As many of you may have heard, there has been a new fuel introduced and is awaiting approval for mass public use, E15. The current fuel on the market is E10 and while it states at the pump that the fuel contains up to 10% ethanol, the truth is it is not consistent and can be either less or more than 10%. The current use of E10 is actually damaging not only to automotive engines, but smaller engines ranging from garden equipment to boat and motorcycle engines. The alcohol and blends that are used do not mix well with plastics, polymer and rubber and with all the parts in a car or bike that actually come into contact with the fuel on a regular basis is it safe to say that this could be ultimately detrimental to all our vehicles? There have been several manufacturers that have stepped up and started developing additives that can be safely used in two and four stroke engines although these do come at a higher price. It is maddening that we have to spend more money just to protect what we own from a fuel we don’t want and on top of that pay ridiculous prices for said fuel.

Automotive manufacturers, foreign and domestic, have already stated publicly that the use of E15 may void new car warranties and you know motorcycle manufacturers would follow closely behind. If manufacturers of new cars and motorcycles are against this new fuel knowing what it could potentially do to the engine and its components, can you imagine the damage it could do to a vintage car or motorcycle, would you want to put that stuff in your valuable assets? While ethanol-free gas may cost a bit more per gallon than regular E10 gas, it is worth the peace of mind knowing that there would be no damage to your engine and treasured assets (our motorcycles are our babies). For a list of stations that sell ethanol free gas visit www.pure-gas.org. Let’s stay aware of the issues that arise and could potentially harm our sanity on wheels, we don’t need crazy people driving around because their babies are in the shop due to the fuel we are being asked to put in them. Keep two wheels on the ground ladies, Vixens Ride!