Bio ethanol is only one form of tree hugging greeness, and by law, we now have to produce more low sulphur products with a minimum percentage of oxygenates, whether that is sugar cane, palm oil, molasses or even yeast corn, but you can bet your bottom dollar, it's in there in some form or other.
3 tanks Jim (The original and 2 replacements). Luckily, the 2 replacement tanks were gratis from Ducati, but I got the impression that nothing had changed in the manufacture of the tanks or the materials used. It got to the point where I used to drain the tank after using the bike and only ever used BP Ultimate where possible. If I had not sold the bike and it happened again, I was going to go for an alloy tank. Bloody expensive fuel tank I have had a number of 1098 bikes with no issues around tank swelling, I have no idea why the Streetfighter is affected so. I now have 3 Ducatis with alloy tanks and a classic with a steel tank. The only plastic tank I have these days is an internal tank on the Hyperstrada, so I sleep a little easier.
If you're really worried, you could remove the ethanol yourselves... Here's how... http://www.ethanil.co.uk/instructions/ It's sort of interesting that you can use water to get the ethanol out, when the problem with the ethanol is that it absorbs water and then lets it go later. The Ethanil kit does seem very expensive. I think I'll continue using Esso super-unleaded, which hasn't got any ethanol in it (at least where I live). Nick
As the vast majority of your posts are a sanctimonious bore-fest (case in point), I just tend to skip by them and missed your input on the subject.
Tesco have got 10p a litre off when you spend £60 in store... Might be tempted for the car (always use V-Power in it), but bikes will stay on V-Power. As a miserly git, I struggle with this extra cost, questioning it mentally every time I fill up!! Aah... the joys of motoring
I always use to use shell V max which has got 10% Ethanol added [i used this especially for the classic bike] but I have just been converted to Esso Supreme Synergy + Unleaded 97, more expensive but I am advised its much better for all vehicles & again for classic bikes / cars ...only time will tell I guess
You all worry too much. How the hell do you sleep at nights when you are touring France? All their petrol has a high ethanol percentage: https://francetravelplanner.com/trans/car/fuel.html My bike runs just fine on it, though back in the '70's my Lotus Elan burned an exhaust valve whilst in France - that may or may not have been caused by crap fuel.
