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Alternative Fuels?
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Posted: 05/17/05
01:03 PM
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a few edditions back SR had an article talking about some of the new technologies on the horizion for powering cars,(hydrogen fuel cells, hybrid vehicles etc.) and how it didn't seem that any of them were very motorcycle friendly, because of their weight, complexity, safety. I have to agree that no one wants a the hindiburg between their legs. So that got me thinking. What about alcohol. I know currently in some midwestern states they subsidize a 85% alcohol 15% gasoline blend that runs in certain cars called FEV flexible fuel vehicles(the ford taurus is one), which can run either the blend or pain old gas. I just can't figgure out why it doesn't seem to be getting much attention. I know alcohol burns pretty clean, it is a renewable resource, and seems to be pretty compatible with current vehicles. I would also say that it would seem that it could be a alternative fuel that would be more motorcycle friendly. is there something i'm missing or does that make sense to anyone else.
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z31maniac
New User
| Posts: 29
| Joined: 06/04
Posted: 05/17/05
04:10 PM
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Are you sure you don't have the percentages turned around on that one?
Its called Ethanol, and most gas stations usually have a little alcohol in their gas now.
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enp83
Enthusiast
| Posts: 361
| Joined: 02/05
Posted: 05/17/05
05:43 PM
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Theres only 3 compressed natural gas (CNG) "fueling stations" in my home state of KS (theres like 60 in Oklahoma), however one is just 1 mile from my home. The price hasn't budged in over a year, $1.49 (and I hear that's a high price compared to other parts of the country) per gasoline gallon equivilent (GGE). Honda has a Civic GX that runs on CNG but only available for fleet sales and retail customers in California (for now). Honda says the GX gets about 32mpg while their civic hybrids get around 45-50 (minus the dumbass leadfoots out there). Gasoline is right now in KC is right at $2.00, so right now you really don't save any on fuel costs. The GX costs about $1,500 more than a Hybrid I believe.
A couple nice things about the Civic GX though, it's the cleanest mass produced vehical with an internal combustion engine the EPA has ever tested. I believe 85-87% of the CNG we use as a country is produced in the US, with the other 12-14% being imported from Canada and Mexico, and then 1% from all other countries.
One of the bad things about the Civic GX (besides the cost) is that it can only hold 8 GGE, so your range is about 250 miles per tank, but Honda says plan on 200 just because most people lead foot their cars and if you ran out of CNG that would really suck. You can't really go fill up a lawn mower gas can at a gas station and then bring the fuel back to your Civic GX.
The Civics are getting redesigned for '06 so maybe we'll see something new for the GX or Hybrid versions. A Civic GX Hybrid would be sweet, but that's gonna be a $25k civic.
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Posted: 05/17/05
07:08 PM
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Alcohol has less BTU(s)than gasoline, so to achieve the same
power output mileage ( per tank of fuel ) would less. But
with the proper re-map to fuel delivery and ingnition system
E-85 fuel could be used. Perhaps, in the next model year or
two, motorcycles will have a adjustable ECU with a switch on
the instrument pod for this purpose.
E-85 fuel sells for $ 1.49 per gallon in my area.
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z31maniac
New User
| Posts: 29
| Joined: 06/04
Posted: 05/17/05
07:20 PM
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Quote:
Theres only 3 compressed natural gas (CNG) "fueling stations" in my home state of KS (theres like 60 in Oklahoma), however one is just 1 mile from my home.
Ok, but I thought you were asking about the Ethanol stuff, not CNG, two different things, right?
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Trevitt
Enthusiast
| Posts: 252
| Joined: 11/99
Posted: 05/17/05
09:47 PM
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Quote:
a few edditions back SR had an article talking about some of the new technologies on the horizion for powering cars,(hydrogen fuel cells, hybrid vehicles etc.) and how it didn't seem that any of them were very motorcycle friendly, because of their weight, complexity, safety. I have to agree that no one wants a the hindiburg between their legs. So that got me thinking. What about alcohol. I know currently in some midwestern states they subsidize a 85% alcohol 15% gasoline blend that runs in certain cars called FEV flexible fuel vehicles(the ford taurus is one), which can run either the blend or pain old gas. I just can't figgure out why it doesn't seem to be getting much attention. I know alcohol burns pretty clean, it is a renewable resource, and seems to be pretty compatible with current vehicles. I would also say that it would seem that it could be a alternative fuel that would be more motorcycle friendly. is there something i'm missing or does that make sense to anyone else.
That was my column, and I think from what I read (and if I remember right), crop-based fuels like alcohol or ethanol are not feasible on a large-scale basis. You need water for the crops, fuel to run the tractors, and a heck of a lot of land.
AT
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enp83
Enthusiast
| Posts: 361
| Joined: 02/05
Posted: 05/17/05
11:15 PM
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Quote:
Quote:
Theres only 3 compressed natural gas (CNG) "fueling stations" in my home state of KS (theres like 60 in Oklahoma), however one is just 1 mile from my home.
Ok, but I thought you were asking about the Ethanol stuff, not CNG, two different things, right?
Definately two different things. CNG is an alternative fuel though.
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Posted: 05/18/05
10:57 AM
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Yeah I could see how supply could become a problem if it became a more main stream energy source. But I still think that it is something that could be developed more. If for no other reason that to slightly reduce the ammount of petro being consumed. I also know there has been some work with bi-desil. Which i hear burns extremely clean. Whatever is next, I have to believe there will be some technology that is suitable for bikes. It would be a shame if generations to come couldn't enjoy two wheels the way we do.
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