General Motorcycle Chat:

adrian · 08-17-2008

Some bikes run higher compression and require higher octane fuels that won't detonate too early. Many bikes do not run a compression high enough to require anything above 87 or maybe 89 octane, yet the owner will still use 91 or higher.

What are your thoughts? Do you run the higher octane in a bike that does not require it? If so, for what reasons? The additives/detergents? The mojo/karma?

Lori · 08-17-2008

I run 91 in mine but I have been riding only track days for the last 2 months. I guess I feel like the extra octane is being burned and used with the more high RPM riding I'm doing there VS on the street. I still use it on the street to though but I probably wouldn't need to.

I guess It's just what I have always done....

LowRiderGhost · 08-18-2008

I do run nothing but premium in bikes now. Probably a waste but I figure in for a penny in for a pound kind of deal?!

On the other hand my old Ford Ranchero get what ever slop I can find, but my wife's little Pontiac needs Premium or it gripes high heaven. As to her SUV (and baby!) though, yikes ... Silver Plater or nothing! Think Bikers/Riders are fussy about they're machines? Hah!

LRG

************************************************** ******

Save a Life by making a Donation at the STURGIS ANIMAL SHELTER! The Critters will definitely Thank You for it big time!

"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably. The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged." (Captain Jean-Luc Picard)

Pharga · 09-01-2008

In the bike I own now I have used prem yet only noticed a slight increase in mileage. .2 of a mile per gallon.

Yet I understand if you put on a electronic ignition module you may even get to the point you may need to run racing fuel. Of course those box's are adjustable.

clockdaddy · 09-02-2008

I've never been able to tell the difference between riding regular or premium! I ran regular in my 83 Nighthawk 550 because it was recommended and had no problems.
I still run regular in my Intruder 1500. I've tried premium but I can't see any difference.
Why pay for something you don't need?

CD

Mark · 09-02-2008

My 650 is a daily driver. (when weather permits) I run regular and don't have any problems as of yet. I ran a tank of premium a while ago, because the station was out of regular. I didn't notice any difference. I might have hoped there was, but you wouldn't know it by me.

Steamroller · 09-02-2008

I run 87 because that is what is recommended by the mfr. I'm told that higher octane burns slower but doesn't have more power than gas with lower octane. Supposedly the gas mileage actually suffers by using more octane than needed.
I am particular about brand though. Top tier gas has better additives.

clockdaddy · 09-03-2008

Very good point Steamroller! Most people simply don't know the difference between Tyre I fuel and the rest of the fuels.
Tyre I gas has more cleaning additives and doesn't leave the carbon deposits that regular fuels leave!
The inside of the motor is the tale-tale signs of the quality of the gas we use. The difference isn't subtle, in fact it's very evident at first glance!

All people need to do to find out the reasons to use tyre I fuels and find out who sells it is to google "tyre I gasoline"

CD

adrian · 09-03-2008

A little part of me feels bad about using inexpensive gas, for the reasons mentioned above. But man, it is so expensive now. Pay now or pay later, right?

There are nothing but little cheap stations around me, so maybe I should start driving a bit.

clockdaddy · 09-04-2008

Adrian, I'm guilty of that also. With the price of gas so high and our income not keeping up with our expenses, we all are looking for a way to save a dollar here and there.
I guess you couild say that this is a case of "Do as I say, not as I do!!"
I do, however, put a can of Sea Foam in my fuel once every three months. Sea Foam is recognized as the best cleaner that can be used for cleaning the internal components of your engine.
Like the old Fram comercial says, "Pay me now or Pay me later!", in the end the engine will last longer if we invest in proper fuels and maintenance or it will wear out much sooner if we neglect it.
CD

08-17-2008	#1 (permalink)
adrian Spider Interwebby Thingy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ (but SATX is home) Posts: 536 Check Out My Blog!	Super unleaded fuel for better performance Some bikes run higher compression and require higher octane fuels that won't detonate too early. Many bikes do not run a compression high enough to require anything above 87 or maybe 89 octane, yet the owner will still use 91 or higher. What are your thoughts? Do you run the higher octane in a bike that does not require it? If so, for what reasons? The additives/detergents? The mojo/karma? __________________ "I just know that someday someone is going to start a thread here"

08-18-2008	#3 (permalink)
LowRiderGhost Misanthrope and Sin-Eater Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mid-North/Western USA Posts: 52	I do run nothing but premium in bikes now. Probably a waste but I figure in for a penny in for a pound kind of deal?! On the other hand my old Ford Ranchero get what ever slop I can find, but my wife's little Pontiac needs Premium or it gripes high heaven. As to her SUV (and baby!) though, yikes ... Silver Plater or nothing! Think Bikers/Riders are fussy about they're machines? Hah! LRG ************************************************ ** Save a Life by making a Donation at the STURGIS ANIMAL SHELTER! The Critters will definitely Thank You for it big time!** "With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably. The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged." (Captain Jean-Luc Picard) Last edited by LowRiderGhost; 08-23-2008 at 05:53 AM.

09-02-2008	#5 (permalink)
clockdaddy Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 56	I've never been able to tell the difference between riding regular or premium! I ran regular in my 83 Nighthawk 550 because it was recommended and had no problems. I still run regular in my Intruder 1500. I've tried premium but I can't see any difference. Why pay for something you don't need? CD __________________ MY BABY!! Life has a way of forcing wisdom upon us!

09-02-2008	#6 (permalink)
Mark Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southeast PA. (Pottstown) Posts: 213	My 650 is a daily driver. (when weather permits) I run regular and don't have any problems as of yet. I ran a tank of premium a while ago, because the station was out of regular. I didn't notice any difference. I might have hoped there was, but you wouldn't know it by me. __________________ 06' Ninja 650r - Black Our FAQ - About Me

09-03-2008	#8 (permalink)
clockdaddy Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 56	Very good point Steamroller! Most people simply don't know the difference between Tyre I fuel and the rest of the fuels. Tyre I gas has more cleaning additives and doesn't leave the carbon deposits that regular fuels leave! The inside of the motor is the tale-tale signs of the quality of the gas we use. The difference isn't subtle, in fact it's very evident at first glance! All people need to do to find out the reasons to use tyre I fuels and find out who sells it is to google "tyre I gasoline" CD __________________ MY BABY!! Life has a way of forcing wisdom upon us!

08-17-2008	#2 (permalink)
Lori Gixxer Girl Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kyle, TX Posts: 237 Check Out My Blog!	I run 91 in mine but I have been riding only track days for the last 2 months. I guess I feel like the extra octane is being burned and used with the more high RPM riding I'm doing there VS on the street. I still use it on the street to though but I probably wouldn't need to. I guess It's just what I have always done....

09-01-2008	#4 (permalink)
Pharga No Drama, PLEEAASEE! Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	In the bike I own now I have used prem yet only noticed a slight increase in mileage. .2 of a mile per gallon. Yet I understand if you put on a electronic ignition module you may even get to the point you may need to run racing fuel. Of course those box's are adjustable.

09-02-2008	#7 (permalink)
Steamroller Road Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 16	I run 87 because that is what is recommended by the mfr. I'm told that higher octane burns slower but doesn't have more power than gas with lower octane. Supposedly the gas mileage actually suffers by using more octane than needed. I am particular about brand though. Top tier gas has better additives.

09-03-2008	#9 (permalink)
adrian Spider Interwebby Thingy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Glendale, AZ (but SATX is home) Posts: 536 Check Out My Blog!	A little part of me feels bad about using inexpensive gas, for the reasons mentioned above. But man, it is so expensive now. Pay now or pay later, right? There are nothing but little cheap stations around me, so maybe I should start driving a bit. __________________ "I just know that someday someone is going to start a thread here"

09-04-2008	#10 (permalink)
clockdaddy Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 56	Adrian, I'm guilty of that also. With the price of gas so high and our income not keeping up with our expenses, we all are looking for a way to save a dollar here and there. I guess you couild say that this is a case of "Do as I say, not as I do!!" I do, however, put a can of Sea Foam in my fuel once every three months. Sea Foam is recognized as the best cleaner that can be used for cleaning the internal components of your engine. Like the old Fram comercial says, "Pay me now or Pay me later!", in the end the engine will last longer if we invest in proper fuels and maintenance or it will wear out much sooner if we neglect it. CD __________________ MY BABY!! Life has a way of forcing wisdom upon us!

General Motorcycle Chat:

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