Recommended Fuel Grade?

[Chicago]

I did a search for this and came up empty. Heck, I even checked my owners manual, no luck.

What is the recommended grade of fuel for my 1986 VR?

I've been running 87 (regular) and it runs great. No spark knock that I can hear, no backfire, no hesitation. But I know the engine has 10.5-1 compression (or did 27 years ago when it was new). What flavor does your 1st Gen's like best?

[utadventure]

87 octane is the recommended fuel. Anything higher is just a waste of money.

 

Dave

[Black Owl]

There should be (or at least there was when it left the factory) a label on the inboard side of the fuel filler access door telling you to use 87 Octane.

[Chicago]

Cool! I'll keep running 87, then. Thanks!

[bongobobny]

Yup! As long as it starts and runs fine you should be good to go. My '84 had a little rattle going uphill so I ran 89 unless I was towing a trailer then I ran 91. Never experienced the new 10% ethanol yet...

[Power Trippin]

I believe my sticker on my 83 was on the left trim panel, right below the seat. I know there has been past discussions on fuel, so I will just say what I use, not trying to start any arguments! I use 87 when I do not have access to Non-Oxygenated fuel. Nuff said about that.

[dacheedah]

87 all day

[Flyinfool]

Normally I run 87.

Contrary to popular belief, octane makes the fuel burn slower. The lower the octane the more power the engine will develop, UNLESS the engine was specifically modified or designed to use a higher octane. Yes that means that you can actually reduce performance by running more octane than necessary.

When the trailer is loaded to the max, and I will be at interstate speeds (70+) for an extended time, then I will run 89 or 91 to get rid of a slight knock that appears pulling a heavy load up a hill while at higher speed.

[Chicago]

Here's a list of ethanol-free gas stations nationwide...

 

http://pure-gas.org/

[timgray]

It runs even better with about 2 oz of seafoam or Techron added to every tankfull. Those carbs really need constant TLC to stay running perfect.

[mralex714]

I looked at the placard inside the left cover it says regular minimum 91 octane. Anyone else say the same?

[dacheedah]

I have never seen that, picture please

[Power Trippin]

Yes mine says that to. However, I believe it is the old method of rating octane, not the current rating. I know there has been extensive talk on the site about what gas to use. The engine in a first gen will run on 87 octane all day long, just do not let it sit for more than a month, MAXIMUM. Gas now days does not last long at all. Add stabilizer or some form of gas treatment if it's going to sit for a while. I have said it before, so I'll say it again. I only run non-oxygenated fuel in my bike, unless I can't get it. Then I make sure to use it up and not let it sit. The Ethanol in regular gas is horrible if it sits for any length of time. Corrodes, eats o-rings, etc, bad stuff!!!!

Edited May 20, 2013 by Power Trippin
typo

[Black Owl]

I looked at the placard inside the left cover it says regular minimum 91 octane. Anyone else say the same?

 

You may want to read the fuel info tag again. I don't recall all the info that is on the tag, but I do recall that reference to 91 octane was referring to a different octane testing method.

[XV1100SE]

You may want to read the fuel info tag again. I don't recall all the info that is on the tag, but I do recall that reference to 91 octane was referring to a different octane testing method.

 

Things do change from one Milenium to the next you know.

[steamer]

Fast Trac gas is selling ethanol free 91 octane free here in NY. Thinking about running it just to keep that ethanol crap out of the bike.

[mralex714]

I have never seen that, picture please

See picture.

[Big Lou]

Lower fuel grade, ,more maintanaince youll do, ethanol not advisable,,shops give no guarentee on carb repair because ethanol will hurt all rubber parts in two weeks, , itll run on anything,, you choose, i use 93 An my spark plugs are clean after 2500

[mralex714]

You may want to read the fuel info tag again. I don't recall all the info that is on the tag, but I do recall that reference to 91 octane was referring to a different octane testing method.

 

 

You are right, (R + M )/2 is used in the US and Canada which is 4-5 points lower than the RON method for the same fuel.So the 91 RON is 87.

 

http://www.torquecars.com/articles/fuel-octane-ratings.php

[dacheedah]

Here is what the manual says, regular unleaded gas with octane 86 or higher or "RESEARCH Gasoline" with an octane of 91 or higher, so what the heck is research gasoline??

 

 

Sooo the answer is use regular unleaded. If you find a station with "Research gas with an octane rating of 91 or higher" please take pictures, cuz I don't know what that is.

Edited May 21, 2013 by dacheedah

[Prairiehammer]

Here is what the manual says, regular unleaded gas with octane 86 or higher or "RESEARCH Gasoline" with an octane of 91 or higher, so what the heck is research gasoline??

 

RON= Research Octane Number

 

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa070401a_2.htm

[mralex714]

Here is what the manual says, regular unleaded gas with octane 86 or higher or "RESEARCH Gasoline" with an octane of 91 or higher, so what the heck is research gas is.

 

Research is just a different way of calculating the octane rating, 87 in the US is the same as 91 research.

[SpencerPJ]

Mine says 91 octane, and Leaded. I run mid grade, runs fine. I'll try 1/2 tank 87 next time, if it pings, I'll top off with premium. I always find different stations do different things. I'm not a fan of BP, like Phillips 66.