BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« on: April 05, 2011, 09:52:12 AM » |
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I believe the manual said 87 octane, but wonder what a lot of you run. Not being a high compression engine, is 89 or 93 just a waste of money? Thanks  |
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« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 10:06:34 AM by XGUY »
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Westernbiker
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Posts: 1464
1st Place Street Kings National Cruiser Class
Phoenix
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« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2011, 09:58:25 AM » |
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I run 87 and have never had a problem. One time on a trip the gas station only had the higher octane fuel and I was close to empty so I filled her up and only noticed a slight difference and that was going up a steep grade riding two up pulling a trailer at high altitude and that was according to my butt dyno. She seems to be fine running the 87.
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![](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/miniStates/language/www/US/AZ/Phoenix.gif") May the Lord always ride two up with you! |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2011, 10:05:12 AM » |
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I use to run the high stuff with my 6* tw. I run the cheap now with the ECT Mod. I perfer the E-10 but cant get that here yet. Gotta go 2 States west.  |
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 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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Bobbo
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« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2011, 10:06:03 AM » |
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The short answer is yes, you are wasting money on higher than 87 octane on a stock, or near stock Valk.
As a side note, the 87 octane minimum is for near sea level use. As you go higher in altitude, lower octane can be used, so don't be afraid of using 85 octane at high altitude.
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2011, 10:08:27 AM » |
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I guess your not 'wasting' alot. What is it, a extra dollar per tank? ??? Paying $5 for a beer is wasting money!  |
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Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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Bobbo
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« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2011, 10:18:19 AM » |
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I guess your not 'wasting' alot. What is it, a extra dollar per tank? ??? Paying $5 for a beer is wasting money! Let's see.. At 187,000 miles, I've run about 5500 tank fulls of gas through my Valk. That $5,500 has helped pay for several sets of tires, and quite a few oil changes!  |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2011, 10:25:23 AM » |
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I guess your not 'wasting' alot. What is it, a extra dollar per tank? ??? Paying $5 for a beer is wasting money! Let's see.. At 187,000 miles, I've run about 5500 tank fulls of gas through my Valk. That $5,500 has helped pay for several sets of tires, and quite a few oil changes! I guess if you want to look at it in the long run!  |
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Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16634
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2011, 02:30:39 PM » |
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... is 89 or 93 just a waste of money? Yes. It's an IQ test.  |
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Chiefy
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« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2011, 03:05:20 PM » |
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Well...........
After the dealer worked over my carbs, it ran great on premium. It ran okay on mid grade, but it was a little finicky. It would lope at idle and miss a little around 1900 rpms. So I didn't bother trying 87, figured it would be worse then mid grade. But since the price of gas has been going up, I bit the bullet and tried 87. And the bike runs as good as it did with premium. Don't know what the deal was with midgrade.
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 1998 Valk Standard 52,500 miles |
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flcjr
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« Reply #9 on: April 05, 2011, 03:06:01 PM » |
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I run nothing but 85 here in MT. no problems but get a kick out of the people at the station buying 91 and telling me what a difference it makes  what ever makes your boat float. |
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Chiefy
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« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2011, 03:09:03 PM » |
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I believe the manual said 87 octane, but wonder what a lot of you run. Not being a high compression engine, is 89 or 93 just a waste of money?
Thanks
What brand passenger arm rest is that in your pic? And how does your rider like it? It looks better then many I've seen. |
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1998 Valk Standard 52,500 miles |
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2011, 04:30:41 PM » |
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I believe the manual said 87 octane, but wonder what a lot of you run. Not being a high compression engine, is 89 or 93 just a waste of money?
Thanks
What brand passenger arm rest is that in your pic? And how does your rider like it? It looks better then many I've seen. Thanks for the compliment! It is an Ultimate and yes my wife absolutly loves it! It just clamps to your sissy bar and will probably fit any bike. The cool part it has a quick release that can be put on or off in seconds! |
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2011, 04:35:38 PM » |
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I guess your not 'wasting' alot. What is it, a extra dollar per tank? ??? Paying $5 for a beer is wasting money! Let's see.. At 187,000 miles, I've run about 5500 tank fulls of gas through my Valk. That $5,500 has helped pay for several sets of tires, and quite a few oil changes! Good point there Bobbo! 87 runs just great in mine and with the price of gas going up, every little bit helps.! |
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Challenger
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« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2011, 04:43:04 PM » |
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Our 89 here in IL. is 10% ethanol. I get better MPG with the 87 than I do with the 89, YMMV!
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16634
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2011, 04:59:20 PM » |
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Let's see.. At 187,000 miles, I've run about 5500 tank fulls of gas through my Valk. That $5,500 has helped pay for several sets of tires, and quite a few oil changes!
At 187,000 miles wouldn't one have used about 5,500 gallons or a little over 1,000 tanks?
