Premium fuel or regular?

[gordonv]

The answer from your own FTC.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0210-paying-premium-high-octane-gasoline

This question comes up once in a while. And even though it's based on EFI system, it still applies to carbureted engines too. If there is no knock, then nothing higher is required.

Now fuels with additives, like Chevron with Techron, is there enough Techron in it to make it worth buy instead of an additional additive, is a different issue. Then how much is in each grade?

Just for the record, I buy Chevron for the Techron when ever I have a choice.

CBC Marketplace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPPkPAbzwbU
refers Canada and the USA.

[Chrisj CMA]

I tried all grades. I feel mid (89) runs smoother than 87 with better mileage. I could be imagining some of it but the cost difference is so small I’m sticking with it

[gordonv]

At 15 cents per /US gal for premium, it's less of an issue. In Canada, we are talking 25 cents/L (3.789L/US gal).

[Jess from VA]

If you cannot get non corn polluted gas (and it's 100mi round trip for me), premium corn is supposed to be just a little less caustic to fuel lines and carburetors than the lower grades.... for storage and sitting time.  (and you still need Stabil and/or Startron)

[Patrick]

Most gas stations even  here in NYS have non-ethanol. If the gas stations don't then marinas may have it.

[gordonv]

Granted, but storage is a different issue, and is something you usually only need to do once.

I live a sea level, any ride I take that is more than 2 hours drive is into mountains. Been to Spearfish and back, across the Rockies at Banff and Jasper, and outside of buying the lowest grade (different octanes at different heights) have never had an issue either going up or back down, on any fuel I've had in the tank, and a passenger on the back.

Others may have found different grades gave them different results. The only time I had to go to a heighter octane was on my older 74' Volvo 740 Turbo, where I had knock on 87 reg. Even my BMW (95' and now an 02') recommends 89 octane, and I run it on 87 reg with no issues (I read somewhere that Europe only has 89 and up). I know the EFI is handling it. But unless I stomp on the fuel in a fully loaded car going up hill, I would most likely never notice. I live in the Vancouver area, think prairies, and don't need more.

[cookiedough]

I once ran 91 octane with a heavy dose of 105 octane boost on my Valk I/S and the cycle did not like it.  It had no more oomph IMO and would never idle right instead of 1000-1100 rpms it was fluctuatiing from 1200 to 1500 like on a supercharger or something needle on rpms would jump and go down constantly at idle, very non idle smoothness for sure.  rpms were higher at hwy speeds as well that one tank of gas I tried it.

am sure 89 is better than 87 but feel no need really as long as burning gas thru it regularly.  some say small engines use 91 non ethanol and I do EXCEPT my push lawnmowers since forever has just ran 87 octane 10% ethanol forever and runs fine since use them weekly.

[F6Dave]

The answer from your own FTC.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0210-paying-premium-high-octane-gasoline

This question comes up once in a while. And even though it's based on EFI system, it still applies to carbureted engines too. If there is no knock, then nothing higher is required.

Now fuels with additives, like Chevron with Techron, is there enough Techron in it to make it worth buy instead of an additional additive, is a different issue. Then how much is in each grade?

Just for the record, I buy Chevron for the Techron when ever I have a choice.

CBC Marketplace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPPkPAbzwbU
refers Canada and the USA.

You're right, your engine needs enough octane to prevent engine knock.  A higher octane only wastes money.  It's pretty easy to figure out on older engines like those in our Valkyries, because the knocking is easy to hear.  When that happens, you should switch to a higher grade to prevent engine damage.

Newer engines complicate the issue a bit.  Knock sensors alert the engine management computer of detonation, and the computer instantly retards the timing to compensate for the crappy fuel.  So with many cars and trucks you may think your engine is running fine on a given grade, but you're actually missing out on performance and mileage.

