Wrong Gas
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
No harm at all. Just run through the gears to a little higher rpm with moderated throttle. Use 5th on the highway unless you are over 70 mph. The bike has knock sensors and the ecm will cut the spark advance back a little. Light knocking on occasions will not harm the engine. Heavy knocking for a long period will.
In a short time at 1/2 tank fill up with 93 and you won't need to worry any more.
I run all my bikes on 89 octane from day one without trouble or knocking. But, I must qualify that I don't put wot on the bike at any time. Well most of the time.
I use 89 because in this area it is the cheapest. The pumps around here are 89,91 and 93. I have 8K on the 2010 with the cats still in it and stock tunes. Fully loaded touring and at elevations or sea level, I have never experienced knocking.
In a short time at 1/2 tank fill up with 93 and you won't need to worry any more.
I run all my bikes on 89 octane from day one without trouble or knocking. But, I must qualify that I don't put wot on the bike at any time. Well most of the time.
I use 89 because in this area it is the cheapest. The pumps around here are 89,91 and 93. I have 8K on the 2010 with the cats still in it and stock tunes. Fully loaded touring and at elevations or sea level, I have never experienced knocking.
Last edited by lh4x4; Aug 30, 2010 at 03:04 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: N.E. Ohio
As said run some out and put some premium in. I have had to buy 87 in a pinch. Thats all they had in Jerkwater lol. I try to run Premium. I can afford the 5.5 gallons. Around here 93 octane is common. I like to switch back between Sunoco and Shell. I noticed while traveling thru SW Texas that the octanes were lowwer than most other places. Wonder why?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 2
From: somewhere in "The Peoples' Republic of Illinois
I pumped two gallons of diesil in my 5 gal tank. It ran. Not too good. But I didn't have to put up with skeeters for a while. I ran it about 55 miles and then topped it off with prem. Back to where I diesiled it and premed it again. It eventually got burned out. It did no harn to the bike. Just my embarresment.
Why diesil? Well.....she looked so good bent over filling her car when I grabbed the pump handle. I guess I need blinders.
Why diesil? Well.....she looked so good bent over filling her car when I grabbed the pump handle. I guess I need blinders.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,443
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Think Aviation Gas if you want to live a little on the wild side just once .....
I'd have to push mine with cheap gas , at 11-1 comp. ratio 91 is minimum . She does ok with 91 , 87 knocks not pings . We have a couple stations that sell racing gas 96 to 102 octane in 5 gal. cans . Can be pricey but a 50/50 mix of pump prem. & 98 oct. really wakes the old girl up , the 100+ stuff is a belt breaker if your not careful but the motor gets hot fast .
I'd have to push mine with cheap gas , at 11-1 comp. ratio 91 is minimum . She does ok with 91 , 87 knocks not pings . We have a couple stations that sell racing gas 96 to 102 octane in 5 gal. cans . Can be pricey but a 50/50 mix of pump prem. & 98 oct. really wakes the old girl up , the 100+ stuff is a belt breaker if your not careful but the motor gets hot fast .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Aug 30, 2010 at 04:32 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, TX
As said run some out and put some premium in. I have had to buy 87 in a pinch. Thats all they had in Jerkwater lol. I try to run Premium. I can afford the 5.5 gallons. Around here 93 octane is common. I like to switch back between Sunoco and Shell. I noticed while traveling thru SW Texas that the octanes were lowwer than most other places. Wonder why?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 2
From: somewhere in "The Peoples' Republic of Illinois
When 'good gas' was removed from the market, some people around here went to the airport and ran aviation fuels. There were a lot of engines trashed that way. I think they used it straight. I think the ones with trashed out engines most likely had other issues than just the gas. I ran 103 raceing fuel in my shovel without any problem. To run that high of octane an engine must be in good condition. No air leaks, ratio correct, and not have piston slap or such. In my opinion.
Diesil isn't good for them either. So don't be like me. Pay attention to the pump you are getting fuel from, not the babe bent over at the next island!!!
Or at least wait till the show is over before pumping!!
Diesil isn't good for them either. So don't be like me. Pay attention to the pump you are getting fuel from, not the babe bent over at the next island!!!
Or at least wait till the show is over before pumping!!
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 5
From: In the north
What do we have here? A bunch of Minimart kids? Higher oct at the pump will not increase milage or performance. It is only there to reduce predetination/spark knock or what ever you guys want to call it. If it is hammering then quit lugging the motor and give it some rpms before you shift.
I have run all types of fuel and I get the best milage and better preformance running 87 oct.
Oh by the way, if you are filling at a pump that only has one hose for all grades of fuel, then you are more then likely getting a few gallons of what ever the person that used the pump before you used.
I have run all types of fuel and I get the best milage and better preformance running 87 oct.
Oh by the way, if you are filling at a pump that only has one hose for all grades of fuel, then you are more then likely getting a few gallons of what ever the person that used the pump before you used.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
I have been burning 87 in my 09 Ultra for the last two years, 30,000 miles. No pings whatsoever. The ECM will compensate and alter accordingly. What you are having is the new Harley Hebbie Jebbies. Relax and ride.