MXA TEAM TESTED: ETS MX21 K2 RACING FUELS

WHAT IS IT? ETS is based out of France and was relatively unheard of in the U.S. until the Red Bull KTM, Rockstar Husqvarna and Troy Lee Designs GasGas teams started using it. ETS makes fuel for all makes and models. The MX21 K2 blend is the top-of-the-line ETS fuel, and it’s the same blend that has been used in the factory Austrian bikes for the last few years. MXA runs it in the bikes we race in the AMA Nationals.

WHAT’S IT COST? $250 for 6.6 gallons ($38 per gallon).

CONTACT? www.etsracingfuels.com or your local dealer. 

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with ETS Racing Fuels’ MX21 K2 race gas.

(1) Details. The MX21 K2 blend is a 94-octane, unleaded fuel that provides excellent vapor-lock protection, high combustion speeds and improved throttle response. The high-quality base fuel and multi-functional additives provide carburetor and fuel-injector detergency and valve cleanliness. 

(2) Mapping. We’ve used this fuel in major motocross races over the years and always appreciated the extra throttle response and power it provided. However, we don’t always make time to remap our bikes to run the fuel before a big race. With modern technology, remapping a Vortex or even stock ECU can go a long way towards customizing the power characteristics of your four-stroke. A skilled tuner will make the most of the slow-burning ETS fuel by matching the ignition timing to the bike’s fuel needs. However, we decided to test the MX21 K2 fuel against VP Racing’s top power-producing fuel, Pro6, to see how they compared on a stock bike. 

(3) Dyno comparison. We used a stock 2024 Kawasaki KX450 with a Twin Air Powerflow kit for this test. We started the day with 91-octane pump fuel. On pump gas, the 2024 KX450 hit 57.08 horsepower at 9500 rpm and 35.35 pound-feet of torque at 6600 rpm. Off the bottom, the ETS and VP fuels both increased horsepower and torque at the crack of the throttle, which carried through the midrange. At 6500 rpm, both race fuels pulled further away from the pump fuel’s dyno curve to the tune of 1-1/2 horsepower and kept that distance until peak. 

The ETS fuel hit 58.58 horsepower and 36.22 pound-feet of torque at the same rpm markers. The VP Pro6 fuel hit 58.69 horsepower and 36.15 pound-feet of torque. Both fuels followed each other’s dyno curve almost equally, with the exception of 7500 rpm to 8200 rpm, where the VP fuel dipped ever so slightly and the ETS stayed ahead. 

(4) Durability. One reason the Austrians trust ETS is because of its reputation for durability. VP Racing Fuels has been going through struggles with bad batches of fuel. Of course, they are working to solve the issues, but we’ve never heard of anyone getting a bad batch of ETS fuel. Also, the ETS MX21 K2 blend is known for being the best fuel for high-temperature situations. VP recommends the Pro6-HT (high temperature) blend for those days, but ETS MX21 K2 is good no matter how hot it is.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? We have one big complaint: it smells. The MX21 K2 blend has the strongest odor of any race fuel since  VP Ultimate-4. Don’t spill it on your clothes, in your van or in your garage, because it will take weeks for the smell to dissipate.  

MXA RATING: The ETS MX21 blend is a potent race fuel in your throttle body and your nose. Many MXA test riders prefer to save money and sacrifice some performance by running the less smelly and more affordable MX18 K2 blend.