Which petrol station do you use?

[SILVER SUZI]

Tried running the R1 on yacht fuel once. Didn't work! Normally use BP as thety have 98, and it's convienient. Always thought the bike ran better on 98 then on 95. That might all be in my head though................ god knows there's nothing else in there.

[Flip]

My bike seems to run a bit wee better on BP 98 but I won't go out of my way to find it. Won't go to imMobil, got 1/4 a tank full of water from Mobil Levin and they (head office) were f**kers about it, had to pay for the bike to be transported back to Wtn and to have the fuel system cleaned.
In most cases the fuel all comes from one tank. In Auckland Caltex and Gull are not party to the Wiri pipe line agreement so have to truck-ship in fuel. In Christchurch all the fuel comes through Mobil because they own the port hills pipeline, who owns what is just a stock keeping exercise. Nozzle operates most of the smaller terminals around the country, so most of the 91-95 is the same stuff.
NZ actually has some quite average (poor) fuel quality standards and there is only one man in the MOC to police the fuel regulations. Most of the imported fuel is very good quality as it is brought "on the water" and meets higher international standards.
One wee hint is Valvemaster is a great fuel system cleaner, it was originally developed and sold as this. It was found almost by accident that it prevented valve seat erosion.
I don’t believe that the stuff Shell stick in does sweet bugger all at the concentrations they add it. It's just marketing hype, its added for point of difference reasons.
Do you know that none of the fuel companies filter their fuel? The dispenser does have a strainer to stop nuts and bolts jamming up the pump and meter, but when you go to the service station you get fuel complete with all the pipe scale, tank rust and dirt that have blown in the fill hatch/dip tube right from the refinery, shipping, terminal, trucking and retail sites. Just think what ends up in the drop hoses when they are left on the side of the tanker. I have a fine gauze filter in the filler in my vintage bike and it is often full of crap after I fill the bike. I believe now days that most of that small dark shit that slowly blocks your fuel filter came in with the fuel. The reason they don’t filter is two fold: They can’t be bothered changing the filters and by putting a filter it might indicate or raise the spectre that the fuel is not clean and out of specification.

[p.dath]

Got any stats to back that up. I've been told often that the higher octane should give more ks per litre but everytime I try to keep records of usage it works out I'm just paying more for the same mileage. Never tried the touring comparison though, figure 50ks per commute should have shown a difference if there was one.

I can only speak for my car. It has EFI and a knock sensor, and *can* make use of higher octane fuels.
My fuel economy does improve going from 91 to 98 octane *however* the $/km is higher, because 98 costs so much more. So I choose to use 91, even though the fuel economy is worse, because it costs me less per km to run the car.

Excuse my ignorance....but is it ok on your engine to swap gas octanes. Or do I need to double check with manufacturers first?

You can use a higher octane petrol intended for standard vehicles, just not a lower octane.

[Maha]

Shell mainly, only because its at the end of the road.
Gull (we have two within 10 ks of here) are 1c per litre cheaper than Shell/Mobil around here so I will use them when I can. doesnt sound much of a saving but, if they stay 1c cheaper for a year at least, that will be a $250 (of there abouts) saving.

[Spearfish]

Now that is over 2.18 I tend to use those supermarket vouchers with up to 25c off up to 100 ltrs.
Get a car load then "jerry can" some for the bikes. Easier with small bikes with small thirsts I guess.

[oneofsix]

I can only speak for my car. It has EFI and a knock sensor, and *can* make use of higher octane fuels.
My fuel economy does improve going from 91 to 98 octane *however* the $/km is higher, because 98 costs so much more. So I choose to use 91, even though the fuel economy is worse, because it costs me less per km to run the car.

Fuel economy verses economy of fuel ($) Still have to fill every 3rd day so better to pay less Don't need the power advantage if any.

[BoristheBiter]

I have found G.A.S. seems to make the bike run better but i get more mileage from shell.
I will not use any others unless there is nothing else available.
Caltex charge you to use visa and i just don't like the others.

I guess its a bit like the Macdonald's/burger king/wendys thing, you pay heaps for a shit product.

[Spearfish]

I guess its a bit like the Macdonald's/burger king/wendys thing, you pay heaps for a shit product.

I cant go past a burger fuel "Bastard", If only they sold fuel.......fill up twice a week.......larger girth riding gear need inside a month!!!

[Edbear]

More difference between RON rating than brand. I do think Gull 98 Blend is the best I've used. For some reason, even trying to be completely objective, my bike especially, but also the cars, (Pulsar and MX5), seem to definitely have more grunt on it.

[Whynot]

I cant go past a burger fuel "Bastard"

Agreed, great burger that one!!

[imdying]

he recommend was Shell

Shell fucked a lot of cars back in the day when they changed their petrol but would never admit to it (read never paid for the damage they did), so you pays your money and takes your chance.

I go wherever is open, doesn't bother or interest me in the slightest (which brand I'm buying).

[jasonu]

I often hate the B.P. though. All I want is to pay my $20, but I have to wait while the servo guy makes a soy latte double mocha something for the hipster who got in in front of me. (Sell the damn petrol first, bastards, then the coffee.)


Filled up on Ethanol mix from Gull in Napier or Hastings a few Months back.

WOT, the attendant makes the coffee for you? No self serve coffee counter?
Talk about dark ages...


My pick up has a mileage computer whick I keep a close eye on because I am a total Jew. I have tried all types of gas from different stations and have never noticed any difference in MPG or performance so I buy the cheapest gas in town every time. Arco AMPM (which I think is Mobil) and you can make your own coffee there too!

[Clockwork]

...
Caltex charge you to use visa and i just don't like the others.

Is that across all stations or just by retailer? I stopped using BP when they pulled that stunt, I've often wondered if they still do it. I use Shell these days but then they are the most convenient to my routes.

[p.dath]

SHELL makes the engines in all three of our bikes go the best.Mobil gunges everything up and makes em run like hairy arsed dogs.
BP, smells bad and also makes em run rough, don't know the technicalities but thats what I've found over the years.

Any chance it is to do with the retailer you are buying the fuel from, as opposed to the brand of fuel?

I have found G.A.S. seems to make the bike run better but i get more mileage from shell.

BP and G.A.S are related. BP owned stations carry the BP brand. BP franchises not owned by BP are branded G.A.S. Same petrol tanker though.

[steve_t]

BP and G.A.S are related. BP owned stations carry the BP brand. BP franchises not owned by BP are branded G.A.S. Same petrol tanker though.

There is an independently owned BP here in Hamiltron on Te Rapa Straight. They're the only one in Hamz I think. And they're the only one that charges the credit card surcharge