E10 Petrol & Motorcycle Compatibility

What is Ethanol?

Ethanol is alcohol. The name comes from Ethyl Alcohol and it has the exact same chemical composition as the alcohol that you’d find in your pint of lager (or indeed a glass of wine if you’re that way inclined). It can be distilled from renewable sources, like grain, corn, potatoes and sugar. It’s a colourless liquid that is highly flammable which makes it a viable product when it comes to powering the internal combustion engine.

What is E10 fuel?

E10 petrol means that there is a 10% ethanol content in the fuel (the other 90% is petrol). At the moment we’re all using E5 fuel at the pumps and that has a 5% ethanol content. E10 has been available on the continent for years however it’s still not as widely used as E5 petrol – in petrol stations where both are sold E10 (Somewhat ironically) only has a 10% take-up.

In the UK petrol retailers have been able to sell E10 petrol since 2012 but to date none of them have, as they know it will confuse customers and may also lead to customers switching brands.

Why is E10 being introduced?

The main reason is due to reduced emissions. Ethanol emits less CO2 than petrol and as it is not a fossil-fuel, it also helps reduce our reliance on oil-derived fuels. The introduction of E10 is part of the UK government’s drive to phase out the internal combustion engine with a view to reaching a net zero-emissions target in 2050.

The current E5 (5%) maximum level mandated by the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation is due to be raised to a 10 per cent maximum level (known as E10, it will be labelled Unleaded 95 E10) in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) by the end of 2020.

So what’s the issue with E10 petrol?

The reason E10 petrol is in the spotlight at the moment is that the UK government has introduced a proposal to make E10 the standard grade at petrol stations from 2021. This is causing uproar in some circles as E10 can cause issues with older vehicles. This is especially important for bikers, as some older fuel-injected motorcycles and all carburetted motorcycles will be affected by the introduction of E10.

Don’t worry, E5 is here to stay

For now at least, E5 will continue to be available but only in the premium petrol options. The regular ’95 RON’ petrol will switch to E10 while E5 will be available for the ‘super’ petrols, for example Shell V-Power and BP Ultimate. So if you want to steer clear of the issues that can arise from E10, then stick to the premium petrols.

Motorcycle E10 petrol issues

The vast majority of motorcycles produced after 2010 will run on E10 petrol without any issues. However there is another issue. Ethanol is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water. This is an issue for all bikes and for some a serious issue. First of all, the ethanol can damage the tank, eating away at the internal coating and causing tanks to swell, leak or split. The ethanol can also perish rubber seals and corrode metal parts that were never designed to come into contact with water. Petrol acted as a lubricant and corrosion defence but with the higher-content ethanol-petrol, these issues become more pressing.

E10 is less of an issue for bikes that are in constant use however most bikes spend a few months of the year laid-up and this is where the damage can be caused. Bikes with carbs will suffer if a fuel additive like this one isn’t used and even modern fuel-injected bikes can suffer from injector issues if left standing for prolonged periods of time.

Can a fuel additive help?

Yes and no. In day-to-day use a fuel additive will reduce any harmful effects of E10 however if your bike is compatible it won’t make that much difference. If you are laying up your bike for a period of time, a fuel additive will make a difference.

A product like this

Silkolene Pro FST

or Lucas 10302 Fuel Stabilizer,

or Putolene Fuel Inject & Valve Cleaner

or indeed any stabilizer like these ones will reduce the chances of E10 petrol causing damage to your bike.

In some cases, even fuel injected bikes won’t start after they have been left for a longer period of time due to the injectors being gummed-up by the ethanol.

Well-known engine tuner Mark Brewin of BSD reckons that engines that use E10 suffer from gummed-up valves and that a fuel stabilizer will reduce this issue. Brewin has called the introduction of E10 ‘a nightmare’.

Is E10 definitely happening?

The introduction of E10 is subject to a government consultation which you can read here. However seeing as most cars will be unaffected and motorcycles only make-up around 2% of vehicles on UK roads, it’s unlikely that even a bitter fight-back from pre-2010 bikers will make any difference.

Can you get Ethanol-free petrol?

We were sent in this tip by reader Max Dobb. If you’re wondering whether or not you can still get Ethanol-free petrol, the answer is yes. Esso Synergy Supreme+ is Ethanol free in most parts of the UK apart from Teeside, Devon, Cornwall and Scotland …(although confusingly the pump handles have the E5 logo applied).

