The AMA Thinks It Stinks!
More #BadGas! Although none of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and ATVs currently in use are approved by the EPA to use fuels containing more than 10% ethanol by volume. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has raised the amount of ethanol to be blended into vehicle fuel next year by 630 million gallons.
The 2019 renewable volume obligations announced by the EPA call for 19.92 billion gallons of ethanol to be blended into the nation's vehicle fuel supply in 2019, up from the 19.88 billion gallons proposed in June. The agency required 19.29 billion gallons of ethanol in American fuel during 2018.
The American Motorcyclist Association has been opposed to the #BadGas from the beginning. "By forcing more ethanol into our fuel supply, year after year, the EPA is increasing the risk for motorcycle owners, all-terrain vehicle riders and others whose vehicles are not equipped to use fuels containing more than 10% ethanol," said AMA VP of government relations, Wayne Allard. "Higher ethanol mandates, coupled with proposals to sell E15 fuel year-round, will begin to push ethanol-free and E10 fuel out of the marketplace, much in the way E10 has marginalized E0, the fuel required for older and vintage machines."
According to the AMA, "It is illegal to use fuel containing more than 10% ethanol in motorcycles and ATVs, and ethanol can damage fuel systems and engine components and may void a manufacturer's warranty."
The AMA recommends using the fuel specified in the vehicle owner's manual and urges riders to be extra cautious when selecting fuel at the pump.
The AMA also supports the passage of legislation to reform the federal Renewable Fuel Standard to better reflect the needs of motorcyclists and to protect their access to safe fuel.