Gasoline octane
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Gasoline octane
Since I don't trust everything I read in the owner's manual, (i.e. break-in procedures etc.), I want to ask if it is really necessary to run 91 octane on my new road king?
Except for the money I'll save, does it make that much difference if I just run regular unleaded?
Any feedback is appreciated.
jchico
Except for the money I'll save, does it make that much difference if I just run regular unleaded?
Any feedback is appreciated.
jchico
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,553
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From: Lebanon, Missouri
RE: Gasoline octane
There have been tons of threads on exactly this subject in the last couple of months.
My personal opinion is that with the cost being roughly 10cents more per gallon, the difference is minimal. I'm sticking with the 91 octane.
My personal opinion is that with the cost being roughly 10cents more per gallon, the difference is minimal. I'm sticking with the 91 octane.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,515
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From:
RE: Gasoline octane
ORIGINAL: jchico
Since I don't trust everything I read in the owner's manual, (i.e. break-in procedures etc.), I want to ask if it is really necessary to run 91 octane on my new road king?
Except for the money I'll save, does it make that much difference if I just run regular unleaded?
Any feedback is appreciated.
jchico
Since I don't trust everything I read in the owner's manual, (i.e. break-in procedures etc.), I want to ask if it is really necessary to run 91 octane on my new road king?
Except for the money I'll save, does it make that much difference if I just run regular unleaded?
Any feedback is appreciated.
jchico
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: Gasoline octane
Price is minimal......91 octane is not that much more.
If a station does not have 91 and that is the only station within miles of you.......if they only have 87, then do it.
One can safely run 87 in most Twin Cams even though 91 is recommended. 87 is fine if you do not lug the engine and not let the engine ping. If you keep the RPM up, you'll probably be ok. Having said all this....91 is the wisest choice.
The EVO's run happy on 87 where the Twin Cams run happy on 91. Just different animals.....
If a station does not have 91 and that is the only station within miles of you.......if they only have 87, then do it.
One can safely run 87 in most Twin Cams even though 91 is recommended. 87 is fine if you do not lug the engine and not let the engine ping. If you keep the RPM up, you'll probably be ok. Having said all this....91 is the wisest choice.
The EVO's run happy on 87 where the Twin Cams run happy on 91. Just different animals.....
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
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From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Gasoline octane
This is about the most contravertial subject I've found on the forum. This is only my opinion, but as far as I can determine, the long stroke of the Harley engine benefits from 91-93 octane. My reasoning is, higher octane gas burns a little slower than regular, so at the relatively low rpms a normal Hog engine runs, the flame front continues most of the way thru the firing cycle giving a little longer power pulse(more torque, smoother). I've always run 93 in my pan, knuckle, shovel and Evo motors for that reason. No scientific data, just seat of the pants. So take it for what it's worth. Up north where I had the knuckle I could notice the difference when running Sonoco Blue, I think that was the best gas I've ever used.
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Joined: May 2006
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RE: Gasoline octane
My brother did'nt believe me when I told him to run super in his Dynaglide until he started having all kinds of problems. He rides everyday it's his only transportation. He started to break down every other day. The bike would run at an idle then when he took off no power. He then would stop let it coll off and try to go again. I asked him about the gas and he said he was still running 87 in it. Well with one tank of 93 it was like a new bike.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 398
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From: Williamston, SC
RE: Gasoline octane
A few months ago I went in to pay for the gas while my 18 year old son waited for me, I needed to use the restroom while I was there, he decided he would help "dear ole dad" out an pump the gas. It was not empty but near it, I gave the lady behind the counter $ 12.00 as I knew it would take that much at least. When I got back he said he had pumped the gas, I asked if he had put in 93 octane and the look on his face told the tale, no he put in what I always used in the truck and he puts in his car, yep regular, 87 octane. To late then, I smiled an said it would be OK, he's a great kid and he did not know any different, we got back on an rode for another hour before we stopped and I refilled the tank with 93 octane as much as it would take and the rest of the day every time we stopped I did the same thing. Maybe I was lucky but I did not know the difference, it ran as always, but I would not let that happen again. Just between us, I kept waiting for something to go wrong till I got a few gallion of 93 back in it.