POLL: What do you choose at the pump?

[mrtommygunwhite]

you're still getting the same quantity of gas per $ (my keyboard doesn't do pounds..)

here you go ££££££££££££££££££££££££ plus my keboards not racist so $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Neilisin]

I've run my DRZ (Daisy) from 80 upto 98 and I can happily say that it runs the same on all the above, in fact one notable remark is that it runs more economically on the lower the octane, as in increase MPG... it makes no sense at all. I have to admit, I was scared and bought octane-booster when I first started putting the cheap fuel in... but eventually it became more scarce and more scarce so to the point I couldn't find any... it worked the same without it!

 

[pizzaonaninja]

I only have Regular and what we call "Extra" which is somewhat better. i'm guessing 87 and 91 respectively.

 

[Trinith]

I've run my DRZ (Daisy) from 80 upto 98 and I can happily say that it runs the same on all the above, in fact one notable remark is that it runs more economically on the lower the octane, as in increase MPG... it makes no sense at all.

Actually it makes total sense once you know what octane actually does. It INHIBITS the burning of the fuel. Higher octane fuel is more stable and less likely to combust. That's why it's used in very high compression motors. Lower octane fuel will spontaneously combust once it's compressed to a certain point (which is related to the temp of the combustion chamber) which is where the knocking sound comes from when you use fuel with too little octane. Higher octane fuel, being more stable and less volatile, burns slower. Because it burns slower it (in a sense) puts out less energy inside the motor. The piston is not pushed as hard or as fast as it would be by lower octane fuel. So to do the same amount of work you have to use more of it, and that means less efficiency.

It's worth noting however that the difference is VERY small. I usually see a 3ish mpg difference between premium and regular. On a motorcycle where you're only using 4 gallons or so that's not a very big deal. But in a cage with a 15+ gallon tank, well...the difference in both price and distance capability becomes pretty noticeable.

Oh, one other thing. Running too low octane won't damage anything until you hear the knocking or pinging. If you don't hear it you're ok. There's only 2 real downsides to running too much octane, it costs more and it's less efficient. There IS a slight decrease in HP with higher octane, but you won't feel it.

 

[Crysis]

For the last month or so ive been running only on 100 octane super unleaded (Shell V-Power) on my 09 Ninja 250,
i dont know if its just me but ive noticed a small but more aggressive engine feel with it,
Ive also tried BP super unleaded, but i didnt really notice any difference from normal unleaded.
About the mileage, i didnt really pay any attention :roll:

 

[Neilisin]

I've run my DRZ (Daisy) from 80 upto 98 and I can happily say that it runs the same on all the above, in fact one notable remark is that it runs more economically on the lower the octane, as in increase MPG... it makes no sense at all.

Actually it makes total sense once you know what octane actually does. It INHIBITS the burning of the fuel. Higher octane fuel is more stable and less likely to combust. That's why it's used in very high compression motors. Lower octane fuel will spontaneously combust once it's compressed to a certain point (which is related to the temp of the combustion chamber) which is where the knocking sound comes from when you use fuel with too little octane. Higher octane fuel, being more stable and less volatile, burns slower. Because it burns slower it (in a sense) puts out less energy inside the motor. The piston is not pushed as hard or as fast as it would be by lower octane fuel. So to do the same amount of work you have to use more of it, and that means less efficiency.

It's worth noting however that the difference is VERY small. I usually see a 3ish mpg difference between premium and regular. On a motorcycle where you're only using 4 gallons or so that's not a very big deal. But in a cage with a 15+ gallon tank, well...the difference in both price and distance capability becomes pretty noticeable.

Oh, one other thing. Running too low octane won't damage anything until you hear the knocking or pinging. If you don't hear it you're ok. There's only 2 real downsides to running too much octane, it costs more and it's less efficient. There IS a slight decrease in HP with higher octane, but you won't feel it.

