Different fuel types?

[The End]

My bike, the Hornet 900, is commonly known to run quite rich.

It also produces a stinky exhaust smell which I can only describe as smelling like unburnt fuel. Some people in the USA have reported using a lower octane fuel reduces this issue.

I have exlusively used 91 since I have owned this bike.

Are there any reasons for a motorcycle not to use different fuel stations such as Gull, GAS ALLEY, or CHALLENGE? I've never used them previously, and 90% of the time I will use Z - from what I've read online, some people claim they use different fuel compounds/'ingredients'?

For reference, my exhausts get pretty sooty - the numberplate and tail tidy are pretty black & yellowish too:
317065

[Moise]

I can't comment on how your bike runs. But all 91 sold in Auckland except Gull comes down the pipeline from the refinery at Marsden Point. Gull import their petrol.

Different brands may have their own additive package, eg Caltex Techron, but the petrol will be the same.

[p.dath]

It has fuel injection doesn't it? It sounds like the mixture is not right. Perhaps the O2 sensor is not working correctly (which helps decide how much furl to inject in).

[Mike.Gayner]

I'm not fussy about petrol, just delivery. I only buy petrol locally from stations that let me pay at the pump. Obviously often this isn't an option in the wops somewhere though.

[nzspokes]

It has fuel injection doesn't it? It sounds like the mixture is not right. Perhaps the O2 sensor is not working correctly (which helps decide how much furl to inject in).

they don't have an O2 sensor. HTH.

[bogan]

If you can smell it, it may well mean its the idle mix, so adjusting the fuel screws might be help. First check, cos it's easy, give it a few revs (somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 revs) and see how they drop back to idle, if the mix is wrong it will hang above idles revs for a little bit, or dip below them before recovering back up; if it's good it'll just drop quickly/smoothly right to idle rpm (make sure bike is warm and idle set correctly before doing this obviously).

[Maha]

I can't comment on how your bike runs. But all 91 sold in Auckland except Gull comes down the pipeline from the refinery at Marsden Point. Gull import their petrol.

Different brands may have their own additive package, eg Caltex Techron, but the petrol will be the same.

...and Gull are continually the cheapest fuel around $1:71 in Rotorua on Monday. I'll fill the car with Gull fuel no problem.
All fuel comes down the same pipe from Marsden to Wiri, where it is then separated and tweaked to (as you say) brand specification.

I am not fussy on what 91 fuel goes into the bike.

[FJRider]

My bike, the Hornet 900, is commonly known to run quite rich.

It also produces a stinky exhaust smell which I can only describe as smelling like unburnt fuel. Some people in the USA have reported using a lower octane fuel reduces this issue.

The most common issue that causes running rich is a dirty air filter ...


I have exlusively used 91 since I have owned this bike.

As do I on my 1200 ...


For reference, my exhausts get pretty sooty - the numberplate and tail tidy are pretty black & yellowish too:


It is the unleaded petrol that causes the "Sooty" thing ...

[onearmedbandit]

I wouldn't put 91 in my lawn mower. Spoken to a couple of industry insiders and the quality of that fuel has convinced me to run 95.

[Moise]

I wouldn't put 91 in my lawn mower. Spoken to a couple of industry insiders and the quality of that fuel has convinced me to run 95.
That's another story! At present, it can only refine about half of NZ's petrol, so if you live far enough south, you'll be buying imported, better quality product.

Petrol quality should improve after the latest upgrade is completed later this year but in the meantime, use Gull if you're running 91. I assume Gull have stopped adding butane to it since they got pinged ...

[The End]

The most common issue that causes running rich is a dirty air filter ...



I've tried filter as is, cleaned filter, no filter, rag as a filter and no improvements from any of them.

[EJK]

Are there any reasons for a motorcycle not to use different fuel stations such as Gull, GAS ALLEY, or CHALLENGE? I've never used them previously, and 90% of the time I will use Z - from what I've read online, some people claim they use different fuel compounds/'ingredients'?

Yep, Ferrari juice.

[p.dath]

they don't have an O2 sensor. HTH.

Wow that is interesting. So does the FI system have any feedback system to adjust fuelling?

[p.dath]

Dumb question. What condition is the air filter in? Perhaps it is all clogged up, starving the bike of air, making the system fuel rich, causing un-burnt fuel smell at the exhaust.

Oops, just spotted the air filter comment further up the page. The bike doesn't have a power commander or anything on it adjusting the fuel mapping?

[p.dath]

Another thought just went through my head, Perhaps something has changed the airflow rate through the engine. Does the bike have a standard exhaust, or an after market exhaust?

[EJK]

Another thought just went through my head, Perhaps something has changed the airflow rate through the engine. Does the bike have a standard exhaust, or an after market exhaust?

Obviously aftermarket exhaust installed with cat converter removed but fuel map not properly setup for reduced back pressure, hence running rich. Had the exact same symptoms with my old ZX10R. Exhaust ran dirty but sounded nice tho.

Solution? Petrol station has nothing to do with it. Get a PC5 and dyno tune it or something fancy.

[Big Dog]

I wouldn't put 91 in my lawn mower. Spoken to a couple of industry insiders and the quality of that fuel has convinced me to run 95.
Most lawnmowers sound like a sack of hammers and spanners being dragged down stairs on 91. Most are tuned for 95+.


Sent via tapatalk.

[onearmedbandit]

Most lawnmowers sound like a sack of hammers and spanners being dragged down stairs on 91. Most are tuned for 95+.


Sent via tapatalk.

It's an expression, but the point remains the same.

[Big Dog]

This is sounds a little out there to me but greater minds than mine seem to agree...

Off the air box on many injected bikes is a little drain pipe. On carbed bikes this used to drain onto the back wheel. On injected bikes I have owned it goes to a tube with a means of blocking it.
On the hayabusa it was a tap on the CB it is just pinched of and you need to pull the thing off to empty it.

When this is full fuel economy is affected as the bike runs rich.

I don't get it and maybe someone smarter than I can explain... I just do as I'm told and empty it every service and check it after any particularly heavy rain while riding.

Sent via tapatalk.

[BikerChick101]

My old gs500 always seemed to run the best on caltex 91, anything else and it would start running rough almost instantly (when filled from almost empty). I was told it was something to do with the company's additives. You just notice it more with a bike than a car because their engines are more sensitive

Sent from my 0PJA10 using Tapatalk

[The End]

Obviously aftermarket exhaust installed with cat converter removed but fuel map not properly setup for reduced back pressure, hence running rich. Had the exact same symptoms with my old ZX10R. Exhaust ran dirty but sounded nice tho.

Solution? Petrol station has nothing to do with it. Get a PC5 and dyno tune it or something fancy.


Another thought just went through my head, Perhaps something has changed the airflow rate through the engine. Does the bike have a standard exhaust, or an after market exhaust?


Hornet owners around the world have the same issue I am facing - all with varying levels of modifications or completely stock bikes.

My bike had this issue when completely stock, and still has the issue with aftermarket cans - no difference between the two.

I've been advised from Honda NZ that my model doesn't have a cat converter.

I'm just going through a list of things to try and fix it, before moving to something like getting a PC3 and Dyno tuning it, which will cost a sh*t load of money from what I've been quoted - and the great thing is that it doesn't even fix the smell for some people.

[Tazz]

I notice a difference between fuel brands on my WR. The bitch does way more back firing from Challenge 95 than any other brand. Could be worth trying a different flavours just for shits and giggles.


Obviously aftermarket exhaust installed with cat converter removed but fuel map not properly setup for reduced back pressure, hence running rich. Had the exact same problem with my old ZX10R.

Solution? Petrol station has nothing to do with it. Get a PC5 and dyno tune it or something fancy.


<img src="http://theawesomedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/elementar-meu-caro-watson.jpg"

[Akzle]

one choons one bikes for ones fuel. Rather than detunes ones fuel for ones bike.

96 all the time. Calories are good.

[nzspokes]

Wow that is interesting. So does the FI system have any feedback system to adjust fuelling?

Yes via airbox and water temp. Its a basic system.

[nzspokes]

Hornet owners around the world have the same issue I am facing - all with varying levels of modifications or completely stock bikes.

