GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: jbig31 on July 16, 2007, 01:44:47 PM

Poll
Question: same as above
Option 1: 89 votes: 6
Option 2: 91 votes: 19
Option 3: 87 votes: 45
Option 4: 85 votes: 3
Title: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: jbig31 on July 16, 2007, 01:44:47 PM
thanks
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 01:59:12 PM
oh, my, god.

Search "octane".

Don't run anything other than 87.. it's a waste..
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: frankieG on July 16, 2007, 02:34:35 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 01:59:12 PM
oh, my, god.

Search "octane".

Don't run anything other than 87.. it's a waste..

i agree....what is next synth oil ?
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: ohgood on July 16, 2007, 02:40:47 PM
Since there is a poll, 87.

No, I wouldn't burn anything but 87, and 83 if I could pay less for it. It's only fuel.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: bigfatcat on July 16, 2007, 02:41:00 PM
89 'cuz haynes says run 'mid grade' ... 89 being between 87 and 91 y'know and i figure i wouldn't hear any knocking/pinging if it did, so to be safe 89.

(now i realize mid grade in the uk might be different where haynes is published like iirc they have star ratings  - one star, two star and so on for gas ... besides it's kinda cool to pay over $ 3 a gallon "don't worry baby I can afford it "  LOL )
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: werase643 on July 16, 2007, 02:49:54 PM
I run 114....with this high compression tuned to the hills monster










:laugh:
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Chuck on July 16, 2007, 02:57:15 PM
Don't forget that octane means something slightly different in every country.  So do you mean MON, RON or (R+M)/2?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Jake D on July 16, 2007, 03:19:19 PM
I'm adding you to my buddy list.   :bowdown:
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Trwhouse on July 16, 2007, 03:52:25 PM
Our wonderful little GS500's only require 87.
Don't waste your money on more than that.
Instead, invest your savings in good tires and Progressive fork springs.
Best wishes,
Todd
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:20:51 PM
I use the 91 just because its only 6 bucks for me to fill it up every two weeks anyways cause i dont go past 100 miles before i fill it up
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 04:24:38 PM
Quote from: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:20:51 PM
I use the 91 just because its only 6 bucks for me to fill it up every two weeks anyways cause i dont go past 100 miles before i fill it up

That's a stupid reason.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:31:12 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 04:24:38 PM
Quote from: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:20:51 PM
I use the 91 just because its only 6 bucks for me to fill it up every two weeks anyways cause i dont go past 100 miles before i fill it up

That's a stupid reason.
well it can't hurt anything its not even expensive for me at all
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 04:34:41 PM
Quote from: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:31:12 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 04:24:38 PM
Quote from: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:20:51 PM
I use the 91 just because its only 6 bucks for me to fill it up every two weeks anyways cause i dont go past 100 miles before i fill it up

That's a stupid reason.
well it can't hurt anything its not even expensive for me at all

Actually, it can be bad. Too high of an octane means you're getting incomplete detonation, causing your engine to produce less power, and leave more deposits in your cylinder. The engine was designed for a certain octane. Running higher than that does no good. Adding octane booster from 7-Eleven does no good. Run it on 87, like the manual says.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: CirclesCenter on July 16, 2007, 06:06:21 PM
Also temperature and operating conditions must be taken into account.

For example, stop and go in 110+ heat does not make for a happy GS on 87.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: ben2go on July 16, 2007, 07:23:36 PM
I strictly use clear Amoco/BP 93 octane.If I'm away from my village(  :laugh: ) I use the highest octane at the regular pumps.Some of my local stations sell a 108 or 110 octane for the dirt track racers around here.I dunno if it's alcohol or methynol so i don't use it.My reason for using the higher octane is,my spark plugs seem to stay cleaner longer and they keep a uniform color longer.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: bosozoku on July 16, 2007, 07:32:23 PM
Quote from: CirclesCenter on July 16, 2007, 06:06:21 PM
Also temperature and operating conditions must be taken into account.

... and jetting ...  The GS runs lean from the factory, AFAIK.  Correcting that might allow the motor to handle a lower octane without pinking.

-b.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Oklahoma_Mike on July 17, 2007, 06:12:52 AM
Quote from: bosozoku on July 16, 2007, 07:32:23 PM
Quote from: CirclesCenter on July 16, 2007, 06:06:21 PM
Also temperature and operating conditions must be taken into account.

... and jetting ...  The GS runs lean from the factory, AFAIK.  Correcting that might allow the motor to handle a lower octane without pinking.

-b.

And most importantly! Timing, nothing affects the octane grade you should use more than compression and timing. If you have done the mod and advanced your timing ahead of stock you should be aware of the fact that the stock recommendations of octane become just that a recommendation. Depending on the tuning of you bike and the relative climate you may need to go up a notch on octane from 87 if you are running above stock advanced timing. Higher octane as stated can harm an engine. The only way you can get more hp is if you can better utilize the higher octane. Example: advance timing enough, bump up compression ect.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: cerius on July 17, 2007, 12:54:43 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 04:34:41 PM
Quote from: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:31:12 PM
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on July 16, 2007, 04:24:38 PM
Quote from: cerius on July 16, 2007, 04:20:51 PM
I use the 91 just because its only 6 bucks for me to fill it up every two weeks anyways cause i dont go past 100 miles before i fill it up

That's a stupid reason.
well it can't hurt anything its not even expensive for me at all

Actually, it can be bad. Too high of an octane means you're getting incomplete detonation, causing your engine to produce less power, and leave more deposits in your cylinder. The engine was designed for a certain octane. Running higher than that does no good. Adding octane booster from 7-Eleven does no good. Run it on 87, like the manual says.
ok that's legit evidence for me to use it. lol
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: ABSOLUTNATI on January 02, 2008, 10:54:18 AM
I've been putting 91, and sometimes 93. I haven't had any problems, but I also haven't seen any improvment. Does anyone else agree that higher octane could DAMAGE your engine? I have a some pretty steep hills to go up on the way home, and don't need the engine to knock on me. I thought that I had heard it doing that before, but that was when I first started riding, and I could have been in too high of a gear.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: ivany on January 02, 2008, 11:16:10 AM
Run 87. Guys, c'mon, your 8:1 compression engine from the 70s isn't going to ping. Many 600s now a days with 12:1 and higher run 87. You think your GS needs better than those?

However, you won't HURT anything by running higher compression. Since gasoline engines don't rely on the mixture to detonate by heat/pressure alone (they use a spark to ignite) higher octane will not hurt you. But it does absolutely nothing....
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Kasumi on January 02, 2008, 03:50:24 PM
If you lived over here you would be running it on the lowest octane we sell - recommended by by the manual. Were paying like £1.06 per LITER for regular, if you came over here and filled up the same you would be putting in super unleaded or super octane and be paying like £1.16 or more. Use what it says on the tin, count the pennies and watch the pounds grow.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: spc on January 02, 2008, 04:17:19 PM
My 2000 Gix6 is suggested for 87 [(R+M)/2] and that's all I use.  I am however cautious of where I fill up.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: ohgood on January 03, 2008, 08:13:02 AM
(http://blogs.amnestyusa.org/pub/amnestyusa/death-penalty/beating-a-dead-horse.gif)
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Yev on January 03, 2008, 08:28:13 AM
Quote from: spcterry on January 02, 2008, 04:17:19 PM
My 2000 Gix6 is suggested for 87 [(R+M)/2] and that's all I use.  I am however cautious of where I fill up.
Why so? :dunno_white:
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Kasumi on January 03, 2008, 09:40:10 AM
There has been incidents of "bad gas" going round which for some reason or other dont feed the car like they should and break shaZam!.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: sledge on January 03, 2008, 09:48:44 AM
People associate high octane fuels with more power......not strictly true unless the high octane fuel goes in a high compression engine. Using anything higher than the maker recommends is a waste of time and money in a stock bike engine, particularly in a 40 year old, air-cooled, slow reving 4 valve engine with an 8-1 comp ratio and " **ck-in-a-shaZam!-sleeve clearances" like the GS has. A higher Comp` ratio and a higher RON will give you a bit of extra power........but higher RON on its own does sweet FA except empty your wallet quicker.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: trumpetguy on January 03, 2008, 11:31:00 AM
Quote from: bigfatcat on July 16, 2007, 02:41:00 PM
89 'cuz haynes says run 'mid grade'

