87 Octane A.K.A., Unleaded Regular
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,966
From: Great State of Canada
Let's see all those "I run 87 octane in my bike and there's no difference!" posts. That way when you try and sell your bike here, everybody will have a heads up
It's not just compression ratio that warrants the use of 91 or better, cylinder/head temps (higher on air cooled engines) and ignition timing. Can you get away with it? Sure, for a while. Colder ambient temps do reduce one element of the equation, but not all. Running low octane fuel in hot weather is asking for it. I know, I know; you live on the border in Yuma and it's 130 degrees F at 0600 hours and you've never run anything but 87 octane cut with water 50/50. Never had the first problem and the bike 380,000 miles on it. I call bullshit; that or you're deaf. I've ridden a Harley all over this continent and have had to use low octane fuel because there wasn't anything else (the Rockies, Mexico, Canada and northern Alaska). There is a difference.
A couple of guys have hit it on the head with some very good points, but here's the best one. A guy spends good money for a Harley, presumably he did a little research and found that it requires premium fuel; then he bought it. Now, after the deal is consummated he wants run fuel that isn't recommended but "lowers operating costs" because he saw a post on the internet from a guy who knows a guy who's 1st cousin is a bigwig petrochemical engineer at an oil company that he can't name. Anyway, this guy says that gasoline is gasoline and they're just selling you the same stuff no matter what grade you buy.
Run what you want in your machines. I buy and sell used bikes and one of the FIRST things I look for is signs of false economy legacies; that includes internet forum posts.
It's not just compression ratio that warrants the use of 91 or better, cylinder/head temps (higher on air cooled engines) and ignition timing. Can you get away with it? Sure, for a while. Colder ambient temps do reduce one element of the equation, but not all. Running low octane fuel in hot weather is asking for it. I know, I know; you live on the border in Yuma and it's 130 degrees F at 0600 hours and you've never run anything but 87 octane cut with water 50/50. Never had the first problem and the bike 380,000 miles on it. I call bullshit; that or you're deaf. I've ridden a Harley all over this continent and have had to use low octane fuel because there wasn't anything else (the Rockies, Mexico, Canada and northern Alaska). There is a difference.
A couple of guys have hit it on the head with some very good points, but here's the best one. A guy spends good money for a Harley, presumably he did a little research and found that it requires premium fuel; then he bought it. Now, after the deal is consummated he wants run fuel that isn't recommended but "lowers operating costs" because he saw a post on the internet from a guy who knows a guy who's 1st cousin is a bigwig petrochemical engineer at an oil company that he can't name. Anyway, this guy says that gasoline is gasoline and they're just selling you the same stuff no matter what grade you buy.
Run what you want in your machines. I buy and sell used bikes and one of the FIRST things I look for is signs of false economy legacies; that includes internet forum posts.
You can play Russian Roulette and not get shot but keep at it and the anticipated result will eventually prevail.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I agree with what was said on the higher octane fuels and fuel additives. It also depends on the maker of the gas you buy as well. Here's some interesting reading on that
http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html
http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html
Last edited by RKZen; Aug 30, 2014 at 07:33 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 94
From: SE Michigan
Just a side note on top tier fuels. BMW had engine problems in some of their first V8's in the 90's. Part of it was traced to U.S. fuels. They worked to make Techron with Chevron. It's pricey but a little every few tanks really works good.
http://www.techron.com/
http://www.techron.com/
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I'm glad to see some people agree with me and the additional benifits of premium, besides just the octane. Heck, even Marathon uses STP additives in their premium. That's important to me, anyways.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Every coin has two sides...the bad side of premium gas is, most stations never sell any...and the high octane can be quite old and full of water...I have seen several people's bikes start running like crap after a fill-up...something to consider if you are not familiar with the station you are at.
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