What octane should I be running?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
2006 Deuce with SE pipes, air cleaner and the bike came with the SERT, so I'm assuming it's been remapped for that.
I didn't get an owners manual with it and internet searches have provided a lot of "I run 93 'cause it's the best" type comments, which I'm a believer in you should run what the manufacture tells you to, unless you mod it to need higher octance.
I run 93 in my car because of the ECU reflash, does the bike require anything similar to that? I know it's not FI, so I'm figuring probably not and whatever the manufacture states should be good enough.
I didn't get an owners manual with it and internet searches have provided a lot of "I run 93 'cause it's the best" type comments, which I'm a believer in you should run what the manufacture tells you to, unless you mod it to need higher octance.
I run 93 in my car because of the ECU reflash, does the bike require anything similar to that? I know it's not FI, so I'm figuring probably not and whatever the manufacture states should be good enough.
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
I run 93 in all my gas powered equipment/cars and add Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant in my diesel truck at every fill up due to the low sulfer content now in the diesel fuel. It's not that much difference and it makes me feel better. I'm peculiar about my stuff.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
When I had the ECU reflash done on my car which has a turbo on it, a map was installed for 93 octane only, so if you are in an area that doesn't have 93, you have to put the 91 map on. I didn't know if remapping with the SERT could cause the bike to need a higher octane gas, but since it's not FI(forced induction), you wouldn't have to worry about compensating for almost double the volume of air from stock.
Last edited by Village Idiot; Sep 22, 2011 at 12:17 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
93 octane. Go cheap and load up a hot air cooled engine and risk predetonation---------not. There are a lot of people that can't hear or don't know what engine knock is. Getting fuel without ethanol here is almost impossible unless you buy specialty racing fuels and most people that ride any miles aren't. So dodging ethanol is like dodging stupid people----highly improbable.
Last edited by oldairboater; Sep 22, 2011 at 01:44 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I was talking to a pump repairman and he said the stations have to pay 30 cents extra a gallon for non-ethanol premium. Most of the stations, round here sell Premium,non ethanol since the boaters and bikers want it. Usually only 30-50 cents more a gallon, so no big deal.
Ethanol, more crap brought to you by special interests -government, because they couldn't compete in the free market.
Ethanol, more crap brought to you by special interests -government, because they couldn't compete in the free market.
i buy the highest octane of whatever is available always. No problems yet
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Both my Harleys as seen in my sig have 103" engines with either stage II or stage III up grades and a compression 10.4-1 I believe. I got a combined mileage of 40K miles using REGULAR 87 octane in both. No issues what so ever.
I also use Wally world brand Dino oil, again with no issues what so ever. Oil change are by the book, 5K miles for engine. 10K miles for primary. 20K miles for transmission.
I'm fortunate that if I ruined an engine I can replace it without a problem. So I'm willing to take this risk so others can benefit from my experience and save their money without worries. You can lower your octane in stages. When near empty fill up half way using regular 87 octane. Go for a ride, if you hear a knock, just return to a gas station and fill up with 93 octane the rest of the way. You'll probably won't have to.
Sure its only a few more coins per fill up here, several more dollars there on oil changes. After all it's your money. I choose to invest rather then spend.
I also use Wally world brand Dino oil, again with no issues what so ever. Oil change are by the book, 5K miles for engine. 10K miles for primary. 20K miles for transmission.
I'm fortunate that if I ruined an engine I can replace it without a problem. So I'm willing to take this risk so others can benefit from my experience and save their money without worries. You can lower your octane in stages. When near empty fill up half way using regular 87 octane. Go for a ride, if you hear a knock, just return to a gas station and fill up with 93 octane the rest of the way. You'll probably won't have to.
Sure its only a few more coins per fill up here, several more dollars there on oil changes. After all it's your money. I choose to invest rather then spend.
