| Author |
Message |
    
Skifastbadly
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - 03:27 pm: | 
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Wibrisett: The sad part is, there is no standard for octane ratings in the US. I've seen mid grade pegged at 89 and premium at 90. I've also seen mid grade at 87 and 88 and premium at 97. Totally crazy. I wish there was some real standards for this stuff.
When I moved from the midwest to Utah, I noted that in Utah the premium was 89, whereas it was 92 in Wisconsin, and I thought "They're ripping me off here". But what I didn't know was that the higher altitude of Utah meant thinner air, which meant less pre-ignition, which meant the max octane level was lower. So, what's premium at sea level is not the same as what's premium at 5000 ft. On the other hand, I'm now back at sea level in the Seattle area, and the highest octane I've seen here is 92. I don't believe I've ever seen 97 anywhere.
The one time I put regular in my Uly was when I rode with a bunch of guys out of Salt Lake City along the Pony Express trail. That ends up in some small down in Nevada where there is only some Mickey Mouse trading post, and they only had regular. I filled up and the bike ran like crap, but I can't be certain if it was because of the octane or because they probably sell 20 gallons of gas a week there and the stuff had been sitting in the tank for years.
Even with that, I still achieved 112 mph with all three hard bags on.
(Message edited by skifastbadly on July 12, 2011) |
Argentcorvid
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - 05:30 pm: |
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I can't even run the Sportster on 87 on a hot day here (Iowa) without problems. I'd hate to find out how the Uly does. Both do OK on 89 though. |
Johnboy777
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 08:40 am: |
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I have run mainly Sunoco 94. There's a few stations around town and if I am out of town I try to find 93 somewhere.
I can't think of a good reason to do this other than the price difference is inconsequential and the bike seems to do OK with it. |
Harleywern
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 12:28 pm: |
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Funny thing. In the US 15% ethanol blend is common. In Germany they tried to sell that crap, but most people refused to buy it. What is even funnier, Harley Germany suggests to use Premium 98 octane. For me I try to get ARAL Ultimate 102 octane. Used it from day one and have the feeling bike runs best with it. |
Natexlh1000
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 12:38 pm: |
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The European and American octane numbers are calculated differently. |
Testcase
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - 04:17 pm: |
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I'm in SLC, too. I only run regular through my Uly. I haven't really thought of it much, tbh. |
Harleywern
| | Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 04:45 am: |
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@ Natexlh1000
I known it is different and price is different as well.
We pay $ 4,55 per gallon |
Uly_dude
| | Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 10:56 am: |
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though I'm sure it's not good for older engines, I'm against ethanol for other reasons. A) I don't like being told what type/mix of fuel I have to use. It's a free country and I shouldn't be forced to purchase stuff I don't support. B)there is less energy stored in a gallon of ethanol than a gallon of normal gas. Basically you'll get worse mileage with ethanol, which causes you to burn more, negating any environmental benefits. And don't even get me started on the politics of subsidizing this stuff and it's a huge user of water waste in the manufacturing of it. They really need to let the consumer decide what we want for our rides. That's why we need to get the new generation mixing pumps at the gas station. Each person can then decide how much of what they want to buy. |
Natexlh1000
| | Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 11:40 am: |
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+1 Uly_dude.
Same thing with the stupid light bulb laws.
I like CF bulbs for most stuff but for some things, a plain old fashioned hot wire in a glass ball works best. (Cold climates, momentary uses like closets, dimmer circuits)
I resent being told what I have to buy with the money left over after paying taxes. |
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