Winter Storage, Octane & Gas Stability

[DuciD03]

Hey Ducsters ...

another one of those simple but not so simple questions ...

What gas is the most stable for storage?  ie octane and additive wise with the addition of a gas stabilizer.

What gas attracts less moisture (... with a full tank, so theres less room for condensation to form); is less likely to stratify in storage?  I'm thinking the lesser octane 87 has less additives? What brand is more stable?  So would be less likely to stratify and additives to settle out?  Also its just cheaper to use 87 and I try to syphon it off in the spring and get fresh gas anyway in March,.

[ducatiz]

Just use your regular gas and add Sta-Bil or Startech to it.  That's all you need to do.

[Howie]

The difference between regular fuel and high octane fuel is just that, octane, which prevents engine knock and dieseling.  It is not more stable than regular  .If you can find gasoline without ethanol (besides race fuel) that will be better.  Follow the instructions for using whatever product you use as a stabilizer closely.

[Buckethead]

As Howie mentioned: all-dino gasoline is better for long-term storage than gas with ethanol in it. Ethanol absorbs water and, eventually, separates from the rest of the regular gasoline. It will not re-constitute. You'll then be left with a bunch of water with a little alcohol in it at the bottom of the tank (think weak vodka) that you'll have to either burn through your system making it run like crap, or drain off.

[DuciD03]

As Howie mentioned: all-dino gasoline is better for long-term storage than gas with ethanol in it. Ethanol absorbs water and, eventually, separates from the rest of the regular gasoline. It will not re-constitute. You'll then be left with a bunch of water with a little alcohol in it at the bottom of the tank (think weak vodka) that you'll have to either burn through your system making it run like crap, or drain off.

Gentlemen

Thank YOU both! thats the info I was looking for;

no ethanol = a more stable gas for storage.

[Mike Qube]

Are there any stations that carry the non-ethanol stuff?

[ducatiz]

yes

[Buckethead]

You gotta look for them, but they're worth finding.

If nothing else, the real thing smells better. Not even bullshitting.

[seevtsaab]

So to take this ethanol thing a little further, it would be recommended to buy off-brand non-ethanol over a Tier 1 ethanol fuel?
I have to carefully plan my ethanol free fillups and only places like Go-Go and Maverick carries it here.
(At least the Go-Go does hi volume). I Keep a couple 5gal cans.

I run a bottle or two of Techron Concentrate thru the cage each year, I'll drop some in the moto.

[Howie]

I don't know what "off road fuel" you are talking about, but if it is race fuel it may not have the additives needed for storage.  If it is oxygenated race fuel you cannot leave it in the bike.  Check with the suppliers.  If in doubt, stick with the ethanol laced crap.

[Buckethead]

Off-brand should be fine, but you're right, finding one that does more volume is probably a better idea.