Is Ethanol The Only Issue With Plastic Tanks?

Standard unleaded already contains 5% ethanol which causes no problem but E10 (10%) is set to become the standard unleaded offering later this year with the exception of "Superunleaded". Personally, I'd just fit the tank and not worry about it. Laying up vehicles for long periods is more of an issue with high ethanol fuel.

 

Ethanol is known to cause alcoholism in humans. The difference is that plastic tanks don’t get punchy or argumentative after a high ethanol lunch, lose their memory or throw up in their girlfriends mouth.

None of which have ever happened to me.

 

Unfortunately even 5% does cause problems, ask anyone who owns a Gen 1 Aprilia (or probably any other bike with a plastic tank). Swelling and or blisters, 10% will only make the situation worse

 

My Husaberg has a plastic tank with no issues. It looks and feels like a type of dense polythene of the sort 5 gallon drums are made of. If you stick your nose against it you can smell fuel so there is some vapour migration but structurally it's fine. All cars made since 2011 are supposed to be able to use fuel containing ethanol without any problems, not sure if that applies to bikes.

 

My 2005 Sprint ST 1050 has a plastic tank. No real issues, other than always awkward to refit when removed.

I've only owned it since March 2020, so very few miles added. It is such fun, I plan to keep it long term and simply get any significant issues fixed.