I do agree. It's still a misguided waste of money. |
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #15 on: April 05, 2011, 05:10:42 PM » |
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I might try 93 just to see for myself and bet it won't make any difference except cost me more! Now in my vehicle I do get better mileage with the 93, but doing the math, I use 87 and come out better. When I put 93 in my VTX 1800, I can feel a power loss!. They are both low compression engines and don't need high octane IMO. |
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« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 05:34:12 PM by XGUY »
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bludragon
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« Reply #16 on: April 05, 2011, 05:20:50 PM » |
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I have always run 87 octane for all 75,000 miles on valk
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #17 on: April 05, 2011, 05:38:57 PM » |
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I have always run 87 octane for all 75,000 miles on valk
Well, you would know with 75k! I've just about 9k, so that's all I need to know! |
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Highbinder
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« Reply #18 on: April 05, 2011, 05:42:25 PM » |
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Believe it or not, but 87 octane burns hotter then 93 and makes for easier starting...enless your engine is pinging stay with the 87. |
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Brad
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« Reply #19 on: April 05, 2011, 05:48:55 PM » |
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Regular here is 87 and I use it all the time. When traveling and I cross into Utah their regular is 85 and it runs just fine with that too.
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old2soon
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« Reply #20 on: April 05, 2011, 07:24:41 PM » |
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Stock i/s 87 octane-runs fine. Will go like a bat out of 4377 if you twist her tail enough. I have tried the higher octane and it just seems to empty my wallet a little quicker.  I kinda smirk quietly when my h/d buds say they have to put in the higher and pricier bigger octane numbers.  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Bobbo
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« Reply #21 on: April 05, 2011, 08:18:57 PM » |
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Let's see.. At 187,000 miles, I've run about 5500 tank fulls of gas through my Valk. That $5,500 has helped pay for several sets of tires, and quite a few oil changes!
At 187,000 miles wouldn't one have used about 5,500 gallons or a little over 1,000 tanks?
I do agree. It's still a misguided waste of money. Oh, no, my math is correct... I only get 7 MPG!!  Thanks for pointing that out! I can still get a few tires and oil changes for $1000. |
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TearlessTom
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« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2011, 08:27:27 PM » |
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I have the ECT mod and Interstae ICM so I run either 87, or 89 if I know I am going to be running it hard for that tank.
Seems to get a slight bit better MPG on the 89 with the ECT and ICM I am at 50 ft above sea level.
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« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 09:00:15 PM by TearlessTom »
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F6Dave
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« Reply #23 on: April 05, 2011, 08:32:33 PM » |
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The reason for higher octane fuels is to resist detonation (or knocking or pinging) in the combustion chamber, which can cause major engine damage. The downside is that to accomplish this, higher octane fuels actually have a bit lower flash point and less energy content. So not only does more octane cost more, it also returns slightly lower mileage. In fact, a simple engine that can tolerate a lower octane fuel will generate less power with more octane because there are less BTUs in a given amount of fuel. I say a simple engine because those with engine management computers detect knocking and optimize ignition advance accordingly.
My '98 Tourer runs fine even on the crappy 85 octane gas they sell here at high altitudes. My '99 IS, however, pings under full throttle on hot days, so I usually run mid grade (which is only 87 octane here) in the summer. This could be due to the advanced ignition curve on the IS. It also may have a trigger wheel installed. I bought it used and have not yet looked under the timing cover.
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flcjr
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« Reply #24 on: April 05, 2011, 09:40:47 PM » |
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The reason for higher octane fuels is to resist detonation (or knocking or pinging) in the combustion chamber, which can cause major engine damage. The downside is that to accomplish this, higher octane fuels actually have a bit lower flash point and less energy content. So not only does more octane cost more, it also returns slightly lower mileage. In fact, a simple engine that can tolerate a lower octane fuel will generate less power with more octane because there are less BTUs in a given amount of fuel. I say a simple engine because those with engine management computers detect knocking and optimize ignition advance accordingly.
My '98 Tourer runs fine even on the crappy 85 octane gas they sell here at high altitudes. My '99 IS, however, pings under full throttle on hot days, so I usually run mid grade (which is only 87 octane here) in the summer. This could be due to the advanced ignition curve on the IS. It also may have a trigger wheel installed. I bought it used and have not yet looked under the timing cover.
You nailed it nicely said |
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Mr Steve
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« Reply #25 on: April 06, 2011, 10:19:41 PM » |
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The reason for higher octane fuels is to resist detonation (or knocking or pinging) in the combustion chamber, which can cause major engine damage. The downside is that to accomplish this, higher octane fuels actually have a bit lower flash point and less energy content. So not only does more octane cost more, it also returns slightly lower mileage. In fact, a simple engine that can tolerate a lower octane fuel will generate less power with more octane because there are less BTUs in a given amount of fuel. I say a simple engine because those with engine management computers detect knocking and optimize ignition advance accordingly.
My '98 Tourer runs fine even on the crappy 85 octane gas they sell here at high altitudes. My '99 IS, however, pings under full throttle on hot days, so I usually run mid grade (which is only 87 octane here) in the summer. This could be due to the advanced ignition curve on the IS. It also may have a trigger wheel installed. I bought it used and have not yet looked under the timing cover.
I believe it is also possible to turn a vehicle into an octane pig by using the wrong octane consistently. Carbon buildup is a potential which could increase compression requiring you to keep using it. At least that was the case with some automobile motors. |
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #26 on: April 07, 2011, 05:18:34 AM » |
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No worries about carbon build up here! |
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Bobbo
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« Reply #27 on: April 07, 2011, 06:34:24 AM » |
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I believe it is also possible to turn a vehicle into an octane pig by using the wrong octane consistently. Carbon buildup is a potential which could increase compression requiring you to keep using it. At least that was the case with some automobile motors.
Carbon buildup is a result of a rich mixture and other factors, not octane rating. |
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