Does the gas make a difference?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: East of Cincinnati
Does the gas make a difference?
My 2008 fatbob sometimes sounds like I'm getting valve chatter. Usually around 50 mph or so if I get on it I here a squeeling or maybe rattling from the top end or gauge area on the tank. Could I be in too high of a gear when i'm hearing this? Maybe i'm not letting it wind out far enough before shifting? I only use the cheap gas. 87 octane regular. Could this be the valves I'm hearing and is my cheap gas the reason? It only has about 2000 miles on it so is this something I should mention to the dealer?
Any replys would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Tim
Any replys would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Tim
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
do not tell the dealer you are using 87 octane when the bike is tuned to run on 91...
detonation, my friend, detonation.....
put 91 in there... it'll only be like $1 a tank extra.
detonation, my friend, detonation.....
put 91 in there... it'll only be like $1 a tank extra.
Last edited by rounder; Aug 26, 2008 at 10:13 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Marion, Ia
Yes the gas does make a difference, I never run anything under 91octane and never ethonal unless there is no other choice and I am in tim buck too and out of gas, and in the manual it states it is not recommended to run anything under 91octane. I have heard of lots of people getting a valve ping from crappy gas, fuel up with some good stuff next time and see if it gets better if not see the dealer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: San Tan Valley, AZ
And you're using regular gas why? Typically it costs about 20 cents a gallon more for 91 or better which is what MoCo (and your manual... I assume you read your manual) say you should be using. That's only 80 cents a tank assuming you're about to run out. The sound you're hearing is most likely pinging because of the low octane gas you're using and NO, it's not good for the engine. I can't see investing 14k$ or better in a great bike and then trying to save less than a buck at fill up by putting crap gas in it. Try running several of tanks of 91 or 93 in it and see if the noise doesn't clear up. Obviously, it's your choice whether or not to run the proper fuel or not. If not, I wouldn't complain to the dealer about pinging noises.
Just my $0.20
Which, coincidentally is the cost difference per gallon to use the proper fuel.
Just my $0.20
Which, coincidentally is the cost difference per gallon to use the proper fuel.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 669
From: Rolla
And you're using regular gas why? Typically it costs about 20 cents a gallon more for 91 or better which is what MoCo (and your manual... I assume you read your manual) say you should be using. That's only 80 cents a tank assuming you're about to run out. The sound you're hearing is most likely pinging because of the low octane gas you're using and NO, it's not good for the engine. I can't see investing 14k$ or better in a great bike and then trying to save less than a buck at fill up by putting crap gas in it. Try running several of tanks of 91 or 93 in it and see if the noise doesn't clear up. Obviously, it's your choice whether or not to run the proper fuel or not. If not, I wouldn't complain to the dealer about pinging noises.
Just my $0.20
Which, coincidentally is the cost difference per gallon to use the proper fuel.
Just my $0.20
Which, coincidentally is the cost difference per gallon to use the proper fuel.
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From:
My salesguy even told me when I picked up my bike to only use 91 octane in the bike. That means NO CHEAP GAS! 
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Grand HDF Member
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From: Rolla
In any event, the owners manual calls for 91 octane.