Is the EPA Trying to Poison Our Motorcycles? Hot

On October 13, the Environmental Protection Agency approved an increase in the ethanol portion of blended gasoline from 10 to 15 percent.  However, the use of the new E15 fuel is to be confined to model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks.  The use is not approved for motorcycles at this time.  So the quick answer to the title of this piece is NO.  The problem is that once the high percentage blend is offered, there is a chance that it will make its way into your bike.

The American Motorcyclist Association has released the following statement:
"The AMA supports the use of cleaner-burning fuels, but we are concerned that gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol could result in premature engine damage or failure while a motorcycle is being ridden. We're also concerned about any degradation in performance, fuel economy and rideability that may result from the long-term use of blended fuels with greater than 10 percent ethanol."

The fact is, there are serious questions as to whether the new E15 fuel is safe for ANY conventional engine.  Bob Greco, who is a spokesman for the American Petroleum Institute, told The Wall Street Journal that by approving E15 without full testing, the EPA is putting "politics before science." He went on to say, "You're going to have fuels in the marketplace that could damage engines and void warranties.”

In the near future, motorcyclists will need to be even more vigilant in determining what fuel their bikes are burning.