Reading through all the posts here, it seems that the some experience issues with Ethanol others don't.
Let me ask this then, what are some suggested remedies for preventing possible gumming up of the carbs? I understand that the next best step is simply to clean the carbs.

Thx

Once they ARE clean, stick to name-brand gas. Run an in-line fuel filter. Avoid ethanol-laced gas if possible. Use Sta-Bil when the bike is stored for the winter.

And expect to do a "basic carb cleaning" every couple of seasons anyway (depending on mileage, etc.)

MiCarl wrote:

I'm afraid the days of getting gasoline without ethanol are pretty much gone. I'm under the impression that unless you buy it at the airport (inside the fence) it's almost certain to have ethanol in it. I seriously doubt the attendant at the station knows if there is ethanol or not.

It depends on your state laws-In Arkansas they are only required to say "this fuel might contain up to 10% ethanol", but there is a gas station near my house which advertises in big letters on their marque "Absolutely No Ethanol in Our Gas in Any Pump." It's true I checked with the owner and tracked down his supplier to be sure. And this is a private station NOT name brand. This wasn't the case a few years ago so clearly the message is getting out that consumers don't like ethanol, and I would say most mechanics hate the crap as well based on my conversations with them.

As far as dealing with it when it's in there, you have at least a couple of options. The auto store has an ethanol re-mediator which combines with it and prevents it from gumming up or varnishing, you can also use an upper cylinder lube like Stabil, SeaFoam, or STP's new engine treatment-or clean your carbs more often.

As to the threads topic: octane required is dependent on engine compression and altitude. Higher compression needs higher octane to prevent detonation, higher altitude requires lower octane due to decreased atm. pressure and less oxygen for the burn. According to most of our bikes compression numbers at sea level we should generally run 89-91 octane.