2008 Wide Glide Octane Rating
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
2008 Wide Glide Octane Rating
I just purhased a '08 FXDWG and I won't be able to pick it up until several more weeks. It supposedly has a re-map and a set of V&H 2 into 1 pipes. Will these aftermarket mods affect my fuel requirements please, and what are those requirements? Do present day 96" motors require "high test"?
Thanks
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
The stock 96" engines have a compression ratio of 9.2-1. Since its compression is lower than that of my Honda GL1800, which regular 86 octane is recommended. I decided to try different grades/octane levels of gas on my '09 FXDC.
I found that premium is no different than regular 86 octane, riding solo or two up. I notice no difference in power but notice that using regular 86 octane, my mpg actually rose a bit, 2-3 mpg better than when running premium 92 octane.
So for the last 8K + miles I've been running 86 octane regular gas here in South FL without a problem.
I also use Wal mart brand oils in all 3 holes without a problem, changing the engine oil at 5K miles as per owners manual. No problems.
After much research, I found that premium fuel has less BTU's in a gallon of gas than regular gas. This is because octane/anti knock boosters take up space within that gallon of gas which doesn't add anything to fuel economy.
So if your engine doesn't knock with 86 octane then its the right amount of octane you're using.
A safe way to try this is when you're down to the last gallon of gas. Add 1-2 gallons of regular gas, ride as normal. If the engine starts to ping or knock then fill the bike back up the rest of the way with premium fuel immediately. If it doesn't ping or knock your HD will run safely on regular gas.
Disclaimer: I can only attest my experience to my '09 Super Glide Custom. I don't know if the same results will occur in a heavier tour bike. Proceed with my caution above.
I found that premium is no different than regular 86 octane, riding solo or two up. I notice no difference in power but notice that using regular 86 octane, my mpg actually rose a bit, 2-3 mpg better than when running premium 92 octane.
So for the last 8K + miles I've been running 86 octane regular gas here in South FL without a problem.
I also use Wal mart brand oils in all 3 holes without a problem, changing the engine oil at 5K miles as per owners manual. No problems.
After much research, I found that premium fuel has less BTU's in a gallon of gas than regular gas. This is because octane/anti knock boosters take up space within that gallon of gas which doesn't add anything to fuel economy.
So if your engine doesn't knock with 86 octane then its the right amount of octane you're using.
A safe way to try this is when you're down to the last gallon of gas. Add 1-2 gallons of regular gas, ride as normal. If the engine starts to ping or knock then fill the bike back up the rest of the way with premium fuel immediately. If it doesn't ping or knock your HD will run safely on regular gas.
Disclaimer: I can only attest my experience to my '09 Super Glide Custom. I don't know if the same results will occur in a heavier tour bike. Proceed with my caution above.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 0
From: KY
I just purhased a '08 FXDWG and I won't be able to pick it up until several more weeks. It supposedly has a re-map and a set of V&H 2 into 1 pipes. Will these aftermarket mods affect my fuel requirements please, and what are those requirements? Do present day 96" motors require "high test"?
Thanks
Thanks
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Likes: 1
From: Chattanooga, TN
+1 on the above. I needed to get gas while out one time and they did not have 91 so I had to get 87. I only put in about 2 gals. and a few miles down the road it started to ping and knock. I filled it up with 91 when I found some and haven't had a problem with knocking again. I have an 07 Wide Glide.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 868
Likes: 4
From: Warwick, RI
Premium recommended. I use premium. It's at most (here anyway) less then a buck extra per fill. Not like I am filling a 26 gallon tank daily. Hell, even then, if premium is 10c more than regular, 2.60 tops extra.
My truck calls for regular, and thats what it gets. My bike calls for premium and thats what it gets.
You should use the lowest rated gas that your engine will run on without pinging or knocking though. There is no benefit to premium if the engine does not need it.
My truck calls for regular, and thats what it gets. My bike calls for premium and thats what it gets.
You should use the lowest rated gas that your engine will run on without pinging or knocking though. There is no benefit to premium if the engine does not need it.
Last edited by rcaddell; Mar 12, 2010 at 08:31 AM.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
You should use the lowest rated gas that your engine will run on without pinging or knocking though. There is no benefit to premium if the engine does not need it.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Very helpful, thanks to all who responded.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
