The powers that be over in Europe are once again making changes that will affect bikers over here in the UK. Under an EU directive a much more diluted petrol will be released in the country along side normal petrol. The E10 strand is 10% ethanol compared to the 5% it stands at the moment.
This is where the problems arise for bikers. Motorcycle manufacturers have warned that this diluted petrol is not compatible with many older machines and even motorbikes a mere two years old. Components that could be damaged are petrol pipes, carburettor innards and petrol tank sealants, as well as affecting the running of the bike.
As long as 'normal' petrol is still available at the pumps for now bikers will be safe. But if things change and this E10 strand becomes the only petrol available, many motorcycles could be left destroyed or un-usable because of it.
Edit: Hydrous ethanol corrosion
High alcohol fuel blends are reputed to cause corrosion of aluminum fuel system components. However, studies indicate that the addition of water to the high alcohol fuel blends helps prevent corrosion. This is shown in SAE paper 2005-01-3708 Appendix 1.2 where gasoline/alcohol blends of E50, nP50,IP50 nB50, IB50 were tested on steel, copper, nickel, zinc, tin and three types of aluminum. The tests showed that when the water content was increased from 2000ppm to 1%, corrosion was no longer evident except some materials showed discolouration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fu ... _corrosion
America has had 10% since 2011 and Brazil has 50% mix.