Octane Rating

[Mike Bee_imp]

Hm, I wonder why you have this low quality fuel in the US?

Here in Europe, cheapest fuel starts at 95 Octan. There are 2 sorts, one containing 5% or less Ethanol, one containing 10% Ethanol, called E10.

Then there is at least one sort of 98 Octan, some brands offer even more than 100 Octan.

The CB has relatively low compression, 9.something. So it needs not that quality of fuel. However, my BMW K1100 had compression 14 to 1, still ok with 95 Octan, but should not have less.

Most sportcars like Porsche here need 98 octan, to allow full power. They can handle less qualitity, will have less power then.

My understanding is that a different standard is used for Euro and US octane ratings. I think the Low number octane rating is about the same octane in both places. The real shame is that Ethanol fuel, which has less energy per gallon, is forced on the American public by politicians that either through ignorance or agri-business payoffs mandate it's use. Lucky for me that I have several local dealers that sell the mid grade non Ethanol fuel.

My understanding is that a different standard is used for Euro and US octane ratings. I think the Low number octane rating is about the same octane in both places. The real shame is that Ethanol fuel, which has less energy per gallon, is forced on the American public by politicians that either through ignorance or agri-business payoffs mandate it's use. Lucky for me that I have several local dealers that sell the mid grade non Ethanol fuel.
I would simply add that ethanol production creates a larger carbon footprint, reduces the food supply, increases the price of fuel, and reduces gas mileage - a lose-lose situation.

~ The Bee