OK to run 10% Ethanol fuel 2001 SX700R?

Rebmo

Rebmo

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Jan 11, 2014
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Rural SE Wisconsin
I bought a 2001 SX700r 3 years ago and the PO ran non-ethanol fuel only. I was able to get premium non-ethanol for a while but find it impossible to get now in some areas. Is it OK to run 10% ethanol in this sled? Do I need to re-jet? If so, Should I run regular, mid grade, premium? re-jet? Thanks for any help, not sure since I've only run the premium no ethanol. We did mix in a few gallons of regular 10% ethanol in the UP last year and no problems, but haven't run high concentration 10% yet.

BTW, it's bone stock setup
 
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Yes it's fine to run regular if you absolutely have too. But make sure you clean your carbs 2-3x a season depending on how much riding your doing. Your pilot jets WILL become clogged after a while...and then it's game over. You NEED to keep those carbs clean! Leave it stock, you'll be fine. After a season of running 90% premium & 10% low or mid-grade fuel my carbs have had enough. Usually about 2000km for me...
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm going to still try to bring in some 91 octane no ethanol from farm country but I still will need to fill at stations with ethanol gas. Right or wrong, for the last 3 going on 4 years now I have not touched the carbs. I use Seafoam as I have for years in my tractors, mowers, tiller, boat, bikes, etc.. I have bought many a used gas engine toy or tool and rebuilt the carb(s) and used seafoam for storage and never had and issue with plugged carb passages. I run a heavy mix for storage and run it into the carb before shutting down for storage. In 1990s I got a 72 Johnson 9.5hp outboard, rebuilt the carbs and have used without a rebuild/clean ever since. Seafoam has worked with ethanol gas in my tractors, boat and bikes. So just passing that along as something that has worked for me. I used the seafoam in the SXR the last 3.5-4 years and last year stored with 10% ethanol gas so we'll see how that works (as far as keeping the carb passages clear).
 
Rebmo said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm going to still try to bring in some 91 octane no ethanol from farm country but I still will need to fill at stations with ethanol gas. Right or wrong, for the last 3 going on 4 years now I have not touched the carbs. I use Seafoam as I have for years in my tractors, mowers, tiller, boat, bikes, etc.. I have bought many a used gas engine toy or tool and rebuilt the carb(s) and used seafoam for storage and never had and issue with plugged carb passages. I run a heavy mix for storage and run it into the carb before shutting down for storage. In 1990s I got a 72 Johnson 9.5hp outboard, rebuilt the carbs and have used without a rebuild/clean ever since. Seafoam has worked with ethanol gas in my tractors, boat and bikes. So just passing that along as something that has worked for me. I used the seafoam in the SXR the last 3.5-4 years and last year stored with 10% ethanol gas so we'll see how that works (as far as keeping the carb passages clear).
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I'd still go through the carbs every year just to be safe.
 
Clean your carbs once a year in the fall. I've run my 01 sxr on 87 for the last 4 years with no problems in temps down to -38c. You will be fine
 
Burning gas with ethanol is fine when it's fresh. The key is it doesn't store well. I would make it a point for your last tank of gas to be ethanol free for summer storage then consider some torco or nos octane boost in the first tank just to give you that piece of mind.
 
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