Octane booster
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 79
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: At Work
I've used the HD stuff and it seems to work...I can't say I've ever purchased gas out of a drum in the back of a pickup! That's crazy!
I would hate to carry gas...spill a thimble full and you smell like you've bathed in the stuff. Might have to get used to people thinking I take really expensive showers!
I would hate to carry gas...spill a thimble full and you smell like you've bathed in the stuff. Might have to get used to people thinking I take really expensive showers!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I have run my 10 Ultra all over the US and Canada with 87 octane and 85 when I was in the mountains. Started great ran great (50 mpg) and never a ping. I do have an oil cooler and run 12.1 to 1 AFR.
EPA requires that all gasoline fueled vehicles sold in the US be able to run on 87 octane.
Read your owners manual. HD advises against octane boosters.
If you have cams and higher than stock compression then you do need higher octane.
HD's SE booster is most likely just alcohol.
If you are stock and knocking there is two possibilities: lugging the motor or a carbon job is needed.
EPA requires that all gasoline fueled vehicles sold in the US be able to run on 87 octane.
Read your owners manual. HD advises against octane boosters.
If you have cams and higher than stock compression then you do need higher octane.
HD's SE booster is most likely just alcohol.
If you are stock and knocking there is two possibilities: lugging the motor or a carbon job is needed.
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 6, 2011 at 06:51 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,110
From: Florida
Must be an Oficially Licensed Product.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, TX
I wouldn't worry about it. Keep the RPM's up and dont "dog" it and you will be fine. Mine has had 87 in it for quite some time. I can make the engine ping by hitting it with a quick load but if I ride it normally I don't notice a difference.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
marcortez, something to keep in mind is that the mexican gas doesn't have the additives that we have in the states. Riding Baja on the dirt bikes was an interesting deal. If you talk to anybody that rode the Yamaha 400 to 450 four stroke they would tell you that their bikes run better on Baja gas than CA gas. Even my Honda 650R would notice the difference in power when using Baja premium. And when we would fill up in places like Catavina from the large drums it was regular fuel. But the bikes would run just as well or better than they would with CA premium.
If you find places that don't have premium just don't hit the throttle too hard and you should be fine. There are a lot of stations that have premium so you should make sure and stop at them even if you only need a gallon or two to fill up. My buddy who had ridden Baja for decades always said when you can get gas, get it.
If you find places that don't have premium just don't hit the throttle too hard and you should be fine. There are a lot of stations that have premium so you should make sure and stop at them even if you only need a gallon or two to fill up. My buddy who had ridden Baja for decades always said when you can get gas, get it.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: MX/AZ/NV
marcortez, something to keep in mind is that the mexican gas doesn't have the additives that we have in the states. Riding Baja on the dirt bikes was an interesting deal. If you talk to anybody that rode the Yamaha 400 to 450 four stroke they would tell you that their bikes run better on Baja gas than CA gas. Even my Honda 650R would notice the difference in power when using Baja premium. And when we would fill up in places like Catavina from the large drums it was regular fuel. But the bikes would run just as well or better than they would with CA premium.
If you find places that don't have premium just don't hit the throttle too hard and you should be fine. There are a lot of stations that have premium so you should make sure and stop at them even if you only need a gallon or two to fill up. My buddy who had ridden Baja for decades always said when you can get gas, get it.
If you find places that don't have premium just don't hit the throttle too hard and you should be fine. There are a lot of stations that have premium so you should make sure and stop at them even if you only need a gallon or two to fill up. My buddy who had ridden Baja for decades always said when you can get gas, get it.
I have lived down here for 10 years and have plied that Mex 1 highway more times than I care to count.
But all done in a diesel pickup....and with enough range to avoid the "beat up Toyota" stations at Catavina and the Bahia de Los Angeles turnoff.
The next time I come south will be aboard the new scooter and I am not really looking forward to it.
As you well know....the highway is DEEP into rural MX and help could be a long time coming.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: Southeast Wisconsin
I'd probably run that small stretch with 87 octane and run octane boost.
On trips my Dad and I carry Lucas "racing" octane boost available at oreilly's auto part stores. Helps a lot then less than premium is available.
On trips my Dad and I carry Lucas "racing" octane boost available at oreilly's auto part stores. Helps a lot then less than premium is available.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 79
Supply and demand. How many 5 gallon cans get sold? How many of these can they expect to sell (I expect many will feel like you)? It fits our saddlebags well and I have found no odor at all even with the bike sitting in the sun for a couple of days. It is a niche product that I am glad someone is making but I do a lot of long trips?