Gasoline quality?
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: TX
I use Valero and haven't had any issues as of now, however I also haven't been comparing different fuel. I'm curious to try out shell now and see if it comes with benefits. What are your go to fuel stations around your respective areas?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
AZ, more then likely it is poor quality fuel or the ethynol % is too high percentage, or water in fuel. Corn gas kills mpg. Riders and drivers under estimate the importance of fuel quality. Name brand fuel from a high volume station is the best plan. If you can buy pure gas in your area, regular or premium, your bike will run better and increase mpg. Can you run corn gas in you Harley, yes. Will it run better on pure gas, yes. Top tier fuel is a good investment. If I have multiple stations to select from, I choose Chevron, due to the Techron additive which is the most effective additive on the market.
Last edited by checkers; Aug 28, 2016 at 12:46 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 805
From: Washington
Differences in Gasoline Quality
I had the same question myself about gasoline quality. Really the only way to tell for sure is to run a test, which I decided to do by trying different kinds of gasoline in my motorcycles. I did make a point to always run the recommended octane level, if possible. I started testing in 1971 and have run probably hundreds of different brands of gasoline through 19 different motorcycles. So far the only problem has been when a leaky petcock on my 441 BSA let gas dribble into the carburater all winter, causing a deposit. You more recent riders do know what a petcock is right?
I'll let you know when the results are in!
I'll let you know when the results are in!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,990
Likes: 7,111
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Originally Posted by Next In Line
I think Top Tier gas is a marketing gimmick.
I see no difference between Shell & BP and the other local brand gas companies in performance and mileage.
I see no difference between Shell & BP and the other local brand gas companies in performance and mileage.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,394
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I had the same question myself about gasoline quality. Really the only way to tell for sure is to run a test, which I decided to do by trying different kinds of gasoline in my motorcycles. I did make a point to always run the recommended octane level, if possible. I started testing in 1971 and have run probably hundreds of different brands of gasoline through 19 different motorcycles. So far the only problem has been when a leaky petcock on my 441 BSA let gas dribble into the carburater all winter, causing a deposit. You more recent riders do know what a petcock is right?
I'll let you know when the results are in!
I'll let you know when the results are in!
God that brings back some memories, had one of those back in the early 70's
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,680
Likes: 2,279
From: South Carolina
You should try obamagas. It's supposed to be great for cars, bikes, rheumatism, backaches - pretty much whatever ails you. 
http://www.live5news.com/story/14656...his-photo-real
http://www.live5news.com/story/14656...his-photo-real
Last edited by kontiki; Aug 28, 2016 at 02:34 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Buddy and I noticed our bikes seemed to be a little off in performance during a ride from Tucson to Bisbee. My bike was down in power and the MPG was way down. He has a 2010 Limited and had filled up at a Fry's station in Tucson and I had filled up at a QT. On the way back we stopped at a Shell and, for whatever reason, that gas seemed to wake up our bikes. My bike had better power and my MPG got a lot better. We're thinking we got some bad gas but from two different stations? Is Shell gas that good or the other gas that bad? Could we have been victims of a too low octane coming out of the high octane pumps?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
A steady diet of Shell 93 octane is what I feed my motor but that is what we dyno-tuned it for. Where I live Shell gasoline is a superior blend.
Want to feed your motor ****? Go right ahead. It's your motor.
Want to feed your motor ****? Go right ahead. It's your motor.
