High Octane
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 152
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From:
RE: High Octane
It's hard to find 91 octane. Generally I just put in premium but sometimes if I have 93 in the tank and only need about 3gals, I will add 89 octane which will bring it to about 91 octane level. If you use a higher octane rating than is required by the engine, yer just burning money. Adding octane booster to 93 octane gas in an 8.9:1 engine doesn't do anything but take money out of your pocket.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 0
From: Somerset County
RE: High Octane
Is weird that bike gets different gas mileage with different brands of gas. Has anyone else noticed this?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 642
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
RE: High Octane
I run 91 octane because that is all that is around here.........
I did a 225 mile day trip today and the beginning of the ride was mostly uphill. This was running right at 3000rpms.... I got 32 mpg for the first 50 miles then 40 mpg for the remainder of the trip........
I did a 225 mile day trip today and the beginning of the ride was mostly uphill. This was running right at 3000rpms.... I got 32 mpg for the first 50 miles then 40 mpg for the remainder of the trip........
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Point, NC
RE: High Octane
Interesting that this post showed up today. Friday I ran to San Diego...I was running up and down mountains climbing and decending to 5000 ft. I wasn't paying attention when I got gas, and put in 87...(I grabbed the handle all the way to the right, didn't look was talking to a guy, blah blah blah)...
Anyway, after the bike was full, I realized what I had done. So, I figured screw it, I'll run it out and then put the good stuff back in. If it runs like crap, I'll run it 40 miles and add more gas...etc.
But, to my surprise, I couldn't tell any difference at all. No difference in mpg, no difference in anything. Kind of had me wondering...the only thing I did notice was that when I started it the first time with the cheap stuff it let out a MIGHTY back fire, scared the crap out of every one...I doubt that was due to the fuel, as it stands to reason that there was already fuel in the lines from the previous tank before fill up.
Very odd. I did this one time with my Vette...it ran like CRAP. Would hardly move, I ended up adding higher octane gas and it was fine after I burned off that crap...
So what gives? The bike ran like a champ.
Mac
Anyway, after the bike was full, I realized what I had done. So, I figured screw it, I'll run it out and then put the good stuff back in. If it runs like crap, I'll run it 40 miles and add more gas...etc.
But, to my surprise, I couldn't tell any difference at all. No difference in mpg, no difference in anything. Kind of had me wondering...the only thing I did notice was that when I started it the first time with the cheap stuff it let out a MIGHTY back fire, scared the crap out of every one...I doubt that was due to the fuel, as it stands to reason that there was already fuel in the lines from the previous tank before fill up.
Very odd. I did this one time with my Vette...it ran like CRAP. Would hardly move, I ended up adding higher octane gas and it was fine after I burned off that crap...
So what gives? The bike ran like a champ.
Mac
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 107
From: Santa Clarita, So. Cal. & Bullhead City, Az.
RE: High Octane
Running lower octane fuel can make your engine ping (pre ignition knock) under load. A little won't hurt, a lot will burn a hole in a piston. Sometimes if your ignition is a bit retarded it will run ok. A little loss of power, but Harleys aren't known for lots of power stock. Try it, you may save a buck or two. If it knocks under load, don't buy the cheap crap any more. Altitude can affect it also.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Point, NC
RE: High Octane
ORIGINAL: screwball
Running lower octane fuel can make your engine ping (pre ignition knock) under load. A little won't hurt, a lot will burn a hole in a piston. Sometimes if your ignition is a bit retarded it will run ok. A little loss of power, but Harleys aren't known for lots of power stock. Try it, you may save a buck or two. If it knocks under load, don't buy the cheap crap any more. Altitude can affect it also.
Running lower octane fuel can make your engine ping (pre ignition knock) under load. A little won't hurt, a lot will burn a hole in a piston. Sometimes if your ignition is a bit retarded it will run ok. A little loss of power, but Harleys aren't known for lots of power stock. Try it, you may save a buck or two. If it knocks under load, don't buy the cheap crap any more. Altitude can affect it also.
I agree...and that's my point...it ran fine...no pinging...none of that. And like I said, I ran from 5000 ft to sea level, I was at temps of 60 degrees to about 110 when I got in the desert again...it ran fine, and it didn't ping.
I'll stick with the good stuff, but it did seem odd given that my vette had so many problems with the cheap stuff that one time.
Mac
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 107
From: Santa Clarita, So. Cal. & Bullhead City, Az.
RE: High Octane
ORIGINAL: pilot1996
Screwball,
I agree...and that's my point...it ran fine...no pinging...none of that. And like I said, I ran from 5000 ft to sea level, I was at temps of 60 degrees to about 110 when I got in the desert again...it ran fine, and it didn't ping.
I'll stick with the good stuff, but it did seem odd given that my vette had so many problems with the cheap stuff that one time.
Mac
ORIGINAL: screwball
Running lower octane fuel can make your engine ping (pre ignition knock) under load. A little won't hurt, a lot will burn a hole in a piston. Sometimes if your ignition is a bit retarded it will run ok. A little loss of power, but Harleys aren't known for lots of power stock. Try it, you may save a buck or two. If it knocks under load, don't buy the cheap crap any more. Altitude can affect it also.
Running lower octane fuel can make your engine ping (pre ignition knock) under load. A little won't hurt, a lot will burn a hole in a piston. Sometimes if your ignition is a bit retarded it will run ok. A little loss of power, but Harleys aren't known for lots of power stock. Try it, you may save a buck or two. If it knocks under load, don't buy the cheap crap any more. Altitude can affect it also.
I agree...and that's my point...it ran fine...no pinging...none of that. And like I said, I ran from 5000 ft to sea level, I was at temps of 60 degrees to about 110 when I got in the desert again...it ran fine, and it didn't ping.
I'll stick with the good stuff, but it did seem odd given that my vette had so many problems with the cheap stuff that one time.
Mac
Like you, I also stick to the good stuff. A couple of bucks difference in a tank full isn't worth it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 9
From: jacksonville, nc
RE: High Octane
my sporty spark rattled like a sob, i even had to add octane booster. never tried it in the glide.
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RE: High Octane
WHEN I WAS ON MY TRIP THIS SUMMER I COULDNT FIND 93 OCTANE,WHICH IS ALL MY BIKE EVER HAD. THE HIGHEST OCT I COULD FIND WAS 91. IF SOME OF YOU REMEMBER I THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY BIKE CAUSE IT PINGED LIKE CRAZY. ONCE I GOT HOME AND REFUELED WITH 93, THERE WERE NO MORE PINGS
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From:
RE: High Octane
On 2 scoots (an FXSTC with SE 10:1 heads, EV27, Crane Hi-4 single, Python IIIs, etc....the other a Stage 1 '05 Ultra) I always ran 91 octans. Had to drop to mid grade (89 octane) and notice no difference at all...ran 3,000 miles on the dresser with 89...mid grade seems to be as good as 91...go figure.