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How often do you ride your motorcycle? If it sits for longer than a couple of weeks, you should think about stale gas.
Bikers often say how rust doesn’t sleep, and gas doesn’t keep. In other words, it can go bad if not used. To prevent this, you should consider using a motorcycle fuel stabilizer.
It’s a chemical compound that reduces oxidation in fuel and prevents degradation. As a result, your gas stays clean and fresh for a longer time.
We reviewed some of the best products allowing you to choose one that suits your bike the most. Below you’ll also find our Buyer’s Guide with information that can help you choose.
9 Top-Rated Motorcycle Fuel Stabilizers
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STA-BIL - 360 Marine
This USA made stabilizer does a good job at preventing corrosion damage. It also helps remove water, which can be quite dangerous if found in the tank.
Its Vapor Technology protects the engine and the entire system above and below the fuel line. It’s especially efficient in preventing Ethanol related damage in smaller engines and different vehicles.
It’s an advanced formula ideal for bikes in water environments. Its components and ingredients help remove all moisture, keeping your gas and engine in good conditions for a more extended period.
Sta-Bil 360 Marine comes in different sizes, which is great if you have several motorcycles and engines to protect. This one comes in a 32oz. bottle that’s enough to protect some 320 gallons of gasoline. Keep in mind that larger and smaller containers are available as well.
PROS
- Removes moisture
- Prevents corrosion damage
- Different sizes available
CONS
- Not a durable package
Star Tron
If you need something to prevent ethanol problems, you might want to try this Star Tron stabilizer. It helps prevent phase separation and improves gasoline economy. The solution is also great in reducing emissions to some extent.
It’s meant for everyday use as well as for seasonal storage depending on your needs. It stabilizes fuel for up to two years and is excellent in rejuvenating old gasoline.
This one helps your engine start quickly and run smoother than before, which is especially important for people who don’t ride as often.
The stabilizer cleans valves and injectors of all kinds of dirt, gums, and carbon deposits. As a result, it allows maximum performance and efficiency.
This concentrated formula is economical regardless of whether you need a large or small application. On top of that, it’s safe for all engines.
PROS
- Stabilizes for up to two years
- Helps start easily
- Cleans valves and injectors
CONS
- Poor quality package
STA-BIL - Original
One of the best things about the Sta-Bil Original is the variety of container sizes it comes in. You can choose from the small 4oz to 128oz depending on how many bikes you have.
The stabilizer keeps your fuel fresh for up to a year during storage. It’s ideal for seasonal storage and people who generally don’t ride as often.
It eliminates the need to drain the gasoline, which can often be quite annoying. Also, this one ensures quick starts after months of storage.
The solution is suitable for all gasoline engines, including the 2-cycle ones. On top of that, it works in all gasoline, even the ethanol blends.
While people use it widely for storing motorcycles, the stabilizer is ideal for lawnmowers, boats, cars and other vehicles and machines.
PROS
- Versatile use
- Ideal for seasonal storage
- Large packs available
CONS
- Short expiration date
Lucas Oil
Lucas Oil is among the most popular stabilizers, especially suitable for seasonal storage. It’s a great solution to prevent gasoline break-down that tends to happen when your motorcycle sits for a long time.
This one is safe to use in all grades of gasoline, internal combustion engines and even in all 2- and 4-cycle engines. It’s also easy to use since the package is quite practical. It comes in different sizes you can choose from depending on how many vehicles you have.
The manufacturer suggests you use one pound to treat one gallon. It’s a rule of thumb you should use as a reference if you’re treating more than that.
PROS
- Comes in different sizes
- For all internal combustion engines
- Great for seasonal storage
CONS
- The package might leak during shipping
Yamaha
This genuine OEM Yamaha product is alcohol-free and ideal for metal and aluminum fuel system components. It protects them from ethanol fuel corrosion, phase separation, oxidation, and varnish and gum build-up.
In most cases, 1oz treats three gallons, while a bottle of 32oz treats 96 gallons of fuel. In other words, a single bottle of 32oz should be enough for most of your needs. Of course, this depends on how many vehicles you have.
