gas additive...yes or no?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
RE: gas additive...yes or no?
The only additive I have used so far is Sta-Bil which I put in the tank each fall B4 winter storage and as far as fuel goes I use the highest octane from a name brand station that I can find.
I use Seafoam occasionallyin my lawnmowers and snowblower and am thinking of adding some to the bikefuel tank each spring when it comes out of storage.
I use Seafoam occasionallyin my lawnmowers and snowblower and am thinking of adding some to the bikefuel tank each spring when it comes out of storage.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From:
RE: gas additive...yes or no?
I'm repeating what most of you know or have read, same as in your car/truck....if you can't get the top brand of gas station or premium gas....just put enough in to get your self down the road. There will always be another group of stations to choose from....just don't run it hard on lesser gas( mid-grade or less )until you can make the situation right!
milo8155
07 FLHX
03 FXST
Collierville,TN
milo8155
07 FLHX
03 FXST
Collierville,TN
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Royston, BC
RE: gas additive...yes or no?
ORIGINAL: iann8ik
suppose i get stuck out in the boondock and can't find 91+ octane. how crappy will the engine run on 87 octane?
suppose i get stuck out in the boondock and can't find 91+ octane. how crappy will the engine run on 87 octane?
Gary
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 651
From: Gettysburg, PA (For Now)
RE: gas additive...yes or no?
Mechanics I've ever talked to about this said you don't need them, at all. Gasoline has it's own detergents. They say carbon build up is natural. Realistically, you can't do much but run it regularly with high test(91 octane or above),to keep it as clean as it ever going to get. Nothing more.
Novice
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18
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From:
RE: gas additive...yes or no?
I run 87 octane on every fill up, 22000 miles between my last and current bike. i average 45+ MPG and notice no ill effects. Good HP, no pinging, other than after i have about 300 miles down on a very hot day, but i have had no problems. infrequently i use som octane boost that i bought at the HD dealer. I know in my SUV i get more miles per tank of 87 than i do with 91 octane. A lot more. just my 2cents.
s
s
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From:
RE: gas additive...yes or no?
As for SUV's/Trucks/Cars it's simple science. It takes X amount of horsepower to push X amount of weight at a given speed! So, with a better grade of fuel the timing in the computer will an increase the horsepower in the process.And while making extra horsepower, the throttle won't have to be open as much to achieve this speed. thus not using as much fuel! Same principal should apply to all gas powered vehicles, although it's a free country and we all can do what we please....Also since octane booster ( worth having ) isn't cheap! Figure the cost of it in to your gas, and your cost of fuel has increased dramatically....a better grade of fuel is probably cheaper on your wallet! I speak with 35 years in the automotive aftermarket business and quite a few years as a NHRA/IHRA drag racer with a handful of National Records.....my 2 cents worth.
milo8155
07 FLHX
03 FXST
Collierville, TN
milo8155
07 FLHX
03 FXST
Collierville, TN
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
RE: gas additive...yes or no?
I use a generic fuel-injector cleaner and Marvel Mystery Oil top-end cleaner twice each year. Octane booster is xylene or toluene and purchased in chemical supply or paint supply stores. A 5-gallon can should get the price down to around $3.50 per gallon (usually less), and unlike store-bought JUNK called "octane booster" instead of raising your octane from 92 to 92.3, a 10% toluene solution will raise your octane from 92 to 94.2 octane. A 16 oz or 22 oz MSR fuel bottle in your saddlebag can safely carry toluene or xylene on your long trips where fears of low-octane gas in high-compression gaengines can spell trouble.As it's explained to me,if your hear pinging and detonation, the damage is already being done. I would never, ever run 87 octane in vehicles designed to run on premium gas since it not only cheats me out of range and performance, but can damage my engine in the long-term. But then, I'm not a mechanic, I'm just an organic chemist. 
BTW, because there is less kcal energy contained in 87 octane gasoline rather than 91 or 92 or 93 octane gasoline, it defies science and allthe laws of thermodynamics to suggest that you can get better mileage from 87 octane fuel than 91 octane fuel. It's quite impossible and silly.
BTW, because there is less kcal energy contained in 87 octane gasoline rather than 91 or 92 or 93 octane gasoline, it defies science and allthe laws of thermodynamics to suggest that you can get better mileage from 87 octane fuel than 91 octane fuel. It's quite impossible and silly.