Ethanol use in 2016 Africa twin
 

Folks, I’m currently preparing for an overseas trip using my 2016 Honda Africa twin. I have the non-DCT version and discovered that ethanol use (E5 and upwards) is so widespread particularly in Europe, that in some cases, non- ethanol alternative unleaded fuel is unattainable. I read that France has no non-ethanol alternative fuel for example. In Nordic countries, this also could be the case. I could be wrong in regard to these last countries listed and stand corrected if I am in error. The good news is that the small owners manual states clearly that E10 can be safely used in the 2016 twin and presumably later models also. Non-ethanol fuel should be used in preference I gather and storage over time when the bike is not used for periods, say exceeding a few days, could create problems with the fuel system. Apologies if this message is bleeding obvious already to all you AT owners! Cheers Smoky

You should have no problems in a 2016 bike. We've been using E5 for decades and the only problem was on older bikes, as it melted fibreglass tanks. E10 has been in use in Europe for some time and has just come to the UK, where all "regular" fuel is now E10. Again for more recent bikes it's not a problem (I've been using it in a '94 carburated Fireblade) but don't store a bike with E10 because it does absorb water and can rust tanks.

Ethanol-based fuel
 

Thanks for the info. Tomkat. Here in Australia E10 has its own bowser and 91, ( I think) 95 and 98 RON fuels do not have ethanol in them. From your comment, I take it that all fuels from 91 through to 98 (and occasionally higher- rated RON fuels) have E10 blended with them in the UK unlike here. Am I right?

there's some variation between European countries. But in general:
euro98 = E5 (5% ethanol)
euro95 = E10 (10% ethanol)



but I've also seen places in eastern Europe where 95, 98 and 100 were all E10

Unfortunately in UK all regular fuel is now E10. There are very few places where you can buy non ethanol fuel. In a few branded gas stations in a few parts of the country the "super" is non ethanol, but mostly it's E5.

There is a recall by Honda re certain At s.....
The fuel filters are blocking and I believe the coating on the inside of the tanks is defective.....I remember one of our techs mentioning it.....just after the Yamaha stop light debacle . Not sure what years are covered but the parts weren't available at the time.......worth a check if u have issues with e10 .

That's not correct, Tomkat: In the UK, what was the cheaper of the two normally available fuels ('Unleaded') was E5, with a more expensive (plus 4-10p/litre) 'Super Unleaded' also available. The cheaper unleaded is now E10. The super unleaded is E5. Both are available at (almost) all petrol stations. No non-ethanol fuel is readily available.

If you've got an older vehicle you'll have to use the more expensive Super unleaded'. In my case, with my '71 MGB, I have to use Super Unleaded (and a fuel additive 'cos it's not been converted to unleaded!).

Meanwhile I've been chugging around on my 1980 TY175 using E10 without problems, lol

We left Australia in August 2016 on our then new 2016 Africa Twin. We've done 60 odd countrys and 135,000 klms, two up. Some of the fuel we have used has been 1 grade above turps. A couple of times in Indonesia and Uzbekistan especially. No issues whats so ever. Pretty much all modern engines can cope with E5 or E10. Doesn't mean I like it. Throw in the fact that 16 Africa Twin engines are relatively low compression and pretty under stressed. You'll have no issues. Forget the blocked filter/pump from flaking paint issue. That is with the later 19/20 models. Do be aware that a couple of high mileage 16/17 models have had failed fuel pumps. But that is totally unrelated to the issue stated above. Many get slack and don't check their valves. I simply do not get this approach. Sheer ignorance and willfull in my opinion. These people are courting disaster. I've adjusted both inboard exh valves. Honda were half smart and made the exh valves adjustable via screw and lock nut. So very simple to do. Biggest job is getting in there. Poor fuel will accelerate the wear on valves and it will pretty much always be the exh valves. Stick to the std maintenance schedule and you'll be fine.

From my experience there are a number of other issues far more important than the fuel to be concerned about on early new generation Africa Twins.

1: The rear right side wheel bearing will most likely fail early, as early as 25,000 klms. Especially so if you are heavily loaded and/or ride in hash conditions. Corrugated roads, dust, water crossing etc. It's a very common 6204, carry spares or modify to a sealed double row 4204 bearing like I have.

2: Well known issue of worn sliders on the std el-cheapo Showa forks. Won't cause a failure, but there you go.

3: Whilst on the forks, many have experienced blown fork seals. Do as I have and use neoprene fork gaitors to exclude most dust. Oh I've also swapped over to Ohlins. Infinately superior to the originals.

4: Corroding spokes. Well known issue. Also spokes will work loose. Keep an eye on them

5: Front disc carrier bobbins flogging out. Another known problem. Honda has at times replaced these under warrantly.

6: Failed coolant pump. Usually presents itself early in the bikes life. Issue can be identified when coolant can be seen from the weep/witness hole on the right side of the crank case.

7: Keep your air box drain tubes clear. Drain every 10-20000 klms. Found on each side of the lower edge of the tank.

8: If you mount a Sat Nav on the cross bar above the instruments you risk cracking the bar at the welds under the dash. Honda saved 10 cents by only welding on one side of this "joint". Rather on both sides.

Hmm thats about all I can think of at the moment. All bikes have issues, these are some of the 16/17 AT's. It's a good bike for the purpose, but like all bikes of this capacity, far too heavy. If I were riding solo RTW, give me a CRF300 Rally or WR250R any day of the week.

Africa Twin issues (and Ethanol fuel use)
 

Thanks for the input everyone, especially gPerkins. Handy info. regarding the issues faced when tripping around on the Twin. I noticed that you have a connection with Pambula. I originally come from Bega, not far away! The folks had a dairy farm about 9 kms out of Bega for 35 or so years. A lovely part of the world. Some of the AT issues are known to me. The other one is the abrasion inside the front forks resulting in new forks being needed after about 20,000 kms. Expensive fix let me say! Fuel shouldn't be an issue.

Yep, home for the last 20 years has been Lochiel, just outside of Pambula. Love it. We are currently in Rockford Ill and will be home next week. Back to the USA next April when we will continue our journey southward to Mexico and beyond. Not before heading to Alaska first though.

Blog here, if you are interested in what we have done two up on our 16 AT.https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/r...-lane.1172713/

Oh there is another Aussie couple two up on an 16 AT over this way. Or more correctly down in Nicaragua or similar and headed to Sth America. FB:- Teske Frank Patricia or something like that.

In Nordic countries, the highest grade of gas, 98-octane and stuff like Shell V-Power, will generally be ethanol-free.

There are loopholes for the gas sellers... e.g. here in Estonia, they buy CO2 offsets from the big district heating plants that burn biomass, and sell ethanol-free fuel while meeting their EU obligations for E5/E10. Just because the consumers are unhappy with E5, particularly the worse mileage.

That said, like others have pointed out, a 2016 bike should be perfectly fine running E10. Your mileage might drop, but it's not breaking anything.

Ethanol use
 

Thanks for the info. everyone. Will check Blogs and have taken note of issues affecting the Twin.