Low Octane Fuel Effects
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
From: San Fernando Valley
About $4.60 for 91 in SoCal.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 402
Likes: 30
From: Richland MI
Lately I've been filling up off base. Bike seems to run better with the "High Ock" or "Super" as the locals call it. Had a lot of popping when I used the gas from on base. The other day I got 12.12 liters at 148 yenns a liter pulse 90 yen tax for a total of 1,884 yen. Thats dam near 20 bucks for a little over three gallons!!! I'd try using an octane booster and see if that makes a difference for you. Me I'm just gonna pay the price.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Okinawa, Japan
Lately I've been filling up off base. Bike seems to run better with the "High Ock" or "Super" as the locals call it. Had a lot of popping when I used the gas from on base. The other day I got 12.12 liters at 148 yenns a liter pulse 90 yen tax for a total of 1,884 yen. Thats dam near 20 bucks for a little over three gallons!!! I'd try using an octane booster and see if that makes a difference for you. Me I'm just gonna pay the price.
I found 2 types of octane boosters at the AAFES service station on Kadena. One was STP, the other Japanese. Never been to sure about using additives, I'll just need to become accustom to purchasing fuel off base.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 94
From: SE Michigan
I don't know about your fuel quality but here in Michigan ALL our fuel is 10% ethanol. It's OK in newer cars but hell in bikes, boats and small engines. My brother owns a small engine shop and ethanol makes him a lot of money. My bike, boat, tractor and lawn equipment all get sta-bil marine ethanol fuel treatment. Now there is talk of E-15 for all grades here, god help us.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: Emerald Coast, FL
Hey guys... if you're going to throw out conjecture and false info please don't state it as if it fact. In internal combustion engines, the compressed gasoline-air mixtures have a tendency to ignite prematurely rather than burning smoothly. This creates engine knock, a characteristic rattling or pinging sound in one or more cylinders. The octane number of gasoline is a measure of its resistance to knock. High octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane gasoline in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning the engine. Consumers should select the lowest octane grade at which the car's engine runs without knocking. Occasional light knocking or pinging won't harm the engine, and doesn't indicate a need for higher octane.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 94
From: SE Michigan
100% correct. Octane has nothing to do with the quality of the fuel. Some states and countries change fuel for air quality. In my area we have winter and summer blends. Additive packages to increase octane differ from brands and areas. They make our summer blend so it doesn't "gas off" in the heat. I don't know what they do to it, but you can feel it is not as good as the winter stuff and you do lose a little mileage. Maybe Japan just has crap gas? Its all about emissions in cars, not how our bikes run.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I run 87 octane fuel in my 99 EVO without problems. The sticker on my bike says use 87 or higher, and I have tried higher octane (93) and can tell no difference from the 87. My EVO is stock except for the pipes and air cleaner, and it may be that the EVO's are lower compression than the later Twin Cams. As a general rule, higher compression needs higher octane fuel, while lower compression can use lower octane. The higher the octane, the slower the burn rate.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
Hey guys... if you're going to throw out conjecture and false info please don't state it as if it fact. In internal combustion engines, the compressed gasoline-air mixtures have a tendency to ignite prematurely rather than burning smoothly. This creates engine knock, a characteristic rattling or pinging sound in one or more cylinders. The octane number of gasoline is a measure of its resistance to knock. High octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane gasoline in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning the engine. Consumers should select the lowest octane grade at which the car's engine runs without knocking. Occasional light knocking or pinging won't harm the engine, and doesn't indicate a need for higher octane.
This really does not change the conversation here, other than to add my experience. I still pump premium in my bike. I tune for it and the bike likes it.
octane ?
I don't know about your fuel quality but here in Michigan ALL our fuel is 10% ethanol. It's OK in newer cars but hell in bikes, boats and small engines. My brother owns a small engine shop and ethanol makes him a lot of money. My bike, boat, tractor and lawn equipment all get sta-bil marine ethanol fuel treatment. Now there is talk of E-15 for all grades here, god help us.
my .02
Thanks for your service
