I agree!

The manual says do NOT use methanol.

From the manual:
Do not use gasoline that contains methanol. Doing so can result in fuel system component failure, engine damage and/or equipment malfunction.

ETHANOL is a mixture of 10% ethanol (Grain alcohol) and 90% unleaded gasoline. Gasonline/ethanol blends can be used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does not exceed 10%
End Manual quote

Remember, in some states the 10% blend is all that is available!.
Just remember, the 10% stuff is not the same as the new E85. That E85 is 85% ethanol and should not be used!

 

Ahhh must have misunderstood the book. Thanks guys

 

Valve Rattle

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If you are in 6th gear a 50mph that is probably the problem.If you had a tach, you would see that 70mph in 6 gear is 2800 rpm on my 06 Street Bob. At 50 you should be at least in 4th gear.
I agree with Dyna Rider....
6th gear at 50 just ain't cuttin it. Like wiping your behind before your done pinching that loaf. I hit the green 6 at 70+.

 

Need to review your owners manual about fuel requirements, probably even mentions what ethanol mix NOT to use. Also stay with major brands (Shell, BP, Chevron) looking for detergents to keep the deposits at a minimum.

 

I hear the same noise, and I've never put anything other than 91 in the tank. Kinda sounds like pebbles in a coffee can. Happens around 45 MPH when I get on it, usually after a down shift, so I can't see it being too high of a gear.

 

As the owner's manual says, use 91 octane or higher. Using regular gas is false economy.

 

I don't know if it was mentioned earlier I didn't read. The science behind the higher octane is the chain of molecules is just that, a chain with the higher octane. Which causes a slow steady burn. The lower octane has multiple strands that burn and it causes more of a high impact explosion rather than a slow burn, which causes "pinging". It's actually the gas burning rapidly and beating the **** out of your pistons!!

As mentioned...use the higher octane since it's only a couple cents more.