what grade of fuel to use

10737 Views 67 Replies 24 Participants Last post by TonyVideo, Aug 2, 2017

subvet

Discussion Starter · Apr 1, 2017

I have owned a couple of different bikes and always ran the hi octane fuel. Since I bought my 06 1300c, I have seen that some people are running regular unleaded. so what is the recommended grade of fuel to use? I wish I had the owners manual but obviously I don't.

Thanks

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nate6966

· #2 · Apr 1, 2017

The owner's manual states 87 octane or above.
You are correct that most bikes have high compression engines and therefore require high octane. The VTX has a low compression engine and performs best with low octane fuel.
Octane is not a measurement of power, it's a measurement of resistant to predetonation. When fuel and air is compressed inside your cylinders, it generates heat and could combust before the spark plug fires - which is predetonation. Octane is added to gasoline to prevent this issue, needing higher octane levels for higher compression pressures.

If you run high octane gasoline in a low compression engine, you risk the fuel not burning completely and efficiently, possibly gumming up the system or even fouling plugs. Note that I said "risk", not absolute result. That contributes to the number of people that oppose this view and they reply "I've been doing it for years".

So that's the explanation. Run regular gas and your VTX will be happier (plus you save money).
Please feel free to research this stuff via engineering and science sources, avoiding the personal opinion sources. Everyone's an expert in their own mind. Discovering the truth on your own is the best bet.

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exharleydude

· #3 · Apr 1, 2017

Yup, 87. Save the 93 for your Porsche and the ethanol free for you lawnmower.

Reactions: 1

mjklaser

· #4 · Apr 1, 2017

87 octane

Reactions: 1

eherlihy

· #5 · Apr 1, 2017

nate6966 said:
The owner's manual states 87 octane or above.
You are correct that most bikes have high compression engines and therefore require high octane. The VTX has a low compression engine and performs best with low octane fuel.
Octane is not a measurement of power, it's a measurement of resistant to predetonation. When fuel and air is compressed inside your cylinders, it generates heat and could combust before the spark plug fires - which is predetonation. Octane is added to gasoline to prevent this issue, needing higher octane levels for higher compression pressures.

If you run high octane gasoline in a low compression engine, you risk the fuel not burning completely and efficiently, possibly gumming up the system or even fouling plugs. Note that I said "risk", not absolute result. That contributes to the number of people that oppose this view and they reply "I've been doing it for years".

So that's the explanation. Run regular gas and your VTX will be happier (plus you save money).
Please feel free to research this stuff via engineering and science sources, avoiding the personal opinion sources. Everyone's an expert in their own mind. Discovering the truth on your own is the best bet.

+ THIS!

Also, if you can find non-ethanol fuel (typically at a marina), fill your last couple of tanks with it before putting the bike away. Add some form of stabilizer (I use Sta-Bil, others use SeaFoam) in the last tank. You'll be happy that you did so in the spring.

Reactions: 2

PaXman11

· #6 · Apr 1, 2017

Dilithium crystals in my warp core matrix.

Reactions: 1

nate6966

· #7 · Apr 1, 2017

PaXman11 said:
Dilithium crystals in my warp core matrix.

Whatever you do, don't let the dilithium crystals into the flux capacitor. You'll never make it back to the future!

Reactions: 1

PaXman11

· #8 · Apr 1, 2017

Trans-warp quantum slipstream drive is my next major upgrade. Maybe next year, LOL.

Reactions: 2

Wigit

· #9 · Apr 1, 2017

PaXman11 said:
Trans-warp quantum slipstream drive is my next major upgrade. Maybe next year, LOL.

Are you trying to leave this dimension behind with a simple twist of the throttle?:shrug:What if there's no gas stations in the 4th dimension? What if there's no roads? I don't think you've thought this through enough, Fran.