Though Yamaha is better known as a motorcycle brand, its OEM alcohol-free formula is ideal for all motorcycles and gasoline cars. It’s meant for E10 gasoline in both 2- and 4-stroke engines.
The additive protects metals in the fuel lines from corrosion and rust. This way, it increases its durability and quality, especially if the vehicle sits unused for a long time.
PROS
- For 2- and 4-stroke engines
- Ideal for seasonal storage
- Prevents corrosion and oxidation
CONS
- Not for diesel
STP
This one is formulated to save gas and help lower emissions. It deep cleans the entire fuel system, restoring peak performance and reducing friction.
It lubricates engine parts and ensures that everything is in perfect condition even after your bike sat stored away for a few months. The formula is efficient in preventing ethanol deposits, corrosion, rust, oxidation, and separation.
It works with modern gasoline engines such as hybrid, direct inject and turbo vehicles. On top of that, the product is compatible with cap-less gas systems as well.
This one contains 3x the amount of cleaning agents that work to restore up to 95% of the original injector performance. The stabilizer is ideal for motorcycles, cars, lawnmowers, boats and other gasoline engines.
PROS
- For different vehicles
- Great for seasonal storage
- Lubricates engine parts
CONS
- People received leaked product
Honda
Honda is another brand we know mainly for making motorcycles. However, it’s an excellent solution for protecting engines and fuel systems in vehicles that tend to sit for months on end.
It’s ideal for seasonal storage for when you won’t ride the bike for ends. However, it’s also suitable for lawnmowers and other such engines that we tend to store away now and then.
It’s the original OEM Honda product that comes in an 8oz bottle. Unfortunately, no other sizes are available, so you’ll have to buy more of these if you have a few more engines to protect.
The product is quite reliable and does a great job of protecting fuel systems. It prevents oxidation, separation, corrosion, and rust in a motorcycle you won’t be riding for a few months.
Plus, the formula helps restore the bike’s performance and helps with smooth and quick startups.
PROS
- Protects fuel systems
- For all engines
- Protects against corrosion
CONS
- One bottle size only
Octane Boost
This fuel injector helps restore engine power and performance with its advanced system-cleaning technology. It’s designed and formulated to remove deposits from the system components like the fuel filter, pump, lines and GDI injectors.
The formula is ideal for restoring power and increasing torque. It smoothes rough idling and helps reduce emissions.
You should use the whole bottle to fill the tank to full. Run it through and repeat the process the next time you fill-up. The manufacturer recommends two treatments back to back to achieve the best results.
It treats up to 21 gallons of fuel, which should be enough for most vehicles people usually use it with. There’s a label on the back of the bottle with information you should read.
PROS
- Cleans the fuel system
- Restores power and reduces emissions
- Protects for corrosion
CONS
- Takes a while to work
Maxima
This one works as a stabilizer and corrosion inhibitor. It’s a great formula to use for seasonal storage since it helps prevent varnish build-up and fuel degradation.
The formula fights corrosion in the fuel system by keeping it protected. It protects against the harmful effects of ethanol and moisture you can find in the system. These affect the way the bike performs, especially after a few months of being stored away.
Use one ounce per every 1.0 – 2.5 gallons of fuel. You want to mix it thoroughly or run the engine for five minutes after treatment.
Luckily, the product comes in several sizes allowing you to buy more or less depending on how many bikes you’re treating. This one is suitable for cars, lawnmowers, boats, and other such engines.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Suitable for different engines and vehicles
- Protects the fuel system
CONS
- Takes a while to show results
What Stabilizers Are and How They Work
A stabilizer is a product formulated with a chemical that revitalizes your fuel. It refreshes it for easier startups after months of storage.
See our top storage sheds here.
A reliable product cleans your carburetors and fuel injectors, removing water in the engine. Since water can cause corrosion, it’s essential to remove it when the motorcycle isn’t in use.
It’s a formula meant to protect your motor from varnish, rust, and gum. As a result, it prolongs the lifespan of your engine. It stops the process of chemical breakdown and oxidation in the fuel.
Once you pour it into the tank, it goes through the system, absorbing water before the fuel starts to do so.
