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(06-09-2015, 07:46 AM)Novice_imp Wrote: (06-09-2015, 07:01 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: It's a discussion about which we should tread carefully given the rules of this forum. Politics plays a not inconsiderable role in this equation.
I agree. The compression in our CBs (I think it's 9.5) is one of the great things about it and a selling point for me simply because I don't have to worry about using high octane gas. In fact, from what I've read on this forum, it's better to stick to the cheap stuff. Combined with the steel fuel tank I think we are in the best position possible give that finding ethanol free gas is not so easy (at least not around here).
I agree. The compression in our CBs (I think it's 9.5) is one of the great things about it and a selling point for me simply because I don't have to worry about using high octane gas. In fact, from what I've read on this forum, it's better to stick to the cheap stuff. Combined with the steel fuel tank I think we are in the best position possible give that finding ethanol free gas is not so easy (at least not around here).
+1, my last two bikes required premium fuel which meant fueling from different pumps when Pam and I rode together, her V-strom using 87 octane. I wonder why most bike makers have not used knock sensors that would allow the use of lower octane fuel when the high octane is not available. I believe the R1200Gs has this.
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I asked this in another thread, but this seems like a good place to re-ask:
I have read that bikes like mine with the cat. removed and the stock (and unfleshed) ecu will tend to run on the rich side. Would running with higher octane fuel improve performance in this situation? Note: I understand that the actual mixture would still be rich, but would the higher octane gasoline burn better in this situation?
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(06-09-2015, 09:57 PM)EmptySea_imp Wrote: I asked this in another thread, but this seems like a good place to re-ask:
I have read that bikes like mine with the cat. removed and the stock (and unfleshed) ecu will tend to run on the rich side. Would running with higher octane fuel improve performance in this situation? Note: I understand that the actual mixture would still be rich, but would the higher octane gasoline burn better in this situation?
ES,
My bike ran best with 89 octane. I don't believe the CB has enough compression to benefit from anything higher than 89. When i ran 91-93 there was a richer smell coming out of the exhaust with no benefit that i could feel.
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(06-09-2015, 09:57 PM)EmptySea_imp Wrote: I asked this in another thread, but this seems like a good place to re-ask:
I have read that bikes like mine with the cat. removed and the stock (and unfleshed) ecu will tend to run on the rich side. Would running with higher octane fuel improve performance in this situation? Note: I understand that the actual mixture would still be rich, but would the higher octane gasoline burn better in this situation?
Not likely, as higher octane fuel contains combustion inhibitors. Lower octane fuel is actually more volatile. Higher octane fuel is designed for high compression engines. Without the octane (inhibitors) it would combust prematurely due to the higher compression.
As CIP57 noted, he was smelling more unburned fuel when using the higher octane. In other words, don't waste your money on high octane fuel for a bike with relatively low compression and designed to use low octane. High octane fuel in a low compression engine may even cause plug fouling, carbon deposit issues and, in some cases, additional decel popping (due to incomplete combustion).
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I agree that using higher octane fuels won't yield a benefit. What's more important is burning a high quality gas. In the USA, "top tier" fuels are the way to go. Most of the major brands are rated "top tier". Your fuel system will thank you. See http://tinyurl.com/pdcucu4 for the Top Tier website. Click the "Retailers" tab for a list offered in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
~ The Bee
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(06-10-2015, 02:49 AM)Mike Bee_imp Wrote: I agree that using higher octane fuels won't yield a benefit. What's more important is burning a high quality gas. In the USA, "top tier" fuels are the way to go. Most of the major brands are rated "top tier". Your fuel system will thank you. See http://tinyurl.com/pdcucu4 for the Top Tier website. Click the "Retailers" tab for a list offered in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
~ The Bee Bummer! Sunoco is not listed as top tier. This is the only gas station around my house where I can buy ethanol free gas. Not that I should worry but the bike sits in the garage for two to three months at a time, reason why I rather have ethanol free in the fuel system.
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(06-10-2015, 03:28 AM)SanPete_imp Wrote: (06-10-2015, 02:49 AM)Mike Bee_imp Wrote: I agree that using higher octane fuels won't yield a benefit. What's more important is burning a high quality gas. In the USA, "top tier" fuels are the way to go. Most of the major brands are rated "top tier". Your fuel system will thank you. See http://tinyurl.com/pdcucu4 for the Top Tier website. Click the "Retailers" tab for a list offered in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
~ The Bee Bummer! Sunoco is not listed as top tier. This is the only gas station around my house where I can buy ethanol free gas. Not that I should worry but the bike sits in the garage for two to three months at a time, reason why I rather have ethanol free in the fuel system. Bummer! Sunoco is not listed as top tier. This is the only gas station around my house where I can buy ethanol free gas. Not that I should worry but the bike sits in the garage for two to three months at a time, reason why I rather have ethanol free in the fuel system.
"Suncor Energy" is listed - it's Sunoco's parent company. Sounds like you're using top tier gas.
~ The Bee
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(06-10-2015, 03:34 AM)Mike Bee_imp Wrote: (06-10-2015, 03:28 AM)SanPete_imp Wrote: (06-10-2015, 02:49 AM)Mike Bee_imp Wrote: I agree that using higher octane fuels won't yield a benefit. What's more important is burning a high quality gas. In the USA, "top tier" fuels are the way to go. Most of the major brands are rated "top tier". Your fuel system will thank you. See http://tinyurl.com/pdcucu4 for the Top Tier website. Click the "Retailers" tab for a list offered in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
~ The Bee Bummer! Sunoco is not listed as top tier. This is the only gas station around my house where I can buy ethanol free gas. Not that I should worry but the bike sits in the garage for two to three months at a time, reason why I rather have ethanol free in the fuel system. Bummer! Sunoco is not listed as top tier. This is the only gas station around my house where I can buy ethanol free gas. Not that I should worry but the bike sits in the garage for two to three months at a time, reason why I rather have ethanol free in the fuel system.
"Suncor Energy" is listed - it's Sunoco's parent company. Sounds like you're using top tier gas.
~ The Bee Bummer! Sunoco is not listed as top tier. This is the only gas station around my house where I can buy ethanol free gas. Not that I should worry but the bike sits in the garage for two to three months at a time, reason why I rather have ethanol free in the fuel system.
"Suncor Energy" is listed - it's Sunoco's parent company. Sounds like you're using top tier gas.
~ The Bee Thanks Mike
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I'm actually at the other end of the spectrum when it comes to fuel. I currently run E85 in my '95 Volvo 940 with no modifications. Even though it runs fine on ethanol, I ordered a "conversion" kit. The kit doesn't really convert anything but actually just "massages" the gasoline engine to burn ethanol better.
Now before all of the ethanol bashing starts let me say this. Gasoline (oil) is a finite resource. At some point were going to run out of it. When that happens it will be a necessity to find another fuel to use in our vehicles. Ethanol, like other alternative fuels, is very easily renewable. So whether it's ethanol or something else, it's going to be all we have. One very big plus is that ethanol just happens to burn pretty darn good in a gasoline engine without any modifications. It does even better in an engine optimized to burn ethanol.
I read all the time about getting less mpg with ethanol. That is actually not a valid concern. I know, you're thinking twiin you've lost your mind but hear me out. It's a fact that ethanol gets less mpg than gasoline. Why, because our engines are designed for gasoline not ethanol, they just happen to be able to burn it. No one should expect to get the same performance out of two different types of fuel with different properties in the same engine unless the engine is optimized for both. Our engines are optimized for gasoline not ethanol.
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