First, does everyone use premium as the owners manual tells us to??? Second, Can anyone tell a difference in brands of gas? I saw a chart somewhere recently, that showed Exon being second best overall. The first place name was not familiar to me. Wallace in Georgia

04 Black Softail Standard (for me)
04 Black 1800 Goldwing (for my honey)
06 Red/Black Vulcan Classic 900 LT (for my quiet days)

 

I've always used premium in my harleys. I'll go with any name brand: exxon,sonoco, shell, BP .... I haven't noticed any significant difference in performance or milage with any of them... I don'tuse generic gas unless I'm desperate....

 

I have found that Shell and Exxon give me a few more miles on my Harley and Ford Mustang which call for premium fuel.

 

I use premium and try to fill up at stations that have a separate hose, foreach octane level. I also bypass a station, if there is a tanker in there filling up the storage tanks.
Tom

 

I always ran premium until I read an article which indicates to use the lowest octane you can without pinging. I put in a tank of regular and the bikeseemed to be much moreresponsive. I know everyone will have their own opinion on this, but my motor is a stock88, and like I said, it seems to like the regular grade.

 

I work for a Chevy dealer and the techs there SWEAR that there is a difference. Shell seems to be the preferred brand, but I will use any name brand, and any brand if I think I will have to walk.The techs tell methe cleaning additives are thedifference.I told the wife to keep away from Thorntons and all of the other cut rate stations. I also believe to stay away when the tanker is there. It swirls all the junk around in the bottom of the tanks.
I use premium in my bike, it was recommended from the HD dealer.

MikeM

 

I have a buddy who drives a gasoline tanker. He pulls from a terminal. Usually takes on between 8 and 8500 gallons. He delivers to all of his company's accounts. Would it shock you to hear there is no difference between Citgo, Exxon Shell or BP gas? Their drivers get their gas from the same terminal. High test,mid grade and regular is blended by the guy driving the delivery truck. He mixes regular gas with high test to get mid grade gas, fills the high test tank with pure high test and dispenses regular into the regular tank of all the big names we're all familiar with. And yes, the drivers do occasionally get the wrong grade in the wrong tank.

The only real discernable performance difference I have felt is when I'mrunning CAM 2 or mixing and making my ownfuel for my bike. It starts with a noticable pop, gives the exhaust a distinct and crisper note,and smells great when it burns. Throttle responsiveness is noticeably improved although gas mileage remains about the same. Overall on the street my belief is that for the average rider the gas that gives you the best perceived performance without pinging is probably as good as it gets. Slower burning fuel, (lower octane), makes more thermal BTU's and theoretically more power.

Just my .02

 

Yep.. in Austin Tx there is one gas terminal, all gas stations in Austin receive their gas from this one terminal, Exxon, Shell, BP, independants, all of them. I believe the terminal does however put some specific additives for different brandsof gasin tankers as the gas goes in.

 

That doesn't surprise me one bit.

 

Yes there is a difference. Higher octane gas is harder to burn than lower octane gas, so theroretically if you put 91 in your tank, you will have less milage, and less power than 87. The only reason to run high octane gas is if you have a high compression motor, or if you are running alot of total timing, say in the 40+ range.

Chris