| Author | Message | ||
     Redbuell1203 |
Has anyone ever had to use gas that was of the 89 octane? Just as a had to kind of thing. I have always put in 91 and will always will. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I have three gas cans at the house. 87, 91, and a mix. I accidently topped off with 87. It didn't seem to affect it. Probably cause there was already 91 in the tank. I wouldn't think 89 would hurt at all though. The number represents the lowest grade that is allowed into the stores tank. With all the additives oil companies use it's likely that 89 is a touch over. | ||
| Semirgdj |
89 is just a blend of higher and lower grade gases to make it 89 Only 2 grades of Gas gets delivered to you gas station A high test and the lowest allowed in your area. As I stated above they blend the 2 to make the mid grade. It only has to be as low as 89 a certain percentage of the time ,Sometimes it may be a slightly higher grade and sometimes lower. I actually use 87 cause my bike runs better on 87 Also 20/20 or a show like that did a show about High test gas is BS and you don't need it They backed it up with multiple tests. Now, even the new Corvettes do not require high test. | ||
| Nik |
Now, even the new Corvettes do not require high test. That's because they have knock sensors so the computer knows when you use lower octane fuel and it backs off the timing so it won't knock, but this does cost power. High octane is still manufacturer recommended. Buells don't have knock sensors... | ||
| Mnbueller |
You only need the higher octane fuel to prevent detonation (pre-ignition). Premium fuel is recomended by the manufacturer mostly to cover thier butts on any warrenty issues. (too much detonation destroys a motor). Cars and trucks these days have knock sensors, so if you put 87 octane in, and it knocks, the computer just back the timing off until it stops. That is why in some if you put preimium fuel in them they will continue to advance timing until it senses a knock. Thus improving burn effeciency, and increses power available. As long as your bike is not knocking, then you can run as low a grade of gasoline as you want too. But if it starts to knock, you'd best drain the tank and put in a higher octane, otherwise you'll be needing an engine rebuild. And with a air-cooled, v-twin pushing 10:1 compression, on a hot day you are taking your chances putting in low grade gas. My .02 cents anyway. | ||
| Darthane |
ORLY? Straight off of Chevrolet's website from two minutes ago: Recommended unleaded fuel 93 octane / 93 octane (required) Those are the two engines, base / Z06. Nik is correct, however, the plethora of engine controls available on most modern car engines (pedigreed or not) can overcome lower octane fuel (for the most part). Our bikes are rather limited in how they can react to things. | ||
| Sloppy |
Ah, the double edged sword of knock sensors... While there are indeed knock sensors in some engines to allow you to run lower octane fuels, the knock sensors retard your ignition timing and causes your engine to run LESS EFFICIENTLY!!! If people are interested in buying cars for cheap transportation then they aren't exactly shopping for Corvettes (or motorcycles!). Knock sensors are there to allow you to run high compression engines with low octane gas at HIGH THROTTLE OPENINGS. Since most car buyers drive at low throttle openings mfgs. raise compression and add a knock sensor (sure helps with EPA tested mpg). So, you can be your very own knock sensor and put 87 octane in your Buell -- just make sure you are disciplined in how you use your throttle hand. But that's not why we all bought motorcycles, now is it...  | ||
| Chainsaw |
Never see 93 octane in my area, being at 5300 feet and all. Most we get is 91 octane. From Wiki: In the Rocky Mountain (high altitude) states, 85 octane is the minimum octane and 91 is the maximum octane available in fuel. The reason for this is that in higher-altitude areas, a typical combustion engine draws in less air per cycle due to the reduced density of the atmosphere. This directly translates to reduced absolute compression in the cylinder, therefore deterring knock. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
My 91's above were meant to be 93's. Very rarely will I run anything lower in my bike. Time's have to be pretty bad. My old Ford didn't like anything else buy 93. It ran like crap on anything else. The Axiom I have now...well I just may leave it on a set of train tracks... | ||
| New12r |
The Axiom I have now...well I just may leave it on a set of train tracks... Yup! | ||
| Redbuell1203 |
The reason I had to run 89 was I forgot to get my gas cans refilled from the only town 15 miles away and had a poker run in the opposite direction which doesn't carry 91 for about 45 miles. The bike did okay and I put only about 1.5 gal just to make sure that I could get to the BP in Danville,Illinois. So I guess in a pinch a gallon and a half didn't hurt. Thanks on the info about gas though I learn something new every day. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Firebolt32, I have an '03 Axiom and it is starting to piss me off. Sorry for the thread hijack, but what is yours doing? |
