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Octane is the mesurment(heat& presure)at witch the fuel will no longer burn and explodes, that the nockyou hear. you can most likely run it during the winter months. but even a stock bike will ping during the summer temps.
Check this out.....the other day is was at the local full serv. gas station, and my buddy who works there,and knows I don't use anything but premium, put 87 octane gas in my 1200 while I was in the store. He didn't do it on purpose, just wasn't thinking about it. Turns out, I never felt or heard a difference in the way the bike ran through the whole 4.5 gallons.....surprised me!
have about 25 thou. on mid grade now put it in just for atest and found no dif. unless I really lugged it on a uphill corner then a little ping just shift down end of problem might just be I'm cheap so if someone want to take up a collection for me to get the GOOD stuff feel free I WILL accept all donations.....
The EVO's liked the old regular 87 just fine...anything higher waswasting your money. The EFI Magnetti Marrelli system on the EVO required 91 or higher. However, with 87 you were just fine as long as you kept the RPM's up and did not lug the engine.
All Twin Cam's reguardless whether carburetor or EFI equipped require 91 or higher. Once again, if you keep the RPM up and do not lug the engine...you can get by on 87. The reason, is that the twin cam is more prone to pinging and higher octane usually prevents it. You can to help prevent it by adjusting your riding habits.
If you have a super modified bike with high performance intake, cam work, head work, high compression...then 91 or higher should be used.
I have used 87 in my Dyna equipped with the twin cam with no problems and the bike has about 50,000 miles on it.
My friend at work has a 2001 Night Train, and he has run the cheap stuff in his for as long as hes had the bike (about 8 months). I have never heard his bike ping, and he says it runs great.
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