When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Okay first... I do use 91 octane fuel which is the highest octane I have around here. That said, Why do we need the higher octane fuel and if it is better then why do they even offer lower octane fuels at stations? And a friend asked if he could run e85 in his Harley I told him no but I am not sure. Also should I get something to boost octane if I have to fill up with a lower rating (a few stations around here only carry 89)
They offer 3 different octane ratings for people who are dyslexic. Some people look at a certain combination of numbers and see some other combination of numbers. To help minimize this, they put 3 series of number combinations to help minimize the chance that at least people with this disease will be able to see one of them.
I run 87E10 unless I am in over 4,000 ft. elevation (Sturgis) then I use 85. I run the 87 in a 750, 1 883, 3 1200's, 2 TC88's, 3 previous 96's, 1 96, 2 103's, 2 103 HO's, 2 110's. All run strong and with a combined 30,000 miles a year none have ever pinged from ocean to ocean and from Key West to the Arctic Circle.
I do run iridium plugs, SE wires, less restrictive breather and stock exhaust. I treat the bike at 3,000 miles with Techron to remove combustion chamber build up. I used to mist water but Techron does the job with less work.
HD motors are low compression and long stroke push rod motors. Unless you increase the compression and install a high over lap cam, higher octane is a waste and in fact will foul the engine more and CAUSE pinging.
With that said I do only run 93 in my 13 Street Bob with the 120R in it. Once I get 3,000 miles on it I will see if I can drop down to 91 and then 89.
I use mid-grade in my TC96 stage 1. If it was completely stock I would use premium just because of how lean and hot they run. I wouldn't use regular unless I had no other choice... even then I would put in just enough to get me to the next station haha!
I run as high an octane rating as I can get.
The bike will run on regular but it performs better on premium.
One of my cars has a 2 liter 300 horse 4 cylinder. You can really tell the difference in octane with that motor.
One doesn't have to be a paying member of AMA to support their being. They're an essential Watch Dog group supporting motorcyclist, who all should be aware and supportive of. Just sign into their email and learn what the gov is pushing through that needs to be addressed with rebuttal for obvious reason.
The lobbyist that introduced w/o challenge, sustain and progressively voice increased Ethanol mixture into gasoline is just an unbelievable example.
This is just one example of what the AMA does for us which some may not be aware. We direly need an advocate for motorcyclists like the AMA.
If you're not a member, please join. They have a really good mag also.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.