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16th July 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 50 Sportster/Buell Model: 883 XLow Sportster/Buell Year: 2009
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93, 89 and maybe 87 octane?
Hi All,
My motorcycle is supposed to have high test, or 93 octane.
I put 89 in it and althought the note of the exhaust has changed- it still runs like a top.
I have heard that running 87 octane is a no go, any thoughts?
Thanks
Wayne
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16th July 2012
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Duarte, CA
Posts: 5,631 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster 883L Sportster/Buell Year: 2006 Other Motorcycle Model: Honda CB350 Cafe Style Other Motorcycle Year: 1970
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wayneo1
Hi All,
My motorcycle is supposed to have high test, or 93 octane.
I put 89 in it and althought the note of the exhaust has changed- it still runs like a top.
I have heard that running 87 octane is a no go, any thoughts?
Thanks
Wayne
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2009 883L (Not sure) 87 octane is suggested in the service manual for 2006 883L
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16th July 2012
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunny Italy
Posts: 15,415 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH 1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 1993 Other Motorcycle Model: Moto Guzzi California EV Other Motorcycle Year: 1998
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Look in your Service Manual and go with what is recommended. If the engine is pinging then go to a higher octane. Otherwise, stay with what is recommended for your bike.
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16th July 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 79 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1200C Sportster/Buell Year: 04
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Prior to 2007 (carb'd bikes) Harley recommended 87 octane for the 883 and 91+ octane for the 1200.
Starting with the EFI bikes in 07, Harley changed the recommended octane for all Sporties to 91+.
Since the compression ratio wasn't changed on the 883, it's quite likely that you can still run a lower octane, especially when the weather is cooler.
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16th July 2012
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XL FORUM LIFE MEMBER
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 13,156 Sportster/Buell Model: XL50 0596 Black Sportster/Buell Year: 2007 Other Motorcycle Model: E-Glide Other Motorcycle Year: 2003
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Quote:
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Starting with the EFI bikes in 07, Harley changed the recommended octane for all Sporties to 91+.
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I run 89 without any problems in my 2007.
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16th July 2012
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Red Beard Cycles
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MARY Lund, YUK !
Posts: 9,824 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH-1208 Sportster/Buell Year: 1997 Other Motorcycle Year: ALL
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HD tech will only consider 91 octane or better. Eventhough you manual may state otherwise.
To me, its cheap insurance.. Plus I get better mpg with at least 91
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17th July 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 14 Sportster/Buell Model: 883 Iron Sportster/Buell Year: 2010
Reputation: 10
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I've been running 93 oct, it's an extra 20-25cents per fill-up then 91 octane.
I've seen what happens when you don't run the right octane way too many times in cars that I wouldn't try anything less then 91 in a newer sporty.
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17th July 2012
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunny Italy
Posts: 15,415 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH 1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 1993 Other Motorcycle Model: Moto Guzzi California EV Other Motorcycle Year: 1998
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggler
I've been running 93 oct, it's an extra 20-25cents per fill-up then 91 octane.
I've seen what happens when you don't run the right octane way too many times in cars that I wouldn't try anything less then 91 in a newer sporty.
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If you think higher octane is better gasoline then you really should do a little more research. Higher octane is not "better" gas, it is "different" gas. Higher Octance gas just requires more effort to ignite. That's why it is recommended for higher compression engines. It does not pre-ignite.
It is not "better" gasoline! |
17th July 2012
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Somewhere, out there
Posts: 253 Sportster/Buell Model: XL883N Sportster/Buell Year: 2010
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Precicely. And not only that, running fuel with an octane rating higher than the engine and more specifically the ignition was designed for can lead to carbon build up. Higher octane fuels burn more slowly, so if the rating is too high, combustion isn't as clean as it could be. I use 87 myself, and I only ping in really hot weather in heavy traffic if I lug the motor. I've considered mid grade, but the ping I experience is infrequent enough not to bother me.
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17th July 2012
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Biker
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 14 Sportster/Buell Model: 883 Iron Sportster/Buell Year: 2010
Reputation: 10
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I didn't say it was a better gas. I have seen 50-60 engines need valve jobs and even a few slugs replaced because people used 87 when it said to use 91+. Vw's, Ford's, Chevy's, Honda's. 4-8 cylinders. The pinging is worse for an engine then the little bit of carbon build up.
That's just my opinion based on what I have seen and cars that I have had to fix, so I won't risk it on my own motorcycle.
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