regular gas
Banned
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 555
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
i have always put in the premium. i have been told, never experienced, that it could cause pinging. i figured, if i had to go with regular, i would put in enough to get me to the next station and fill up with the good stuff. but i cant see how one tank could do much harm. i feel if im going to spend 20k on a bike, put into it another 20k of chrome and bolt ons, why be cheap on the gas...
my 2 cents
my 2 cents
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
I think the question was more geared to if you don't have a choice for premium, not trying to cheap out.
Run it, but just listen for ping as the chances of that increases as the octane drops even though the ecm has knock sensors. Just pay attention.
Run it, but just listen for ping as the chances of that increases as the octane drops even though the ecm has knock sensors. Just pay attention.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 0
From: East Northport, NY
I have never come upon a gas station that was out of super, so I wouldnt see why I would have the need to use regular. If its the price difference, at the most youre getting 5 Gallons, how much more would that cost you, maybe a buck and half?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: maryland
Did a fly and ride program two years ago and it seems that all 3 bikes that we rented ran real rough at first, as soon as we filled up with premium gas the next day they smoothed out. I am sure that they all had regular gas.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 531
Likes: 6
From: East of Cincinnati Ohio
After a storm knocked out power only way to work was my bike only gas was regular. Took almost two weeks to get premium ran 4 or five tanks of the regular no problems no ping.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 602
Likes: 2
From: SE Michigan
I had a problem buying premium gas that was not up to par with a cross country trip. I'd get some HD fuel additive if I did it over again. You never know when your off the beaten path how long that gas has been sitting there and was told it could be worse than a lower octane to your engine. I wound up with excessive carbon build up on my pistons due to the bad gas.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...5&default=none
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...5&default=none
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 264
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
My friend runs nothing but regular in his '05 road king. Says it never pings. I've tried it and had some pinging, but if it meant regular gas or push, Id take the regular. Prolonged pinging can cause problems if you have it all the time, but every once in a while won't kill the motor.,,