Preferred octane boost?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,026
From: Carlsbad, CA
l’ve ridden all over West and some east of the Mississippi, and never had trouble with gas outside of a few National Oarks. The only time I was unable to get at least 91 was in some of the national parks. So, if your only concern is getting 91, I wouldn’t worry about it. My TriGlide with SE 255 cams was tuned in Oregon with 92, and was particular about gas. One time in Death Valley all they had was 87…and I could barely make the climb up the hill out of the park. Happened once in Sequoia NP…that time I had a bottle of Lucas Boost. 1oz of boost per gallon of gas did the trick.
Last edited by TriGeezer; Mar 12, 2023 at 06:39 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 79
From: Bridgewater, NJ
I'm just going by our last trip to Alaska. Some places had 91, which is fine, but some didn't. I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better. Better safe the sorry. The main hiways will probably be ok but we use them as little as possible.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
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From: SW WA.
Honestly I wouldn't worry about it,most bikes will tolerate regular gas with some loss of power if that's all you can get but I've never found it a problem getting 91 except in some seriously way out places at little stores out in the country that can't justify having a premium pump because there's few that need it in the area.
Now if you are running a high compression cammed up monster that's a different story,I've been there and carried 104 brand octane boost with me.
Now if you are running a high compression cammed up monster that's a different story,I've been there and carried 104 brand octane boost with me.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 79
From: Bridgewater, NJ
Honestly I wouldn't worry about it,most bikes will tolerate regular gas with some loss of power if that's all you can get but I've never found it a problem getting 91 except in some seriously way out places at little stores out in the country that can't justify having a premium pump because there's few that need it in the area.
Now if you are running a high compression cammed up monster that's a different story,I've been there and carried 104 brand octane boost with me.
Now if you are running a high compression cammed up monster that's a different story,I've been there and carried 104 brand octane boost with me.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 953
Likes: 830
From: Hudson, CO
I like this one.
Motorcycle Octane Boost | MOB - AMSOIL
Each bottle is sized for 4-6 gallons of gas. Just dump it in at the gas station and fill up. Comes in little 4 oz bottles that are easy to keep with you.
Motorcycle Octane Boost | MOB - AMSOIL
Each bottle is sized for 4-6 gallons of gas. Just dump it in at the gas station and fill up. Comes in little 4 oz bottles that are easy to keep with you.
Last edited by Black Ultra; Mar 12, 2023 at 08:19 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Wait... woke? Its been like that for decades. Altitude is mostly the reason.
Here's a contrarian view. The manufacturer's specification for octane is....91. 91 is of course widely available.
When riding west of the Mississippi, I would always dump octane boost in the tank. Not any more. Forget that its very imprecise, I have to ask this question - does everyone that lives west of the Mississippi dump a bunch of octane boost in their tank every time they fill up? Are clueless western rider's destroying their bikes without knowing it because they don't?
I can see it for people who have high compression engines, but I think for the vast majority of riders 91 is just fine.
East of the Mississippi, your choices are 87, 89, and 93. We choose 93 because we can't 91, and choosing 93 makes sense. My approach is that if the manufacturer calls for 91, I use it when it's available.
Here's a contrarian view. The manufacturer's specification for octane is....91. 91 is of course widely available.
When riding west of the Mississippi, I would always dump octane boost in the tank. Not any more. Forget that its very imprecise, I have to ask this question - does everyone that lives west of the Mississippi dump a bunch of octane boost in their tank every time they fill up? Are clueless western rider's destroying their bikes without knowing it because they don't?
I can see it for people who have high compression engines, but I think for the vast majority of riders 91 is just fine.
East of the Mississippi, your choices are 87, 89, and 93. We choose 93 because we can't 91, and choosing 93 makes sense. My approach is that if the manufacturer calls for 91, I use it when it's available.
Last edited by skratch; Mar 12, 2023 at 09:02 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 953
Likes: 830
From: Hudson, CO
In Colorado, we top out at 91 octane at the normal pumps. Sure, you can get special fuels at the race track etc, but the mainstream stations only go to 91. This is due to our altitude. the higher you go, the less octane you need. Many of the "western states" are well above sea level. This may be why you don't see 93 in the west much.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 3,123
From: Texas
I think folks may be overstating the need (and some are dismissing it).
I've encountered towns that have only one pump, and only one grade: 85 octane. If you stick near major highways, it is never a problem to find 91. But if you go out of the way, especially at higher altitudes, it may not be so readily available. I take a couple of one-shot 2oz bottles on big trips just in case. I rarely have to use it.
I also prefer Top Tier gas, and you won't find that in one-stoplight towns either. I've run several tanks of that dishwater that Alon sells because they're omnipresent in west Texas. I started carrying a 5oz bottle of Lucas Upper Cylinder treatment. It takes up no space, and a bottle treats 5 tanks. I wouldn't use it on Top Tier gas, it's just for those times when I get stuck in some tiny one-pump town selling no-name no-detergent gas.
I've encountered towns that have only one pump, and only one grade: 85 octane. If you stick near major highways, it is never a problem to find 91. But if you go out of the way, especially at higher altitudes, it may not be so readily available. I take a couple of one-shot 2oz bottles on big trips just in case. I rarely have to use it.
I also prefer Top Tier gas, and you won't find that in one-stoplight towns either. I've run several tanks of that dishwater that Alon sells because they're omnipresent in west Texas. I started carrying a 5oz bottle of Lucas Upper Cylinder treatment. It takes up no space, and a bottle treats 5 tanks. I wouldn't use it on Top Tier gas, it's just for those times when I get stuck in some tiny one-pump town selling no-name no-detergent gas.
Last edited by FatBob2018; Mar 13, 2023 at 11:04 AM.