Which petrol station do you use?

**imdying** · 23rd March 2011, 11:28

Originally Posted by jasonu

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

BP employ baristas at their Wild Bean stations don't they?

I don't know much about coffee (hate it 100%) but barista made > self serve, no?

**Jantar** · 23rd March 2011, 11:31

This same question came up on Kiwibiker in 2006 just before I bought my first VStrom. So for 30,000 km I kept an exact record of all fuel used by brand, octane rating and usage. On that bike I discovered that Shell Caltex and BP were similar with a slight advantage to Caltex. Mobil gave very poor results. Also that higher octane ratings gave improved fuel consumtion over lower octane ratings. The bike preffered 95, but would run on 91 as long as I didn't lug the engine. Overall consumption was around 15 km/l

So now I'm on my second VStrom I decided to repeat the exercise. Results are totally different. First off, right from Day 1, the newer VStrom showed improved fuel consumption over the earlier one, and it ran much happier on lower octane fuel.

Results so far for 29505 km covered are:

Fuel type ...... km on fuel ....... Av fuel consumption
BP 91 .......... 6575 km .......... 16.5 km/l
BP 98 .......... 962 km .......... 16.0 km/l
Caltex 91 ..... 6063 km .......... 16.9 km/l
Caltex 95 ..... 4878 km .......... 16.5 km/l
Challenge 91 . 2537 km ......... 15.9 km/l
Challenge 95 . 1004 km ......... 15.7 km/l
Mobil 91 ....... 526 km .......... 15.1 km/l
Mobil 95 ....... 854 km .......... 16.8 km/l
Shell 91 ....... 3886 km .......... 17.4 km/l
Shell 95 ....... 2054 km .......... 15.9 km/l
Unknown ..... 180 km ........... 15.0 km/l

Overall ......... 29505 km ........ 16.6 km/l

Mobil doesn't really get a fair test, as I have discount cards for most fuels except Mobil. Challenge is the fuel station between home and work, so is used mostly when commuting and hence shows a lower result on average.

The main result is that my current bike performs best on 91 Octane rather than 95, and that I should stay away from 98 as the extra cost just isn't worth it.

**BoristheBiter** · 23rd March 2011, 11:50

Originally Posted by p.dath

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

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.

Guess i will stop using them now as well.

**jafar** · 23rd March 2011, 11:51

[QUOTE=oneofsix;1130018164]check your handbook. Manufacturers usually give you an octane range or at least a minimum octane to use. Mine will run both 91 and 96, think the minimum is something like 89 but as its not one I use i just remember that 91 works. [QUOTE]

Beware, there are two different ratings for fuel, if your handbook is intended for the american market their fuel rating system is different to ours, american 87 is equal to our 91. 89 is close to our 95.

**BoristheBiter** · 23rd March 2011, 11:52

Originally Posted by Clockwork

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.

across all stations, well the ones around here anyway.

**jafar** · 23rd March 2011, 11:58

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Any fuel with higher octane rating gives better endurance/range/mileage. I don't think this is a brand thing.

I'll use 91 blipping around locally, but touring I'll get the highest octane fuel I can get so I don't have to dick with refuelling as much.

The higher octane rating is for higher compression engines, it has bugger all to do with the fuel consumption, higher octane is there to stop the engine 'pinking' @ higher revs.
You will always get better distance per litre on a trip, basically because you are running your engine at a more consistant speed & usually in the higher gears, the higher the gear your in the further the vehicle will go per revolution of the engine.

**Jantar** · 23rd March 2011, 12:36

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Any fuel with higher octane rating gives better endurance/range/mileage. I don't think this is a brand thing......

The data I have presented directly contradicts this statement. Can you present your data to confirm it?

**steve_t** · 23rd March 2011, 12:40

Your bike (any engine) will do the best on what it's tuned for

**bogan** · 23rd March 2011, 12:43

Originally Posted by steve_t

Your bike (any engine) will do the best on what it's tuned for

or depending on the bike/owner, will struggle along under a poor tune no matter what you put in it

**Fatt Max** · 23rd March 2011, 12:54

Originally Posted by Whynot

BP have the best pies.
Mobil ones are ok, but a bit overpriced.
Shell/Caltex etc. not too good, but Mrs. Macs Chilli Beef and Cheese is always worth getting.

BP it is then....Better Pies....

**Eyegasm** · 23rd March 2011, 13:04

I use the local Caltex, this is because the air system has the correct PSI readout.

38 IS 38, not 35 or 42...

**Captian soup** · 23rd March 2011, 13:32

Hmmm seems to be one of those grey areas then.. guess its in the eye of the beholder, so what most ppl are saying is that good milage = better quality fuel?

and yup nothing beats a BP BC pie, especially when your wet and cold...