What Octane Gas Do You Use?

[XV1100SE]

I've been using 87 octane in my '09 for the past 3 years and occasionally (couple times per riding season) add Seafoam.

 

In the '99 Virago 1100 I used to have, it didn't call for it but I used to use the 94 octane. If I ran 87 octane it would backfire. Going to the higher octane stopped it.

[Rick Haywood]

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

 

Dag Gummit, I didn't look at what you were riding. And now I know why you get better mileage The first gens have so much plastic they don't weigh anything:stickpoke:

[Guest]

I used to run 89 but some convinced me to try 87 and the bike ran better. Been running 87 with the occasional Sea Foam treatment and Star Tron right up until I took the bike apart 2 years ago. Ill be using the same combination next week once again.

[Venturous Randy]

Dag Gummit, I didn't look at what you were riding. And now I know why you get better mileage The first gens have so much plastic they don't weigh anything:stickpoke:

 

Yep, and much more aerodynamic, especially the 83-84's with the smaller side bags and trunk. But, that is what you give up to be a HD wannabe.

RandyA

[Al Bates]

higher octane hotter the engine runs, not good

the high octane fuel has been sitting in those tanks for who knows howlong.

when they sale higher octane for the same price, you are not getting a deal you are asking for trouble.

[Sailor]

There is a show called Marketplace. They did a study on gas and octane ratings. They found for nearly all vehicles there was no difference in performance or mileage between low and high octane. Only high compression engines (10+) needed the high octane.

[brd7666]

http://pure-gas.org/

 

Brian, Start there. Dial in on your local.

 

Mike G.

 

Thanks, there was one gas station listed in New Port Richey. I will have to check it out.

[AngryAmish]

Only high compression engines (10+) needed the high octane.

 

My RSV is 10:1 !! Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Prairiehammer]

Only high compression engines (10+) needed the high octane.

 

The First Gens have a 10.5:1 compression ratio, yet "regular" gas is called for in the manuals.

 

I built a Ford 390 back in the Seventies that had 12:1 compression ratio. Now THAT required Premium (Sunoco 260).