Ordinary 91 or Super 96 Unleaded??

**Ninja51** · 22nd February 2005, 12:10

People have told me that low octane unleaded fuel is crap here in NZ.
Is that necessarily true?
I'm never sure which to use so I switch from one to the other!!
Any advice?

**vifferman** · 22nd February 2005, 12:16

Oh shit - we've had this thread several times before. Do a search and dredge up the threads - I can't be bothered.

Look, if your bike will run OK on 91, then use that, as it will give the most power. If not, run it on either BP Ultimate or Gull 96 (or whatever it is).
The other 95/96 that Shell, BP, Caltex and Mobil sell is just 91 with extra toluene and xylene in it to boost the octane rating. And toluene and xylene is the same thing as paint-brush cleaner, and burns sooty, fouls up plugs, and gives less power (because of the higher octane). Don't use it.

**ManDownUnder** · 22nd February 2005, 12:18

Originally Posted by vifferman

Oh shit - we've had this thread several times before. Do a search and dredge up the threads - I can't be bothered.

Look, if your bike will run OK on 91, then use that, as it will give the most power. If not, run it on either BP Ultimate or Gull 96 (or whatever it is).
The other 95/96 that Shell, BP, Caltex and BP sell is just 91 with extra toluene and xylene in it to boost the octane rating. And toluene and xylene is the same thing as paint-brush cleaner, and burns sooty, fouls up plugs, and gives less power (because of the higher octane). Don't use it.

....Yup....

**ManDownUnder** · 22nd February 2005, 12:19

Originally Posted by Ninja51

People have told me that low octane unleaded fuel is crap here in NZ.
Is that necessarily true?
I'm never sure which to use so I switch from one to the other!!
Any advice?

91 here is fine. The whole "crap" comment may have come about from the list of additives that was being put into it - something that hit the press years ago.

No big deal now, and as was mentioned, use the lowest octance your engine will drink.More grunt in engine AND more money in bank...

go figure!
MDU

**Ninja51** · 22nd February 2005, 12:25

[QUOTE=vifferman]Oh shit - we've had this thread several times before. Do a search and dredge up the threads - I can't be bothered.

Thanks for the advice, but do you often lose your patience with relative newcomers who also "cant be bothered" or dont even think (like me! lol)
to trawl the past threads on here. Sorry to have wasted your time but it begs the question "why did you reply to my question in the first instance?"

**bugjuice** · 22nd February 2005, 12:41

I run 96 all the time. Try Avgas.. that'll work

**Wolf** · 22nd February 2005, 12:49

Originally Posted by bugjuice

I run 96 all the time. Try Avgas.. that'll work

Good quality Corn Liquor will also do at a pinch

**Marmoot** · 22nd February 2005, 13:03

is there any problem with mixing unleaded 91 and a bit of water to save some money?
Ever since I did that my bike starts spluttering every now and then.
The $$$ saving is quite significant, though, as I only have to fill up 75% of my tank and top up the rest with tap water.

The power is a bit down compared with before, though. Am I doing anything wrong?

**vifferman** · 22nd February 2005, 13:04

[QUOTE=Ninja51]

Originally Posted by vifferman

Oh shit - we've had this thread several times before. Do a search and dredge up the threads - I can't be bothered.

Thanks for the advice, but do you often lose your patience with relative newcomers who also "cant be bothered" or dont even think (like me! lol)
to trawl the past threads on here. Sorry to have wasted your time but it begs the question "why did you reply to my question in the first instance?"

