93 octane
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
93 octane
This has probably been asked 1000 times but I searched and couldnt find a definite answer. When i bought my 2010 superglide the dealer told me I needed to run 93 in the bike is this true for a stock setup?
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
I do.
You'd be wise to experiment for yourself. Switch once in a while and see if you feel a difference.
The reason I suggest that is becuase you are going to get anwers that point both directions.
Also, on real hot days when you might get a little ping, the 93 will behave better.
Your tank don't hold a lot of fuel, the cost savings won't be much.
You'd be wise to experiment for yourself. Switch once in a while and see if you feel a difference.
The reason I suggest that is becuase you are going to get anwers that point both directions.
Also, on real hot days when you might get a little ping, the 93 will behave better.
Your tank don't hold a lot of fuel, the cost savings won't be much.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Sharpsburg,GA
I do.
You'd be wise to experiment for yourself. Switch once in a while and see if you feel a difference.
The reason I suggest that is becuase you are going to get anwers that point both directions.
Also, on real hot days when you might get a little ping, the 93 will behave better.
Your tank don't hold a lot of fuel, the cost savings won't be much.
You'd be wise to experiment for yourself. Switch once in a while and see if you feel a difference.
The reason I suggest that is becuase you are going to get anwers that point both directions.
Also, on real hot days when you might get a little ping, the 93 will behave better.
Your tank don't hold a lot of fuel, the cost savings won't be much.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
HD designed the motor to use 91. I will run okay on 87,89 and 91. The knock sensors will adjust spark to accommodate lower octane.
It is the rider that is in more control over knocking than the sensors. With a stock engine and you have knocking you are in too low of a gear. down shift and the knocking goes away.
The higher the octane the less fuel that is burned and goes out the exhaust. The power in gas is it's BTU content and in the US all octanes have the same BTU's. So higher octane will have a little less power output because it burns less.
That is the reason some notice that their motor runs hotter on lower octane because it is more fully burned.
Octane is not power it is very simply a measure of a fuels resistance to ignition. But, it will allow you to run higher compression and hotter cams without pinging.
I have three TC96's that I ride all over and run them on 89 without any pinging or problems. When I am in the mountains I run 85 to get better combustion with the reduced oxygen at elevation.
Again you can run lower octane without problem by controlling the gear that you are in the the amount of throttle that you are applying. HD riders seem to worry too much about octane. It just is not that big of a deal.
It is the rider that is in more control over knocking than the sensors. With a stock engine and you have knocking you are in too low of a gear. down shift and the knocking goes away.
The higher the octane the less fuel that is burned and goes out the exhaust. The power in gas is it's BTU content and in the US all octanes have the same BTU's. So higher octane will have a little less power output because it burns less.
That is the reason some notice that their motor runs hotter on lower octane because it is more fully burned.
Octane is not power it is very simply a measure of a fuels resistance to ignition. But, it will allow you to run higher compression and hotter cams without pinging.
I have three TC96's that I ride all over and run them on 89 without any pinging or problems. When I am in the mountains I run 85 to get better combustion with the reduced oxygen at elevation.
Again you can run lower octane without problem by controlling the gear that you are in the the amount of throttle that you are applying. HD riders seem to worry too much about octane. It just is not that big of a deal.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
It is the rider that is in more control over knocking than the sensors.
Again you can run lower octane without problem by controlling the gear that you are in the the amount of throttle that you are applying.
I had to do as you described. Baby the bike to avoid ping.
I am a firm believer that you should run the best fuel, so as not to have to "walk on eggshells" while riding your bike.
Besides that, one don't always hear engine damaging ping. It could be silent ping or hidden by other noise. No need for risk there unless you are a real cheapskate.
A few pennies per gallon is cheap insurance. Drink one less beer and you are money ahead.
BP 93 or Shell 93 is all my bike ever see's, unless I am on vacation and nothing else is available.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
My Heritage has a 5 gallon tank. Premium gas is 20 cents a gallon higher than regular.
If I push my bike to a gas station I'll save 1 whole dollar by filling up with regular.
I'm not that cheap, are you?
If I push my bike to a gas station I'll save 1 whole dollar by filling up with regular.
I'm not that cheap, are you?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 4
From: Edgefield, SC
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
A very good response!