Supreme or Regular gas
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
edited to add: I've been on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the choices were "Regular 87 octane" or run out.... I've never had an issue with regular, so long as I was mindful, and didn't ping....In NC it's 87-89-93 octane.... and more than a few riders find their bikes pop on decel with 93 octane, but ride perfectly fine with mid-grade 89.
Last edited by skootchnc; Oct 13, 2021 at 06:21 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,258
Likes: 4,947
From: England
USA versus UK fuel quality (aircooledbug.co.uk)
If a fuel is marked 95 RON it will be around 87 MON which would then average out at 91 PON and could also be marked 91 PUMP at the gas station.
If a fuel is marked 95 RON it will be around 87 MON which would then average out at 91 PON and could also be marked 91 PUMP at the gas station.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,762
From: Omaha,NE
The engine will be fine with any gasoline you put in it; it can control spark knock on its own. However, you will have the trade-off of reduced power. Ethanol is fine in any fuel-injected engine, but again, comes with the trade-off of reduced fuel economy.
Get some gas and go for a ride. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Get some gas and go for a ride. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 771
Likes: 572
From: Northern Lower Mi.
Took a different route home from a ride last year, and had to make a gas stop. I stopped at the only station around and they had only regular. So, not having any choice I fueled up with what they had. The bike ran fine, I didn't get crazy and do any WOT stuff. So in a pinch regular will do.
It's only Fall, why are the Winter threads popping up?
It's the Harley tax. If HD branded their own fuel it would be 89oct but Ethanol free, and the manual would recommend using only that fuel. Available at most dealers, for only $4.63/gal or $9.78 in California.
But really, it has to do with the compression ratio of the engine. And not be be rude, but these threads make me wonder why you bought a Harley if the cost of fuel is an issue. I worked long and hard to not worry about spending money on my favorite toy.
It's the Harley tax. If HD branded their own fuel it would be 89oct but Ethanol free, and the manual would recommend using only that fuel. Available at most dealers, for only $4.63/gal or $9.78 in California.
But really, it has to do with the compression ratio of the engine. And not be be rude, but these threads make me wonder why you bought a Harley if the cost of fuel is an issue. I worked long and hard to not worry about spending money on my favorite toy.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 133
From: Red Deer, AB
The only non ethanol fuel that I can buy in British Columbia is Chevron Supreme Plus with an octane rating of 94. It is obviously the most expensive gasoline at the pump and is currently $1.87 per liter Canadian in my area. Not sure what that works out to in US dollars per gallon and probably better if I don't know.
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