Reactions: 3

sumdatx

· #10 · Apr 2, 2017

Sub, as many others have said: use regular in these low compression motors. I used 93 octane in my Toyota truck for many years. I found a good explanation like Nate posted and tried 87 octane. The truck actually ran a lot better. (low compression too)((22R))
On a side note, I used regular no-ethanol in my X for a year (a test). My conclusion was pretty much in line with what Jim said; save it for you lawn mower, weed eater, etc. Generally, I didn't see any improvements and had a heck of a time finding no-ethanol gas stations while out on trips.
I use Star-tron to remove the effects of ethanol in landscape equipment. All my stuff fired right up last week: mower, weed eater, blower, chain saw. I have been using Royal Purple fuel system cleaner/stabilizer once a month in all of our vehicles -- mpg increases in all.
WELCOME to the CAFE

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My 1300 X: Race Tech fork conversion, Progressive 430's, Tsukayu VTX bags, Tsukayu Tour Trunk, Ultimate Low Rider w/backrest + passenger seat, Hankook CT rear, Shinko 230 front, 12o'clocklabs speedo chip, B Daymaker, VTX1800R rear fender, R-model front/rear deep bezel led turns, Kury black curved/laydown license plate frame, Cobra front/rear boards (powder'd gloss black), JTD lowers, DRL led strip lights on Cobra crash bar, Glenn's permanent a/f screw, Glenn's gas cap hinge, all led lights, FactoryPro jet kit, decapped air box, VTX tribal logo open filter cover w/red leds, 08/09 VTX1300 oem pipes, VTXtreme 6* rake w/4" fork extensions, Superbrace, black powder'd calipers, Kury RTB light conversion, Phatparts rad surround, polished forks & wheels, hydrodipped air filter cover & neck covers in carbon fiber; Baron tach w/red led; red leds under console, Nationalcycle 2-up w/s w/chrome (fang) lowers, .... Custom Blue Ridge Parkway cruiser

Reactions: 3

subvet

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 2, 2017

Thanks for the info guys. I always have spare dilithium crystals in my saddlebags. You never know when you need to replace them

Reactions: 1

ibified

· #12 · Apr 2, 2017

I've been using household trash for mine. Ever since I installed the "Mr. Fusion" on my bike, I've managed to never run out of fuel...

Reactions: 4

mjklaser

· #13 · Apr 3, 2017

sumdatx said:
...On a side note, I used regular no-ethanol in my X for a year (a test). My conclusion was pretty much in line with what Jim said; save it for you lawn mower, weed eater, etc. Generally, I didn't see any improvements and had a heck of a time finding no-ethanol gas stations while out on trips....

Tom, someday I will find the reason, but for now I can't fathom how ethanol-free gas doesn't help you out, at all... but makes my bike run like the Son of Zeus! I put 91-octane 100% pure gasoline in, and she becomes 'Milo with The Mask on'... heckuva time finding it here, too... I only have the one source (Hampton Airfield) within a 60 mile-radius :doh: thinking about making my own :stirpot:

Reactions: 1

chris112166

· #14 · Apr 3, 2017

eherlihy said:
+ THIS!

Also, if you can find non-ethanol fuel (typically at a marina), fill your last couple of tanks with it before putting the bike away. Add some form of stabilizer (I use Sta-Bil, others use SeaFoam) in the last tank. You'll be happy that you did so in the spring.

i prefer to just not store the bike and ride year round haha but i guess i can do that in SC in doesnt get too cold especially since i have heated gloves and a heated vest haha

Reactions: 1

sumdatx

· #15 · Apr 3, 2017

chris112166 said:
i prefer to just not store the bike and ride year round haha but i guess i can do that in SC in doesnt get too cold especially since i have heated gloves and a heated vest haha

Gerbings is my friend too, for cold weather riding. I get out a few times a month, as long as there is no salt on the roads. Added a set of JTD hard lowers and the cold stayed away from my feet and shins -- great investment (IMHO).

My 1300 X: Race Tech fork conversion, Progressive 430's, Tsukayu VTX bags, Tsukayu Tour Trunk, Ultimate Low Rider w/backrest + passenger seat, Hankook CT rear, Shinko 230 front, 12o'clocklabs speedo chip, B Daymaker, VTX1800R rear fender, R-model front/rear deep bezel led turns, Kury black curved/laydown license plate frame, Cobra front/rear boards (powder'd gloss black), JTD lowers, DRL led strip lights on Cobra crash bar, Glenn's permanent a/f screw, Glenn's gas cap hinge, all led lights, FactoryPro jet kit, decapped air box, VTX tribal logo open filter cover w/red leds, 08/09 VTX1300 oem pipes, VTXtreme 6* rake w/4" fork extensions, Superbrace, black powder'd calipers, Kury RTB light conversion, Phatparts rad surround, polished forks & wheels, hydrodipped air filter cover & neck covers in carbon fiber; Baron tach w/red led; red leds under console, Nationalcycle 2-up w/s w/chrome (fang) lowers, .... Custom Blue Ridge Parkway cruiser

eherlihy

· #16 · Apr 3, 2017

Ethanol free gas stores better (doesn't gum up the carburetor), and is not corrosive to the rubber components in your fuel system. Ethanol free gas also does not attract water and phase separate and therefore will not corrode the inside of your fuel tank. This is why it is recommended for marine and aviation applications. It is also harder to find. There are a couple of gas stations here in SW Florida that carry it.