In most of eastern africa it was Benzine or "The other stuff"/Naft/Naphtha/Petrol/Gasoline/"wait let me sniff it!" I'm sure the stuff in Malawi and Zambia probably had ~bonus~ material in it... as you were most of the time buying it out of a plastic water bottle or similar. Scary shit to be honest. No pings or knocks on the DRZ.... just the fear that 28L of fuel you've just bought is diesel. Egyptian and Sudanese fuel was not only good but also cheap as hell... must remember to stop by there more often.

 

[sstimmyy]

Fuel may be much cheaper in the USA than here in the UK but im guessing the average US daily commute is done in a much bigger vehicle and covers a longer distance, stuff is much more spaced out it seems.

 

[ariderslife]

in australia,

The min Standard is 91%

Super is 97%

 

[Trinith]

Fuel may be much cheaper in the USA than here in the UK but im guessing the average US daily commute is done in a much bigger vehicle and covers a longer distance, stuff is much more spaced out it seems.

Well, we have a WHOLE lot more space than you do. No real reason to be packed so densely. Ofcourse some people like living like that in the big cities and live in the middle of downtown. I'll never understand those freaks. :lol:

 

[NastyEvilNinja]

There IS a slight decrease in HP with higher octane, but you won't feel it.

A DECREASE? I'm hoping that's just a typo there... There is a definite increase, because that's what it's all about. Will you notice it in road fuel? No. But put a proper race fuel in...

I always use super.

I've done many tests on it on lots of bikes, and find it gives a 10-20% increase in mileage for, what? A 5% increase in price? So there isn't even a question - it's better value.

On top of that, it's much cleaner fuel, and leaves less deposits, and I can even HEAR the difference when I fill up with it! If you're expecting an effect like nitrous then you'll be disappointed, because you won't get one.

I'll go even further and say that I won't touch supermarket super unleaded, because that stuff is crap, too.

I have a blog about a test I did using Tesco Super - basically I got flat spots in the rev range and all sorts of problems that disappeared the moment I switched back to Shell V-Power. And I ran 3 tanks of the Tescos stuff through so I know exactly which fuel works and which is cheap crap.

If you want to read the full blog look here:

http://nastyevilninja.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/super-supermarket-fuel-and-why-not-to-be-a-skinflint/

 

[BiGFooTy2k]

Damn, here in Czech Republic there's no 87 and pumps stopped dealing 93 about 6 years ago. Now we only have overpriced 98 and more expensive 100 which is fucking rip off (cca 39CZK for 98 and 43CZK for 100 - 1USD=19,5CZK)

Now I'm tanking up the 100 because when it vaporizes after longer standing (winter is coming), it doesn't leave ecological substances which would mess with your engine (like clogged carburetors). And the bike DEFINITELY runs much more better on the 100.

 

[DodgeRider26]

This morning I pumped 28.4 gallons into my truck. You can all bloody sod off for all I care... it was 87.

The majority of bikes in my household "require" 91 octane, however the logic that Trinith stated above is true... you should always run the lowest octane gas you can without getting any pre-detonation/pinging. Doing so will increase your power and efficiency just slightly. Additionally, if you buy from a quality fuel supplier such as BP or QuikTrip here in Kansas City then you'll learn that their premium and standard grade fuels all have the same cleaner additives so buying Premium 91 octane just to get "better" gas is often a misconception.

For this reasoning, I've successfully run 87 in all my bikes even during this blazing hot summer we've had. No pinging, I kept running it. As winter sets in and they change the octane/heptane contents of the fuel I will have to make another determination if I can keep running 87 in the KTM, but I imagine the Concours will continue to run fine on 87.

 

[ToastToGo]

You can all bloody sod off

You are not American.

 

[Trinith]

Additionally, if you buy from a quality fuel supplier such as BP or QuikTrip here in Kansas City then you'll learn that their premium and standard grade fuels all have the same cleaner additives so buying Premium 91 octane just to get "better" gas is often a misconception.

All the major manufacturers are the same way. Chevron, Texaco, Mobil, etc. They add the same detergents to all the fuels. I was reading up a little more on the whole octane thing and read something that stuck out, after some thinking about how it all works I can totally see it being true. Running excessive octane levels in your fuel can cause more engine deposits as the fuel isn't burned as completely, effectively making it a dirtier fuel. I never really thought about it that way, but it really makes a fair bit of sense to me.

