I am stationed in Italy and on a recent trip we stopped in for gas, the option for super 101 was available. Some got excited, other didn't. I am under the impression that if the bike is not tuned for octane that high there really isn't ay benefit.
What do you use? Would you have paid the extra for 101 compared to the standard 95 octane here?

 

95 is even more than needed, higher octane actually burns slower, for best performance you want the lowest octane without having any ping. Only advantage in using higher octane is if you have an engine with higher compression that has to use higher octane.

 

I might have simply for the novelty of running it.

You're right, it doesn't do anything to increase the performance of the engine if a lower octane is sufficient.

 

how about the novelty of tearing up $5 bills?

octane rating describes the fuels resistance to ignition/detonation due to compression.

diesel is compression ignition- the fuel/air is squeezed to the point where in burns ( no spark plugs)

"running on" or dieseling in a gas motor ( carbed) is where the fuel is ignited other than by the sparkplug...could be a hot spot of metal in the heads, or high compression...high enough to cause compression ignition.

that is when you need high octane.

for our bikes, pump gas is fine and what they are designed for-
high octane, racing fuel or av gas has capabilities we can't take advantage of, so no return for the money

Mike

 

Higher octane smells nice LOL, In all seriousness like said above only is a benefit if the engine is designed for it.

 

Is octane rated there the same as in the States?

 

Not trying to be smart just asking, with Ion sensing would you ever hear a ping or put another way if you hear a ping you may have serious problems?

 

yes you may ping...if the ecm senses pre-ignition it may retard spark timing ( like going up a hill)

In many cases, retarding timing will increase torque...advancing timing may increase horsepower and MPG

-- this depends on many other factors.

pinging may be caused by other than spark timing...a glowing piece of superheated metal in teh combustion chamber- or carbon deposits acting as a glow plug.

or a too-lean fuel mixture

so the cause of the pinging can vary. the ecm can only do so much



on the old bikes spark timing was controlled by the left grip, forward to retard, rotate back to advance...ride one of these and you get a sense of how spark timing affects the operation of the motor...even a few degrees
mike

 

I've been to two Hog Callin,s and a Calf ropin and never heard this before.
What year bike are you talking about?

 

Depending where you travel octane could be measured slightly different.
What is the thought of octane variance that is acceptable , 88-94?
I don't remember seeing it over 91 up here.