Octane question please
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
In Aug we spent 5 weeks touring Newfoundland 2-up and pulling a trailer. Many ( ie Most) small towns had one grade of fuel available - 87 octane. We had no choice but to use it, sometimes several consecutive tanks of it. I was concerned at first and listened carefully for any pinging - NONE, even at speed attacking com long and steep hills! There was also no noticeable decrease in performance than when I burned Premium but I was smellin' the roses, not racing. I have an app on my tablet that keeps track of fuel mileage and could find no apparent difference there either, although nearly each day was different, with some having lots of hills, others having high speeds on the highway, and more days just cruising villages - variances seemed to me to be more about terrain/driving style than octane. I still burn 91 when I can find it - just because the few cents difference in a tank is no big deal - but no longer am I **** about it. I've seen people wait to make sure they fueled behind somebody using premium because they didn't want the residual low-octane fuel left in the line!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 7
Ping is your combustion trying to drill a hole in your piston. Get what fuel out can and don't be afraid to add a lot of octane booster. The bottles at the auto parts store are designed for a typical auto fuel tank, 12+ gallons, but they don't really add many octane numbers. I have used a 10 gallon dose without issue. It really depends on your tuning. If your bike isn't heavily modified, or has a slightly richer fuel tune, you may be fine without booster. Amsoil and Lucas both make a motorcycle sized bottle and both have worked Well for me.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Ping is your combustion trying to drill a hole in your piston. Get what fuel out can and don't be afraid to add a lot of octane booster. The bottles at the auto parts store are designed for a typical auto fuel tank, 12+ gallons, but they don't really add many octane numbers. I have used a 10 gallon dose without issue. It really depends on your tuning. If your bike isn't heavily modified, or has a slightly richer fuel tune, you may be fine without booster. Amsoil and Lucas both make a motorcycle sized bottle and both have worked Well for me.....
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
I think I'm gonna go with adding 1 gallon of 87 to average my octane to around 90. The news says gas flow to Long Island should free up soon. The gallon plus what I have in the tank should get me about 150 miles. I appreciate all the advice and suggestions.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
HD sells an additive, not a stabilizer, that is advertised as "when higher octane fuel is not available." Most dealers stock it. It is Harley brand but I admit, don't know what is in the bottle. I've used it religiously when traveling the Midwest where 87 is considered 'premium'. No pinging. Did I need too? Will never know.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Use what you can for now and get back to the good stuff when it is available. If you can find the octane boost use that in the interim.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 7
From: East TN
I have always heard that too. if you do alot of cold weather riding to drop octane because the higher the octane the slower the burn and when it is cold out 93 will not burn as completely as 87. I honestly think that I would rather run 87 octane 100% gas than 93 octane 10% ethanol. No evidence to either.
I would have no problems running 87 in mine for at least a tank.
I would have no problems running 87 in mine for at least a tank.