Best Fuel?

[SuperDave]

I was curious as to what fuel (octane rating and brand) others prefer to use. Those who do have a definate preferance to a particular fuel, why so?

I was wondering what the best brand of fuel was to use in my bike.

[rodgerd]

I was wondering what the best brand of fuel was to use in my bike.

Generally what the manufacturer recommends, or as close to it as you can get.

[Zapf]

there is no best brands as I have learnt from my car days. Every engine likes different fuels. Some engines that are designed to run on lower octane runs no better on better fuel.

Its a matter of trial and error I say.

[Two Smoker]

This has been done a few times before.... 91 octane is the cleanest fuel (other than 98 octane from Gull or Mobil, i think)

Safest to use what the manufacture recommends.....

But Nicko uses 91 octane in his 600, and still does 1:01's around Puke, so HP doesnt really come into it.....

[Frankie]

HP only comes into it is if ur engine is made to run on 96 and ur using 91 and getting some detonation then ull loose a big of power used 91 but generally not much

[DarkNinja]

i accidentaly filled my bike up with 91 the other week(i use 91 for my cage), it atually made a hell of a diff, there was so much more response to the throttle than with the 96 which i put in this morning just to double check, and sure enough its different throttle response.
I've filled it completely to the top so im gonna see what kind of economics each one has coz it made heaps of diff to my car to change to 91 over 96, so much cheaper.
DN

[The Pastor]

I like mobiel's petrol, its very clean :) I want to try BP's one but dont have one near by to try it

[Blakamin]

I normally run BP 98 but i might change to 91 next tank and see what happens... the yamaha like 96 the best, the honda loved 98... will have to see what the Duc prefers

[SuperDave]

Thanks for the comments, looks like it seems to be the best just to try them out and see for oneself. My handbook says 96 octane or higher, and I've only filled up with premium at Gull and Mobil, maybe ill try that 98 from BP you guys mentioned.

[Moffy]

I run my Bandit on 91 (manual recomends 91 or higher) with no problems. Have never tried 96 or 98 as I wasn't sure if the higher octanes could damage the engine. Since I've only now bothered to read the manual I may as well give 96 a go. I've not found any differences between brands.

[StoneChucker]

The manual is the book to follow. As I see it, if it says 91 or higher, then use whatever you like, 91, 96, 98, whatever. If your book says 96 or higher, using 91 would be reckless imho, and against the manufacturers reccomendations, a possible hurdle in warrantys if anything goes wrong :shit:

[JohnBoy]

i normally run what ever i find the bike to run best on.
i have found that:
91, get better top end and easier starting in winter
96, better bottom end power
98, running more smoothly and warming up faster
AV gas is best run as a mix (say 40 -60 98octane) and runs slightly better than 98.
this is only my opinion from riding over the years and from owning many bikes.
i personally run my bike on 98, where availible or if i am feeling rich and going on the track (the "legal" part) i will run a mix of AV gas and 98 octane

[JohnBoy]

I normally run BP 98 but i might change to 91 next tank and see what happens... will have to see what the Duc prefers
last bike i had was a 600SS, and when i first brought it ran on 91... mind you like a hairy goat compared.
sorry, but those bikes have a thrist for the expensive stuff. :apint:

[Zapf]

people have issues running AV gas in their cars, cause AV gas burns much slower and hence create more heat in your engine. Have know to caused burnt valves and melted stuff...

[Indiana_Jones]

Rubbish, with my back to future II engine :msn-wink: .........I Wish lol
But I use Unleaded 91, though my manual says I can use 96, would that make a difference performance wise?

-Indy

[scumdog]

Pemium in the Sporty - the book sez to use it!

Avgas in the Big Fast Lorry (my '55 F100 hot rod) 'cause it's engine came from the '70s, 11:1 compression etc.

Only thing I use regular in is the lawn-mower. Oh, and washing greasy bits.

Had no end of trouble in my old iron sporty when unleaded came out, regardless if I used super or regular.

