Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Compression and Octane

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 08:54 PM
  #1  
SKJOLD's Avatar
SKJOLD
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg Florida
Default Compression and Octane

I was doing a little research on the subject and was wondering what octane gas you all use and what you have found to run the best.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 09:00 PM
  #2  
rwb's Avatar
rwb
Novice
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Compression and Octane

My owners manual says 91 octane min. Since thats the highest you can get out here thats what I run.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 09:04 PM
  #3  
SKJOLD's Avatar
SKJOLD
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg Florida
Default RE: Compression and Octane

What year model do you have? I do not have a manual for my 75 XLCH 1000 Ironhead. Does anyone know what the recommended octane rating for that year?
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 09:29 PM
  #4  
rwb's Avatar
rwb
Novice
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Compression and Octane

I have a 2001. Sorry I can't help with your year bike.[]
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 09:49 PM
  #5  
Johnny's Avatar
Johnny
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Compression and Octane

87 octane is recommended for my model.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 11:20 PM
  #6  
pococj's Avatar
pococj
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,478
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Default RE: Compression and Octane

For you ol' Ironhead riders, use the highest octane you can.

Something else to consider is all gas now is no-lead. Unless your bike has been rebuilt with hardened valve seats, you're going to wear the seats out. The lead cushioned the seats when the valves slammed into them. No big deal, just replace the seats when the motor needs a top end job. It'll happen a little sooner than the normal wear & tear, but not enough to worry about.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 11:21 PM
  #7  
Ragin_Republican's Avatar
Ragin_Republican
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: s.e. Kansas
Default RE: Compression and Octane

mine is an '86 883 and I run 91 octane. 92 when I can find it.
 
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2005 | 11:52 PM
  #8  
SKJOLD's Avatar
SKJOLD
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg Florida
Default RE: Compression and Octane

Well we get 93 octane here in Florida so I guess I will use that. I also understand that octane also determines how easily the fuel/air mixture ignites when compressed. That being the case, I think 93 octane will also reduce the chance of pre-ignition and the bike kicking me when I kick-start it. (I need my knees to pass the Army Physical Fitness test every 6 months LOL).
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 7, 2005 | 01:37 AM
  #9  
mikeisglidn's Avatar
mikeisglidn
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 9
From: jacksonville, nc
Default RE: Compression and Octane

i stopped at a redneck gas station that only had 87 & 89 octane. so i had to use 89 ole sporty didnt care for it at all was spark rattlin, so bad i had to stop drain some out and add octane booster. it liked that stuff!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 02:30 PM
  #10  
hawk's Avatar
hawk
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Compression and Octane

I have always used the 93
ORIGINAL: SKJOLD

Well we get 93 octane here in Florida so I guess I will use that. I also understand that octane also determines how easily the fuel/air mixture ignites when compressed. That being the case, I think 93 octane will also reduce the chance of pre-ignition and the bike kicking me when I kick-start it. (I need my knees to pass the Army Physical Fitness test every 6 months LOL).
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PHAT A$$
Sportster Models
141
Sep 30, 2024 10:38 AM
Michael Haz
Milwaukee Eight (M8)
31
May 16, 2019 04:18 PM
481200jv
General Harley Davidson Chat
69
Jun 8, 2017 02:12 PM
Village Idiot™
General Harley Davidson Chat
40
Sep 24, 2011 11:51 AM
jimd
Dyna Glide Models
54
Aug 11, 2006 04:54 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:48 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE