Grade Of Fuel Poll

glider · 08-07-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdraayom

I usually run premium in my 1998 RK, but i just purchased a HD service manual and it advises to use "regular" leaded or unleaded of at least 87 octane. So why the push for premium?

If you go back a ways to when that manual was produced, the regular of those days was probably close to the premium of today. Scrimping on the octane in the bike could cost you much $$ in the future with repairs due to low grade fuel.
Proof of the pudding is in this statement..."it advises to use "regular" leaded or unleaded". When did you fill up with leaded last? Tetra ethyl lead of years past will allow you to use a lower octane than the unleaded fuel of today also.

mrs2cool · 08-07-2008, 06:43 PM

I use only 93 octane and also add an oz. of Stabile every other tank full. It really seems to cut back that "sputtering" the Sportster seems to be famous for.Guess it helps keep the Carburator cleaner from all the (edit) gas they sell these days.

softailsteve · 08-08-2008, 02:21 AM

nothing but 93 a friend of mine accidently put 89 octane regular in his 04 1200 custom it ran like crap till he burned it out

enormousdwarf · 08-08-2008, 03:16 AM

I've tried all the different grades and even looked in the book. The book calls for 87 octane. I normally run the 89 and haven't really noticed any difference in the way the bike runs.

ramnj · 08-10-2008, 11:19 PM

I voted 93 Octane. The owners manual says to use 91, but here in NJ there's no 91.

Moose · 08-12-2008, 11:53 AM

Usually run 91 octane, nothing lower, but will use 93 if I find it.

smitty901 · 08-22-2008, 09:33 AM

This year I have been making the same ride alot 160 miles one way, same load same bike.
SO I decide to use the ride as away to compare dfferent things on my 07 RG.
Fuel I tried BP 93 on a bunch of trips no Ethanol.
Then Kwik trip 91 with 10% Ethanol. This is the 1 I use most of the time anyway. I like thier coffee.
Then Shell 93.
NO difference bike ran the same on all 3 milage any difference at all was in .01% range.
No ping with any of them.
I have done the same thing with my 96 Fb and results were the same.
This was also tested with and without the Xied's installed the bike ran a little bit stronger on the Xieds.And mileage went down equaly with all 3 with them in.

Slick02 · 08-23-2008, 01:33 AM

Midrange for a couple tanks a week from a Top Tier Station

Top Tier Gasoline

NEWHD74FAN · 08-25-2008, 03:49 AM

91 Octane (Premium) is what is factory recommended, though even with this I notice that if you accelerate in too high a gear w/ my 2004 (carbureted) you will hear pinging telling you to back off or gear down. Most modern bikes, especially those electronic ignition (especially with fuel injection) come with "anti-knock" sensing that will back off the timing/fuel injection mapping so detonation/destruction will not be as great an issue as in the past, but you will have to gear down if you use lower octane gas.

Romain · 08-25-2008, 11:01 AM

I guess we are lucky here in the UK and Europe to have higher octane rating (or is it measured differently?).
The price difference isn't that great specially in proportion to the basic fuel price.
Nothing's too good for my machine.

View Poll Results: Grade Of Fuel Used
Hi Test Only (93)	174	74.04%
Mid Grade Only (91)	46	19.57%
Lower Grade Only (89)	11	4.68%
Low Grade Only (87)	3	1.28%
Doesn't Matter To Me	1	0.43%
Voters: 235. You may not vote on this poll

08-07-2008, 06:43 PM	#62 (permalink)
mrs2cool Warming The Wheels Ride: SportsterXL883L Join Date: 2008, Jul 31 Location: Northwest New Jersey Posts: 85 My Mood:	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll I use only 93 octane and also add an oz. of Stabile every other tank full. It really seems to cut back that "sputtering" the Sportster seems to be famous for.Guess it helps keep the Carburator cleaner from all the (edit) gas they sell these days. Last edited by glider : 08-07-2008 at 09:33 PM.

08-08-2008, 02:21 AM	#63 (permalink)
softailsteve Warming The Wheels Ride: 2006 fxst Join Date: 2008, Aug 02 Posts: 67	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll nothing but 93 a friend of mine accidently put 89 octane regular in his 04 1200 custom it ran like crap till he burned it out

08-08-2008, 03:16 AM	#64 (permalink)
enormousdwarf Start The Engine Ride: 1997 FLSTF Fatboy Join Date: 2008, Jul 19 Posts: 22	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll I've tried all the different grades and even looked in the book. The book calls for 87 octane. I normally run the 89 and haven't really noticed any difference in the way the bike runs. __________________ Enormousdwarf

08-10-2008, 11:19 PM	#65 (permalink)
ramnj New Family Ride: 2005 Fat Boy Anniversary Join Date: 2008, Jul 06 Posts: 9	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll I voted 93 Octane. The owners manual says to use 91, but here in NJ there's no 91.

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08-12-2008, 11:53 AM	#66 (permalink)
Moose Start The Engine Ride: 2006 Night Train Join Date: 2008, Jun 27 Location: Iowa Posts: 46	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll Usually run 91 octane, nothing lower, but will use 93 if I find it.

08-22-2008, 09:33 AM	#67 (permalink)
smitty901 Moderators Ride: 2007 Road glide Join Date: 2008, Jan 01 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,153 My Mood:	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll This year I have been making the same ride alot 160 miles one way, same load same bike. SO I decide to use the ride as away to compare dfferent things on my 07 RG. Fuel I tried BP 93 on a bunch of trips no Ethanol. Then Kwik trip 91 with 10% Ethanol. This is the 1 I use most of the time anyway. I like thier coffee. Then Shell 93. NO difference bike ran the same on all 3 milage any difference at all was in .01% range. No ping with any of them. I have done the same thing with my 96 Fb and results were the same. This was also tested with and without the Xied's installed the bike ran a little bit stronger on the Xieds.And mileage went down equaly with all 3 with them in. __________________ The Infantry leads the way Last edited by smitty901 : 08-22-2008 at 09:48 AM.

08-23-2008, 01:33 AM	#68 (permalink)
Slick02 Start The Engine Ride: 02 Heritage Join Date: 2008, Jul 22 Posts: 17	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll Midrange for a couple tanks a week from a Top Tier Station Top Tier Gasoline __________________ I respect that you have an opinion. Don't confuse that respect with really giving a crap what it is

08-25-2008, 03:49 AM	#69 (permalink)
NEWHD74FAN Community Star Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: 2008, Aug 24 Location: Camarillo Posts: 404 My Mood:	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll 91 Octane (Premium) is what is factory recommended, though even with this I notice that if you accelerate in too high a gear w/ my 2004 (carbureted) you will hear pinging telling you to back off or gear down. Most modern bikes, especially those electronic ignition (especially with fuel injection) come with "anti-knock" sensing that will back off the timing/fuel injection mapping so detonation/destruction will not be as great an issue as in the past, but you will have to gear down if you use lower octane gas.

08-25-2008, 11:01 AM	#70 (permalink)
Romain Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Sportster XL1200C Join Date: 2008, Aug 24 Posts: 111 My Mood:	Re: Grade Of Fuel Poll I guess we are lucky here in the UK and Europe to have higher octane rating (or is it measured differently?). The price difference isn't that great specially in proportion to the basic fuel price. Nothing's too good for my machine.

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Grade Of Fuel Poll

Engine and Fuel