octane 91 per manual?
I live in CA and 91 is our high octane. I run all my vehicles almost strictly with Chevron and if not them then Shell. The bike is the only vehicle to get the "supreme" level of fuel. The rest get "regular" 87. The bike runs a bit smoother with 91 than 87 in my opinion.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
for my '12 SB, manual says to fill using Octane 91 but I see some folks using higher ctane and I presume this must be when you have Stage 1 like mods? Do you fill tank 1/4 and test out gas to ensure pinging or anything does not happen? And until you find the right octane you fill the tank up. I fear I cannot hear the pinging much so this is why I am asking do I go straight with Octane 91? Also I normally get my truck gas at 7-11...would getting at Sunco be the best to go with a Harley? I cannot think that Sunco and 7-11 have different gas between their Octane rating but hell 7-11 is not a refinery LOL. Thanks for the inputs...
Im shaking my head... Ouch! Most importantly get gas somewhere with a reputation for selling clean fuel. most fuels within a general location come from the same distributor (bulk carrier) and the Shells, Chevrons etc... add their own additives to the mix. If you have a fast twist of the grip with a stock tune its going to ping, if you have a stage 1 and a fast twist of the grip your still apt to still hear the pinging. Run straight 91 octane like it says in your manual, your not going to hurt anything running 93 either, either way just dont keep throttling hard if it starts pinging. Relax... enjoy & the ride... learn your machine
Stage III
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: SW, NM
I live in SW, NM where often times the only octane I find is 86-87...lucas oil make a motorcycle octane booster, i believe in a four ounce bottle for a 5 gallon tank. Do any of you in the know have any comments on using this, basically only for the low octane gas stations? I haven't used it yet on my '06 TC/88-B softail so any comments would be appreciated. Muchas Garcias
WFO 1955
WFO 1955
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: Chicago/Arlington Heights
Im glad this post started,I only use Shell because that is what my local Chevrolet Dealer said to use in my truck. I dont want to hijack this but if you only have a 5 gal. tank and the pump has one hose for all grades how much Regular is in the hose untill the Premium starts pumping?
Crap. Pure crap... 
Jet A is a form of kerosene, not gasoline.. Jets burn low grade (but very
highly processed) fuel because it doesn't make any difference to them
as long as it burns. If anyone ever put Jet A into any form of internal
combustion engine, it would friggin' DIE..
Jet A is a form of kerosene, not gasoline.. Jets burn low grade (but very
highly processed) fuel because it doesn't make any difference to them
as long as it burns. If anyone ever put Jet A into any form of internal
combustion engine, it would friggin' DIE..
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 484
Likes: 74
From: Central Valley, CA
We can sit here and argue/discuss octane ratings and whats best. Personally I use whats recommended. Why, because octane ratings and recommendations are based on the compression ratio of the motor and fuel. The octane rating is a ratio/measure of how much the gas will compress before it combusts. So in theory, if you 87 it will compress less in your engine before it ignites, and 93 would compress more, giving you early or late detonation. So, if you run a higher octane in a vehicle rated for 87 its really useles, you wont get really any better performance or mpg. Just my .02.
for my '12 SB, manual says to fill using Octane 91 but I see some folks using higher ctane and I presume this must be when you have Stage 1 like mods? Do you fill tank 1/4 and test out gas to ensure pinging or anything does not happen? And until you find the right octane you fill the tank up. I fear I cannot hear the pinging much so this is why I am asking do I go straight with Octane 91? Also I normally get my truck gas at 7-11...would getting at Sunco be the best to go with a Harley? I cannot think that Sunco and 7-11 have different gas between their Octane rating but hell 7-11 is not a refinery LOL. Thanks for the inputs...
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
"Anyone who puts Jet fuel into a regular internal combustion engine
NOT SPECIFICALLY CONFIGURED FOR IT
is a f*cking idiot".
That work for you?
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