What octane are you using for your '14
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Long Island,New York
What octane are you using for your '14
Hi all...was wondering what octane you were told to use on your "14?
and on another note....can the speakers on the fairing take water from a hose when I wash the bike?? I know stupid question....but I never had a bike with speakers on it before...I know it can take rain....but was wondering the pressure and the soaking from a hose...
Thanks!!
and on another note....can the speakers on the fairing take water from a hose when I wash the bike?? I know stupid question....but I never had a bike with speakers on it before...I know it can take rain....but was wondering the pressure and the soaking from a hose...
Thanks!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 5
From: Mesquite Tx
I always run the highest octane available just to be sure. Figure these are air cooled motors and I want to prevent pre detonation as much as possible. As far as speakers I normally avoid spraying the dash directly and just wash it with a wet rag and then dry.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland, OH
I would use premium fuel just as the owner's manual states. I don't think it's worth saving about a buck a tank to risk any potential problems. The speakers can take some water, they were made to get rained on. I just wouldn't blast them with the hose, a light rinse is all you should really ever need.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
I find the recent rash of "what octane are you running" questions puzzling.
The owners manual has spells it out quite succinctly. Its never been unclear to me what octane I'm supposed to use.
The owners manual has spells it out quite succinctly. Its never been unclear to me what octane I'm supposed to use.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 39
From: Central Florida
The only time you should use a hose on your '14 is to wash the leaking coolant off your driveway... 
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Illinois
I use 87/89 octane in my 1200's, TC88, TC96's, TC103 and TC110. Never an issue with pinging. If they did not come with it I added an oil cooler. Then I run a 12.8 to 1 AFR.
They run stronger than stock. The 12 RGC CVO gets 50 mpg set up that way. The 12 RGC 103 gets 52 mpg. There is 15,000 miles between them. My 10 Ultra is at 30K.
All vehicles in the US by federal regulation MUST be able to run on 87 octane. they are even trying to do that with small planes to get rid of aviation gas.
The high compression is usually over 10 to 1. 9.5 to one or less isn't high compression.
Vrod is 11.2 to one and the XL1200 is at 10.5 to one.
HD's recommendation of 91 or better is just that. It is not required as they can not legally require it.
The spark advance in the HD is set for 91 octane. Go higher and performance can suffer not improve.
I have too many miles on too many bikes to listen to the BS that it will harm the engine. Cooler intake charge happens with a 12.8 to 1 AFR. I cools the cylinder walls, piston, heads and intake valve during the intake stroke far better than the lean burn 14.7 to one does. The cooler the engine the less potential for pinging. Having an oil cooler helps also. HD sprays the underside of the piston with oil to assist cooling it. If needed just a change to a cooler rated spark plug will work. Not lugging the motor is the best method of not having any pinging.
They run stronger than stock. The 12 RGC CVO gets 50 mpg set up that way. The 12 RGC 103 gets 52 mpg. There is 15,000 miles between them. My 10 Ultra is at 30K.
All vehicles in the US by federal regulation MUST be able to run on 87 octane. they are even trying to do that with small planes to get rid of aviation gas.
The high compression is usually over 10 to 1. 9.5 to one or less isn't high compression.
Vrod is 11.2 to one and the XL1200 is at 10.5 to one.
HD's recommendation of 91 or better is just that. It is not required as they can not legally require it.
The spark advance in the HD is set for 91 octane. Go higher and performance can suffer not improve.
I have too many miles on too many bikes to listen to the BS that it will harm the engine. Cooler intake charge happens with a 12.8 to 1 AFR. I cools the cylinder walls, piston, heads and intake valve during the intake stroke far better than the lean burn 14.7 to one does. The cooler the engine the less potential for pinging. Having an oil cooler helps also. HD sprays the underside of the piston with oil to assist cooling it. If needed just a change to a cooler rated spark plug will work. Not lugging the motor is the best method of not having any pinging.
