E10 petrol is now available to buy from all UK petrol stations. But is your motorcylce compatible with E10?
E10 petrol uses 90 percent traditional petrol and 10 percent bioethanol, compared to the 5 percent used in unleaded petrol.
The main benefit of E10 petrol is that it reduces overall levels of CO2-based vehicle emissions. By blending the fuel with up to 10% renewable ethanol, less fossil fuel is needed which helps protect the environment and meet climate change targets. The low carbon fuel is said to reduce carbon emissions by up to 750,000 tonnes per year – that’s the equivalent of taking up to 350,000 cars off the road!
Unfortunately, E10 does reduce the fuel economy of vehicles, so slightly more petrol is needed and an increase in fuel consumption means increased omissions. The Department for Transport say that while vehicle owners can expect to see around a one percent reduction in efficiency, it’s “unlikely to be noticeable.”
Over 600,000 vehicles on our roads are also not compatible with E10 petrol. Owners of older classic and vintage vehicles in particular are advised not to use E10 as it can degrade fuel pipes, damage seals, rubbers, plastics, and some metal parts within the engine.
Generally, for motorbikes created after 2016, running E10 fuel shouldn’t be a problem.
ACEM, the motorcycle industry in Europe, have created a helpful list of petrol motorcycles that are compatible with E10 fuel.You can also head to the Government’s online compatibility checker to see if E10 is suitable for your vehicle (car or motorbike). If your vehicle isn’t listed, you’re advised to continue to use E5 (97+ octane) petrol which is now known as Super Grade.
BMW Motorrad
All models are compatible with E10. However the number of octanes needs to be compatible with the model according to user handbook.
BRP
All models belonging to the L-category are E10 compatible.
Ducati
Ducati Desmosedici 990 RR, Vehicles registered as from 18/05/2007
Ducati Diavel 1198, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Diavel 1198 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Diavel 1198 Diavel Carbon, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Diavel 1198 Diavel Carbon ABS, Vehicles registered as from 27/10/2010
Ducati Hypermotard 1100, Vehicles registered as from 15/02/2007
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 evo, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 evo SP, Vehicles registered as from 29/09/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 S, Vehicles registered as from 15/02/2007
Ducati Hypermotard 1100 S+, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 1100+, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Hypermotard 796, Vehicles registered as from 02/07/2009
Ducati Monster 1100, Vehicles registered as from 10/07/2008
Ducati Monster 1100 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 14/10/2009
Ducati Monster 1100 evo ABS
Ducati Monster 1100 S, Vehicles registered as from 10/07/2008
Ducati Monster 1100 S ABS, Vehicles registered as from 14/10/2009
Ducati Monster 659
Ducati Monster 659 ABS
Ducati Monster 696, Vehicles registered as from 15/01/2008
Ducati Monster 696 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 14/10/2009
Ducati Monster 796, Vehicles registered as from 04/02/2010
Ducati Monster 796 ABS, Vehicles registered as from 04/02/2010
Ducati Multistrada 1200 , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Multistrada 1200 ABS , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Special Edition
Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Sport , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring , Vehicles registered as from 04/12/2009
Ducati Streetfighter 1098 , Vehicles registered as from 12/01/2009
Ducati Streetfighter 1098 S , Vehicles registered as from 12/01/2009
Ducati Superbike 1098 R Corse , Vehicles registered as from 30/10/2007
Ducati Superbike 1198 , Vehicles registered as from 03/09/2008
Ducati Superbike 1198 SP , Vehicles registered as from 03/09/2008
Ducati Superbike 848 evo , Vehicles registered as from 20/05/2010
The above list related to Ducati vehicles was extracted from official documents published by the Italian Environment Ministry which can be downloaded here.
Harley Davidson
All Harley-Davidson models from Model Year 1980 are compatible with E10 fuel.
All models before this model year should use RON 98 fuel.
Honda
All Honda motorcycles and mopeds produced for the EU market since 1993 can use ethanol-blended gasoline up to 10% although carburettor-equipped models could experience poor driveability in cold weather conditions.
Kawasaki
E10 fuel compatible Kawasaki motorcycle models:
Kawasaki model – Model year (and onwards)
KLX125 – 2010
D-Tracker 125 – 2010
KLX250 – 2008
Ninja 250R – 2008
Ninja ZX-6R – 2007
ER-6n – 2006
ER-6f – 2006
Versys – 2007
Z750 – 2007
W800 – 2011
VN900 – 2006
Z1000 – 2009
Z1000SX – 2011
Ninja ZX-10R 2006
ZZR1400 – 2006
1400GTR – 2008
VN1700 – 2009
VN2000 – 2008
KTM
KTM motorcycles and ATVs are compatible with E10 from model year 2000 onwards.
Peugeot Scooters
All Peugeot Scooters from model year 2000 are E10 compatible.
Piaggio
Most models over 50cc belonging to the Piaggio Group are compatible with E10 from 1.1.2011 onwards. Piaggio does not recommend use of E10 on Mopeds (i.e. 50cc) currently in production. A full list of E10 compatible Piaggio models will be published soon here.
Victory Motorcycles
All Victory motorcycles can use gasoline that has been blended with up to 10% ethanol (E10). Check fuel’s octane rating for compatibility with the vehicle according to the owner’s manual.
Suzuki
2002 Model Years and onwards – all motorcycles can use E10 with no problems.
1992-2001 Model Years – some models can use E10 fuels and some models cannot. Contact your national importer for clarification.
1991 Model Years and earlier – RON 98 (no bio-fuel content) must be used.
Triumph
All models, starting from Model Year 1990, are compatible with E10.
Yamaha
All Yamaha models from Model Year 1990 are compatible with E10.
Please note that the change in fuel only applies to petrol; diesel fuel will not be changing.