I had an early F6B where you could hear the ECM make its adjustments.  On a very hot day on one tank of questionable fuel, I heard some knock while accelerating hard.  For a brief moment (a second or two) I heard the knock disappear then return a few times.  Apparently the computer was making incremental adjustments to deal with the fuel.  I sure didn't like those sounds and topped off with premium at the next station.  Interestingly, my current F6B seems much more tolerant of fuel.

[gordonv]

Another video, well spoken and easily understood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb5VfiFy0kY

I've watch some of his other videos before. 

[scooperhsd]

On my Valk - storage is always a possible issue, so I Use nonethanol gas whenever I'm at home. If I was to be on a roadtrip, and all I could get was ethanol gas - I'd use it, as I would be trying to use it up. The first tank when I got home / just finishing the trip will be the nonethanol gas.

I'd have to play with the various octanes, but would probably stick to regular or midgrade for cost reasons (unless there was a compelling reason for premium).

On my local highway loops, I seem to average 25-30 MPG - 70MPH + closer to 25, 60-65 closer to 30. Just below 3000 RPM is the sweet spot for balance between speed and economy. How does that compare to everyone else ? I do have a Pingel fuel tank valve (yeah baby - fuel starvation is NOT an issue for me  ).

The windshield I have is probably tall enough for Serk - I'd like it 4-6 inches lower since I cannot look over the top of the current one.

[cookiedough]

On my Valk - storage is always a possible issue, so I Use nonethanol gas whenever I'm at home. If I was to be on a roadtrip, and all I could get was ethanol gas - I'd use it, as I would be trying to use it up. The first tank when I got home / just finishing the trip will be the nonethanol gas.

I'd have to play with the various octanes, but would probably stick to regular or midgrade for cost reasons (unless there was a compelling reason for premium).

On my local highway loops, I seem to average 25-30 MPG - 70MPH + closer to 25, 60-65 closer to 30. Just below 3000 RPM is the sweet spot for balance between speed and economy. How does that compare to everyone else ? I do have a Pingel fuel tank valve (yeah baby - fuel starvation is NOT an issue for me  ).

The windshield I have is probably tall enough for Serk - I'd like it 4-6 inches lower since I cannot look over the top of the current one.

agree on the sweet spot just below 3000 rpms for me as well between 2600 and 3K, much past 3000 rpms really sucks the gas under 30 mpg by a little which is 70 mph and over.  I get on my older tourer 80K+ miles on it cobra pipes around 32 avg mpg and my I/S 1/2 the mileage on it about 35-36 avg mpg consistently mostly doing 60-70 mph.  So,  I feel your 25-30 avg mpg is a tad bit low on mpg numbers. 

[old2soon]

        Best performance and best M P G I've ever had returned was on non corn polluted gasoline. With all the current glut of oil WHY is it still corn polluted? Cuz I'm guessing That's the way our gubmint wants it!  And as an aside are your local gasoline prices increasing slightly? They iz here bouts. RIDE SAFE.

[F6Dave]

        Best performance and best M P G I've ever had returned was on non corn polluted gasoline. With all the current glut of oil WHY is it still corn polluted? Cuz I'm guessing That's the way our gubmint wants it!  And as an aside are your local gasoline prices increasing slightly? They iz here bouts. RIDE SAFE.

We're stuck with corn in our fuel because of the Renewable Fuel Standard passed in 2005.  It requires a massive amount of ethanol to be blended with gasoline.  The farmers in places like Iowa love it as it has sent corn prices through the roof.  They constantly push to increase the mandated volumes.

[scooperhsd]

Sorry - we're AT the max limits that older vehicles can take with ethanol in the fuel - unless you're going to mandate that every station also has to have a non-ethanol pump for our older vehicles .

[F6Dave]

Sorry - we're AT the max limits that older vehicles can take with ethanol in the fuel - unless you're going to mandate that every station also has to have a non-ethanol pump for our older vehicles .

That's the big problem right now. The corn lobby is pushing E15 so they can sell even more. But many vehicles can't tolerate more than 10%. The AMA is fighting for us on this.

