What octane gas do you run in your GS?

[galahs]

The 91 is probably the research method octane rating that we use here in Australia.

Our standard fuel is 91 octane,

Premium is 95 octane

Ultra Premium is 98

and now we even have Shell's optimax Extreme which is 100.


I've always run mine on BP Ultimate 98 as it seems to be a good fuel.

[Turd Ferguson]

Gasoline quality is somewhat dependant on where you are buying your gas from.  Don't bother comparing "Quick Trip" 91 octane to Shell or BP 91 octane.  Yes, the octane rating is the same, but the amount and types of detergents are completely different.

When looking at the gas at a quality station, "Premium" gasoline generally does have more cleaning agents than "Regular".  In my mind, this would only matter on a high mileage engine that goes through gas like your moms SUV.  Your average GS500 probably only sees 4,000 miles per year.  At 40 mpg (yes...that's pretty poor for a GS...but just go with it) thats 100 gallons of gas each year.  I don't see how a small amount of detergents is going to help here.  If you are getting 7/11 gasoline...well...that's a different story, but I don't think the upgrade to "Premium" gasolines is worth it from the "cleaner engine" standpoint.

The octane rating issue has been covered by others already.

-Turd.

[domas]

I always have run 87octane in mine, however I was poking around under the seat and noticed the sticker said a min of 91 octane. 

87 octance in US = 91 octane in europe, australia etc.  If your tanak stations sell like 87, 90, 92-93, then use 87 (regular). If your local stations sell 92, 95, 98. use 92.

[ckirtner80]

I like JP8

[Alphamazing]

Gasoline quality is somewhat dependant on where you are buying your gas from.  Don't bother comparing "Quick Trip" 91 octane to Shell or BP 91 octane.  Yes, the octane rating is the same, but the amount and types of detergents are completely different.

When looking at the gas at a quality station, "Premium" gasoline generally does have more cleaning agents than "Regular".  In my mind, this would only matter on a high mileage engine that goes through gas like your moms SUV.  Your average GS500 probably only sees 4,000 miles per year.  At 40 mpg (yes...that's pretty poor for a GS...but just go with it) thats 100 gallons of gas each year.  I don't see how a small amount of detergents is going to help here.  If you are getting 7/11 gasoline...well...that's a different story, but I don't think the upgrade to "Premium" gasolines is worth it from the "cleaner engine" standpoint.

So with the added detergent stuff, you're saying that you think it actually might be beneficial to run higher octane with an engine that is used more often (mi/yr).

[dsoders2]

here in sweden we only got 95 and higher what crappy fuel do u got in the states?
ALL THE FINEST FOR THE SWEDES!!!!!!

[RVertigo]

here in sweden we only got 95 and higher what crappy fuel do u got in the states?

Our rating numbers are different...  Just so ya' know.

[galahs]

Sweeden's octane rating is probably the same (research method) as ours here in Australia.

So your standard unleaded fuel is equal to our Premium.

[bubba zanetti]

I've been running 95 in mine religiously since I've had it. Just as an experiment, coming back from Nowra I decided to run some regular unleaded to see if there was a difference or it was just  . The bike did seem to lack a little power  so back to 95 for this little black duck

[galahs]

If 95 makes it run better, imagine what 98 would do!!! 

[vtlion]

Just strap a JATO rocket to the (carbon fiber) wing on the back of your bike.  This way you won't have to worry about octane rating anymore.

Personally, I'm holding out for the development of the "Mr. Fusion" unit like the one in back to the future.

In the meantime, it's 87 octane for my SV.  If your bike has a 9:1 compression ratio, higher octane gas is a waste. 

I've also found that brand can be a bigger factor than anything else.  I ran Sheetz 92 octane in my R6 several times and it ran like CRAP.  Went back to Sunnocco 93 and it purred like a kitten again.

[bubba zanetti]

The way the mechanic was talking when I got it tuned was that 98 aint much good for it    95 seems to be ok so I'll stick with it

[galahs]

To be completely honest, the only real advantage in putting a Premium unleaded into the GS500 is it minimises your chances of getting a bad batch of fuel as the premiums have certain standards that must be met.

Something Joe Blows No Name Fuel's don't.

[LimaXray]

Has anyone gone by their local airport and tried running some low-lead av-gas?  I know it would be pointless unless you milled your heads to some ungodly CR, but it would piss off the epa and all the tree hugging hippies 

[3imo]

my parents were hippies.  Puerto rican Hippies.  which is kinda wierd.

my sisters name translated to SUN MARY.   the 60's musta been really fun. 

Groovy

[pnaberhaus]

3imo,
I wuz there(in the '60s) They WERE fun. Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver, Steppenwolf, Janis. I bought a NEW Honda 305 scrambler for $700 in 1966. Paid for with a summer job.  Summer job also paid for college tuition. Twenty (20) credit hours/qtr @Ohio State cost $125. The Sixties also brought with it "free love" and the drug culture. My attorney advised me to not go down that road on this Forum . Yes, the sixties were great if you didn't have to go to 'Nam. I enlisted after college, but flunked the physical(bad eyes). A lot of good people never had the chance to have the fond memories of that era like I do 

BUT, not to hijack this thread and to answer the original question......I've used 87 octane in my '89 for the last 14 years w/o a problem.

[ImJustPondering]

I use Chevron Supreme with Techron!

Actually I tried the cheapest possible gas but my bike started knocking. After I switched it went away and my mechanic told me to use supreme too so with those two reasons, I'm use it 

- David

[3imo]

3imo,
I wuz there(in the '60s) They WERE fun. Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver, Steppenwolf, Janis. I bought a NEW Honda 305 scrambler for $700 in 1966. Paid for with a summer job.  Summer job also paid for college tuition. Twenty (20) credit hours/qtr @Ohio State cost $125. The Sixties also brought with it "free love" and the drug culture. My attorney advised me to not go down that road on this Forum . Yes, the sixties were great if you didn't have to go to 'Nam. I enlisted after college, but flunked the physical(bad eyes). A lot of good people never had the chance to have the fond memories of that era like I do 

BUT, not to hijack this thread and to answer the original question......I've used 87 octane in my '89 for the last 14 years w/o a problem.

  how much were condoms?  uh...nevermind

[Codger]

87 octane in a factory lean jetted '05.  Haven't had a knock.

[GeeP]

To be completely honest, the only real advantage in putting a Premium unleaded into the GS500 is it minimises your chances of getting a bad batch of fuel as the premiums have certain standards that must be met.

Something Joe Blows No Name Fuel's don't.

It all comes from the same refinery in most areas.  The only difference is the name on the tanker.  Mid-grade is actually a mix of "premium" and "cheap".