fuel question

[TejasRanger]

This may sound dumb to some of you. *But after going to a couple of places before my purchase and my current ride being 110 cu in. *I wonder which place recommended the correct octane. *My current ride uses the lowest octane in whatever area I'm in. The places I went to, one recomnended the lowest octane the other the highest.

So which is correct?

BTW, after 45 years of riding, this is my very 1st HD. *Yeah I know, hard to believe but true.


Tejas

[clint44]

Your Freewheeler has a 110?

[TejasRanger]

never mind. *I quit

[Gorilla]

Use what the factory recommends unless you have modified the engine. even then if the compression ratio is the same then stay with that unless the engine pings then jump up a grade.

[screwball]

Required octane rating is dependent on compression, not cubic inches. Harley recommends (requires) 92 octane. Using 87 octane will maybe save you a buck a tank, but cause you an engine when you ping a hole in a piston.

[vito]

What gorilla said. Only time one might get by on lower octane is at very high altitudes but it really isn't worth the risk.

[Downtown Cowtown]

Required octane rating is dependent on compression, not cubic inches. Harley recommends (requires) 92 octane. Using 87 octane will maybe save you a buck a tank, but cause you an engine when you ping a hole in a piston.

Uncle Sam wants to increase the corn in your gas to 15 percent up from 10 percent. That should help the octane rating.

[rhino 2]

I use 93, Have been using it in all my bikes... From way back when it was called Hi-Test... Makes me happy 'And that all thats counts, Some people try to convince others to use 87 to feel better about themselves using 87 to save pennines... Like the guy who drives 5 miles more to get gas at a station thats one penny cheeper...

[TejasRanger]

never mind I quit

[gerald martin]

I live in Canada. Every new bike I have ever bought comes with a owners manual. On any used bike I have always found an owners manual for it. In the owners manual it will tell you what fuel to use. It will also tell you other important things like tire pressure, when to change oil ext. You have invested a lot of money in your bike maybe its a good idea to read the manual. The engineers that designed these bikes seem to know what to do to keep them running right otherwise they would not give you the opportunity to have a 7 year unlimited mileage warranty

[rhino 2]

I live in Canada. Every new bike I have ever bought comes with a owners manual. On any used bike I have always found an owners manual for it. In the owners manual it will tell you what fuel to use. It will also tell you other important things like tire pressure, when to change oil ext. You have invested a lot of money in your bike maybe its a good idea to read the manual. The engineers that designed these bikes seem to know what to do to keep them running right otherwise they would not give you the opportunity to have a 7 year unlimited mileage warranty

Why read a owners manual when you can just ask a question or two on a Forum and get a dozen opposing answers.... But then if no-one asks life on the forums would be boring...

[gerald martin]

The trouble with asking a question on the forum is that there are many people who answer the questions either have absolutely no clue of what they are talking about or they are jealous of some one having a nice thing and will give a false answer to purposely cause harm to the bike. Read the manual, follow the instructions, Harley pays their engineers well and Harleys have been on the road for over 100 years now. I have seen Harleys over 75 years old still cruising down the road as if they were new. You don't see that on many other bikes so they must be doing something wrong

[Bill G]

Owners Manuel says 93 octane or Premium. Air cooled motors need the 93 octane you don't want your engine to ping under load.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

[GARYD]

Use whatever makes you happy.
I've never used 93 in any of my bikes or Vettes - except on race day.

An old mechanic told me years ago. If the manual says "Recommends" you can use anything, if it says "Requires" then you have to use premium. My manual doesn't say either.
I have kept many articles from car/bike magazines and newpaper auto columns that say the same thing = if it doesn't ping use the lower grade - the computer will adjust to it.

Granted there are a few instances that really do require premium, just not your day to day vehicle.

So, until any of my manuals say "Requires", I'm sticking with 87. Have for over 50 years with no engine problems in any of my vehicles. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you want to throw away more money then you need to to our enemies go right ahead - it's a free country and lets you sleep good at night.

Long live the gullibility of Americans.

[Bill G]

Use whatever makes you happy.
I've never used 93 in any of my bikes or Vettes - except on race day.

An old mechanic told me years ago. If the manual says "Recommends" you can use anything, if it says "Requires" then you have to use premium. My manual doesn't say either.
I have kept many articles from car/bike magazines and newpaper auto columns that say the same thing = if it doesn't ping use the lower grade - the computer will adjust to it.

Granted there are a few instances that really do require premium, just not your day to day vehicle.

So, until any of my manuals say "Requires", I'm sticking with 87. Have for over 50 years with no engine problems in any of my vehicles. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you want to throw away more money then you need to to our enemies go right ahead - it's a free country and lets you sleep good at night.

Long live the gullibility of Americans.

Good for you Gary. You got it all figured out for yourself..

Ride Safe,
Bill G

[Ozarkryder]

never mind. *I quit

This was posted twice by TejasRanger in this thread.
Um...just asking, quit what?