[RE-Memphis]

Oil, tires, and octane ratings. 3 topic to start an opinion stampede?

The bike had 700miles on it "new". I've added about 500 to that number. (not bad for 4 weeks - sez I)

I've been using 89 Octane the whole time. Options in my area are 87, 89, or 93. 

Thoughts?

[GSS]

I have tried all 3 and they all work about the same. Most helpful thing has been to add Seafoam on a regular basis and use NGK plugs......makes for a nice smooth engine and no fouled plugs.

GSS

[RE-Memphis]

Replacing the spark was one of my very first moves. I haven't gotten around to the plug wire yet...

Seafoam, check.

Last week I watched my neighbor pour year old mow gas into his Suzuki. He seemed pleased at this gas saving venture. I spotted him later by the side of the road and pulled over to help arrange a pick up. 

I can't imagine what went wrong. 

[mattsz]

I've been told 87 without any additives is fine, and so far, it is.  One of the reasons I bought it...

[Desi Bike]

Pennies on the dollar..  I get 94 octane Sunoco here in southern Ontario. Main reason for me is that the owner of the station is from India an goes ape-feces over the bike when I arrive. The bikes run fine on REAL gasoline at 87 octane. I pay the extra 40 cents a tank for the conversation.

[gremlin]

..............to start an opinion stampede?.........
........
.............I've been using 89 Octane the whole time. Options in my area are 87, 89, or 93......... 

HA HA HA ..... oh .... you are serious ?

the lower the better.  Higher octane fuels have a higher flashpoint, but, they also have fewer BTUs per unit.

fewer BTUs = less heat

less heat = less power.

'nuff said ?

[RE-Memphis]

'nuff said ?

Doubt it!  Why was I always of the thought higher = hotter?

(And truly - I know little about gasoline other then lessons learned from a loss of an eyebrow or two in Scouts.)

[Arizoni]

Lots of people think higher octane = more power.
After all, all of those high performance high horsepower cars have to use it.

What most people don't know is that high octane is needed to keep the air/fuel mixture from igniting from the high compression or detonating because of the shape of the combustion chamber.

Some people say the major fuel companies put more or better additives into their high octane fuel but I don't know that this is true.  I suspect it is not.

[benknrobbers]

Lots of people think higher octane = more power.
After all, all of those high performance high horsepower cars have to use it.

What most people don't know is that high octane is needed to keep the air/fuel mixture from igniting from the high compression or detonating because of the shape of the combustion chamber.

Some people say the major fuel companies put more or better additives into their high octane fuel but I don't know that this is true.  I suspect it is not.

The higher the octane the higher the compression ratio without premature detonation. The only basic way to increase compression ratio is through physical modification of the combustion chamber. You can add a turbo charger or supercharger, but it's not quite the same.  I've tested the better gas mileage/better performance theory about higher octane gas in a few different vehicles, and the only times I've seen an increase it's not been enough MPG to pay for the difference in price.  If a vehicle requires 89 or 91 octane gas to operate at peak efficiency it will say so in the manual.

 On a side note, has anyone supercharged a RE? I know it would be like giving ben stein speed before a performance but there's always someone.

[bob bezin]

around here, lower octane =alcohol 

[gremlin]

................ giving ben stein speed ..................

 

[gremlin]

around here, lower octane =alcohol

In Minnesota all gas has alcohol, irregardless of RON.

[High On Octane]

Yeah, there's a huge misconception on what different octanes actually mean.  As Arizoni stated, higher octane fuel is only required for higher compression motors.  As the octane rating increases in the fuel so does the stability of the fuel itself.  Meaning that it takes a higher amount of compression for the fuel to ignite.  The reason high octane fuel is required for high compression motors is this: If you ran say 87 octane in a 11.5-1 compression ratio motor, the fuel in the cylinder would ignite before the piston reached the top of it's stroke, forcing the piston back down before it completes it rotation.  This is commonly known as "ping".

So to answer your question, being that our motors aren't more than 8.5-1 compression, 87 octane is more than sufficient for our engines to operate efficiently.  Though, I will add, that using additives such as Seafoam and Lucas Fuel Additive DO increase the QUALITY of the fuel and eliminate most fuel problems like rough idle and poor performance at WOT.  So it a good idea, especially if you have trouble finding a good quality gasoline, to add a few ounces of one of a fore mentioned fuel additives on a regular basis.
Scottie

[Ducati Scotty]

What kinda opinion thread is this anyway?  A few answers in and people are presenting actual facts and science!  BORING!  Isn't this supposed to be a heated debate without the slightest lick of proof or evidence? 

Sheesh, what's the internet coming to these days?

Scott

[RE-Memphis]

What kinda opinion thread is this anyway?  A few answers in and people are presenting actual facts and science!  BORING!  Isn't this supposed to be a heated debate without the slightest lick of proof or evidence? 

Sheesh, what's the internet coming to these days?

Scott

I seem to have attracted the wrong crowd. 

So 87 with a bit o' seafoam it is.