Sorry for being a bit terse and grumpy - it's because I'm grumpy.
Did it help, or do you need more info?
Basically, you should run your bike on the lowest octane that is suitable for your bike, as that will give it the most power and cost the least. However, because the 95/96 sold by the Gang of Four is crap, Don't use it.
Generally, as bikes don't usually have knock sensors, they can't benefit from running higher octane gas (i.e., don't adjust the ignition timing to suit), so there's no point. However, if your bike specifies an RON of higher than 91, then running 91 may cause it to 'pink', which is bad for the engine (wrecks the little end bearing, I think), so use either Gull's higher octane fuel, or BP 98 which is imported refined, rather than diluted with crap to boost the octane rating.
Converse to popular opinion, higher octane doesn't mean higher power. Higher octane is used to reduce pre-ignition or knocking in high-compression engines.

Incidentally - does anyone here know what sort of fuel the 2001 VFR800 is supposed to use? I've been having some problems with it when it's very hot - if I stop at an intersection, then take off a moment later, it sounds as though I'm in the wrong gear (cue noises of knocking/pinking). I was going to try some BP Ultimate, but I forgot the BP near home doesn't have it any more.

**vifferman** · 22nd February 2005, 13:05

Originally Posted by Marmoot

is there any problem with mixing unleaded 91 and a bit of water to save some money?
Ever since I did that my bike starts spluttering every now and then.
The $$$ saving is quite significant, though, as I only have to fill up 75% of my tank and top up the rest with tap water.

The power is a bit down compared with before, though. Am I doing anything wrong?

Yes, you should use only distilled water, The silica content of tap water is too high.

**ManDownUnder** · 22nd February 2005, 13:17

Originally Posted by vifferman

Yes, you should use only distilled water, The silica content of tap water is too high.

I thought it was distilled water that would be the problem. Running water is what's needed - it keeps the motor running.

Destilled water would make it stop surely?!?

**Paul in NZ** · 22nd February 2005, 13:18

Originally Posted by vifferman

Incidentally - does anyone here know what sort of fuel the 2001 VFR800 is supposed to use? I've been having some problems with it when it's very hot - if I stop at an intersection, then take off a moment later, it sounds as though I'm in the wrong gear (cue noises of knocking/pinking). I was going to try some BP Ultimate, but I forgot the BP near home doesn't have it any more.

Just a thought. Could be evaporation problems? Ie getting too hot under the tank and it's vaporising the fuel before it gets to the pump or injectors.

Because we get any old bike left over from any old market you could have one built for Alaskan winters or summat. There will be a site for desperate VFR owners such as yourself to investigate these issues in depth methinks? What I mean is, if one does it, I bet a lot of others do and since the VFR attracts a loyal following someone will have the answer.

Paul N

Me? I run mine on 98 when I can get it and 96 when I can't, event then it pinks on a hot day when I swing open dem ole pumpers and try to drown the fires.

**vifferman** · 22nd February 2005, 13:20

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

I thought it was distilled water that would be the problem. Running water is what's needed - it keeps the motor running.

Destilled water would make it stop surely?!?

No, that's bestilled water.
If you want to use running water for more power, you can use tap water, but only if your local tap water is low silica. You'll need a pump, or header tank, or camelbak, or a very long hose in order to keep the water running.

**vifferman** · 22nd February 2005, 13:25

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Just a thought. Could be evaporation problems? Ie getting too hot under the tank and it's vaporising the fuel before it gets to the pump or injectors.

Possibly, but I think it's more likely to be the handy-dandy, emissions-control closed-loop circuit on the EFI, which is running it too lean when I'm tootling along.

Originally Posted by WisePaul, no an Alaskan?

Because we get any old bike left over from any old market you could have one built for Alaskan winters or summat.

It's actually an import from the harsh wilds of the United Kingdom.

Originally Posted by Paul again

There will be a site for desperate VFR owners such as yourself to investigate these issues in depth methinks? What I mean is, if one does it, I bet a lot of others do and since the VFR attracts a loyal following someone will have the answer.

Yeah, there are several, and I belong to three, but apart from the Aussies, they're all in the DepthsOfAlaskan-likeWinter and more interested in discussing the merits of Lemon Pledge and brands of snowblowers than what causes horrible pinking noises. Still, might be worth a try...