Ethanol free premium vs top tier
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 212
Likes: 31
Ethanol free premium vs top tier
Ive always focused on ethanol free premium for tha bike. Now that Ive read a lot of recommendations for top tier, Ive been looking at whats available around here. It seems the ethanol free premium station is not top tier and the top tier stations arent ethanol free (I found one exception: a top tier Phillips 66 with ethanol free premium, but its too far away to do me much good.)
so my question for the forum is - given the choice of eth free, not top tier or top tier with ethanol, which would you choose?
so my question for the forum is - given the choice of eth free, not top tier or top tier with ethanol, which would you choose?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Thats the situation around here, too. Also, ethanol free is 90 octane and e10 is 93 octane.
Since Harley-Davidson recommends 91 octane or higher, I use 93 octane and dont worry about it.
Since Harley-Davidson recommends 91 octane or higher, I use 93 octane and dont worry about it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Top Tier is an arbitrary standard, more for marketing. Regional chains like Kwik Trip which fought rumors that their gas was substandard, needed a rated product. About 10 years ago I spoke to an engineer at BP,and they said they didn't want an outside agency telling them how to make their gas, but they eventually caved. I am OK with any name brand like Shell, Amoco, BP, Phillips 66. I will always pick non ethanol first, but if you want Top Tier, you should at least use a non ethanol for Winter storage, because that' when ethanol gums up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Top Tier is an arbitrary standard, more for marketing. Regional chains like Kwik Trip which fought rumors that their gas was substandard, needed a rated product. About 10 years ago I spoke to an engineer at BP,and they said they didn't want an outside agency telling them how to make their gas, but they eventually caved. I am OK with any name brand like Shell, Amoco, BP, Phillips 66. I will always pick non ethanol first, but if you want Top Tier, you should at least use a non ethanol for Winter storage, because that' when ethanol gums up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Well, in your case I would buy Sunoco if I was traveling, since I don't know much about the other brands. Top Tier would be an asset, but I would still buy non ethanol, from whoever had it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 5,276
Likes: 4,055
From: central Fl
i go the busy stations and get hi test what ever that is never had a issue ever 
gas is like oil and whats best just saying
gas is like oil and whats best just saying
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Just treat gas for winter.