferior quality these days.
   
  -a.
  

"Wright, Dirk" <Dirk.Wright at USPTO.GOV> wrote:
  thanks.

-----Original Message-----
From: ducati-bounces at ducati.net [mailto:ducati-bounces at ducati.net]On
Behalf Of Ronald Betts
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 11:33 AM
To: ducati at ducati.net
Subject: RE: [Ducati] Ethanol blends


I probably wouldn't worry about it as it is a blend. Ethanol in itself will 
cause problems with what can only be termed 'old rubber", meaning some of 
the old o-rings and such made before the use of ethanol didnt like it much. 
That being said, I don't think modern rubber could care less if it's gas or 
ethanol. Although ethanol is easier on the stomach when ingested, you'll 
have one hell of a hangover the next morning........



Peace...Ron"Desmohead"Betts 95 900 SP
I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!





>From: "Wright, Dirk" 
>Reply-To: Ducati Owners Group 
>To: "Ducati Owners Group" 
>Subject: [Ducati] Ethanol blends
>Date: Wed, 31 May 2006 08:07:51 -0400
>
>Are fuel injected Ducati's OK with the somewhat new ethanol blends now 
>being sold at gas stations? I don't recall anything about that from the 
>owners manual. thanks.
>
>Dirk