Reading the operator's guide it says to use 90 to 95 octane gas. That is hard to find in my area. I would have to drive 40 to 50 miles. Every station in my area has 87 octane. Very few has premium gas.
If your riding a 1330 model. It will run on regular ok. Just loose some performance. As long as you don't hear pinning it will be fine. If you can buy octane booster at your local auto parts I would add it to your gas.
I use 87 octane for the same reason with a 998 and don't seem to suffer any ill effects. Old Silver does get treated to the good stuff when they have it at the busier gas stations. I figure if they aren't too busy, the high price drink might have a good chance of being stale.
On the road again...........and forever young!
2013 RT-S SE 5
Yesterday is a cancelled check.
Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today is cash.......spend it wisely.
Reading the operator's guide it says to use 90 to 95 octane gas. That is hard to find in my area. I would have to drive 40 to 50 miles. Every station in my area has 87 octane. Very few has premium gas.
I have been using 87 - in my 1330 for 3 + years, IMHO it runs fine ....as has been mentioned the Spyder has Knock sensors to prevent damage ..... .01% loss of power is not worth the .60 it costs to use 91 .... Mike
Actually, I think the exact words (at least it did n 2014) are RECOMMENDED.
That means you can use whatever you like!
AJ
Originally Posted by gerald37
Reading the operator's guide it says to use 90 to 95 octane gas. That is hard to find in my area. I would have to drive 40 to 50 miles. Every station in my area has 87 octane. Very few has premium gas.
2014 RT-S Akrapovic Exhaust & Cat Bypass
Bajaron Sway Bar w/links / Sena SM-10/Garmin 660
Comfort Seat w Adjustable Backrest
Decals by Purple Harley / Magic Strobe
Kuryakyn Black Widow Pegs Rivco Highway Brackets
Rivco Trunk Mounted Double Flag Holder
FOBO / Spyder Cuff / XM Radio w MC Antenna
These machines will run fine on US 87 octane...now cross a border and this may not hold true. Use seafoam to counteract the ethenol every other tank full. I did pump half a tank of racing fuel before I realized I was at the wrong pump.. love to use that on a regular basis...
Gene and Ilana De Laney Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
I use 87 octane because I like hearing my engine sing while I'm twisting the throttle.
HAND'S UP: The only sure way of getting rid of bad habits is to create good ones.
AND, by the way, this will not happen on auto pilot. It's time for a YOU-turn!!!
Octane booster & if you can go with Ethonal free pure gas (harder to find tho) https://www.pure-gas.org/.
2013 STL SE5 BLACK CURRANT
SpyderPop's: LED bumpskid
SmoothSpyder: dualmode back rest
T r * * LED:foam grip covers, Tricrings, FenderZ,
brake light strips, wide vue mirrors
Rivico SOMA modulation brake leds
sawblade mowhalk fender accents
minispyder dash toy
Lid lox
KradelLock
Pakitrack
GENSSI ELITE LED H4 headlights
FLO (Frunk Lid Organizer)
BRP fog lights, trailer hitch
SENA 20S EVO
Thanks for all the replies. I feel better I have been using 87 octane have not notice any problems. When I can I will use higher. I am thinking about going to Sturgis this week. On the road i will try finding higher octane. Thanks again for the replys.
i generally dont use off brand gas but the caseys in our town has alcohol free
91 octane. every bp station i have stopped at in wis has alcohol free premium too.
91 octane.i try to stay w/shell or bp.
2015 rts-white pearl- mods- '16 F3 fat 6 chrome wheels,
and some little stuff. setback utopia backrest, baja ron
sway bar, oem adj. air deflectors, marlin gps compass,
lamonster fbb foot pegs[modified brackets], lamonts
vibration damper, rock guard, and side case stiffener kit,
. brp comfort seat. , fomozas and
altimax, magic mirror mts, and wide mirrors.
[joyce & irvin toms]
I have been using 87 - in my 1330 for 3 + years, IMHO it runs fine ....as has been mentioned the Spyder has Knock sensors to prevent damage ..... .01% loss of power is not worth the .60 it costs to use 91 .... Mike
Amen brother. I use 87 all of the time and my Spyder runs just fine PLUS I save a lot of bucks over time.
BIG F
Octane booster & if you can go with Ethonal free pure gas (harder to find tho) https://www.pure-gas.org/.
I'd think whichever gas option you choose, just be consistent.
HAND'S UP: The only sure way of getting rid of bad habits is to create good ones.
AND, by the way, this will not happen on auto pilot. It's time for a YOU-turn!!!
Just ride it.....at the end of the season be sure to fill it with gas that doesn't have ethanol in it, add a bit of marine stabil (the blue stuff) and you'll be fine.
I always use the highest octane I can find. How else am I going to spend my kids inheritance. Higher flash point - cleaner burn. That's my theory
and I'm sticking with it. No carbon on the spark plugs for a quick and easy start!
You spend 28 to 32,000 thousand dollars on a toy and you squeeze the penny's when it comes to the gas you use against the recommended fuel.
What am I missing here?
Jack
Last edited by jaherbst; 08-05-2017 at 10:56 AM.
All my life I wanted to be somebody, now I realize I should have been more specific.
2019 Specialized E-Bike COMO 2.0
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
2018 Tiffin Phaeton 37BH Motorhome
2015 BMW R1200R LC
2014 RTL SE6 Pearl White
2012 RT-622 trailer viper red
2014 Look 7x12 motorcycle trailer silver and black
2011 Polaris Ranger green
2013 GMC Yukon Denali XL silver oak
2016 Can Am Maverick
The engine REQUIRES 91 or better. Just read the engine emissions tag on the frame under your seat (RT) or frunk (F3). Its very clear. This changed in 2013 when the compression ratio in the 998 was raised and for all 1330s. 2012 and older merely recommended the higher octane.
I can feel the difference running the low quality fuel when I get stuck with it. Some don't care. But is it really worth the dollar or two to not use the required fuel and substitute a lower quality alternative the bike has to work around?
The last few times we went riding, Linda on , and me on Vulcan, I put 88 octane in both. My Vulcan calls for 87--and since I fill both at the same time, I compromised at 88--down two from the usual. Noticing no difference in either machine. Is 87 in our future?? I can save up to 20 cents a gallon over 90? Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.