I usually run the Sunoco 94 when it's available, if it's not I'll go with what's around before I run out of gas. And yes I drink imported beer too!

Quote from: fretbuzzHigh octane gas is harder to burn.

No, it isn't.

Quote from: Chris_BI thought that higher octane fuel burnt more easily compared to a lower octane fuel.

No, it doesn't.

Quote from: RoadstergalOctane is resistance to detonation.  Nothing more.  

Quote from: subcnew bike and i don't want to mess it up.

I have a new bike and I'm not going to mess it up.  I run 87.  I'd run 85 if we had it.

Quote from: fettcolsI usually run the Sunoco 94 when it's available, if it's not I'll go with what's around before I run out of gas. And yes I drink imported beer too!

Your palate and stomach can tell the difference between imported and Bud.  Your GS can't tell the difference between 87 and 94.

I have no problem with people running high octane if they think the oil companies aren't making enough money as is, but I don't like myths running around that it's somehow "better" for a bike that doesn't knock on 85.

The GS's engine isn't exactly a high-performance engine. I use 87 Octane fuel and the bike runs great. Why would I want to use higher octane? All it means is worse performance and a higher bill.

Quote from: Kerry
Same here.  85 octane!

You can buy 85!? The lowest here in PA I have seen is 87  :dunno:

I run 91, only because there is a definate difference between that and 87 in my CBR.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5The GS's engine isn't exactly a high-performance engine.

What!?   No one told me this! I want my $ back!!!

Tell me this is just an ugly rumour?  :dunno:

Oh...I run 87....but he kinda runs like caca no matter what I put in him at the moment...but he runs!!

pandy  

.
Dittos to what Roadstergal said.  Silk cleanup rags make your bike go faster.

(seriously, she is right on the money about octane)

Duh!    THAT's the problem. If you don't use silk scarves, then it doesn't become a high-performance rocket!  :mrgreen:

pandy  :mrgreen:

I have found that my cashmere lined battery box creates a brighter headlight.  :lol:

Quote from: callmelennyI have found that my cashmere lined battery box creates a brighter headlight.  :lol:

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Now I'm jealous.  

pandy  :lol:

Well...  I was running Premium 'cause I was a little confused about the octane rating I read...  After being set straight about EU vs US raitings, I switched to middle...  I have issues with my Ford Exploder if I don't run gas with crap-loads of cleaners in it (Citgo, etc)...  I guess I just can't seem to kick the habit.   :dunno:

Buy a decent regular unleaded instead of buying crappy mid-grade for the same price at a cheap station.  There's nothing wrong with buying gas at the local Qwik-E Mart, as long as they don't sell gas that makes your bike run like crap.  The only problem is experimenting to find who sells the "good" stuff.

I'm a total Chevron addict...  It's my Exploder's fault...  Back when I had a '69 Bug, I didn't care if it was gas I soaked up out of the dirt.  :lol:

None of my other cars have cared either... But, I've had my Exploder for a long time now (I used to be able to fill it for about $23).

My owner's manual says to run minimum 91 octane or higher (Research method).  So I've been putting the "good stuff' in.

A dealer once told me that Sunoco 94 is bad because it contains a high amount of ethanol, causing your poor air-cooled engine to run hotter.

:dunno:

Quote from: daneilahMy owner's manual says to run minimum 91 octane or higher (Research method).  So I've been putting the "good stuff' in.

OK, but the octane rating at the pump (in the US at least) isn't the same as the Research Octane Method (RON) number.

For more info, see this post.

This one also has an interesting link.

85 octane lovingly basted with nitroglycerin and the stuff that they put in A-10 Warthogs is what my baby demands.

I run 87, but only from either Chevron or Shell.  A higher octane rating means the gas is less likely to pre-ignie from compression.  You could look at this for simplicities sake as just harder to burn.  High end cars usualy run 92 octane or better because they get the best performace out of that.  They have higher compression ratios and more ignition advance.  Some cars, like my bmw, are somewhat self tuning in the fact that they will turn the ignition advance up based on the internal knock sensors, so you when you put in gas with more octane, it returns the car on the fly to make use of that extra igntiaon advance wiggle room.  Standard cars are tuned from the factory to use 87, and will get worse performace out of 92 because at the cars compression level, the gas is harder to ignite (this isn't extatly the way it works, but it's close enough for this point)
.  So there's the run down.
Higher octane gas doesn't 'burn cleaner' or any other myth, it just takes a higher compression rate to spontaniously ignite.  'Premium' is a horrible word for this because it leads the average consumer to think it is always going to be better, when in reallity, the word 'premium' should be placed on the refinery making the gas and addatives.  The bargin brands, are not such bargin gas.

Oh, I know I probably miss-spelled 3/4 of that post.  I suck at spell.  sorry.  

I always just pick the midgrade.

the manual says to use 91 or grater octane.  and to end the debate on what higer octane does is that it won't ignite before it is supposed to, and the only  time it really matters is at higer RPMs.  when i put 87 in my tank it makes a ping sound at high RPMs.

Lman

Premium here. The bike tank is so small the ten cents a gallon won't kill me so I splurge a little for my baby.