Regular gas???

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 9, 2012 | 10:13 AM

Doug S

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 1,123

Likes: 43

From: NJ

Regular gas???

Hi,

Just wondering what your thoughts are on running fuel other than premium? Ever try it, any issues?

Found out a few weeks ago that my petcock was not working , when I ran out of gas and had no reserve....LOL. Nice homeowner gave me his old lawnmover gas and the bike ran fine, really good actually. So I put some fresh regular in, no pinging, no loss of power I could tell, it runs better-(less fat)- at slow speeds and I've never heard it idle so well. Ran a couple of tanks so far and yesterday I put in a few gals of mid-grade and it's Ok also. I figure I'll need to go to premium in the hot weather but I'm liking this right now...

Thanks
Doug

Apr 9, 2012 | 11:27 AM

rscalzo

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 1,370

Likes: 133

From: Epping, NH

That might not be the case when it gets hot and under load or higher altitudes.

Apr 9, 2012 | 11:51 AM

SIDECAR BOB

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 932

Likes: 14

From: CENTRAL IL

been running regular in cooler weather also, around here a lot of the regular is not ethanol enhanced. Seems to like the no alc more than the 1 or 2 point higher octain

Apr 9, 2012 | 12:00 PM

Kushman

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 259

Likes: 1

From: Kingston, Ontario

Hey Doug,
I do not use regular up here (Canada) most fuel below premium can have up to 10% Ethonol that from what I understand from previous threds can cause issues due to attraction of water. Not sure what the policeis are down there? Could the ping be a jetting or timming issue?

Apr 9, 2012 | 12:17 PM

carlgrover

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 8,852

Likes: 2,493

From: Decatur, Alabama

I've ran a tank or two of regular in mine. It vibrates more. Doesn't really like it. This is the 10% ethanol junk.

Apr 9, 2012 | 12:37 PM

Shredding rubber

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 3,449

Likes: 8

From: Right about the middle

Regular is fine in a stock bike. If you had more compression or timing advanced then you may want to run higher octane.
I have run regular in my 96 with no issues however here in Saskatchewan premium isn't polluted with ethanol so I get a bit better mileage because of it.

Apr 9, 2012 | 01:01 PM

the blob

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,570

Likes: 45

I've been running reg. Gas in my stk. Softail with no probs
For a couple of years now. No pinging either. I just figure
With an 8.5 to 1 comp ratio premium is a waste.