Which gas?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Hartford, WI
93 octane from a brand name station. I don't care which one, but I won't put Costco, 7-11 or other cut rate gas in. Gasoline may be gasoline, but the additives that are put in keep the fuel injectors clean on my bike and in my cars. The difference between the cutrates and the brand names are the additives.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Rosepine LA
okay i have a 2013 883 iron w/ AN big sucker and stock pipes that have been gutted and the xieds...If i run the 91 that it says to run in my manual i get a lil hesitation. but if i run 87 my bike run smooth with no hesitation at all. also i live in south Louisiana its hot has hell right now
Unfortunately no jet available for me. Hahaha
Our standard over here is 95. Back in the day we used to get 92 but no more. Up in Joburg you can even get 97. So I run my Iron on 95, for the simple reason that it s all I can get over here. Service station preference is BP or Engen
Our standard over here is 95. Back in the day we used to get 92 but no more. Up in Joburg you can even get 97. So I run my Iron on 95, for the simple reason that it s all I can get over here. Service station preference is BP or Engen
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Our nanny government regulations mandate that any vehicle sold in the US must be able to run on 87 octane. HD does not say must use x octane they RECOMMEND a octane.
I run two 1200's a 09 XR and a 11 XL1200 on 87/89 depending on the station I fill up at. I run three TC96's, a TC103 and a TC110 on 87/89 also. I have NEVER had pinging as I shift at a proper rpm and do not lug the engine.
All gas reguardless of the octane has the same power. Power is in the BTU's not octane rating which is simply a number to describe the fuels resistance to ignition. Regardless of octane rating all gas contains about 115,000 BTU's. In fact it is possible to get more power out of the lower octane gas as it ignites faster and burns more complete therefore produces more power per stroke.
Those that think higher octane runs better and is more powerful are ignorant.
Of course if you have added hot cams and increased the compression then that requires a higher octane to prevent pinging.
Most areas in this country have gas that comes off pipelines and every truck fills from it. Then the driver adds a couple of ounces of his brands additive( if he feels like it).
The blends of gas are regulated by the government also. In this country they demand 26 different blends depending on the location and then demand that there be a summer blend and a winter blend. This is a major impact on the price of gas along with all the federal, state and local taxes. Some blends are only made at one refinery which causes trouble if a problem happens and during maintenance shutdowns.
I run two 1200's a 09 XR and a 11 XL1200 on 87/89 depending on the station I fill up at. I run three TC96's, a TC103 and a TC110 on 87/89 also. I have NEVER had pinging as I shift at a proper rpm and do not lug the engine.
All gas reguardless of the octane has the same power. Power is in the BTU's not octane rating which is simply a number to describe the fuels resistance to ignition. Regardless of octane rating all gas contains about 115,000 BTU's. In fact it is possible to get more power out of the lower octane gas as it ignites faster and burns more complete therefore produces more power per stroke.
Those that think higher octane runs better and is more powerful are ignorant.
Of course if you have added hot cams and increased the compression then that requires a higher octane to prevent pinging.
Most areas in this country have gas that comes off pipelines and every truck fills from it. Then the driver adds a couple of ounces of his brands additive( if he feels like it).
The blends of gas are regulated by the government also. In this country they demand 26 different blends depending on the location and then demand that there be a summer blend and a winter blend. This is a major impact on the price of gas along with all the federal, state and local taxes. Some blends are only made at one refinery which causes trouble if a problem happens and during maintenance shutdowns.
Last edited by lh4x4; Jul 25, 2013 at 07:56 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: illinois
87 octane would be great if it was 1980-1988 or so,when cheap gas would burn the crap out of ya, if ya got it on your arm ... anyone remember?? and it was a reddish and smelled really potent!, my local stations, i swear they change their fuel more than a kids diapers, i have gotten light and dark green",**** clear, and light yellow,and no none were 2 stroke mixed, this is straight out the pump
my point, is if its clear its most likely watered down, it smells weak, dont know what to do here in springfield illinios great stations they all need tested but what if they are paying off the testers?
they are screwing us big time-- per gallon per vehicle per day!
i have to use gas treatment a lot of time
my point, is if its clear its most likely watered down, it smells weak, dont know what to do here in springfield illinios great stations they all need tested but what if they are paying off the testers?
they are screwing us big time-- per gallon per vehicle per day!
i have to use gas treatment a lot of time
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: central WA
There's a Shell station a half mile from my house that sells 91 octane non-ethanol gas. I buy it for both my bikes...'01 XL1200 and '04 fxst. Could probly run the Sportster on cheaper gas, but I'd rather pay the extra for non-ethanol.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
I run 94 Ultra at Petro-Canada. 91 if I can't get 94. It still costs me less than 15 bucks usually to fill up. about 14-18 bucks.
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