[SuperDave]

I have actually usually been running premium from either Gull or Mobil. My manual suggests 96 octane or higher. I filled up with 98 from BP yesterday, I think I've noticed a power difference but maybe I'm just seeing what I want to see.

Would that extra 1-2 octane rating make any noticable difference? Or are they just different colours.

[avgas]

i actually found a 50/50 mix of avgas was good for any vehicle - it does heat up, but it also burns all the crap that builds up in the motor, sort of metamucil for your bike ;)
Where can we get avgas in auckland? do you need a racing license?
You dont notice the difference of octance till you buy a big single - good luck on comfortably running 91 in that. Unless you like vibrating :cold:

[Deano]

Ive tried 98 but didn't really notice a difference over 96.

Cycosis swears by 98, and if using 96 will chuck in an octane boost tablet. He says it is like his bike is on speed.....maybe thats his secret..... Nah he's just cyco.

[sAsLEX]

i actually found a 50/50 mix of avgas was good for any vehicle - it does heat up, but it also burns all the crap that builds up in the motor, sort of metamucil for your bike ;)
Where can we get avgas in auckland? do you need a racing license?
You dont notice the difference of octance till you buy a big single - good luck on comfortably running 91 in that. Unless you like vibrating :cold:

petrol station in kumeu (sp??) out west sells it

[Blakamin]

Ive tried 98 but didn't really notice a difference over 96.

Cycosis swears by 98, and if using 96 will chuck in an octane boost tablet. He says it is like his bike is on speed.....maybe thats his secret..... Nah he's just cyco.
had a half a tank of 98 left last week and put 91 in.... no diff... filled up thursday and put all 91 in...heaps better!!!!... weird! but i wont complain...saves me a whole dallar fiddy once a week!..lol

[Teflon]

VTR i have at the moment is only bike i've owned that is fussy on octane rating.

96 fuel, after a hard ride, back fires runs like shit. fuel up with 91, same situation, bikes alot more civil.

[Deano]

had a half a tank of 98 left last week and put 91 in.... no diff... filled up thursday and put all 91 in...heaps better!!!!... weird! but i wont complain...saves me a whole dallar fiddy once a week!..lol

Put the $1.50 in a jar and save em up mate - you might need them when she needs a service.....thats part of the reason I traded my 900ss in for the SP1, that and the extra 40 odd horsepower. :2thumbsup

[Sniper]

Put the $1.50 in a jar and save em up mate - you might need them when she needs a service.....thats part of the reason I traded my 900ss in for the SP1, that and the extra 40 odd horsepower. :2thumbsup

Very true, rather do what the handbook says, or you might have a fair amount of costs on your hands.

I had when I took my RGR in for a tune up and I thought it ran on 91 better. :brick: It did but the wear on the motor wasnt too impressive. Too much carbon build up, fuel not burning correctly downgrades seal. It was a bloody mess :argh: :brick:

:Oops:

[vifferman]

Why do we keep having this thread? :doh:

Look, peoples:

The higher octane rating means the fuel is less prone to pre-igniting ("pinking"). Unless your engine is high-compression and the manufacturer specifically calls for high octane, you're wasting your time and money using high-octane petrol. If your bike must drink 95 RON, then use Gull's 97 (?), and if it must have higher than that, use BP's Ultimate.
Most high-octane fuels apart from imported refined fuels (BP 98, and Gull's fuels) are loaded with toluene and xylene, which burns dirty, and does your engine no good.
Motorcyle engine management systems are usually unable to adjust to different fuels (no EGO sensor), so apart from reducing pinking by running high-octane petrol, you're better off with the lowest octane rating your bike is happy with, as it will give MORE power than the slower-igniting high octane fuels, won't soot up the plugs and rings, won't wreck rubber/platic components, and will cost less.

If you're really concerned about what fuel to use, then (a) find out what is recommended for your machine; (b) do some research on the Interweb to find out about octane ratings, and (c) don't bother asking other people - the 'info' you get will be anecdotal, subjective and unscientific. "Feels faster", "runs smoother", "accelerates more quickerer" is never quantified, and therefore almost useless.

Hope this helps.

