Best Fuel?

[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

[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

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.

[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.

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. 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

[vifferman]

Why do we keep having this thread?

Look, peoples:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.