My bike had this issue when completely stock, and still has the issue with aftermarket cans - no difference between the two.

I've been advised from Honda NZ that my model doesn't have a cat converter.

I'm just going through a list of things to try and fix it, before moving to something like getting a PC3 and Dyno tuning it, which will cost a sh*t load of money from what I've been quoted - and the great thing is that it doesn't even fix the smell for some people.

You know the fix, but you havent done it.

[The End]

You know the fix, but you havent done it.

$$ and it doesn't fix the smell issue, only relocates it. :facepalm:

I've got a thermostat on order, and am going to try that first as it is cheap compared to the other options...

[Gremlin]

Yeah, mine has always been a touch rich, talking 100k over 8 odd years. I leave it as is... not a major except the plate gets dirty from the swirling behind.

Running a K&N air filter, aftermarket exhausts with probably not much baffle left... As you've said, fixing it costs plenty, hence leaving it. It's an older design so it's not going to be as fuel efficient.

I run it on 91 exclusively (Caltex almost all the time) and wouldn't touch any brand with ethanol in it.

[The End]

As you've said, fixing it costs plenty, hence leaving it. It's an older design so it's not going to be as fuel efficient.

For me the fuel efficiency isn't a worry.

The biggest reason I cannot justify the low mount exhaust mod is the cost - its a big project.

It also doesn't fix the exhaust smell, it just relocates it - meaning at traffic lights you are still getting a stinky exhaust smell on your clothes.

Blows my mind that after all these years no one has found a cause/fix on this bike...

[Gremlin]

Blows my mind that after all these years no one has found a cause/fix on this bike...
I have exhausts that look stock (heat shield over the top as well). Dirty air goes out the back and I never have an issue... well, I always have a top box, so maybe this affects things?

[The End]

I have exhausts that look stock (heat shield over the top as well). Dirty air goes out the back and I never have an issue... well, I always have a top box, so maybe this affects things?

Keep in mind some people get it the smell and other's do not. If you ever want proof of how bad the smell is, feel free to come and smell my jacket/bags some time

[nzspokes]

For me the fuel efficiency isn't a worry.

The biggest reason I cannot justify the low mount exhaust mod is the cost - its a big project.

It also doesn't fix the exhaust smell, it just relocates it - meaning at traffic lights you are still getting a stinky exhaust smell on your clothes.

Blows my mind that after all these years no one has found a cause/fix on this bike...

Cost me about $200.

[The End]

Cost me about $200.

2 muffler shops quoted me >$600. Custom chambers was slightly lower at $500. Plus the cost of a extra header set to have the option of going back to stock.

Maybe I should go to repco and buy some welding equipment and give it a go with a few beersies :eek:

[schrodingers cat]

2 muffler shops quoted me >$600. Custom chambers was slightly lower at $500. Plus the cost of a extra header set to have the option of going back to stock.

Maybe I should go to repco and buy some welding equipment and give it a go with a few beersies :eek:

Please do. Takes lots of photos and post it all.
When I've have a bad day and need a good laugh I'll check in

[The End]

Please do. Takes lots of photos and post it all.
When I've have a bad day and need a good laugh I'll check in

We'll see

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[caspernz]

I wouldn't put 91 in my lawn mower. Spoken to a couple of industry insiders and the quality of that fuel has convinced me to run 95.

Yeah well, I've been hauling fuel since the late 90s and the above I learned in the first week...:innocent::shutup:

[onearmedbandit]

Yeah well, I've been hauling fuel since the late 90s and the above I learned in the first week...:innocent::shutup:

And there you go.

[p.dath]

Another thought. If the input air flow and fuel is fine, then perhaps the fuel burn is the problem. Has it definitely got the right spark plugs in it, and are the spark plugs in good condition?

[The End]

Another thought. If the input air flow and fuel is fine, then perhaps the fuel burn is the problem. Has it definitely got the right spark plugs in it, and are the spark plugs in good condition?

Yeah definitely the right spark plugs, they were last changed around 6000kms ago, with the bike having done a total of 44,000kms. The previous plugs were in near perfect condition.