Gas Question
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Gas Question
Hello,
I have a 2016 XL1200T and have been using Shell Nitro 93 octane. I can get ethanol free gas but it only 90 octane.
Would that be okay to use vs the 93? Compression ratio is 10:1
I have a 2016 XL1200T and have been using Shell Nitro 93 octane. I can get ethanol free gas but it only 90 octane.
Would that be okay to use vs the 93? Compression ratio is 10:1
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 1,430
From: NJ
Your Sporty manual should recommend 91. That's what my 2012 manual reads. I've been using 87 for years. I have no knocking sounds and no excessive heat. I'm happy to spend that difference elsewhere.
From Car and Driver...
"If you buy fuel with an octane rating above the manufacturer's requirement, you're likely to feel it in your wallet more than the seat of your pants."
There have been vehicles (not high performance) that actually performed worse using higher octane. The Sporty is NOT a high performance vehicle. The Sporty 1200 has about 70hp where the Indian 1200's pump out 100-125hp (depending on model). But now I'm just going to get myself worked up...lol
From Car and Driver...
"If you buy fuel with an octane rating above the manufacturer's requirement, you're likely to feel it in your wallet more than the seat of your pants."
There have been vehicles (not high performance) that actually performed worse using higher octane. The Sporty is NOT a high performance vehicle. The Sporty 1200 has about 70hp where the Indian 1200's pump out 100-125hp (depending on model). But now I'm just going to get myself worked up...lol
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,551
From: South Carolina
How much price difference is there between these two fuels?
All the components in your fuel system are designed to be compatible with 10% ethanol fuel, it won`t hurt anything.
Ethanol has been a reality for at least 20 years, stop worrying about it.
All the components in your fuel system are designed to be compatible with 10% ethanol fuel, it won`t hurt anything.
Ethanol has been a reality for at least 20 years, stop worrying about it.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Not much the Shell is 2.74 and the ethanol free is 2.81
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,551
From: South Carolina
At that price I would try the non ethanol...
In my area the non ethanol is much more expensive, and low octane...
In my area the non ethanol is much more expensive, and low octane...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
I agree. If I could get it in New Jersey, I would certainly try it, and always use it if it worked out. As it is here, I can only get non-ethanol gas in aviation grade at local airports, and it is too expensive for continual use except I do use it for winterization with Stabil.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 627
Likes: 324
From: Covington, VA
All the components are fine with ethanol. However, I run only non-ethanol in colder months when I don't know how long my bike will sit between rides. The rest of the year, when I ride regularly it depends which gas is more convenient to buy. With the number of miles I ride and getting 50 mpg, the price is not a factor.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,423
Likes: 30,643
From: Pennsylvania
You will probably get a little more MPG with non-ethanol as it produces more power than the ethanol version. That said it will only be 1-3 extra mpg depending on how you twist the throttle/