The Octane Thread

[Diego]

I haven't been able to get a stable MPG value yet to make a meaningful comparison. It has been improving steadily during run-in, starting in the low 30s and now well above 40.

Once it settles down, I'll run a few tanks of each to see how that affects mileage. More riding ahead--oh, the sacrifices I make for you people...

[Shakey]

The last thing my dealer told me before pulling out was "be sure to use premium". Now during winter months I generally use a grade higher than recommended due to this oxygenation requirement they have up and down the left coast, but I've been under the impression the Street Trip can run regular gas. Wonder what gives with this?

[BradleyJ]

This is really to everyone.
I have a 07 VW Passatt 2.0 turbo and an 03 Mini Cooper S. Both are supposed to be "premium" fuel engines with stickers on the gas doors. Last winter with temps in the mid-teens the VW would not start. I called the dealer, who promptly sent out a mechanic. He immediately asked what fuel I was using. His response was, "use midgrade fuel, not premium". Mid grade is more volatile and will start better in the winter. I did as he said and have never had a starting problem since.
I don't know much about gasoline chemistry, especially with all the new chemicals they put in now but my Mini has been on mid-grade ever since as well and I cannot tell any difference in performance, mileage or driveability on either car.
I have run my 790 Bonne on mid-grade since new without issues. I only have 116 miles on my striple so I'll see what happens in the spring. Like Diego we are in the ice he experienced a day or two ago. Since the handbook says 87 octane, that's what I'll use until something or someone tells me otherwise. Why pay for the octane that does no good?

[mik1050]

Hi Guys,
I have just read an article in Brittish `Bike` magazine about this issue. In summary the higher Octane fuel(other additives excluded) is for higher compression motors to prevent pre-ignition(knocking or pinging). The article essentially says that you are basically wasting your money by putting high octane fuel in a motor that does not require it. It is a misnomer that a higher octane level in a fuel equals more power from your motor.
Cheers.

[CrazyCam]

Hi Guys,
I have just read an article in Brittish `Bike` magazine about this issue. In summary the higher Octane fuel(other additives excluded) is for higher compression motors to prevent pre-ignition(knocking or pinging). The article essentially says that you are basically wasting your money by putting high octane fuel in a motor that does not require it. It is a misnomer that a higher octane level in a fuel equals more power from your motor.
Cheers.

Hi mik,

I agree entirely with what you have said, but, I have found by experiment, that feeding my current Honda Hornet 600, premium grade petrol, while it doesn't seem to go any faster or better, it goes further on a tank full of fuel.

Running standard (ozzie) unleaded, I get about 170 to 180 kilometres, from fill up to switch on reserve.

If, however, I use premium grade petrol, I can get 210 to 220 kilometres from a tank full, at approximately the same amount of enjoyment.

Now, since there is a lot more to mixing up petrol than just achieving an Octane rating, I dunno if you, on the west coast of Oz will find the same result as I did on the east coast.

As for the poms and the yanks, <shrug> dunno, their fuel tends to be much more seasonally adjusted.

[Old Scratcher]

(Another thread was begun in Feburary of 2008. The post below is the first one in the new thread. To avoid excessive redundancy, I have merged the new one into the pre-existing octane thread. - Diego)

I just read in my Owner's Handbook that Street Triples can run on standard unleaded fuel (91 RON).
I always use 98 RON in my Scram, even though Triumph reccomend 95 RON. & it runs better, & uses less, when I do.
So what's the best grade of fuel for the Street 3?
Has anybody tried all 3 grades? & is there that much difference?
What about E10? Has anyone tried that?

[streety]

Im not sure as to what grade is better for the bike, but i choose to run my Street of 98 BP Ultimate, i believe it burns a lot cleaner. Would be good to know what is actually the best to run on, as the 98 obviously isn't cheap.

[RichinTampa]

My Street Triple runs just fine on regular gas. Read about fuel octane ratings. They only concern anti-knock compounds. None burns cleaner. Using higher octane gasoline is just a waste of money.

[Bohdan]

Try all three and use the one that doesn't knock (this may happen on lowest octane even if manual says is OK) and feels best. Usually the highest octane is both waste of money and unhealthy for engine - it does not burn cleaner, but not as good and leaves carbon deposits.
I found that medium grade works best for me (no Streety yet, but other two). I feel definitely difference in way it runs - better then regular, more smooth then premium.

[CrazyCam]

Hi O.S.

So far I have been feeding my striple standard unleaded.

It is happy with that, no pinging, no problems.

I have been keeping a log of fuel consumption, but at this early stage of running in, I haven't yet got consistent results.

Once, I have got a steady result, I'll try feeding it 98 octane. Actually there isn't any 98 octane available in Sydney at the moment, anyway.

I definitely found, with the Hornet, that using 98 got me further for a tank of fuel than 91 did. There is more to fuel than just octane rating, honest!

As for the E10, dunno. Do Triumph approve it's use?