87 Octane
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 23
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From: Polk, OH
87 Octane
Does anyone uses 87 octane in the 103ci and has noticed any bad issues? I used it in my 2012 Sportster 883 100% of the time and never noticed any issues. Compression check during oil change was excellent. Mabey a hint of a slight ping at 55mph.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Maybe that hint of slight ping at 55 was telling you something.
My 103 pinged so bad with 91 octane when it got warm that I had to retard the timing as much as 4 degrees at WOT and 2 degrees in the cruise range. And that was with a 13.0-13.8 AFR rather than the factory 14.6.
My 103 pinged so bad with 91 octane when it got warm that I had to retard the timing as much as 4 degrees at WOT and 2 degrees in the cruise range. And that was with a 13.0-13.8 AFR rather than the factory 14.6.
Last edited by 2black1s; Mar 16, 2013 at 11:25 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
As far as the ethanol thing goes, just about every vehicle on the road is running just fine with 10% ethanol, including probably 99% of all the Harley's on the road. Granted, given the choice I'd run non-ethanol fuel, but I wouldn't sacrifice 4 or 5 octane points to do so, and especially so if there were performance issues such as pinging.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,885
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From: Chicago area
Why in the world would you run 87 if it pings?
As far as the ethanol thing goes, just about every vehicle on the road is running just fine with 10% ethanol, including probably 99% of all the Harley's on the road. Granted, given the choice I'd run non-ethanol fuel, but I wouldn't sacrifice 4 or 5 octane points to do so, and especially so if there were performance issues such as pinging.
As far as the ethanol thing goes, just about every vehicle on the road is running just fine with 10% ethanol, including probably 99% of all the Harley's on the road. Granted, given the choice I'd run non-ethanol fuel, but I wouldn't sacrifice 4 or 5 octane points to do so, and especially so if there were performance issues such as pinging.
compression you running? Me 213psi octatane m,,,,,
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
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From: Socialist Republic of the USA
There's this little thingy that comes with your bike when you get it ,not the key but the paper watchamacallit. Oh yeah, the owners manual. Dolt... If ya ever get bored, say while taking a dump, ya might just consider reading that. Plenty more I would normally say but I am trying to show restraint.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: In a house
I'm glad to spend an extra $3 a tank to take away a dealers excuse to void my warranty should I ever have a problem. Been using startron for 2 years because of ethanol gas. I've seen ethanol tear up small engines and I personally won't take the chance of running 87, especially since they run so hot/lean from the factory anyways.