View Poll Results: high octain or low octain ?
Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll
87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 25
87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
I was using 91 when I 1st got the SH. Because my last I4 was recomended for high octain. but This is a V-twin not a In-line-4 (I4). So recomendations ? what do you use ?
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 201
From: Montreal
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Habitually, I'm always putting 91.
There's some gas station around here that are offer 94 but with a lot of "supposed" additive to clean the engine and bla bla bla!!!! But I don't trust them on this, so I stay with the typical "super".
I think the oil to use is the most difficult choice to make!
Cheers
There's some gas station around here that are offer 94 but with a lot of "supposed" additive to clean the engine and bla bla bla!!!! But I don't trust them on this, so I stay with the typical "super".
I think the oil to use is the most difficult choice to make!
Cheers
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,315
From: Richmond, Virginia
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
http://www.handymanusa.com/articles/octane.html
mamisano's right, of course!
Read & learn. (like I did)
mamisano's right, of course!
Read & learn. (like I did)
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 318
From: San Jose, CA
I use 87.
I have to use 91 in both my cars. My 2001 Miata performs better with a 91. My Mercedes knocks with anthing less than 91. They both need it.
My bikes, both ninja 250 and the SH run better on 87.
My F4i also ran better on 87 than 91.
Just my observations. Your results may vary.
I have to use 91 in both my cars. My 2001 Miata performs better with a 91. My Mercedes knocks with anthing less than 91. They both need it.
My bikes, both ninja 250 and the SH run better on 87.
My F4i also ran better on 87 than 91.
Just my observations. Your results may vary.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Hear hear Mamisano!
I started off running 91 in mine and later switched to 87 with zero problems. I have heard conflicting reports about the exact fuel requirement for the VTR but I have experienced no problems with 87.
Incidentally, I recall someone doing back to back dyno tests on a snowmobile engine (two-stroke, 2000 Ski-Doo MXZ 700) designed to run on 87 and switching to 91 LOST two hp. Given that the output of the VTR is roughly equivalent (VTR is lower by about 10-15 hp), I would expect the result to be very similar.
So, save money, increase hp, run 87 (on stock or close to engines anyhow)
I started off running 91 in mine and later switched to 87 with zero problems. I have heard conflicting reports about the exact fuel requirement for the VTR but I have experienced no problems with 87.
Incidentally, I recall someone doing back to back dyno tests on a snowmobile engine (two-stroke, 2000 Ski-Doo MXZ 700) designed to run on 87 and switching to 91 LOST two hp. Given that the output of the VTR is roughly equivalent (VTR is lower by about 10-15 hp), I would expect the result to be very similar.
So, save money, increase hp, run 87 (on stock or close to engines anyhow)
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 201
From: Montreal
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Cool!!
Like we said: "the old habits have the life hard" or something like this...
Like I was always putting 91 in my previous I4, I was continuing to do it with the VTR V2, but now that means I will be able to save a couple of buck for my front end swap
I will try this right away, 170Km... I need to fuel again ?(%"/*& of small tank.
Thanks!!! the check is in the mail
Like we said: "the old habits have the life hard" or something like this...
Like I was always putting 91 in my previous I4, I was continuing to do it with the VTR V2, but now that means I will be able to save a couple of buck for my front end swap
I will try this right away, 170Km... I need to fuel again ?(%"/*& of small tank.
Thanks!!! the check is in the mail
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
SuperHawk - 93 (is there anything else)
CB750F -93
CRF450R - 93
CR80 - 93 (plus Bel-Ray oil)
TRX250EX - 93
Miata - 87
Dakota - 87
Lawnmowers - (what ever is in the can from the last dirtbike ride - usually 93)
CB750F -93
CRF450R - 93
CR80 - 93 (plus Bel-Ray oil)
TRX250EX - 93
Miata - 87
Dakota - 87
Lawnmowers - (what ever is in the can from the last dirtbike ride - usually 93)
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Yep yep, the CRF450R kicks A$$.
Wicked fast and got to best the fastest reving engine i have ever ridden.
Nothing like 55hp in a 230lbs bike. sounds like a vtr with half the weight and power
I so want to convert it to street in the summer months (motard) and bag to dirt fall/winter/spring
Wicked fast and got to best the fastest reving engine i have ever ridden.
Nothing like 55hp in a 230lbs bike. sounds like a vtr with half the weight and power
I so want to convert it to street in the summer months (motard) and bag to dirt fall/winter/spring
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 764
From: Nananimo, B.C.
