Still no issues useing 89 oct!
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Lexington KY
Still no issues useing 89 oct!
So far for me I think the only use 91-93 oct is bull. Ive ran my ''103'' with 24,000mls when sold never had any problems with it, on original plugs. Bought an 09, ''96'' ultra classic has 42,000mls on it plugs look great bike runs great, Its not really the money issue with me just seems to run better and gets better milage. I almost exclusivly use shell 89 in 3 of my bikes. hard to explain they just seem to run better when useing 89. No decel poping,carbon on plugs. Anyone see a diffrence as well from the 2 ?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Checking plugs on a modern bike with O2 sensors is pretty much a waste of time unless you have serious problems. It's the ECMs job to keep carbon etc off the plugs for the most part. Many moons ago before Fuel Injection and modern ecms with sensors, the plug color was the key ticket. Not so much anymore. I wouldn't judge the success of the octane on the plug color. I'd be more concerned about listening for ping or knocking under load.
Last edited by Gunnysgt; Mar 17, 2013 at 11:45 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: North Central Indiana
It might just be me but I noticed that if I run the 89 stuff in my 2010 Ultra Classic it seems to run a little smoother and the throttle is not as touchy. With the more potent go-go juice, the throttle becomes touchy and the bike is a bit jumpier...more aggressive.
or maybe its just me and IDK what the hell I'm talking about...but I look good!
or maybe its just me and IDK what the hell I'm talking about...but I look good!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
They're low compression engines and will run regular easily, unless they get hot. Stuck in an hour long traffic jam with the thermometer hovering at 95 degrees it needed the high test that day.
And since I can't predict the next time it's gonna' get really, really hot, I'll keep the 93 in it all the time.
And since I can't predict the next time it's gonna' get really, really hot, I'll keep the 93 in it all the time.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 923
Likes: 43
From: New Hampshire
Funny, I've always stayed away from 89 octane in all my vehicles, maybe it's just me but see most people tend to use either 87 or 93, so I always suspect the 89 sits around the longest in the tanks and collects water... Maybe that's crap, dunno...
The money never made sense to me either. I put 7k miles a year on the bike and get like 40mpg, which amounts to 175 gallons of gas. Where I fuel up, 89 is about $0.10 cheaper, so that amounts to saving, $17.50 a year...
Not even worth the thought, IMHO.
The money never made sense to me either. I put 7k miles a year on the bike and get like 40mpg, which amounts to 175 gallons of gas. Where I fuel up, 89 is about $0.10 cheaper, so that amounts to saving, $17.50 a year...
Not even worth the thought, IMHO.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
89 is more "potent" than 93,too potent for high temps,89 will run fine till it gets hot then the ping will set in.all harleys are created Unequal,sloppy tolerances lead to many variables that can lead to ping.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 133
Likes: 10
From: Houston, Tx
I'm here in Texas, too much heat to take chances, I have had a few race bikes etc I understand the value in running the the correct octane that an engine, (car, bike spacecraft) was made to run on if it calls for 91 or higher its probably a good idea to stick with that
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
You can put that theory to rest. There is no 89 in the ground (assuming the available grades are 87, 89 & 91). In the ground you will find 87 and 91. When you purchase 89 it's simply a blend of 87 and 91 mixed at/by the pump.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 2
From: Springfield Ohio
Octane is nothing more than a rating for a fuel's ability to resist pre-ignition, resulting in spark ping and/or knock. If you can run without immediate issues on the lower octane, burning high test just costs more and creates more pollution.
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles...ctane-gasoline
There are still a few stations that use "straight pumps" for mid octane, but its so few that it's almost not worth mentioning.