When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I think octane booster is a joke. Read the label. All claims I have read is if you put in the recommended amount, it will raise the octane .1. That's one tenth a point, not one point. I admit I haven't researched octane booster very much because I have never for one second thought I needed an octane boost.
Dennis
The only research I have done is by experience and adding it to my fuel. The engine pings like a bitch at cruising speed when it's hot out, it has considerably less ping after the boost is added. Got tired of chasing and paying for a good tune. I have had the bike tuned 3 times at 2 different dealers. Right now I would rather ride it until I find the time to locate a good shop in my area where they know how to run a dyno. Until then, when it starts pinging, I add boost and it's quiet.
The less air density at higher elevations lowers you CR a little so less octane should be required, that being said almost all of the larger stations have 91 octane gas.
Actually, the compression ratio is a physical non-changing thing. Because the air is less dense at altitude, there is less to pack into the cylinder so the compression reading may drop (handheld products drop approximately 3.5 PSI on the gauge for every 1,000 feet rise in altitude.), but the physical ratio remains the same.
That is why when bikes were carbureted, many at altitude were fine with stock jetting but their counterparts at sea lever were not.
+1 on the Lucas. Good stuff. Wouldnt hurt to get some and carry it with you just in case. Chances are youll be fine. If it starts pinging pour some Lucas in the tank. Otherwise dont worry about it. My previous bike (2011 Road Glide Ultra) was extremely sensitive to fuel. I carried a bottle of Lucas with me all the time because I never knew when it would start pinging. The Lucas always fixed it. The 17 Heritage I ride now doesnt have that problem. Im pretty sure it would run on kerosene if I could get it to fire off. Bottom line, if it aint pinging its fine. If it starts pinging give it a little octane boost. If that doesnt fix it come home.
Chevron 91 and sometimes higher if I feel the urge to spend foolishly.
Formerly riding an 02 Ultra 95, SE203 cams and tru duals...
Now running a stock 2011 103 Road Glide Ultra and it too will get the same fuel treatment.
Rob
Just follow the manual with the recommended octane fuel....I don't get it. IF it's about cost then consider this, fuel is the cheapest part of owning a motorcycle. Even if you manage to ride 20,000 miles a year and get 40 miles per gallon and you pay $4 a gallon (an extremely high price as an example) fuel will ONLY cost you $2,000 a year. Using a lower octane (ie: less costly fuel) at, let say $1 less per gallon would only save $500/yr...........what's the point?......USE WHAT'S RECOMMENDED.....nuff said!
same here big difference in ping over a few different baggers. get to know your ride when it pings your too hot or octane is too low or your tune is more for preformance then rideability. i can get 93 corn or 91 noncorn ill take the noncorn anyday.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.