Who's running Regular
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
This is like an oil thread it goes on forever.
I think the answer is quite simple. If the engine manufacturer recommends higher octane fuel it is for a reason .........BETTER PERFORMANCE and driveability.
One of my cars requires 93 octane, the other requires 87 and that's what I use, what the engine manufacturer recommends. Harley recommends 93 and that's what I use, a quality 93 octane gas.
And as mentioned above if you use higher octane gas in a vehicle designed for a lower octane you are throwing your money away, but if you put lower octane in an engine that recommends the higher octane your performance may suffer and you could possibly damage the engine over time.
Guess there some folks that will always think they know more than the engine manufactures.
I think the answer is quite simple. If the engine manufacturer recommends higher octane fuel it is for a reason .........BETTER PERFORMANCE and driveability.
One of my cars requires 93 octane, the other requires 87 and that's what I use, what the engine manufacturer recommends. Harley recommends 93 and that's what I use, a quality 93 octane gas.
And as mentioned above if you use higher octane gas in a vehicle designed for a lower octane you are throwing your money away, but if you put lower octane in an engine that recommends the higher octane your performance may suffer and you could possibly damage the engine over time.
Guess there some folks that will always think they know more than the engine manufactures.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 709
Likes: 2
From: SO Cal
So what we have is a conspiracy theory and Harley tells us to use gas we don't need because they are in cahoots with foreign oil companies. Yeah that's the ticket!
please tell us why you think Harley is doing this.
please tell us why you think Harley is doing this.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
This is like an oil thread it goes on forever.
I think the answer is quite simple. If the engine manufacturer recommends higher octane fuel it is for a reason .........BETTER PERFORMANCE and driveability.
One of my cars requires 93 octane, the other requires 87 and that's what I use, what the engine manufacturer recommends. Harley recommends 93 and that's what I use, a quality 93 octane gas.
And as mentioned above if you use higher octane gas in a vehicle designed for a lower octane you are throwing your money away, but if you put lower octane in an engine that recommends the higher octane your performance may suffer and you could possibly damage the engine over time.
Guess there some folks that will always think they know more than the engine manufactures.
I think the answer is quite simple. If the engine manufacturer recommends higher octane fuel it is for a reason .........BETTER PERFORMANCE and driveability.
One of my cars requires 93 octane, the other requires 87 and that's what I use, what the engine manufacturer recommends. Harley recommends 93 and that's what I use, a quality 93 octane gas.
And as mentioned above if you use higher octane gas in a vehicle designed for a lower octane you are throwing your money away, but if you put lower octane in an engine that recommends the higher octane your performance may suffer and you could possibly damage the engine over time.
Guess there some folks that will always think they know more than the engine manufactures.
I use 91 or better and I use pure gasoline without the filler whenever I can.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Gardner, KS (KC Metro)
i'm not an engineer and i really dont care what other people think. dont even know why i am posting in this rediculous thread but i run the 91 or higher in my ride. my seat of the pants tells me that it is better for my bike. i get better throttle response and better fuel mileage with the higher octane than when i put the lower in it.
someone said they eat taco bell vs some other place. i know when i eat healthier i feel better after the meal than when i eat mcdonalds. true it all turns to crap but i physically feel sick after eating mcdonalds (or taco bell, burger king etc...). i figure if i can physically feel the difference between eating establishments then i figure it's possible that the bike can and will run better with the higher octane fuel. that goes the same with the oils for what it's worth. it's my bike and my money so i am gonna do what i gotta do. your bike and your money, you do what you gotta do.
someone said they eat taco bell vs some other place. i know when i eat healthier i feel better after the meal than when i eat mcdonalds. true it all turns to crap but i physically feel sick after eating mcdonalds (or taco bell, burger king etc...). i figure if i can physically feel the difference between eating establishments then i figure it's possible that the bike can and will run better with the higher octane fuel. that goes the same with the oils for what it's worth. it's my bike and my money so i am gonna do what i gotta do. your bike and your money, you do what you gotta do.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 5
From: In the north
Having been a wrench for over 20 years, yes I have. One was a 2.5 chev engine that had a bad TV cable (kick down) that would not let the trans down shift on hard excelleration. A few snowmobile engines that were clutched way to heavy causing very agressive upshift and a chev sb that had too much timing.
But no I have not seen an H-D Vtwin go down because of det. As long as it is not heavily modified then it should not be a problem.
God, I hope the weather straightens up and work slows down because I am getting sick seeing the scooter collecting dust in the garage.