Benefits of Use
There are many benefits of using duel stabilizers, especially if you’re not riding your bike as often. In the case of seasonal storage, it’s among the best thing you can do to prepare your motorcycle.
A stabilizer assists your engine in getting started after a while of being stored away. Old gas is usually ineffective, and a good stabilizer can help with that a great deal.
It helps the fuel burn and prevents oxidation, separation as well as corrosion and rust in the system. It prolongs the life of the engine, which has to be the most significant benefit. A reliable and quality stabilizer can extend the life of your gasoline by three to fifteen months.
However, make sure to check for specific instructions on how to use it. Different products call for different ways of application, so remember to check the label in the back of the bottle.
Be Careful With Old Gas
You want to be careful with this since gas has a limited storage life. When you store your motorcycle during winter months (see our winterizing guide here), the fuel left inside will degrade and break down due to chemical reactions that happen. The reactions occur that much faster when the gasoline is exposed to air, catalytic metals, and water.
One solution is to drain the fuel before storing the bike away. This is an option if you won’t ride it for months, but it can be a bit tiring if you will ride it after a few weeks.
By using a fuel stabilizer, you prevent separation, oxidation, and the breakdown we mentioned earlier. You help prolong the life of your fuel by a few months.
Buying Factors to Consider
Compatibility with Bike
Compatibility is crucial because it determines the stabilizer you can use for the type of fuel you have.
If you have a few vehicles with different engines, you might want to consider a stabilizer that works with all of them. On the other hand, some products are designed to work with specific fuels only, such as ethanol blends.
Ease of Use
You should mix the stabilizer and fuel properly for it to work well. Mixing it should be simple and smooth so the stabilization can start as soon as possible.
Though the process might seem easy, it requires quite some attention, which is why you should be careful with it. If the product isn’t easy to mix, it’s unlikely you’ll mix it properly. As a result, your gasoline might go bad, and the engine most likely won’t perform as well as you expect.
Value and Cost
People generally have different budgets, which is why value and cost are as important. It’s usually the prime deciding factors whether we like it or not. For this reason, people don’t always go for the most expensive products even when they seem like the most efficient ones.
However, price doesn’t always have to speak for quality. Some products are often highly-priced due to the brand name, for example.
One of the best ways to determine if a product is worth the price is by checking the customer reviews. Check if it has all that you need in a stabilizer and if other people liked using it. Only then should you also consider the price.
Proven Brands
The brand name is also quite critical. Reliable brands are well-known for their quality and customer support, whereas those less known are often a bit risky.
The brand holds the trust of the buyer, which is why we usually go only for the names we’ve already heard of. What you can do is make a list of brands you know and would be willing to try. You can later consider a few other things and pick the best one from the list.
Buying the unknown is often more affordable, but it’s not as reliable. In other words, you might save money when purchasing, but you might also not be as happy with the achieved results.
Consumer Reviews
Reviews play a significant role since they tell you about whether consumers like the product or not. It’s a good way of learning what people think of the stabilizer before you purchase it.
Still, you should take these with a grain of salt. In most cases, you don’t know if the person used the product correctly or not.
While such reports can help make smarter purchase, you should always consider other things as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it keep gas fresh?
The stabilizer can keep your fuel fresh for up to 24 months. However, this can vary depending on the brand product, fuel type, engine, and other such things. In most cases, the product label states the information on how long will it keep gas fresh.
Does the size or type of tank matter?
The size matters because big tanks usually contain more fuel. As a result, you’ll need a bigger bottle of stabilizer to treat as much gas.
The type of the tank doesn’t matter as much as the type of the engine. Still, you should check the label before using any of these products.
Conclusion
Using a fuel stabilizer is an excellent way of keeping your gas fresh. It’s ideal for seasonal storage or when you simply know you won’t ride as often.
While you can use it on your motorcycle, most stabilizers are compatible with cars, lawnmowers, boats, and other such engines.
Choosing the right one isn’t as hard, as long as you consider the critical factors we discussed. Make sure to also always read the label in the pack for any additional information on the particular product.
