The Renewable Fuels Association, the leading trade association for America’s ethanol industry, and master motorcycle designer Paul Teutul, Jr. have teamed up to prove ethanol fuel blends work in high performance motorcycles.
Teutul’s latest bike, commissioned for the RFA, runs on E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). The motorcycle demonstrates that with proper maintenance, ethanol will work in a carbureted fuel system. Teutul’s creation was featured on the hit television show “American Chopper” on the Discovery Channel.
“There seems to be a misnomer about ethanol and motorcycles. It is almost like people that ride motorcycles think ethanol messes up their bikes, and the research that I have done tells me that is just not true,” Teutul Jr. said.
The partnership with Teutul, one of the world’s best-known motorcycle designers, evolved from the RFA campaign Fuel Your Knowledge, and is part of the ethanol industry’s work stimulating the discussion and engaging with groups who have expressed reservations about the use of ethanol, and the availability of higher blends. E10 is approved by every motorcycle manufacturer, and RFA is not suggesting anyone use a higher blend of ethanol in their motorcycles. This motorcycle simply demonstrates that functionality and compatibility of ethanol, even in older technology.
“Paul Jr Designs was the perfect partner for this project,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “Paul understands engines and how ethanol actually works quite well in motorcycles. But he also has an implicit understanding of farmers and ethanol, and was able to design a bike that reflects the work ethic, patriotism, and rebel spirit of rural America. This bike will be Fueled with Pride!”
With the high-performance bike like the one designed by Teutul Jr., the RFA is determined to keep up efforts to bridge the gap. The partnership with Teutul comes on the heels of ethanol industry efforts to find common ground with bikers at events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where RFA has a presence each year and to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to minimize challenges with higher blends of ethanol and motorcycles. RFA has the only approved Misfueling Mitigation Plan at EPA, which prescribes how E15 can legally and safely be sold and even created new hose configuration options for fuel retailers for motorcycles.
“As an avid biker and motorcycle enthusiast, I know first-hand the apprehension that exists within the motorcycle community around ethanol,” said Robert White, RFA’s vice president of Industry Relations. “We want motorcyclists to be comfortable using E10 in their motorcycles, and higher blends in their vehicles. This bike will be a powerful tool to help start the conversation with many motorcyclists around the country as we educate them on what fuels are safe and legal for all of their engines.”
Paul Teutul Jr. is one of the stars of the American reality television series American Chopper. He is the owner and master-designer of Paul Jr. Designs, which manufactures custom motorcycles.