And Suzuki's US manual says run 87.  You'd rather listen to Haynes?
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: sledge on January 03, 2008, 11:59:59 AM
European and US RON gradings are not the same and should not be confused. US RON numbers are lower than the equivilent European figures......So it follows that a euro` mid grade will equate to a US low grade.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: CentralCoaster on January 03, 2008, 12:14:24 PM
I was running 91 because I didn't know what the octane requirement was.

But now that I know it's 87, I'll use 87, thanks.  I know there are zero benefits, (and possibly some downsides) to running premium on an engine that wasn't designed for it.

Premium is NOT better fuel, it's different fuel.  In fact, calling it premium is false advertising, and causes people to use it when they shouldn't be.  The only thing premium about it is the price.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: ohgood on January 03, 2008, 01:19:14 PM
Quote from: CentralCoaster on January 03, 2008, 12:14:24 PM
I was running 91 because I didn't know what the octane requirement was.

But now that I know it's 87, I'll use 87, thanks.  I know there are zero benefits, (and possibly some downsides) to running premium on an engine that wasn't designed for it.

Premium is NOT better fuel, it's different fuel.  In fact, calling it premium is false advertising, and causes people to use it when they shouldn't be.  The only thing premium about it is the price.

Welcome to the Far Side. Out here, stuff that makes perfect sense over 'there' seems laughable. Take for instance the phrase "Sports Utility Vehicle". Over here it's lunacy. Over 'there', it's 'cool'.

Also- "I filled up with Premium gas, and put 104+ Octane BOOSTER in. I think I have more horsepower now."

or- "But she can't be pregnant. We only did it for a little while."

maybe even- "Man, this new Suburban at 0% interest is a much smarter deal than a 5 year old crapbox that I have to pay CASH for !"

Enjoy your new knowledge, and the pleasure that knowledge brings. It is such a fantastic thing.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: sledge on January 03, 2008, 02:12:55 PM
Quote from: CentralCoaster on January 03, 2008, 12:14:24 PM


Premium is NOT better fuel, it's different fuel.  In fact, calling it premium is false advertising, and causes people to use it when they shouldn't be.  The only thing premium about it is the price.

Round of applause for this man and his way of thinking, couldnt have put it better myself :thumb:
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: frankieG on January 05, 2008, 08:18:30 PM
Regular like suzuki reccomends
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: Krusse on January 10, 2008, 08:35:23 AM
I´m running 95 octane, cause here in Sweden you can only choose between 95 or 98..  :cheers:
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: respite on January 10, 2008, 03:16:12 PM
Checked the manual last night. Glad to know ive been wasting my money. The shop told me to run 91 because it was a cleaner fuel. Guess im running my last tank of 91 now.
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: frankieG on January 12, 2008, 08:23:25 AM
My bike and I both run on beer justnot St the same time
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: spc on January 12, 2008, 08:25:14 AM
Hmmmm, I bet my bike bike could run on the vodka I drink....................................ehhh screw that, vodka cost too much. :laugh:
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: frankieG on January 12, 2008, 08:36:45 AM
So does beer but that does not stop me.  I would be a rich man if I had all that money back
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: RobTheTyrant on January 12, 2008, 09:43:40 AM
Beer... Vodka... Psh!  Captain & JAGER!  Bombs away!  Jager-bombs are my octane booster!  :laugh:
Title: Re: What octane gas are you using ? 87 89 91
Post by: frankieG on January 12, 2008, 09:47:08 AM
Omg I can't drink rum