So what fuel?

[tigertim20]

possibly a dumb question, have just got my new bike, and have been running it on 91, as thats what the last owner said they ran it on.

I have been trolling through the trademe pages (as you do, always looking for the next beast youll trade up to) and have noticed a few bikes on there the same as mine, but the owners say they run their bike on 95, and another on 98. they are all the same bikes.
So should I be running on 91? she goes fine on 91 since ive had it (only done 200km or so so far though) but I am a tad concerned about detonation, and of course I just want to make sure Im putting the right poison down her throat, its a 1991 CBR 600 F

[The Stranger]

Do you have a manual?
What does that say?

Call Blue Wing Honda and ask perhaps if you don't have a manual and can't find on on line.

Some bikes run better and/or get better fuel economy on 95 or 98. There is no downside to trying the higher octane fuels so why not suck it and see?

[The Pastor]

my guess would be its good for 91. but try a tank full of 98 and see what happens?

note the kms you do bewteen full ups and work out the km/L you get on 91, 95 and 98.

while do that, try riding in lots of differnt situation, hell for leather, suburban/town, crusing etc and see if you notice anything differnt/weird.

i awlays go for 91, simply becuase its cheaper.

[Blackshear]

I have run my girl on 98 since I bought it, and recently topped up with 95 because 98 wasn't at the garage station I HAD to stop at.
It sounds weird, but it seems to run a little better when I give her the full tacho.
Meh, maybe half and half from now on.
I luuuurves the smell of 98.

[Jerry74]

My bike likes 95 ... depends on what you find best.

[90s]

Meh, maybe half and half from now on.

Of course you know that's a joke, as petrols don't mix but form layers due ot the different densities (ie. if you filled with all three petrols they would float in three layers in your tank ... although whether they are all really what they claim to be is another story ...)


Search the forums and you will find there have been MASSIVE threads on this question before. I ran my bike on 95 for a year a logged every fuel stop and mileage in excel, and then the second year ran 91. What I found is that in terms of the figures fuel economy is about the same - with maybe 91 being slightly better on general running - and power is about the same - with maybe a very subjective assessment of a little more top-end power on the 95. Since the result of this experiment I have stuck to 91, it being cheaper.

A smiliar experiment on other bikes / cars has found the 91/95/98 change making a huge difference in economy and power, so take advice from other with bikes with the same engine only and run your own tests.

One thing that came up with lots on detail in previous threads was the apparent differences in fuels between some of the petrol chains - worth looking up.

[madbikeboy]

I run 95/98. I get better economy, and less chance of nastiness happening.

[breakaway]

^ With newer (EFI) bikes doesn't the ECU compensate if it finds that it's knocking/detonating?

[dipshit]

^ With newer (EFI) bikes doesn't the ECU compensate if it finds that it's knocking/detonating?

I don't think many EFI bikes have knock sensors and can adjust for different octane like cars do...???

[Squid]

I used to run 98 in my 1990 gixxa. If you ran it on 91 it really hated it and would splutter and fart around once it warmed up :(

Also 98 is good to have on hand if you need to make a molotive cocktail or somthing. :shifty:

[dipshit]

This is a comparison of 95 vs 98 in some various cars....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaPQLV5i4ks

[The Stranger]

^ With newer (EFI) bikes doesn't the ECU compensate if it finds that it's knocking/detonating?

The Blackbird has a knock sensor.
I believe that this is why it ran so much better and was cheaper to run on 98.

[Skyryder]

Looks like shell came out on top one way or the other. So what's this optomax??

Skyryder

[dipshit]

So what's this optomax??

It's what they were calling their higher octane petrol before V-power.

It Britain it was 97.

[disenfranchised]

Also 98 is good to have on hand if you need to make a molotive cocktail or somthing. :shifty:

Don't you have that the wrong way round?
Higher octane means its harder to ignite...hence less likely to self ignite under compression in the cylinder.

You want some of that low grade 88 octane stuff they sell in asia...that'll burn real nice!!

[disenfranchised]

Looks like shell came out on top one way or the other.

Shame they might be getting out of the NZ market then
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4846024a13.html

[mujambee]

if you have a friend you can trust you can try a little experiment:

Give him a bunch of money and have him allways refuel your bike without telling you what did he put each time. He keeps a log of what he puts every time and you keep yours of what do you believe he put.

I bet you won't be able to find out.

[Blackshear]

Of course you know that's a joke, as petrols don't mix but form layers due ot the different densities (ie. if you filled with all three petrols they would float in three layers in your tank ... although whether they are all really what they claim to be is another story ...)


Obviously you haven't had a stern talking to the mixture of petrol in your tank.
"Look guys, I know you're all different, but just get along for a while mkay? OR I'LL PUT 91 IN WITH YOU!"

P/t.

[madbikeboy]

^ With newer (EFI) bikes doesn't the ECU compensate if it finds that it's knocking/detonating?

If it has knock sensors. Late model BMW cars are a good example, they retard the timing some to prevent detonation, and you can actually feel the difference in power. Few bikes have knock sensors.

[sunhuntin]

used to run 91 in my girl. then switched to 95 on advice from my old boss. i get more milage from a tank of 95 [lasts about 2-3 weeks, compared to 1.5 to 2 weeks if lucky]

wont use 98 simply cos of the cost.

[Squid]

Don't you have that the wrong way round?
Higher octane means its harder to ignite...hence less likely to self ignite under compression in the cylinder.

You want some of that low grade 88 octane stuff they sell in asia...that'll burn real nice!!

Ummmmmmm ok. I should have done some extensve testing before making that comment :Oops:

Though in the bigger scheme of things petrol is still ridiculously easy to light. :eek5: