Are you using PREMIUM Fuel?

[CRAZY_TRAIN]

sometimes i put 110 in mine when im in the area of the stations that sell it, but otherwise premium 91 only, we used to have 93 but then LA got gay and went 91

[Tallone]

91 is as high as I can find around here, and I use it every time. I haven't considered octane boost to get it even higher. Interesting question..........

[atexnvegas]

I was using Arco 91 (highest available here) then it would ping when I was climbing a decent grade on a warm day. Since then I have only used Chevron or Shell 91. Have not heard a ping once heck its only 3 cents more a gallon.

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by Misterb

Well, you're entitled to your opinion. For me, premium Chevron with Techron is the way to go...

I guess I didn't explain myself well. In answer to your post, "....and you could definitely run the risk of fouling plugs and/or crudding up the motor", I was trying to say that fuel grade (premium, mid-grade or regular) has nothing to do with fouling plugs or crudding up the motor. Fuel grade has only to do with octane rating (anti-knock) and increased octane rating has nothing to do with either increased power or the cleaning qualities of gasoline.

Additives, such as the fuel system cleaner Techron in Chevron and Texaco gasoline, do help with keeping the fuel system clean and un-gunked, but the grade of fuel within brand doesn't matter as far as cleaning additives. Chevron regular grade has Techron in it just like Chevron premium. Top-shelf gasoline such as Chevron often does do a significantly better job of fuel system cleaning and being cleaner to start with than some no-name gasoline, but that has nothing to do with grade (octane rating).

[route66paul]

Originally Posted by Coolmaker

That is why I don't go to those kind of pumps....

Those pumps have actually very little fuel left in the lines, I doubt that there is a cup of fuel left in any of them.

Originally Posted by trooper113

I guess I didn't explain myself well. In answer to your post, "....and you could definitely run the risk of fouling plugs and/or crudding up the motor", I was trying to say that fuel grade (premium, mid-grade or regular) has nothing to do with fouling plugs or crudding up the motor. Fuel grade has only to do with octane rating (anti-knock) and increased octane rating has nothing to do with either increased power or the cleaning qualities of gasoline.



Additives, such as the fuel system cleaner Techron in Chevron and Texaco gasoline, do help with keeping the fuel system clean and un-gunked, but the grade of fuel within brand doesn't matter as far as cleaning additives. Chevron regular grade has Techron in it just like Chevron premium. Top-shelf gasoline such as Chevron often does do a significantly better job of fuel system cleaning and being cleaner to start with than some no-name gasoline, but that has nothing to do with grade (octane rating).

This was true when there was lead in the fuel, the "white pump" and other 100 octane pumps had fuel that had so much lead in it that one pass on cruise night with that 11:1 c/r 327 with the lopey cam would foul a new set of plugs. At the time, it was called "lead fouling"

[S-Glider]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's actually cheaper in the long run to use premium instead of regular.
I'm willing to bet you milage is better with Premium.

I always use premium.

Just a heads up. I get less pinging in hot weather, now that I have an oil cooler installed. I didn't expect this, but it sure is nice not to hear it anymore.

[Vtwin103]

93 octane always.

[Buddy Seat]

Well my obsolete evo's manuals say to run 87 octane at least..
And avoid gas with methanol........

So of course I use Hi-Test, I don't cut corners on any parts I may need, why would I cheep out on feeding my babies !!!!

I did switch brands, since the no-name station's gas (near home) was seemingly going stale too quickly....

Been having much better results now...

But I think we all know gas ain't as good as it was even 5 yrs ago..

[Coolmaker]

[quote=route66paul;1392178]Those pumps have actually very little fuel left in the lines, I doubt that there is a cup of fuel left in any of them.


Next time you get to see a pump with the covers off, tell me that again....

[A21M]

I always use premium. Spent $25k on my 'toy' so a few more bucks in gas to keep her going is well worth it to me.

[YankeeBob]

Originally Posted by S-Glider

I wouldn't be surprised if it's actually cheaper in the long run to use premium instead of regular.
I'm willing to bet you milage is better with Premium.

I always use premium.

You guys that think like this need to do your research. Read up on it. You may be surprised.
Its one thing to treat your bike right. But its another to blindly waste money thinking its doing good when its not.

[barkster99]

Yankee Bob -- You have my interest.

I don't pretend to understand all the technobabble about octane. I do buy premium, usually 91 or 93 octane, just because the manual says to and the extra $1.50/tank on my $20K bike isn't a big deal.

That said, I've been stuck getting 87 or 89 a few times and have noticed no difference. That's at low altitudes with stage 1 '07. Mileage and performance don't seem to be impacted and I've noticed no pinging. With gas prices where they are - and me being a cheap SOB - it's tempting. The difference between the lowest grade (reg+10% ethanol) and premium (sometimes with ethanol, sometimes without) is about 40 cents. It all adds up.

[miles to go]

I've had to run 87 in both my Heritage and Sporty a few times because that was the only thing available. To my surprise i didn't notice any difference in performance and both of these bikes have high compression engines. I still use 91/93 on a regular basis for piece of mind.

[bacon225]

Well I have been reading all the replies so far and still don't know what would be better fresh 87 or old premium. So this week I am going to give the low grade a try I have a Chevron station near my house that I know does a real brisk business so it as fresh as its going to get. I am going to fill up with the 87 and pay close attention to how it reacts.
If it runs good with no pinging I will stay with it until I see a reason to stop. If it pings I will go back to the good stuff old or not.
If my next thread is changed from premium to low grade and now it pinging.
Just tell me to go sit in the corner and shut up your bothering my boy.

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by bacon225

Well I have been reading all the replies so far and still don't know what would be better fresh 87 or old premium. So this week I am going to give the low grade a try I have a Chevron station near my house that I know does a real brisk business so it as fresh as its going to get. I am going to fill up with the 87 and pay close attention to how it reacts.
If it runs good with no pinging I will stay with it until I see a reason to stop. If it pings I will go back to the good stuff old or not.
If my next thread is changed from premium to low grade and now it pinging.
Just tell me to go sit in the corner and shut up your bothering my boy.

Good experiment....let us know how it works out.

I try to run Chevron, Texaco or Shell gas when possible. I also try to buy gas at stations I know move a lot of fuel. My small Chevron that is very close to me runs a lot of fuel through it, quite a bit of it premium. I have no concern about freshness at this station. I most often run premium or mid-grade in the hottest part of the summer and regular or mid-grade in the cooler months. No pinging, no problems.