What Octane Gas Do You Use?

[brd7666]

I here people say that 87 is fine, and others say use the highest octane.

 

What octane gas do you use? And why?

[Pictonian]

I use 87 octane as that is what was recommended by Yamaha in the owners manual.

[dacheedah]

recommended 87, anything else is burnin money

[Mike G in SC]

I've used 87 in my RSV and RSTD for years.

Mostly getting in the 37 MPG range.

 

A friend (actually a few) have been using 93.

On a 1600 mile trip last month with one of them, I switched to 93 .

My mileage has gone up considerably. By the end of that trip to as much as 46 mpg.

 

But what I liked is the range. Increased many miles per tank.

Half tank (by the bars) now and I have gone 100 miles.

So, I now use 93 In my RSV.

Haven't done the math on cost, but,,, I like my extended range.

 

I'm testing the same on my RSTD which is don't think is tuned as well.

Not seeing as much difference as the RSV.

So, will sync the RSTD and maybe new plugs.

 

93 was bad for my Roadstar years ago. I think contributed to "sticky valve". But my more recent experience will keep me using it.

[Monty]

I run mostly non-ethanol gas in my RSV, and it only comes in 87 around here. Yamaha recommends 87 anyway, as I think these are low compression engines which don't require the higher octane.

[AngryAmish]

87 octane and averaging 38 mpg

[pmelah]

87 but will try the higher octains and check mileage to determine which is best and cost effective

[steamer]

91 ethanol free when I can get it. other wise I use 89 and add startron.

[JohnT]

One more vote for whatever octane is ethanol free. Around here that is usually 91. It does cost as much as ethanol "enriched" 93, but it seems to run better.

And I use nothing but ethanol free in light use items like weed eater, lawn mower, chain saw, etc. Stuff that sits more than it is running.

[Black wing]

i run only 91, around here its the most reliably ethanol free and i find everything below it very dirty and gummy

[rickardracing]

I run 87 in my 2007 RSV. Riding solo I average 42-44 mpg. Riding two up pulling the trailer I get 38-40. As far higher octane just burning money as stated by someone else, your only talking about the price differance on 5 gallons of gas on average. If your getting more milage on higher octane, then by all means run it. I have always used 87 and will continue to do so.

[Brake Pad]

87 if i have too, 89 most of the time

[Flyinfool]

87 most of the time. If available ethanol free in whatever grade its in.

 

I tried 93 for a full year, I did get better mileage, but not by enough to justify the cost.

 

When traveling with the trailer, I use the 93 just for the better mileage and to heck with the $$$, I'm on vacation.

[Venturous Randy]

87, usually with ethanol. Took a ride thru the TN/NC mountains with some on the Blue Ridge parkway. All together, used almost a tank and a half of gas. I averaged 46.7 mpg and that was two up. Tank before that was about 45 mpg with some interstate at 70+ mph.

RandyA

[Rick Haywood]

Those getting 45+ MPG do you take into consideration your speedometer is off by 10%. I saw one post that said he was getting 38-40 2 up pulling a traileron the interstate. WOW that's what I get 1 up driving 60 mph on 2 lanes. 2 up pulling a trailer at 75 on the interstate I get 32 if I am lucky

[PGunn]

I use the highest octane on the pump and find the higher the better. On my bike I have opened the intakes with the hypercharges re-jetted to the largest jets and shimed the needle the difference between the low and high grades is noticeable way more noticeable then when the intakes were running the stock intakes with the stock air cleaners and the stock jetting.

[CaptainJoe]

87 octane with ethanol... unless I'm riding west of South Dakota...then will do 91or 93

[OntarioVStar]

The emissions label on the inside lid of my trunk says to use 91 octane, but for the few cents more it costs, I always use Petro-Canada 94 octane, (used to be known as Sunoco Gold 94, and is only sold at stations that used to be Sunoco until Petro-Can bought them out a couple of years ago). The engine runs great, tons of power, excellent mileage and no worries about ethanol gumming up the works. I drop down to 91 octane in my lawnmower, snowblower and weed whacker, just to avoid the ethanol and only use 87 in my Impala because it's got the Flex Fuel engine, which is designed to withstand the negative effects of ethanol. All 87 and 89 octane gas has 5-10% ethanol in it now, and once you've seen what even that little bit of ethanol can do to an engine that's not designed for it, you won't buy anything less than 91 or 94.

[cowpuc]

We are on our 5th Venture (this ones an 83) since 86 and have always run the cheapest gas (lowest octane) available - never ever ever recall any pre-det with any of them under any condition - one wierd engine I tell ya.. We have even ran 85 octane out west - loaded to the hilt and passenger in tow and still NO spark nock..

I know it has to be due to low compression ratio and how yamaha set up the ignition curve but how on earth these 1st gens produce the hp and torque they do with a low compression ratio engine is a tribute to Yamaha for sure..

Had a Big Twin HD that had 10.5 to ones in her and if you even mentioned low octane fuel around it it would ping like crazy.

Never really tried running a tank of high test thru the yam for increased economy - doesnt make sense in my pea brain why it would effect it BUT we will try it this summer - be something fun during those longgg lonely boring hours of crossing Nebraska hahahaha

[AngryAmish]

I'm still in Canada so I will try the Petro-Canada's 94 octane. Thanks OntarioVStar

[chag67]

I was using 87 no ethanol when I first got my RSV and was getting around 40 mpg (half highway, half city).

I've been using 93 regular now for a out 3 weeks (fill up every 2-3 days) and I'm getting 44 mpg (half highway, half city).

Those numbers are with just me (215 lbs)

I get around 41 mpg with me and the girlfriend (215 + 115).

[garyw]

I have for years been running nothing but 93 octane in every bike I have ever owned thinking that it was necessary for a performance motorcycle engine. After being educated by this wonderful forum have I switched to 87 octane. I have not noticed any performance or mileage changes in the least. I did put in a set of Iridium core plugs this year and that may be helping as well. Cold starts require less choke and warm up is at least 50% quicker along with a more responsive throttle.

[Venturous Randy]

Those getting 45+ MPG do you take into consideration your speedometer is off by 10%. I saw one post that said he was getting 38-40 2 up pulling a traileron the interstate. WOW that's what I get 1 up driving 60 mph on 2 lanes. 2 up pulling a trailer at 75 on the interstate I get 32 if I am lucky

 

The speedometer on my 1st gen is off 1 mph at 70 according to timed mile markers and two different GPS's. Odometer seems real close also.

The speedometer being off is a 2nd gen thing to make them think they are going faster.

RandyA

[brd7666]

Thanks for all of the replies. I have only put 330 miles on my bike since I bought it. I have been using the 87 octane. I know that I'm not getting anywhere near 40 mpg. I might try the different octanes and see what happens. I don't even know where to buy ethanol free gas. I think I will have to look in to that also.

[Mike G in SC]

http://pure-gas.org/

 

Brian, Start there. Dial in on your local.

 

Mike G.