i have a 2006 zx 1400, im worried that all the fuel around my area has ethenal in it. how bad is this going to be on my bike? and is there any additive that will help

The pumps should say 'ethanol" if it's in there.

All the pumps around here say "contains up to 10% ethanol", but everything I own runs just fine on it. I did have an 03 cobra mustang with a return style fuel system that included braided fuel lines, and the ethanol ate through it after couple years causing a pretty bad leak. Other than that, the shelf life vs non ethanol gasoline is significantly shorter. I wouldn't let it sit for longer than 3 months.

* Last updated by: Nastynotch on 6/17/2014 @ 12:51 PM *

Should be fine but don't let it sit all winter without an additive like Sta-Bil or similar.

All the fuel around here has 10% ethanol thanks to a strong farm lobby. Never had a problem myself.

I've only used ethanol gas in mine for 43000 miles and no problems.

I avoid it if I can. Not because of damage but mileage drop and short gas life span.

Here is a web site that helps you find ethanol-free gasoline in your area provided you are in the US or Canada:

Ethanol Free Gasoline

There is a Farm Bureau Coop near me that sells "91+ Ethanol Free" gasoline and my ZX-14 likes it just fine. I also try to use it in my lawn mower and other power equipment that sits a lot. It's only slightly (5-10 cents) more per gallon than premium unleaded at the local Speedway station. So if it saves be one gummed up carb a year, it's worth the extra money!

Any ZX-14 is new enough that it's designed to work with 90/10 gasoline/ethanol which is what is commonly available in the US. Do NOT use E85 which is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline under any circumstances.

The biggest issue with "E10", which is the industry designation for "regular unleaded with up to 10% ethanol" is that it tends to absorb water and leaves behind more deposits when it evaporates. If you are riding the bike enough so that you're burning a tank every week or two there is not going to be any issues. But if you let it sit a lot, then you are forming deposits and water is being absorbed which promotes corrosion.

Additives like Sta-Bil can help to some degree as can using ethanol-free gasoline. But the best approach when the bike sits is to drain the tank and fuel lines and spray a bit of fogging oil into it to prevent any rust from forming.