What fuel should I use for my motorcycle? How do I manage fuel on a two-wheeler trip?

Unless you drive a Zero or Energica, the quest for the holy unleaded is an almost daily preoccupation. Going to the pump can raise a few questions. Can I fill up my bike with E10? What's the difference between 95 and 98? Why cut gasoline with beet juice? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about fuel, what to put in your bike and how to manage it when traveling. Enjoy your reading!

First things first: what's the difference between SP 95 and 98? The octane number. The higher the octane rating, the more resistant the fuel is to detonation. "But isn't that the whole point: to make gasoline explode? Yes, it is. In fact, the idea is to improve ignition control. That way, the more octane there is, the less risk of uncontrolled ignition. And yeah, the problem with an explosive mixture is if it explodes under the pressure of the piston and not thanks to the spark from the spark plug. In that case, you've got two flame fronts clashing in the combustion chamber, causing an unpleasant metallic clicking sound, the sign of a piston screaming "Help! So, in theory, your engine will last longer with 98.

And in real life? In terms of performance, the differences are barely noticeable. Modern bikes are designed to make the most of sp95. And if you use 98, the ECU will automatically adapt the ignition advance and injection time to obtain the best performance. Behavior is therefore (virtually) unchanged. By the way, can you mix 95 and 98 in your tank? Yes, no problem. It'll make 96 or 97, depending on the recipe.

Unlocking the mystery of SP95-E10

At this stage of the article, you've understood the difference between SP95 and SP98. But what does E10 mean? Should you choose 95-E5 or E10? First of all, you need to know what you're talking about. E5 means that the gasoline contains 5% bioethanol, and 10% in the case of E10. Introduced in 2009, bioethanol is a fuel obtained by fermenting sugar beet or cereals. Its use reduces the production of greenhouse gases. So yeah, your millstone runs on recycled diplodocus mixed with distilled beet. Fantastic, isn't it?

E10 contains twice as much vegetable juice as E5. Okay, so what? Is it bad for the engine? Well, this bio-fuel tends to oxidize metals more quickly than its purely fossil counterpart. So bike manufacturers have had to adapt to make their machines compatible. So, while the use of E10 poses no problem for modern motorcycles, it is not recommended for pre 2009-2010 models.

Can I run on E85 superethanol on my motorcycle?

No motorcycle on the market is designed to run on super-ethanol. That's all there is to it. But can I? Conversion units are available. This electronic device works like your ECU. It analyzes your engine's behavior and adapts the injection accordingly. By the way, this is the specialty of the illustrious Franck from Thorn Bikes. Once again, 85 refers to the proportion of bio-fuel in petrol. On average, it contains between 65% and 85%. But why switch to flexfuel? To save the planet, of course! And also because a liter of E85 costs half as much as good old SP98! On the other hand, beet burns less efficiently than fossilized dinosaurs, so you'll consume 20 to 30% more.

Excellium and Super Premier: just marketing?

You've probably seen these super fuels at the pump, boasting incredible engine performance and instantly turning your old DR125 into a flashy Hayabusa. But what exactly is it? Well, it's not quite true. In fact, these fuels are packed with additives to prevent valve fouling and corrosion. In the long term, therefore, they're good for your mill and extend its life. However, they are considerably more expensive.

SP 98, a luxury for a rich country

What about when you travel? How do you choose when you have no choice? First of all, you need to know that 98 is a luxury from a wealthy country. If you go to Uzbekistan or Mongolia to stretch your rims, you won't find any. Finding 95 will then become your only goal in life. And yes, you have to bear in mind that each country has its own specificities. In Russia, for example, most vehicles run on methane or diesel. So why on earth offer petrol?

Instead of 95, you'll find 92, 91, even 80. Can you put it in your bike? That depends on your bike (nice answer from Normand). Before you set off to explore faraway lands, it's a good idea to find out. Modern fuel-injected machines - no matter how powerful - require a minimum octane rating to function properly. So it's up to you to take a look at the manufacturer's manual - it's better than finding yourself stranded in the middle of Tajikistan because you tried to run your GS on contraband SP80.

What about octane boosters?

They seem to be the ideal solution. Imagine, you're roaming the Mongolian steppes, but you can't get your hands on 92. So you add a dose of this miracle product, and bang, you've got 95. Great, isn't it? But how does it work? Well, it's simple: it's concentrated octane. So, all you have to do is add a certain quantity to your tank after filling up with adulterated Mongolian petrol to rectify the octane number. Is it essential? No, let's say it's a backup solution. If, after you've been to the station, your engine makes a nasty family rattle, it's a good way of making up for it. But to be honest, modern bikes are powerful enough to do without it.

Fuel filters, the panacea when you've had enough of breakdowns

When you travel to remote areas, you'll find that a gas station can take many forms. Being served straight from the bucket, for example, is as much fun as it is scary. Why creepy? Because the precious blue gold can be contaminated with deposits of all kinds. These impurities can clog the emulsion wells in your carburetors and injectors. Filtering gasoline becomes essential. How do you go about it? There are two possibilities: one connected to the hoses (the most common method) or the other directly into the fuel tank. The Twin Air model, for example, attaches to the mouthpiece and acts like a sock. Not very sexy, but super effective. In fact, it captures all floating residues before they get into the fuel pump. It's a simple, affordable device that protects you from far more disabling breakdowns.

What applications can I use to find fuel when traveling?

On a roadtrip in France, there's no shortage of service stations. However, with unleaded prices soaring above the 2€/liter mark, finding affordable petrol becomes a complicated quest. Our tip? The "cheapest station" application. SLMC geolocates you and shows you the prices of nearby pumps. Clever!

What about abroad? How do you find petrol in the Uzbek desert? If you have network coverage, then Google Maps is the reference. The information is updated in near-real time, so there are no nasty surprises. And offline? Maps.me is a fantastic tool. Background maps and points of interest are displayed even when you don't have network coverage. It's the ultimate travel app. However, both of these applications show their limitations in remote areas, where locals don't give a damn about being listed. To find a station deep in the steppes, you have to turn to community apps. The basic idea? Pool travelers' experiences. Good tips or information you can't find anywhere else, such as: "In Murghab (on the Pamir road), go and see this restaurant and ask for Aziz, he sells Sp92". That's what the IOverlander app does, for example. Of course, there are others, but for this kind of app, it's the number of users that counts, so you might as well go for the most popular. Otherwise, there's the old-fashioned way: ask the locals!

Managing fuel on a motorcycle road-trip is a daily concern. So it's best to be prepared. We hope this article has helped you do just that. And you're wondering how to transport this precious liquid? Whether it's a jerry can, a canister or an additional tank, we've written an article on the subject. Happy reading!

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Image credits: Header image: fxquadro by Freepik; second image: rawpixel-com by Freepik; last 2 photos: URALISTAN