2011 spyder min. octane 87. Just wondering what others are using

[Boomer2]

The manual states 87% octane min. Has anyone noticed any perforamce using 93% octane. Only on my 2nd tank of gas we just bought the touring RS on July 4th weekend.

[lightman02]

The manual states 87% octane min. Has anyone noticed any perforamce using 93% octane. Only on my 2nd tank of gas we just bought the touring RS on July 4th weekend.

I started using anything above 87% just to get away from that ethanol crap leaving deposits in the future. As far as performance, I've seen no difference.

[stevedfive]

I use 93 because it is only 20 cents a gallon more and that is only a dollar a tank fill-up more ($20 vs $21 for a fill-up)

[Y Rider]

The only time I notice a big reduction in performance is when I use any octane level gas with Ethanol. I will loose around 4 MPG with Ethanol. I don't notice a big difference between 89 and 93 octane non-Ethanol but since it typically costs less than a dollar a fillup I go for the good stuff if they have it.

[jedd]

08' GS 91 Octane I think a little better mileage

[Firefly]

The manual states 87% octane min. Has anyone noticed any perforamce using 93% octane. Only on my 2nd tank of gas we just bought the touring RS on July 4th weekend.

I know previous years said 87 min -- but I thought the 2011 manual stated 91 min...... this was talked about awhile ago. No changes to the engine-- hmmmmmm

[AndyIsRiding]

My 2010 RT manual states recommended 91, but 87 and up can be used.

Shell 91 octane is the only gas in my area that has not been corn feed, and I do notice a mileage decrease with corn feed fuel.

[ARtraveler]

Lots of opinions on this one. I have mostly put 90 octane (highest available here) into my Spyders.

When gas got to $4.00 I started using 87 octane. After a couple tanks--I felt my RTS was a little sluggish and noted the miles per gallon was down a couple from usual.

Same effect with a couple tanks of 89 octane.

Im back to 90 octane and feel the bike performs better as well as gets better mileage.

My 900 Vulcan LTD--runs just great on 87 octane.

Just my experience.

[kmakona]

I just finished a 5,000 mile trip. Someone on this forum mentioned using regular, the gas is fresher. The higher grades are older.
I used different grades. I can say without a doubt regular is the preferred choice. Several times when I used the higher grades the roadster responded negatively. One fill up my roadster and my rider companion thought we were not making it to the next stop. My Spyder and his backfired idled really rough.
Lamonster mentioned octain additive. I think this is the best way to go. i was stunned at the performance difference.

[GloryRyders]

I started using 93 octane ($0.30 higher) after the first three months of ownership and have found better performance, more responsive and better gas milage.............other than that, no difference.

[msiple]

I use 93 Octane when available, some stations only carry 91.

[Trickie Dick]

Man the oil companies love you guys using premium. cha ching!

[Bob Denman]

If the higher-grade fuel yields better fuel economy then the tradeoff might be worhwhile on that basis alone. If you also notice that your bike runs smoother and cooler... then it's all good!
BRP didn't suggest using 91 octane in the RTs for their own benefit. In fact an argument could be made that this suggestion may have even HURT their sales...

[boborgera]

Man the oil companies love you guys using premium. cha ching!

I use 91/93 all the time, I get that money back Quarterly.

[Mr. White]

I use the lowest priced gas at the pump. I have two large stations (companies) very close to me and one has 10% ethanol and one "regular". I fill at one or the other and can tell no difference in my performance. I have used the lowest priced gas for 50+ years in my scoots and never had a problem. I have saved $21,247.87 by using regular during this time.

I put 1/2 can of Seafoam in my tank about every four fillups or so. Works for me.

I used to worry about not using premium gas, but I went to my psychiarists and now it does not bother me.

[Bob Denman]

...Now I've been "forced" (You'd be surprised at how a Mad Wife can ruin your day...) to try 87 octane in several tankfuls this Spring and early Summer. I noticed that my fuel mileage dropped from 34 to 35mpg, down to 31 to 32mpg. A solid 10% drop in fuel economy!

The spyder also didn't have a clean a low-end "pull" and it required some downshifting in places where it hadn't been an issue during previous rides...
So I'm figuring that the 93 octane that i'm stuffing down it's gullet isn't the worst thing that I could be doing to my Spyder...

[ARtraveler]

Thanks --as an accountant, I just love statistics and numbers.

[RoadHammer]

i use premium,. dont care about mileage, i bought the spyder to ride and ride and ride and ride....................

[Mexican]

i use premium,. dont care about mileage, i bought the spyder to ride and ride and ride and ride....................

are you rich rich rich??

[Ga Blue Knight]

There are three issues here and we must separate them out to make some sense out of the octane issue. 1 RS Spyders have different loads on them than RT Spyders. 2 high octane gas has less available power than low octane gas as the octane additive is to prevent pre ignition caused by placing the engine under higher loads see number one. 3 ethanol is not as good as gasoline for delivering power to an engine and can also adsorb water which last time I checked does not burn.

So if you have an RT with the heavier weight and therefore greater loads on the engine the 91 to 93 gas may help avoid pre ignition and may contain less ethanol
If you have an RS the 87 stuff for most folks seems to be ok but I would still seek out non ethanol gas if possible it will run smoother.

Miles per gallon is Ryder dependent I don't know how you can really do a case by case comparison ie heavy wrist versus light and 150# single Ryder versus two up seniors with lots of baggage.

[AMTJIM]

Hey look, a can of worms.

[Bob Denman]

[Smokinspyder]

ya what octane is a can of worms ALL the time . I prefer to use premium in mine just force of habit from sport bikes. I know higher octane gas wont really improve gas mileage etc typicall unless your motor is worked over etc. But if i recall higher octane will help with a cleaner detonation and a few other misc stuff, but if the min rating is 87 and you want to run 87 feel free it definately wont hurt it . if you want to run the expensive stuff freel free its power of choice ! that is until you deck your head, put high compression pistons , diff cam and mess with your fuel mixtures etc then you need high price gas like 100 + octane or C16 race fuel . but for my answer since they can run on 87 octane put in what your little heart or wallet wants


Something i was told when i started riding sport bikes years ago . your right hand/foot can determine your fuel consumption to " lead foot" or lead wrist LOL

[RoadHammer]

are you rich rich rich??

well maybe..... but i feel really really rich rich rich when i bomb around on the spyder !

[bone crusher]

Facts show there is no difference in performance...there have been tons of threads on this topic over the last 3 years that I've been on the board...nothing has ever shown a gain in performance...