Fuel 95/e10 or 98/e5

[jefformston]

For those of you with an 11xx do you use 95/e10 and if you do, have you had any problems?

I’ve only ever use e5 fuel in my 1150 which was fine when that was the standard fuel in the UK but since the switch to e10 it’s getting expensive to fill up with 98/e5 so it would be good to know if it is money wasted or not.

 

[Welly]

I just put regular E10 in. 1150gs, 2002. Occasionally I used to treat it to e5 but as you say too expensive.

No problems that I've noticed.

I figure it'll run on anything.

 

[Pale Rider]

Not the same bike granted, but if its anything like my twin cam 1200 it runs noticeably poorly on e10 returning 49-52mpg but noticeably better on e5 with a return of 55-62mpg, so more cost effective to use e5.

 

[Robbieben]

E5 for me, far better for the bike as a whole. 10% more miles to a gallon. Worth the extra in my view.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Either for me but mostly E10 for my 4 bikes of various ages... My 1150 RT is probably 11.5 to 12 to the litre and my 1100GS was over 11... No noticeable difference whenever I've used E5... 15k+ a year for as long as I can remember...

 

[jefformston]

Not the same bike granted, but if its anything like my twin cam 1200 it runs noticeably poorly on e10 returning 49-52mpg but noticeably better on e5 with a return of 55-62mpg, so more cost effective to use e5.

I get similar mpg now as I did on the old 95/e5, around 220 miles per tank so fuel consumption not helped by the 98. I’ve avoided e10 due to the impact on fuel lines, rubber etc that the increased ethanol might have. If there isn’t any impact then I may experiment with e10 when out for a full day where I can fill it up just before home with e5 if its going to be sitting awhile before being used again.

 

[wessie]

I get similar mpg now as I did on the old 95/e5, around 220 miles per tank so fuel consumption not helped by the 98. I’ve avoided e10 due to the impact on fuel lines, rubber etc that the increased ethanol might have. If there isn’t any impact then I may experiment with e10 when out for a full day where I can fill it up just before home with e5 if its going to be sitting awhile before being used again.

no impact on fuel lines according to BMW

UK Motorrad RF

faq.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

"Is my Motorrad motorcycle compatible with E10 fuel?
All BMW Motorcycles of all years of construction can be operated with E10 fuel.
The recommendation in the motorcycle's operating instructions on Fuel quality (e.g. 95 or 98 ROZ / RON) should be adhered to."

the main caveat with E10 fuel is that the alcohol is hygroscopic i.e. absorbs water. If a bike is stored with any petrol containing alcohol then over time, that fuel will absorb water. There is a point where the alcohol has enough water to separate out of the blend, then sinking to the bottom of the tank. This water based solution of alcohol then acts like any water solution in contact with a steel tank i.e. it can lead to rusting.
This will happen with E5 fuel but it will happen quicker with E10. If your bike is used regularly then it is not a problem. I have never known it be a problem if a bike of mine is not ridden all winter.

 

[jefformston]

I’ll give it a try and see if any noticeable change in performance or fuel consumption.

 

[Riceburner]

I've not done the maths, but my gut instinct is that my mileage on the e5/98 is sufficiently improved to justify the extra cost over e10/95.
On the Rocksters I get roughly 145-155 miles to reserve on e10/95, that increases to somewhere between 170-200 miles on e5/98, depending on the journey type.