Ethanol free gas
Ethanol or not
My Sporty runs better on ethanol free 89 octane than on 93 octane with 10% ethanol.
On my 103 which is higher compression, I run ethanol free 89 octane and do not get any pinging, but can't really say if it runs any stronger than on 93 octane with ethanol.
My 103 DOES run stronger on ethanol free 91 octane than 93 octane with ethanol.
On my 103 which is higher compression, I run ethanol free 89 octane and do not get any pinging, but can't really say if it runs any stronger than on 93 octane with ethanol.
My 103 DOES run stronger on ethanol free 91 octane than 93 octane with ethanol.
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Good lord people ... it's a V-Twin not a finely tuned Maserati ... a little ethanol is not gonna hurt the bike ... running higher octane is done just because the motors have a little more compression than a standard car motor and you don't want the gas to ignite too soon because of compression ... but if your bike runs fine on the lower octane that won't hurt it either. These bikes are not that delicate ... the vibration will do more damage than ethanol ... good grief.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Good lord people ... it's a V-Twin not a finely tuned Maserati ... a little ethanol is not gonna hurt the bike ... running higher octane is done just because the motors have a little more compression than a standard car motor and you don't want the gas to ignite too soon because of compression ... but if your bike runs fine on the lower octane that won't hurt it either. These bikes are not that delicate ... the vibration will do more damage than ethanol ... good grief.
Apparently you do not understand what ethanol does, let's start with loss of efficiency and MPG, at least 10%, what value does that provide?
Phase separation, if you leave it sit for any period of time it will separate, which can lead to damage.
Yeah, they may not be a Maserati, but they are OUR bikes and have just as much value to us a a Maserati has to it's owner.
Ethanol provides NO net value to anyone other than corn farmer, and I would defy anyone to prove that is does. That is the bottom line.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
My Sporty runs better on ethanol free 89 octane than on 93 octane with 10% ethanol.
On my 103 which is higher compression, I run ethanol free 89 octane and do not get any pinging, but can't really say if it runs any stronger than on 93 octane with ethanol.
My 103 DOES run stronger on ethanol free 91 octane than 93 octane with ethanol.
On my 103 which is higher compression, I run ethanol free 89 octane and do not get any pinging, but can't really say if it runs any stronger than on 93 octane with ethanol.
My 103 DOES run stronger on ethanol free 91 octane than 93 octane with ethanol.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Just read something interesting on Wikipedia, do not know if true everywhere, guess you would have to look around at the gas station to see how many tank filling manholes are in the ground...
Most fuel filling stations have two storage tanks (even those offering 3 or 4 octane levels): those motorists who purchase intermediate grade fuels are given a mixture of higher and lower octane fuels. "Premium" grade is fuel of higher octane, and the minimum grade sold is fuel of lower octane. Purchasing 91 octane fuel (where offered) simply means that more fuel of higher octane is blended with commensurately less fuel of lower octane, than when purchasing a lower grade. The detergents and other additives in the fuel are often, but not always, identical.
Most fuel filling stations have two storage tanks (even those offering 3 or 4 octane levels): those motorists who purchase intermediate grade fuels are given a mixture of higher and lower octane fuels. "Premium" grade is fuel of higher octane, and the minimum grade sold is fuel of lower octane. Purchasing 91 octane fuel (where offered) simply means that more fuel of higher octane is blended with commensurately less fuel of lower octane, than when purchasing a lower grade. The detergents and other additives in the fuel are often, but not always, identical.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Finally found what I was looking for....According to Petro-Canada...
Higher knock tendency is directly related to higher combustion temperature.
This would be a good reason HD recommends high octane fuel.
Higher knock tendency is directly related to higher combustion temperature.
This would be a good reason HD recommends high octane fuel.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Don't disagree w/ this statement, but it won't hurt your bike either for crying out loud
Last edited by JerryGarcia4295; Oct 12, 2011 at 01:41 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
True ... but if it doesn't knock when you use "regular" octane then there should be no issues w/ running it ... all octane does, in simple terms, is increase the amount of pressure a fuel can take w/o combustion.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,300
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
Not sure if you are refering to my post 14. What I was trying to say was went from priemum ethanol to mid-grad ethanol. You are correct in what you say that 10% ethanol will indead knock at least 1 mpg off a car that get 20 mpg on non ethanol. Around here all we get is ethanol and its been that way for years.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 12, 2011 at 08:34 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
