Just read this article:


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/whats-...150224104.html


And was wondering if HD like the higher octane gas. I've be using premium since I got the bike a few month ago just because it the difference in cost for fill up with premium is negligible.


Also, thought on gas with ethanol?

 

Harley specifies 91 octane for both my Lowrider and my wife's Iron 883, so that's what they get. I've run lower octane a couple of times and I could tell the difference.

My thoughts on ethanol: It has just over half the energy as gasoline, volume for volume; therefore 10% ethanol gasoline has about 95% of the BTUs that pure gasoline has. That's less performance from both mileage and power standpoints, no matter what anyone says about ethanol having a higher octane rating, better intake charge cooling, etc. A BTU is a BTU, regardless. Plus, it costs a bunch more to produce a gallon of ethanol (read: heavily subsidized) than it does to produce a gallon of gasoline.

 

The article specifically pertains to individuals using gas which is not required by the manufacturer. Harley requires PREMIUM and that's the deal with that. I ain't playing with detonation by running regular for a buck a tank. I also don't run "reconditioned" oil.

 

Around here if you want corn free gas you pay for premium. Everything else has corn in it. Back when I was on the road (80-06) the fleet dept. did a 6 month head to head test between pure and corn gas with 150+ trucks. In those days reg. 85 octane was pure, mid grade 87 octane was corn and a nickle a gal. cheaper. Fleet ruled in favor of pure gas. Never said why, but they were willing to pay the extra nickle. I see now that they're running those diesel Sprinter vans...

 

Yes I use premium fuel.

 

Absolutely, it is recommended in the manual. The issue on these articles are about those that use premium when the mfg does not recommend it.

To many people think premium it "better" gas. There isn't anything better about it, it is a different blended fuel for motors that have higher compression engines.

 

There's another grade of fuel? I thought premium was all there was.

 

With the exception of my shovelhead which will spark-knock, my bikes run fine on 87 without any noticeable difference but I put in premium corn free most of the time. I always use top tier gas if possible and on roadtrips I just use 87.

My f150 requires premium and runs like crap on anything else while my Lincoln requires premium but runs fine on 87 so that's what I buy.

 

Premium and if you can find it no Ethanol it is bad stuff for bikes.

 

There is a big difference in "recommends" and "requires". If it says "recommends" you are fine with 87 unless you have a lot of mods and have higher compression. It is only required if the manual says "required".