Are you using PREMIUM Fuel?

[Coolmaker]

I just asked a station chain that I do the Refrigeration work for about the percentage of sales for Premium and the sales of Regular in todays world... Turns out that they buy very little (10%) "Premium" and a lot of "Regular" (90%).... Soooo, the Premium is in the tanks for a long time and the Regular is pumped out every couple of days... This is very interesting to say the least... The (fresh) regular may have more octane than the high test (that is old)... Just a thought....

[Capt_Caveman]

I put 1/2 a tank of regular in my 05 and it started to ping. I guess it's good stuff for me.

What is everyone's additive of choice for keeping the injectors clean?

[HarleyComforts]

with age?

[miles to go]

Originally Posted by Coolmaker

I just asked a station chain that I do the Refrigeration work for about the percentage of sales for Premium and the sales of Regular in todays world... Turns out that they buy very little (10%) "Premium" and a lot of "Regular" (90%).... Soooo, the Premium is in the tanks for a long time and the Regular is pumped out every couple of days... This is very interesting to say the least... The (fresh) regular may have more octane than the high test (that is old)... Just a thought....

I just don't buy all this hype about stale gas. I have let a bike sit for as much as 3 months before with a full tank of gas. Yes, i do add stabilizer to it before storage but it runs just fine after. Even with the slow sales i doubt the gas is in the tank long enough to go bad. I don't think it loses octane over time either. It just becomes unstable with age - that's why they suggest you use a stabilizer for long term storage.

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by Capt_Caveman

I put 1/2 a tank of regular in my 05 and it started to ping. I guess it's good stuff for me.

What is everyone's additive of choice for keeping the injectors clean?

Techron.....either in Chevron or Texaco fuel (any grade) or bought in a bottle at any auto store or at Wally World.

[bacon225]

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.

Originally Posted by trooper113

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.

OK I got home from off shore last night got up early this morning and hit the road.
The tank I was on was real close to empty so I fueled up with 5.1 gallons of Chevron 87 grade. I hit the road paying vary close attention to the motor. Most of the ride was back roads around my house and some interstate I would say 80 % back roads to 20 % interstate. It was hot between 90 and 97 degrees most of the day.
I did not baby it but I did not try to make it ping I am not going to do that on purpose to my bike. I will not lie and say it ran better or cooler but I will say it ran the same and that was what I was hoping for. I could not find anything all all that made me think this might be a mistake, It started fine pulled the hills find made one 25 mile run at 85 on the interstate just fine. I ended up filling up twice and putting on 330 miles today. So until I see a reason to go back I am sticking with Chevron or Shell 87

[Coolmaker]

Originally Posted by miles to go

I just don't buy all this hype about stale gas. I have let a bike sit for as much as 3 months before with a full tank of gas. Yes, i do add stabilizer to it before storage but it runs just fine after. Even with the slow sales i doubt the gas is in the tank long enough to go bad. I don't think it loses octane over time either. It just becomes unstable with age - that's why they suggest you use a stabilizer for long term storage.

It will get stale, it will eventually turn into a varnish in the carb. Stations do not put stabilizer in their tanks either. It takes less than a 5% loss to make High test be regular..

[miles to go]

Originally Posted by Coolmaker

It will get stale, it will eventually turn into a varnish in the carb. Stations do not put stabilizer in their tanks either. It takes less than a 5% loss to make High test be regular..

Yes, i know it will go bad EVENTUALLY. The question is how long does it take? I doubt the premium gas in the station tanks is sitting there for months.

[Pitch]

Fortunate enough to be able to run 92 Octane ** 100% PURE ** gasoline (NO Ethanol) here in Minnesota since most rural stations sell it for Motorcycles, Boats, etc. "only".

...but I put it in my truck also, they don't care.

[MountainMan]

Here we go again...debating whether gas looses octane over time

Guys, put some facts and data on the table if you're going to make such claims. I just returned from 5200 mile trip to Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Many of the gas stations I filled up at were located in very remote places, and the best I could get was 91 octane. I had NO, I repeat NO problems with gas and I'm running higher than stock compression.

MM

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by bacon225

OK I got home from off shore last night got up early this morning and hit the road.
The tank I was on was real close to empty so I fueled up with 5.1 gallons of Chevron 87 grade. I hit the road paying vary close attention to the motor. Most of the ride was back roads around my house and some interstate I would say 80 % back roads to 20 % interstate. It was hot between 90 and 97 degrees most of the day.
I did not baby it but I did not try to make it ping I am not going to do that on purpose to my bike. I will not lie and say it ran better or cooler but I will say it ran the same and that was what I was hoping for. I could not find anything all all that made me think this might be a mistake, It started fine pulled the hills find made one 25 mile run at 85 on the interstate just fine. I ended up filling up twice and putting on 330 miles today. So until I see a reason to go back I am sticking with Chevron or Shell 87

Thanks for the test info, bacon. Please post if you notice any changes.

[bacon225]

Originally Posted by trooper113

Thanks for the test info, bacon. Please post if you notice any changes.

I will post up if I find a down side.
But yesterday I put another 270 miles on it using the 87 grade.
I got on it pretty good pulling some of the hills I did NOT lug it I know better. But I did slow down on the bottom of the hill then took off hard banging gears up the hill. Still no problems and can see, hear or feel.

[Pavetack]

Mine runs fine on 87 but now that I'm in England I only have one choice 94

[Pavetack]

Mine runs fine on 87 but now that I am in England, 94 is my only option.

[YankeeBob]

Originally Posted by bacon225

I will post up if I find a down side.
But yesterday I put another 270 miles on it using the 87 grade.
I got on it pretty good pulling some of the hills I did NOT lug it I know better. But I did slow down on the bottom of the hill then took off hard banging gears up the hill. Still no problems and can see, hear or feel.

Your knock retard may be taking out timing to compensate. If so, you will be losing a little power. But, the knock retard can only back off so much.