I'll be putting my bike away for 7 months (summer layup) this week. I believe that because the garage will regularly get to over 100ºF the problems caused by ethanol would be more pronounced than for those of you that layup for 4 or 5 months in temps of <32ºF. I will fill with ethanol free fuel before I leave.

Reactions: 3

bill_rides

· #17 · Apr 3, 2017

eherlihy said:
Ethanol free gas stores better (doesn't gum up the carburetor), and is not corrosive to the rubber components in your fuel system. Ethanol free gas also does not attract water and phase separate and therefore will not corrode the inside of your fuel tank. This is why it is recommended for marine and aviation applications. It is also harder to find. There are a couple of gas stations here in SW Florida that carry it.

I'll be putting my bike away for 7 months (summer layup) this week. I believe that because the garage will regularly get to over 100ºF the problems caused by ethanol would be more pronounced than for those of you that layup for 4 or 5 months in temps of <32ºF. I will fill with ethanol free fuel before I leave.

Good grief; how many times do I have to tell you, just drop the bike by my house and I'll put it into my riding rotation so that way it doesn't sit idle. I don't care if if it's mid-day, 90 degrees and the sun beating down on me, I still ride. Living in FL is why I only buy liquid cooled bikes.

eherlihy

· #18 · Apr 3, 2017

Thanks but I would hate to think of my bike going here;

here;

or here;

without me...:bleh:

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5

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chris112166

· #19 · Apr 3, 2017

wait are you saying it gets too hot to ride in Florida??!! jeez im going to school so i can try to move down into Florida so i can avoid the cold winters haha i love the hot!! and Florida has such beautiful riding around the beaches and what not.

sumdatx

· #20 · Apr 4, 2017

mjklaser said:
Tom, someday I will find the reason, but for now I can't fathom how ethanol-free gas doesn't help you out, at all... but makes my bike run like the Son of Zeus! I put 91-octane 100% pure gasoline in, and she becomes 'Milo with The Mask on'... heckuva time finding it here, too... I only have the one source (Hampton Airfield) within a 60 mile-radius :doh: thinking about making my own :stirpot:

Maybe it's because of your air scoops and tuning for 91 octane :hmm2: I just use 87 octane regular (both with/without ethanol). Last I looked my plugs looked pretty good -- a little on the light side but not bad.
My airbox is decapped, you can see my sig pic (open air filter cover). Maybe your scoops force a little air thru, better than mine which merely sucks it in :47b20s0:
Don't know if you've checked this site, but it's the one I used to find ethanol-free gas in other states: http://pure-gas.org/
If I found one to add, pretty simple to do, same if one was not good info.
The most mine has sit idle, other than being wrecked, is usually no more than 2 weeks. Storage prep is not an issue.

My 1300 X: Race Tech fork conversion, Progressive 430's, Tsukayu VTX bags, Tsukayu Tour Trunk, Ultimate Low Rider w/backrest + passenger seat, Hankook CT rear, Shinko 230 front, 12o'clocklabs speedo chip, B Daymaker, VTX1800R rear fender, R-model front/rear deep bezel led turns, Kury black curved/laydown license plate frame, Cobra front/rear boards (powder'd gloss black), JTD lowers, DRL led strip lights on Cobra crash bar, Glenn's permanent a/f screw, Glenn's gas cap hinge, all led lights, FactoryPro jet kit, decapped air box, VTX tribal logo open filter cover w/red leds, 08/09 VTX1300 oem pipes, VTXtreme 6* rake w/4" fork extensions, Superbrace, black powder'd calipers, Kury RTB light conversion, Phatparts rad surround, polished forks & wheels, hydrodipped air filter cover & neck covers in carbon fiber; Baron tach w/red led; red leds under console, Nationalcycle 2-up w/s w/chrome (fang) lowers, .... Custom Blue Ridge Parkway cruiser

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