91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA, Madison GA
RE: 91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
Dont mean to spoil the party but I use regular all the time and have never heard a sputter or pop. Where does it say that regular will ruin the motor?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 16,125
Likes: 24
From: Linden New Jersey
RE: 91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
Just a FYI for the guys with favorite brands.
I work in the construction trade (steamfitter) and had a job at the loading rack in the largest refinery on the east coast. Its a Conoco/Phillips at this time. It has changed "brands" 4 times in the last 5 years..........
Anyway, every gas truck know to man, yeah Shell, BP, Citgo, Sunoco, etc was loaded at this loading rack. I know, I watched them.
The local gas station contols the octane of the mid grade only. The mid grade is a blend of reg and super
I work in the construction trade (steamfitter) and had a job at the loading rack in the largest refinery on the east coast. Its a Conoco/Phillips at this time. It has changed "brands" 4 times in the last 5 years..........
Anyway, every gas truck know to man, yeah Shell, BP, Citgo, Sunoco, etc was loaded at this loading rack. I know, I watched them.
The local gas station contols the octane of the mid grade only. The mid grade is a blend of reg and super
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
I hate to be the sour grape here but many of you a misinformed on how octane ratings work. Higher octane means it can be compressed more before combustion. This means if your running a stock lower compression engine (I'm pretty sure the stock HD bikes all are lower compression engines, 8.9:1 ) you need to run a lower octane fuel. If your running 93 octane what you get is carbon build up over time and then sticky valves, fouled plugs, etc. Actually running higher octane fuel in a lower compression engine will cause damage, not the other way around.
As far as the guy with access to 100LL. You will damage your engine if you run 100LL in your bike and even if you have HC pistons in your bike go ahead and run it, but make sure you mix it with some auto fuel or pour a couple of capfulls of Mystery oil in with the fuel as a lubricant.
"The compression ratio of your engine determines the octane rating of the gas you must use in the car. One way to increase the horsepower of an engine of a given displacement is to increase its compression ratio. So a "high-performance engine" has a higher compression ratio and requires higher-octane fuel. The advantage of a high compression ratio is that it gives your engine a higher horsepower rating for a given engine weight -- that is what makes the engine "high performance." The disadvantage is that the gasoline for your engine costs more."
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question90.htm
Its your bike and you can run whatever fuel you want, but I thought you guys should know there is some misinformation out there about fuel octane ratings and how they work.
be safe.
As far as the guy with access to 100LL. You will damage your engine if you run 100LL in your bike and even if you have HC pistons in your bike go ahead and run it, but make sure you mix it with some auto fuel or pour a couple of capfulls of Mystery oil in with the fuel as a lubricant.
"The compression ratio of your engine determines the octane rating of the gas you must use in the car. One way to increase the horsepower of an engine of a given displacement is to increase its compression ratio. So a "high-performance engine" has a higher compression ratio and requires higher-octane fuel. The advantage of a high compression ratio is that it gives your engine a higher horsepower rating for a given engine weight -- that is what makes the engine "high performance." The disadvantage is that the gasoline for your engine costs more."
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question90.htm
Its your bike and you can run whatever fuel you want, but I thought you guys should know there is some misinformation out there about fuel octane ratings and how they work.
be safe.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: 91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
Low compression + high heat (air cooled) == need for higher octane.
I'd agree with you if the MoCo said run 87, but they dont.
Compression ratio isn't everything. You can run a higher compression with a lower octane on a liquid cooled motor that has aluminum heads and or block for instance.
Resistance to detonation is what you are going for here.
Anyhow...
I'd agree with you if the MoCo said run 87, but they dont.
Compression ratio isn't everything. You can run a higher compression with a lower octane on a liquid cooled motor that has aluminum heads and or block for instance.
Resistance to detonation is what you are going for here.
Anyhow...
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
I think 93 octane is pretty cheap. After building up my last bike, I had to run 100 octane
to make it run right.
LOL That sucked. I'am happy to pull up to the pump on my 06 RK and pay for 93.
to make it run right.
LOL That sucked. I'am happy to pull up to the pump on my 06 RK and pay for 93.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 935
From: Clearwater, Fl
RE: 91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
I run 87 down here at sea level. Never hear a ping unless I'm double up and lug the engine.
I'd rather throw the extra dollar a tank down the sewer than give it to the oil companies!
Run what makes you feel good........ LOL!!
I'd rather throw the extra dollar a tank down the sewer than give it to the oil companies!
Run what makes you feel good........ LOL!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
RE: 91 Octane Gas for Touring Models
Will run high test if available.
Will run whatever w/ Rocket Fuel when needed.
There are places on the Alcan where you are just happy to get something that will burn.
Will run whatever w/ Rocket Fuel when needed.
There are places on the Alcan where you are just happy to get something that will burn.