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Those bikes are insane. I sold my RM250 to buy my VTR. Would have loved to have kept it. Nothing more fun that rippin it up down some trail. Then again my right shoulder is still sore from when I clipped a tree. 
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Well, the answer has been given correctly many times. 90% of the time, we dont need to use gas octane levels above 87. The same holds true with almost all other STOCK bikes (and cars especially), regardless of compression ratio. You cant use just one number in the equation. In other words, its not just the compression ratio wich govenrns the use of higher octance. Timing, compression, wrong plugs, engine size and rpm, cam timing, even air flow design make a difference.
Try putting 87 octane in a 12:1 comp ratio inline 4 motor...try to get the thing to knock where it makes any power! Try really hard!!! The vast majority of engine knock occurs in ranges inline 4's make little power. Generally, you wont hear or need to be concerned about knock at higher RPM....in STOCK bikes.
This is topic is decades old...like oil. Use what your confortable with. If you want to pay $5 a quart for oil, and $2.50+ for 93 octance gas...so be it. Ya' aint hurt'n nut'n but'ch yo wallet...otherwise use the mainstream stuff...which is not the same as the "cheap stuff".
Try putting 87 octane in a 12:1 comp ratio inline 4 motor...try to get the thing to knock where it makes any power! Try really hard!!! The vast majority of engine knock occurs in ranges inline 4's make little power. Generally, you wont hear or need to be concerned about knock at higher RPM....in STOCK bikes.
This is topic is decades old...like oil. Use what your confortable with. If you want to pay $5 a quart for oil, and $2.50+ for 93 octance gas...so be it. Ya' aint hurt'n nut'n but'ch yo wallet...otherwise use the mainstream stuff...which is not the same as the "cheap stuff".
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 347
From: Western NY
My little frame tag on the bike recommends 91. I've actually been using 89 for the last couple years, unless I'm at the track. When I finally noticed the little frame tag recommendation about a month ago I started using 91 all the time. Guess I was guilted into it, never had a prob. with the 89.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 281
From: Denver, CO
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
Yep, manual states 87 octane. I've played with 87, 89, and 91 and all 3 produce the same gas milage of 45mpg so far. Power-wise it -feels- that the 91 here in Denver is a little better than the 87, maybe because of a new law passed 6 months ago for emissions they're permanently using RFG gas (reformulated)?
My Pontiac TransAm Firehawk has to be adjusted and spark-advance reduced a tad for the RFG gas on the computer as the octane is slightly affected somehow.
If you consider well, it's 5800 feet altitude so you can go down a few points in octane for a carburated vehicle (SHawk) so it sort of evens-out.
I'm not sure if because of the RFG gas 91 octane is better or not. Certainly 93 octane (which is hard to find around here in Denver) is detrimental because the octane rating is too far off the recommended 87. You could probably easilly get away with 85 or 86 octane just fine, if you like sludge.
I'm pretty sure +/- 2 or 3 points of octane won't hurt. You'll want to stay within that window.
(I saw 83.5 octane in South Dakota once... no lead.)
My Pontiac TransAm Firehawk has to be adjusted and spark-advance reduced a tad for the RFG gas on the computer as the octane is slightly affected somehow.
If you consider well, it's 5800 feet altitude so you can go down a few points in octane for a carburated vehicle (SHawk) so it sort of evens-out.
I'm not sure if because of the RFG gas 91 octane is better or not. Certainly 93 octane (which is hard to find around here in Denver) is detrimental because the octane rating is too far off the recommended 87. You could probably easilly get away with 85 or 86 octane just fine, if you like sludge.
I'm pretty sure +/- 2 or 3 points of octane won't hurt. You'll want to stay within that window.
(I saw 83.5 octane in South Dakota once... no lead.)
Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 64
From: Minnesota
Re: 87 89 91 what type of gas? Pole ((vote)) reviews...
I run 92. All of the gas around here has at least 10% ethanol, but there are a few places around here that have pure gas at 92 octane. I've experimented with different stations, and the non-oxygenated 92 from BP/Amoco gives me the best performance.
If I could find 87-89 pure gas, I'd give it try. Ethanol sucks in the bike.
Jeff
redsuperhawk
If I could find 87-89 pure gas, I'd give it try. Ethanol sucks in the bike.
Jeff
redsuperhawk
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Thumper
General Discussion
15
Jan 12, 2008 09:29 PM
