Is Premium Gas Really Required? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

BladeGrip · 07-14-2005, 01:21 PM

I have used regular gas on occasion and never noticed a difference in knock, performance, or mileage..... Is the MOCO in cahoots with the oil companies?

TomB · 07-14-2005, 01:28 PM

I doubt it's a conspiracy ... more likely a case of CYA on H-D's part. You may find that a bike that runs GREAT on regular (like mine does ...) starts to knock when heavily loaded and/or when it's very hot. I use regular in my TC88 for commuting or blasting around town. I switch to premium when touring and when the weather's consistently above 90 degrees. The lovely bride's Sporty has higher compression than the TC88 so we use mid-grade usually, and premium under the circumstances noted above ...

jockeyshift · 07-14-2005, 01:35 PM

As long as it's not pinging, I would continue to run regular. I run premium in mine. Amaco or BP.

MilesToGo · 07-14-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BladeGrip

I have used regular gas on occasion and never noticed a difference in knock, performance, or mileage..... Is the MOCO in cahoots with the oil companies?

Good question. I've never tried running anything but premium gas in my bikes. I figure it's not worth the worry just to save a couple of bucks.

trooper113 · 07-14-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash1292

you spent 20g on a hog and now your going to use cheap gas?....wtf

Premium gas, as stated here before, isn't necessarily better. It provides no more power and can provide less in cold weather. All premium fuel does special is provide extra anti-knock (ping) ingredients. These are needed in some higher compression engines and in hot weather. These anti-knock agents merely retard the burn speed of the fuel.

T113

**HDWRENCH** · 07-14-2005, 02:44 PM

I run 114 here whith temps in the 115 range I buy it by the drum and mix 50% works great. But if you bike is not pining run what ever. The best we can get here at the pump is 91 and that does not seem to be the best. I miss getting ultra 94 at the pump. I have done some testing on using 87 over 91 you would be suprised at the results.

cwo2lt · 07-14-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trooper113

Premium gas, as stated here before, isn't necessarily better. It provides no more power and can provide less in cold weather. All premium fuel does special is provide extra anti-knock (ping) ingredients. These are needed in some higher compression engines and in hot weather. These anti-knock agents merely retard the burn speed of the fuel.

T113

Premuim is Union made with American oil.

MegaGlide · 07-14-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miles to go

Good question. I've never tried running anything but premium gas in my bikes. I figure it's not worth the worry just to save a couple of bucks.

Yup.
And do I understand the knock sensor correctly? Does it retard the timing to save the engine if it senses detonation?
If so, you could never know about the HP/TQ you're missing on something that gets 40 +/- MPG anyway.

BP/Amoco Gold for me...

backinthesaddle · 07-14-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

Yup.
And do I understand the knock sensor correctly? Does it retard the timing to save the engine if it senses detonation?
If so, you could never know about the HP/TQ you're missing on something that gets 40 +/- MPG anyway.

BP/Amoco Gold for me...

My 95 inch pings like an SOB when I run anything less that 92. I have to be carefull to fill up at a station that has a hose for each grade. Otherwise mixing causes buko pinging, especially on hot days. I just have the stage 1 download so it appears I'm still a little lean. Can't afford the SERT, yet.

TomB · 07-14-2005, 03:28 PM

We are now talking apples, oranges and cucumbers ... in my experience, a STOCK TC88 with no knock sensor (ie, a carbed bike) runs justa fine on 87 octane gas under light- to medium-duty conditions.

TomB · 07-14-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash1292

light to medium...wtf you a girl?

No, but I'm also not a sweaty 350-pounder crossing Death Valley with an equally sweaty 300-pounder riding pillion ... now THAT'S heavy-duty man ...

MegaGlide · 07-14-2005, 04:09 PM

Sorry, my life isn't that orderly. Sometimes I don't know where the next 200 mi are going to take me when I fill up before I park at home at night. Don't wanna have to take a chance of having to drain a tank of gas to save $1 (that's ONE dollar) per 200 mi.

TomB · 07-14-2005, 04:15 PM

Have I ever mentioned that I'm a cheap basturd?

I don't sweat it if I have a tank full of regular when I start off on a trip or the temperature soars. I ride the damm thing ...

cwo2lt · 07-14-2005, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB

Have I ever mentioned that I'm a cheap basturd?

I've never called you cheap Tom.

Zuhaib · 07-14-2005, 04:33 PM

I use premium gas for a few reason.
While i use my Harley almost everyday for work and etc, its for fun. And because its for fun, i want the best power and dont mind spending a little more on gas. She only has a 5 gl tank so its not going to kill me.
Next, all the car i own are premium ONLY, the VW and Jaguar. I once lent my Jaguar to my dad while his car was in the shop, and when i got it back the fuel pump was shot. Could not think why till i talked to my dad and he admited he was filling regular in there as he was used to in his Mustang. Thank god warrenty covered that.