[old2soon]

       Most if not all vehicle manufacturers have already stated that whether by design or accident 15% alky Will VOID the warranty. But I'm guessing here the gubmint(s) Know more than the folks that actually produce the vehicles and the engines. Ask the folks that have alky powered drag cars. Lotsa problems to be overcome cuz of the corrosive nature of the alky. I'm all for the farmers as they Do feed us BUT a what cost? RIDE SAFE.

[shadowsoftime]

Stop planting so much corn, grow something else.   

[LTD]

always heard the older Valkyrie should be getting the lowest grade so far so good

[Avanti]

Ok, plant corn; feed the world not the gas tank.

[Valkorado]

My gals ain't too proud to run well on the 85 ethanol free I've been filling them with for years.

Come to think of it, the station offers either 85 or 86 for their low grade depending on the season.

[Bret SD]

These discussions leave me wondering something.. how long does the newly cooked fuel sit in the huge tanks? Or at distribution stations etc. Is there a 'sell by date'?

I imagine the distribution system and location matters, as well as population and economic activity in certain areas. Another factor may be the gas stations themselves.. some of the overpriced ones sell far less gas, so turnover is less.

We have no idea how 'fresh' gas is it seems?? I tend to instinctively go for gas at stations I know are selling a lot of fuel.

[old2soon]

     While my Phatt Ghurl will accelerate like an ape with a case of the red azz on corm polluted 87 octane she do a Lot better on corn free 87 octane-LOTS BETTA!  
      My 06 Pontiac Grand Prix though-fuel injected 3.8 non turbo Gen III 200 H P-I would hazard as a guess that it was designed for corn polluted gasoline of the 87 octane variety. I've planted the right foot hard nuff couple times from a dead stop to light up the front tires and She never knocked even a little bit. And the Pontiac hand book recommends 87 octane.
      Again as a guess we maybe stuck with corn polluted gasoline fer awhile yet anywho. RIDE SAFE.

[Patrick]

Corn belongs in the food supply, not fuel supply. Damn lobbyists.

I know 2 large mid-west farmers and they love this.

[F6Dave]

What isn't often mentioned is how this has raised the prices of other crops.  So many farmers switched to corn for the high (subsidized) prices that the supply of other grains was reduced.  That has also increased the price of cattle feed.

[Wizzard]

        Best performance and best M P G I've ever had returned was on non corn polluted gasoline. With all the current glut of oil WHY is it still corn polluted? Cuz I'm guessing That's the way our gubmint wants it!  And as an aside are your local gasoline prices increasing slightly? They iz here bouts. RIDE SAFE.

We're stuck with corn in our fuel because of the Renewable Fuel Standard passed in 2005.  It requires a massive amount of ethanol to be blended with gasoline.  The farmers in places like Iowa love it as it has sent corn prices through the roof.  They constantly push to increase the mandated volumes.

Corn prices through the roof??   Lol have you looked at corn prices lately? Probably not.

[Earl43P]

My poor Valk IS sat unused in the garage since November or so.

It's now back on the road, deep into its 3rd full tank of Ethanol-free 90 octane.
I used that initially to dilute the residual old fuel which was heavily dosed with B-12 for storage (full can in 1/2 gallon HEAVY).

I like the 90 E-free but will go back to 87 with E whenever I am out on the road.
At home, I'll TRY to keep the pure gas in it, but I have to say....

my BUTT-DYNO thinks the pure 90 is the shiznit. I'll try some 87 with E soon.

FWIW, I had zero carb issues from the heavily dosed storage; it started pretty easily with enrichment, idled fine after a typical warm-up and runs like it should (and always has).

I won't get into why I let it sit so long, but I did sell the 93 GL1500 on 3/29, which inspired me to revive the IS.

[ridingron]

   That has also increased the price of cattle feed.   

It has raised the price of many foods including human foods. Read labels and see how many food products have some form of corn.