"Bad Gas" Question (and, no... not that kind of gas, silly)

[Lucky_Devil]

What exactly does this mean?

I had a weird bike problem on my trip to Yellowstone this year... a problem that was intermittent, a problem that couldn't be recreated... just completely random, and then a few days later the problem just disappeared and hasn't happened again since.  In relating my story to someone else, they suggested that I had gotten some "bad gas"  

What makes "bad gas" bad? (insert joke here)

What are the symptoms of "bad gas" (especially on a FI bike)?

How long does it take the bike to recover from a tank of "bad gas"?

Educate me o' wise ones of ST.N

TIA  

[et]

"Bad gas" usually refers to water being in the gas.
Take a look at: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,14308.msg322329.html

[Lucky_Devil]

Thanks!

Read the thread, and I don't think that bad gas was my problem.

[Jeff N]

"Bad gas" can also mean old gas. It doesn't keep its octane level or effectiveness forever. This is why one must drain the carbs/fuel system and pour some Sta-Bil into the tank for winter storage. Then come spring, replace the fuel in the tank.

[mike goodwin]

My K75S is an FI bike.
I bought some gas two springs ago on a trip in nothern Arizona on reservation land and after about 20 miles i noticed my bike had very little power and was idling very bad.
At first i thought my fuel filter was clogged up so in the elegant surroundings of a Motel 6 parking lot I decided to change my fuel filter as i always carry a spare.
That didn't help so i went to a truck stop in Holbrook Az. and bought a bottle of STP fuel treatment.
Supposedly this helps bring up the octane level,that's at least what i was told by someone some time ago.
I poured about three ounces in the tank every fill up and after the second tank of gas the bike was back to normal.
Bad gas makes your bike run very poorly and even worse if it's a bike that uses premium fuel.
Hope this helps.