Octane? Really?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
The sporty will run like crap with 87. It does ok on 93 and just loves 100LL (aviation gas).
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
When detonation is detected the spark is only retarded momentarily. On of the most famous Corvette engineers for race tuning Corvettes told everyone at a seminar that unless you were at the strip or on a race track that high octane was a total waste. Corvette like HD suggests 91 octane.
I run 89)which is the lowest in this area of 89-91-93 in all my HD's (5), Corvettes(3) and a Viper without ever experiencing pinging. I can run them through the gears with a lot of gas pedal. Never had them ping.
I will go by what the trained and experienced experts say.
I run 89)which is the lowest in this area of 89-91-93 in all my HD's (5), Corvettes(3) and a Viper without ever experiencing pinging. I can run them through the gears with a lot of gas pedal. Never had them ping.
I will go by what the trained and experienced experts say.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From:
Probably bad gas. However, I was amazed to find that engines get "used to" a particular grade with the new engine management systems. When gas got high I switched to lowest octane in my cage. It occasionally pinged and complained during acceleration for a couple of weeks and then gradually smoothed out and ran perfectly. The transition was not immediate.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
That's why it was so unusual to find a place selling 93 around here.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Florida
Hmm...
Interesting thread with lots to think about.
In my area, the most common combination of octanes is 87-89-93 and almost always it is 10% ethanol.
With cars I have always understood that if it says "Recommended" then I don't necessarily need to use the rating it suggests. I noticed that my H-D owner's manual also reads "Recommended" when it says to use 91 in my bike. As a first time scoot owner, I did not want to take chances but I also didn't want to spend as much on gas riding my Harley as I do riding my car because I have to use the most expensive fuel. I decided to compromise and I use the 89 and have done so almost exclusively. As far as I can tell I have not had any problems at all. I am going on almost two years of owning my bike and I ride an average of about 240-300 miles a week. I have never put anything less than 89 and on several occasions when there is a good drop in price I may splurge and get the 93 but honestly, I have never seen any improvement or determent to the higher octane. Is it because I have to run it for some time before such changes are noticeable?
Interesting thread with lots to think about.
In my area, the most common combination of octanes is 87-89-93 and almost always it is 10% ethanol.
With cars I have always understood that if it says "Recommended" then I don't necessarily need to use the rating it suggests. I noticed that my H-D owner's manual also reads "Recommended" when it says to use 91 in my bike. As a first time scoot owner, I did not want to take chances but I also didn't want to spend as much on gas riding my Harley as I do riding my car because I have to use the most expensive fuel. I decided to compromise and I use the 89 and have done so almost exclusively. As far as I can tell I have not had any problems at all. I am going on almost two years of owning my bike and I ride an average of about 240-300 miles a week. I have never put anything less than 89 and on several occasions when there is a good drop in price I may splurge and get the 93 but honestly, I have never seen any improvement or determent to the higher octane. Is it because I have to run it for some time before such changes are noticeable?