[vifferman]

VTR i have at the moment is only bike i've owned that is fussy on octane rating.

96 fuel, after a hard ride, back fires runs like shit. fuel up with 91, same situation, bikes alot more civil.The 96 will be fouling the plugs - they are small and gum up easily.
Also - have you checked the setting of your TPS? They come from the factory set much higher than Honda itself recommends (500-600 ohm, IIRC), and higher than the optimal setting (430, IIRC).

[Dr Bob]

My bike runs on petrol. Had to stick some petrol from the lawnmower once when I was hard up on cash (back in the student days) and it ran okay on 2 stroke as well (bit smoky though). I think it would probably run on anything, but it doesn't actually run very well on anything - but I guess that is probably a different issue.

[NordieBoy]

Just filled up with 91 for the first time and the Nordie (558cc single) seems to have a better mid-range and far far less popping on the overrun.

:cool2:

I'll have to give it a go in the other one and see what it's like.

[Blakamin]

Put the $1.50 in a jar and save em up mate - you might need them when she needs a service.....
Service??? give it to someone else??? thats what manuals are for!!!

[Deano]

Service??? give it to someone else??? thats what manuals are for!!!

It is good to have the assurance that if the motor goes bang due to incorrectly set up shims or whatever else, you can take it back to the shop who serviced it. Good on you though if you are confident enough to do it yourself.

Another factor is resale value, especially if you trade it in. The shops like to see a qualified service history - I found that out with mine as a mate (very good mechanic) had serviced it and I could only show receipts for parts used.

[inlinefour]

I was curious as to what fuel (octane rating and brand) others prefer to use. Those who do have a definate preferance to a particular fuel, why so?

I was wondering what the best brand of fuel was to use in my bike.

Funny thing is that 7% all comes from up north at Marsden Point, otherwise it comes from overseas. Dunno if any are better, I just prefer it when the price falls. Sounds like some companies put shite into their fuel aka "vortex" etc. But I'm sure it would be fine, if not better without it :blah:

[MSTRS]

The local gurus say that Gull super is best. I just fill her up when she's needing it, but have to say that Gull perhaps does feel better. I get around 290k from a (main)tank when I use Gull so perhaps the 1100 doesn't work as hard on this fuel. Mind you, 140bhp doesn't need to be worked hard to perform.

[The_Ego]

Excuse me if I'm wrong... :finger: :moon: But if bikes are anything like cars, it'll come down to what the engine is tuned to run best on? If a car is tuned to run on 91 then running it on 98 isn't going to make a difference. However if you get it tuned to run on 98 you will have more power/ecconomy. Though if it's tuned to run on 98 and you run it on 91 then chances are detonation is going to damage your engine especially when riding hard/at high revs. If your bike has an engine management ecu then does it have an o2 sensor like cars? If so then running it on Avgas will stuff the o2 sensor and cause havoc with air/fuel mixtures and damage.

Peace :headbang:

[NC]

I use 96, I dunno if it's good for the bike, But it's stopped making funny noises.
Or I'm sure that it was the clowns that were hanging around me.

[Dodgyiti]

It depends a lot on the bike dosent it?
My old Beemers ran on any crap, from meths to super
The Honda is a bit the same, or is it that I don't particually care?? :banana:

[s.langham]

Av-gas is cool :niceone: but Totaly ilegal for road use (plus it more expensive than 98!!) it has an octane rating well over 100 up to 150 depending where you get it.
dunno if they do it to bikes but a car will get green stickered if caught with avgs -you have to flush the fuel system then go for another wof!! and you can fully smell it so dont try bullshtn the cop!! :Oi:

a higher octane fuel can (and will) give higher hp, cleaner running and is better for your motor so long as its tuned for the fuel you are running

the higher octane fuels are better for low temp/ high altitude running ( partly why planes run on av-gas ) so try different mixture while riding along the desert rd and see the difference

[Krusti]

Was at Shell servo the other day.The guy there said that the Shell delivery driver told him that The Gull station ran out of fuel and he filled their tank up! So you never really know what you are getting.