High octane

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 17, 2010 | 06:21 PM

#81

Taddeoeg

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,260

Likes: 5

From: Batesville Ga

+1 on the modest increased cost per tankful. Not worth running the lower octane (don't want to risk correction by calling it "regular" - for all I know it may have the runs).

Mar 17, 2010 | 06:27 PM

#82

Pa-Rider

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 1,126

Likes: 2

From: PA

93 in mine almost all the time, except for the occasional 92. Depends on where I am.

Mar 17, 2010 | 06:39 PM

#83

Jeff W

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 2,312

Likes: 12

From: Missouri

Tried both, could not see a difference either way, did not ping, MPG about the same, so i use whatever i feel like at the time..generally premium.

Mar 17, 2010 | 06:40 PM

#84

2007fxdc

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 4,722

Likes: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefx

just to clarify for anyone who might not know the difference and is too embarrassed to ask (you know who you are):

The only thing "premium" about premium fuel is the price. Less people buy it, which is why it costs more. It doesn't make it better or higher quality.

The actual difference is the octane rating, which is a measure of how much compression the fuel can withstand without igniting. The higher the octane rating, the more compression it can take. By that logic, "regular" fuel is actually more combustible than "premium".

In high compression engines, the "regular" can ignite prematurely causing audible "pinging" sounds and actually hinder performance.

Thanks for the education. I think less people buy it because it's more expensive, not the other way around. Regardless, the premature ignition of the lower octane fuel is what causes the pinging and it does hinder performance but it can also actually damage the motor over time. So, as I said, the pinging is not just annoying, it can be harmful and it is not worth it.

The motor company has nothing to gain by suggesting you use higher octane fuel just because it's more expensive. On the contrary, it would be better for them if you could run the cheapest fuel possible. So, it doesn't make sense to require it if it wasn't necessary.

Mar 17, 2010 | 07:27 PM

#85

Big Jon 1

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 141

Likes: 0

From: Central Maine

If you pull up to gas pump that has just one hose and can dispense 2 or 3 grades of gas then the 3 or 4 gallons you buy is basically what the pump and hose holds. In other words if the guy that used that pump before you pushed the regular button and filled up and you come along next and push the premium button and start filling the bike, you are getting regular gas and paying for premium. If you were buying 20 gallons for your pick up truck you would get mostly premium but the first 4 or 5 gallons will be regular gas that was in the hose from the last guy. Think about that. I know it's true, I work for an oil company. You have to go to gas stations that have pumps with 2 or 3 hoses each, one hose dedicated to each grade of gasoline. Maybe many of you already knew this, but if you didn't, you do now.

Mar 17, 2010 | 07:29 PM

#86

Harlie Rider

Road Master

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,136

Likes: 93

From: Andrews, NC

Back in Fall of '08, when gas wasn't to plentiful, I had to buy some 87 octane gas. The
next day, when I was riding the 'Bob, I noticed as I came up to a couple of different stop
signs, the bike died. As I restarted, I thought, how odd, it has never died before. Then I
remembered the 87 octane gas I bought. Luckily, there was a BP/Amoco nearby, so I put
in as much 93 octane as I could get. Guess what, it did not die again until I had to put in a
little low octane because I could not find any 93 octane. For the .30 or.40 cents I would
save on a tank, I'll buy 93 octane only, if possible.

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/t...t/100_0477.jpg

Last edited by mud; Apr 27, 2010 at 07:19 PM. Reason: big picture

Mar 17, 2010 | 08:05 PM

#87

BullyDog

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 131

Likes: 0

if you do the math, the difference between grades of fuel in price per tank is not much. Stick with the higher octane.

Mar 17, 2010 | 10:16 PM

#88

tscreener

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 328

Likes: 0

From: waterville wa

I use regular only because we have those pumps with one nozzle and 3 grades, by the time i got the high octane to the nozzle my bike would be full. I do use a additive when its hot above 90 degrees, as i have noticed pinging then, if not i just use regular. My milage is about 48 average 30% city driving.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders