Don't tell anyone, but the additives you're paying for in premium include more toluene and xylene, aka fuel's octane boosters. The higher octane provides higher energy, meaning more miles per gallon, more horse power and torque. Since I'm running 10.5:1 compression, AFAR as tanking on 87 Regular, it's shouldn't, couldn't, wouldn't...

 

Just run what they say to run in the tank I'll stick with so called high test

 

No wonder it doesn't ping. I haven't seen 97 octane regular since the early 70's.

 

I normally run Premium in both my bikes. I have run as low as 85 in the Ultra when in the Rocky Mountains to no ill effect. Also was getting upwards of 60 mpg when at high altitude on 85 or 87.
The only issue I have with Premium is how long does it sit at the station? The only time I have ever gotten bad gas (twice in my life) was Premium in my snow mobile. It kept freezing my carb because of all the water in it.

 

For 60 cents more a tankful, I'll stick with the super

 

I can see that there are still quite a few people out there who are a little misinformed about gasoline and octane. I am not trying to get anybody out there to change their way of thinking, because if you have lived for the past 40 years or so and believed something to be true, chances are I am not going to change your mind.
Premium gasoline does not make more horsepower than 87 octane. It does not burn faster, quicker or cleaner. In fact, octane is added to basic gasoline to slow down the flame rate. That is a shocker, isn't it? The oil companies who market gasoline would just as soon you didn't understand that little tidbit. The reason we generally would need a high octane gasoline is if we had an engine that had say, 10:1 or higher compression. On those engines, the gas and air is compressed to such a degree that there may be some preignition taking place, like a diesel. You generally hear it and it is called "pinging". If you have a high performance engine, you may have to run a high octane fuel to keep it from pinging and causing further damage, like a burned piston or valve. The vast majority of our late model Harleys have 9:1 compression. Unless you have done something extroidinary to increase performance you just don't need a real high octane gasoline to slow down the flame rate. Generally speaking, the higher the octane, the slower the flame rate.

Late model Harleys also have a piece of software built into the Electronic Control Module that will sense things like preignition and will automatically retard or advance the spark, should it be needed. You don't hear much about that either. So, it is my contention that running 93 octane in a stock late model Harley is not necessary. The only valid reasons would be that you "know" your bike runs better on high octane fuel or that your brother-in-law works for Exxon or one of the other gasoline marketers. If the later is true, then you need to have a heart to heart with your brother in law. Oh, I almost forgotm there is one other reason to run high octane: You have a black bike and we all know they are the fastest color out there.

 

LOL. When I hear "why cheap out when "owning" a $20-$30K motorcycle". First off about half of you DON'T OWN their motorcycles, the bank or some credit union does.

I remember being asked why bother motoring my former yacht 100 yards further to the next marina just to save 10 cents a gallon on diesel. That 10 cents a gallon savings payed for a steak dinner for two when you take 400 or more gallons a fill up.

Some here value their HDs as a huge investment, while others here own wrist watches that cost more than their HDs. I'm in the camp that can afford to experiment using Regular gas. If I could blow my HD engine, I'll just get a 120R engine within a few days. But the great news is that Regular gas over 100K driven miles on HDs across this forum hasn't blown or damaged any late model 96" or 103" engine.

Saving $1.50 a fill up to some of you who ride less than 5K miles a year is no big thing. But what's ironic, these same folks will go out of their way to save a nickel a gallon when filling up their cars & trucks.

The point of this thread was who uses REGULAR GAS in their Harleys and if there are any issues in doing so.

Some of you post BS that defies the laws of physics.

HD recommends using 91 octane, they also recommend that you don't modify your exhaust unless you use genuine HD parts. A recommendation is only that, a recommendation. HD recommends a certain psi in your tires. I prefer to run them slightly higher for better wear. ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!

 

Hell, I don't need 93 octane for my black bike to be fast....

 

I wouldnt even think about touchin that stuf. Did it by mistake on my 09 Ultra and kept wonderin if the thing was gonna blow up. Premium isnt that expensive over regular for the bikes so thats whats going in each time.

 

I have an '09 RKC and run premium. For some reason, I recently filled it up with regular and could tell no difference. That being said, next fill up will be premium, at 6 gallons, the price is negligible.