Gas Octane Question
Gas Octane Question
I can't believe I didn't think of this before and just did a search on this. My dealer when I bought the \\;bike never told me I should be running a higher octane gas in the bike and I never even thought about looking it up in the owners manual.
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Well anyway I've had the bike a 08 Street Bob for almost 3 weeks now and have put gas in twice and I filled up using the 89 octane.
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My question is have I really messed things up. I can't beleve I'm this dumb but honestly it never dawned on me I should be using a higher grade until I stumbled across a post during a search.
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Please someone tell me I've not to late. \\;Now that I know I'll start using a higher grade octane. I'm just concerened I may have done permenant damage to my new baby.
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BTW Dealer gave me a $300.00 gas card when I bought the bike and they advertise free gas for a year. Yeah right.
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Well anyway I've had the bike a 08 Street Bob for almost 3 weeks now and have put gas in twice and I filled up using the 89 octane.
 \\;
My question is have I really messed things up. I can't beleve I'm this dumb but honestly it never dawned on me I should be using a higher grade until I stumbled across a post during a search.
 \\;
Please someone tell me I've not to late. \\;Now that I know I'll start using a higher grade octane. I'm just concerened I may have done permenant damage to my new baby.
 \\;
BTW Dealer gave me a $300.00 gas card when I bought the bike and they advertise free gas for a year. Yeah right.
 \\;
 \\;
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,718
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From: Back in the Good Ole USA. South Carolina to be exact.
RE: Gas Octane Question
The new bikes are more prone to detonation due to the lean mixture and the heat produced. Running higher octane fuel is an easy way for the motor company to manage this problem. If you haven't heard spark knock or pinging no problem.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
RE: Gas Octane Question
YES, it is completely ruined and should not be riden any longer!! \\; Now being the nice guy that I am, I will take the bike so that you don't get charged the recycling fee or to have anybody tow it to it's final resting place!!! \\; OK, so maybe it's no big deal at all and you're fine. \\; I did a similar thing two times in a row. \\; I was on a long ride with friends both times and was in a rush at the pumps so that I didn't hold anyone up and selected 87 instead of 93. \\; Boy did I ever notice the difference. \\; My bike is a carburated 03 so not quite as problematic as if it were injected I'm guessing. \\; Have fun and ride safe.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 119
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RE: Gas Octane Question
Thanks guys I feel a little better now. First stop on the way home from work was the gas station and filled her up with Super Unleaded.
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I'll not make this mistake again. \\;Guess I'll \\;[sm=icon_rtfm.gif] \\;again.
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I'll not make this mistake again. \\;Guess I'll \\;[sm=icon_rtfm.gif] \\;again.
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Advanced
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RE: Gas Octane Question
On fuel injected vehicles (cars and I would think bikes also), the computer will compensate for the lower octane rating. You will not damage anything unless you hear pinging from the engine, so if you do go back to the higher octane gas!
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