 

[NastyEvilNinja]

Running excessive octane levels in your fuel can cause more engine deposits as the fuel isn't burned as completely, effectively making it a dirtier fuel. I never really thought about it that way, but it really makes a fair bit of sense to me.

That's completely the wrong way around, though!

Higher octane = better combustion + less deposits.

If you want an extreme example look at aircraft or Formula One fuel! They ain't running 87 octane fuels, take my word for it!

 

[Sh1ftyClutch]

Speaking of winter, what do you use to winterize your bike? Mine stands outside in a garage tent

 

[Trinith]

Running excessive octane levels in your fuel can cause more engine deposits as the fuel isn't burned as completely, effectively making it a dirtier fuel. I never really thought about it that way, but it really makes a fair bit of sense to me.

That's completely the wrong way around, though!

Higher octane = better combustion + less deposits.

If you want an extreme example look at aircraft or Formula One fuel! They ain't running 87 octane fuels, take my word for it!

You're wrong dude. 1st - Aircraft use leaded fuel which is a completely different animal. 2nd - F1 engines are INSANELY high compression motors. 2000cc engines making 800ish hp with no power adders. You -cannot- compare a street motor to either of those.

Again, octane SLOWS combustion, it does NOT improve it. If higher octane fuel was more combustible you'd get a whole lot of pinging and detonation in high compression engines and then your racing gas (which is for motors well in excess of 12:1 compression ratios) would be running low octane to keep the pre-detonation to a minimum.

But since you're so convinced that Dodge and myself, as well as anything reputable I've ever seen are all wrong..feel free to dig up the information (from reputable sources ofcourse, "I felt it" doesn't work as the human body is an amazingly bad accelerometer...) and link us to it. Find some proof and you may be able to change my mind, but I highly doubt it.

 

[Trinith]

Speaking of winter, what do you use to winterize your bike? Mine stands outside in a garage tent

To winterize? I make sure the coolant isn't just water. Then I ride it. Right up until there's precipitation. Cold is fine. Wet is ok. Cold and wet sucks ass, and riding anywhere near ice is just stupid imo. If I aint riding it then it's sitting in the apartment parkinglot just like it does during the summer.

 

[XXX526]

1. Octane rating system used in the USA & Canada is the average between "RON" & "MON" (AKI) (R+M)/2) which will exhibit a lower number than that of the "RON" number used in Europe and Australia.

2. Higher octane resist detonation longer, thus why it is specified in higher combustion or performance-tuned engines. If your owner's manual states to use "x", you ARE wasting money using a higher rating.

3. Using a higher octane than the combustion process can digest WILL result in more carbon deposits in the chamber, ports and exhaust. That unburned chit has to go somewhere if it's not getting burned completely.

4. If you hear your engine pinging or detonating, only then should you increase your octane.

 

[NastyEvilNinja]

First link from Wikipedia should do it. I'm not sure if it's your marketing over there convincing you 87 RON fuel is as good as anything else? It's wrong. Higher octane is always better, even if you engine can't 'use' it to gain more power. Why do you think it costs more?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

"A common misconception is that power output or fuel efficiency can be improved by burning fuel of higher octane than that specified by the engine manufacturer. The power output of an engine depends in part on the energy density of the fuel being burnt. Fuels of different octane ratings may have similar densities, but because switching to a higher octane fuel does not add more hydrocarbon content or oxygen, the engine cannot develop more power.

However, burning fuel with a lower octane rating than that for which the engine is designed often results in a reduction of power output and efficiency. Many modern engines are equipped with a knock sensor (a small piezoelectric microphone), which sends a signal to the engine control unit, which in turn retards the ignition timing when detonation is detected. Retarding the ignition timing reduces the tendency of the fuel-air mixture to detonate, but also reduces power output and fuel efficiency. Because of this, under conditions of high load and high temperature, a given engine may have a more consistent power output with a higher octane fuel, as such fuels are less prone to detonation."