This has been confirmed by Esso technical support. So for now at least, you can put ethanol-free petrol in your tank. Owners of carbureted motorcycles, rejoice!

List of motorcycles compatible with E10 petrol

BMW Motorrad
All models are compatible with E10. However, the number of octanes needs to be compatible with the model according to user handbook.

BRP
All models belonging to the L-category are E10 compatible.

Ducati
Ducati Desmosedici 990 RR, Vehicles registered as from 18/05/2007
Ducati Diavel 1198, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Diavel 1198 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Diavel 1198 Diavel Carbon, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Diavel 1198 Diavel Carbon ABS, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Hypermotard 1100, Vehicles registered as from 15/02/2007
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 evo, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 evo SP, Vehicles registered as from 29/09/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 S, Vehicles registered as from 15/02/2007
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 S+, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 1100+, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 796, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Monster 1100, Vehicles registered as from 10/07/2008
Ducati Monster 1100 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 14/10/2009
Ducati Monster 1100 evo ABS
Ducati Monster 1100 S, Vehicles registered as from 10/07/2008
Ducati Monster 1100 S ABS, Vehicles registered as from 14/10/2009
Ducati Monster 659
Ducati Monster 659 ABS
Ducati Monster 696, Vehicles registered as from 15/01/2008
Ducati Monster 696 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 14/10/2009
Ducati Monster 796, Vehicles registered as from 04/02/2010
Ducati Monster 796 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 04/02/2010
Ducati Multistrada 1200 , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Multistrada 1200 ABS , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Special Edition
Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Sport , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Streetfighter 1098 , Vehicles registered as from 12/01/2009
Ducati Streetfighter 1098 S , Vehicles registered as from 12/01/2009
Ducati Superbike 1098 R Corse , Vehicles registered as from 30/10/2007
Ducati Superbike 1198 , Vehicles registered as from 03/09/2008
Ducati Superbike 1198 SP , Vehicles registered as from 03/09/2008
Ducati Superbike 848 evo , Vehicles registered as from 20/05/2010

The above list related to Ducati vehicles was extracted from official documents published by the Italian Environment Ministry which can be downloaded here

Harley Davidson
All Harley-Davidson models from Model Year 1980 are compatible with E10 fuel.
All models before this model year should use RON 98 fuel.

Honda
All Honda motorcycles and mopeds produced for the EU market since 1993 can use ethanol-blended gasoline up to 10% although carburettor-equipped models could experience poor driveability in cold weather conditions.

Kawasaki
E10 fuel compatible Kawasaki motorcycle models:

Kawasaki model – Model year (and onwards)

KLX125 – 2010 – onwards
D-Tracker 125 – 2010 – onwards
KLX250 – 2008 – onwards
Ninja 250R – 2008 – onwards
Ninja ZX-6R – 2007 – onwards
ER-6n – 2006 – onwards
ER-6f – 2006 – onwards
Versys – 2007 – onwards
Z750 – 2007 – onwards
W800 – 2011 – onwards
VN900 – 2006 – onwards
Z1000 – 2009 – onwards
Z1000SX – 2011 – onwards
Ninja ZX-10R 2006 – onwards
ZZR1400 – 2006 – onwards
1400GTR – 2008 – onwards
VN1700 – 2009 – onwards
VN2000 – 2008 – onwards

All other Kawasaki models from 2011 onwards are compatible.

KTM
KTM motorcycles and ATVs are compatible with E10 from the model year 2000 onwards.

Peugeot Scooters
All Peugeot Scooters from the model year 2000 are E10 compatible.

Piaggio
Most models over 50cc belonging to the Piaggio Group are compatible with E10 from 1.1.2011 onwards. Piaggio does not recommend use of E10 on Mopeds (i.e. 50cc) currently in production. 

Victory Motorcycles
All Victory motorcycles can use gasoline that has been blended with up to 10% ethanol (E10). Check fuel’s octane rating for compatibility with the vehicle according to the owner’s manual.

Suzuki
2002 Model Years and onwards – all motorcycles can use E10 with no problems.
1992-2001 Model Years – some models can use E10 fuels and some models cannot. The user should contact his national importer for clarification.
1991 Model Years and earlier – RON 98 (no bio-fuel content) must be used.

Triumph
All models, starting from Model Year 1990, are compatible with E10.

Yamaha
All Yamaha models from Model Year 1990 are compatible with E10.