The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already permitted a new petrol formula known as E15 which contains up to 15 % alcohol by volume level. Rarely heard of it? You'll likely hear a lot about this this year.

Ethanol based E15 gasoline could become a significant issue for the motorcycle ownership local community in 2012. E15 will likely show up at a fueling station near you, which means you need to be careful in fact, extra careful for those who fill it up to your motorcycle's gasoline tank.

2 years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency approved E15 for usage in 2007 models and newer light-duty vehicles, which includes cars, light trucks, and medium commuter autos. After a year, the EPA included model year 2001 - 2006 light-duty vehicles to the permitted list. Adaptable petrol automobiles, that are those engineered to function on gas or any mixture of as much as 85 % ethanol, are approved to use E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gas), so they may also use E15. However, what's important to us as bike drivers are the autos and engines not approved for E15, which at present involves all motorcycles. Additionally on the banned listing are autos with heavy motor engines, like buses and trucks; off-road vehicles, like ATVs, motorboats, and snowmobiles; small engines, which includes lawnmowers and chain saws; and all cars over 2001.

The problem is that E15 can burn hotter than gasoline which contains a lesser volume of ethanol. In engines not manufactured to dissipate that extra temperature, damage in the form of early deterioration might possibly be the outcome. Although this is a problem for most motorcyclists, it is particularly problematic for air-cooled motor engines. When considering all things in your car port, outdoor garden shed, and basement that runs on gasoline, you'll probably discover you might have more E15 non-approved vehicles and engines than approved ones. To be sure if an engine should avoid using E15, evaluate the owner's manual for whatever you have that operates on petrol. Whenever you check the gas specifications it's very likely that you will discover a reminder printed on it saying you should only use gasoline not having greater than 10 percent ethanol by volume level or you'll void the warranty.

Follow this issue and be a knowledgeable consumer. A person with a monetary desire for ethanol will be quick to say we've got absolutely nothing to be worried about. Do not take his word for it; explore the facts and judge for yourself.

Lastly, getting in contact with your federal elected authorities to express your individual experiences with ethanol in fuel is an excellent way to impact their position over the concern.

So what's the final outcome on E15 for riders? At this point, you can not utilize it in your motorcycle without taking a chance on problems with your engine. Even when E15 is gradually approved for usage in newer motorbikes, pay attention to your maker's manual so that you don't void your bikes warranty.