Octane - no 87, so alternating between 93 and 89... thoughts?

[sandeejs]

So, the manual says octane 91 or higher. Can't usually find 91 octane around here, so I decided to alternate 89 and 93. Does that make sense? My reasoning is that I almost never go below 3 gallons (6 gallon tank, allegedly), so that alternating between 93 and 89 will result in 91. What is the wisdom of the list?
Thanks in advance!:dontknow:
~Sandee~

 

[fatboy]

$

just use the 93 its only 75 cent

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

ALTERNATING

That won't end up as the result you are thinking it will.......You will burn the 89 .....then the 93.....then the 89 .... then the 93 etc. ......If you went into the gas station with an almost empty tank and first put in 93 @ 2.5 gal. then switched to 89 until full .....into YOUR tank that would be mixing and yes it would work...............I have the 1330 engine in my 14 RT and have only used 87 with Startron added ( negates Ethyl so it claims ? ) ....and I have told many many times by folks here that I can't do this etc.......But I am avg. between 40 - 42 mpg depending on the geography of the roads and speeds I drive at........Hope this helps ..................Mike :thumbup:

 

[jcthorne]

Just use the 93. The 91 is a minimum requirement, there is no downside to using 93 if 91 is not sold in your area. Consider yourself lucky. Many would love to have the 93 in their area for other vehicles that really need it.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Use 93

Going through that exercise of 89, 93, 89, 93.....how much, over the year do you really think yore saving? I also subscribe to the idea of using only 93. I go one step further and only use non-ethanol gas, if at all possible. Spyder's running great.....'cause I'm spoiling it, and she's like most females.....she loves being spoiled. (Golly I hope I don't catch hades for that statement).:yikes:

 

[SteveP]

Yep

Just use the 93. The 91 is a minimum requirement, there is no downside to using 93 if 91 is not sold in your area. Consider yourself lucky. Many would love to have the 93 in their area for other vehicles that really need it.

:agree::agree:I use Shell V-Power 91 if possible but the Esso 93 works well also ... Petrocan (Sunoco) 91 if I have to . I have used Ultra 94 as well but not much difference to justify the extra 20 cents a litre here .

 

[Bob Denman]

Use the 93 octane... nojoke
How much money do you actually save, by running the cheaper fuel at every other stop?
Is it really worth it??? :dontknow:

 

[kbwitt]

I use the lowest octane, was told it has less ethanol init than higher octane. Plus some stations sell very little of high octane so it might be old enough to be stale.. i do add seafoam.
I am not talking with authority just what makes sence to me and seems to work in my 1330
Kenn

 

[Chupaca]

Let's see....

Either way..trying to average 91 or save a buck...I always go with the highest octane I can get...:thumbup:

 

[jcthorne]

I use the lowest octane, was told it has less ethanol init than higher octane. Plus some stations sell very little of high octane so it might be old enough to be stale.. i do add seafoam.
I am not talking with authority just what makes sence to me and seems to work in my 1330
Kenn

The 1330 engine and fuel system is designed to run E-10. IE up to 10% ethanol.

What it is NOT designed for is running 87 octane. The 91 octane is a minimum requirement. Yes the engine controls has knock sensor and the engine will protect itself when lower octane is used but WILL cause troubles long term. The lower octane makes the engine significantly reduce timing which lowers performance and results in less complete combustion and higher exhaust temperatures. Its a high compression engine and requires the higher octane. THe minimum requirement is right on the certification label on the bike.

 

[Ex Winger]

I always use 91 unless i can,t get it and thats not often.Had to use 87 once and could hear a slight ping on accel.For the price difference use the best you can.
Bill

 

[Bob Denman]

The 1330 engine and fuel system is designed to run E-10. IE up to 10% ethanol.

What it is NOT designed for is running 87 octane... ...Its a high compression engine and requires the higher octane. THe minimum requirement is right on the certification label on the bike.

:agree: That slug (the piston...), is putting a 12:1 squeeze on the fuel... :shocked:

 

[SteveP]

Again common sense

:agree: That slug (the piston...), is putting a 12:1 squeeze on the fuel... :shocked:

Thank you Bob , for those who don't understand the physics and chemistry behind the recommendations of the engineers why not just use what they specify ?:gaah:

 

[dslim]

We found several places in South Dakota and Wyoming last week that didn't have premium. Only 85 and 87 octane, lots of times straight 87 or 87 with ethanol at the same stations?

 

[kbwitt]

The 1330 engine and fuel system is designed to run E-10. IE up to 10% ethanol.

What it is NOT designed for is running 87 octane. The 91 octane is a minimum requirement. Yes the engine controls has knock sensor and the engine will protect itself when lower octane is used but WILL cause troubles long term. The lower octane makes the engine significantly reduce timing which lowers performance and results in less complete combustion and higher exhaust temperatures. Its a high compression engine and requires the higher octane. THe minimum requirement is right on the certification label on the bike.

Hi thanks for the info. do you know what is worst using 87 octane or fuel with higher than 10% ethanol lets say 15%?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

15 % Ethyl

Hi thanks for the info. do you know what is worst using 87 octane or fuel with higher than 10% ethanol lets say 15%?

I wouldn't use 15% unless it was life or death.....almost....in an emergency use as little as possible until you can fill-up with the correct kind...................I use 87 octane all the time and yes I have been warned, but my 1330 still avg's 40 to 42 mpg with Startron added ......Mike

 

[Dan McNally]

Hi thanks for the info. do you know what is worst using 87 octane or fuel with higher than 10% ethanol lets say 15%?

Never, ever, use E85 in your engine. Read your manual.

 

[ARtraveler]

Answers all across the board. One of the few subjects where there will be no total agreement.

No ethanol in Alaska gas. Usually three grades available. 87, 89, 91. If you go into the bush--you may find only 87 decanted from a 55 gal drum or similar.

I usually use the highest octane available. When I have used "lesser," the :ani29: does not seem to run as "peppy." Is it me, or is it psychological?

The difference in price here is usually 10 cents per gallon, per grade. Unless you go to Shell, they are 20 cents per gallon different per grade--and they start at the same price as the other stations. Have not used Shell for a couple years now. Wont pay 20 cents a gallon more for gas that all comes from the same refinery.

 

[jaherbst]

Let me see here. I will have to add this Octane thing to my list just below Tires, Oil, and Loud Speaker

music in town. Hard to keep up. On occasion I use 100 octane aviation fuel when I am at the airport and

running low. Hard to keep all the wheels on the ground at the same time though! :joke:

​Jack

 

[robmorg]

On occasion I use 100 octane aviation fuel when I am at the airport and

running low. Hard to keep all the wheels on the ground at the same time though! :joke:

​Jack

:agree:

Jack, I wasn't even gonna open this thread until I noticed that you were the last to post to it (before me) and I just had to see what "words of wisdom" you had to add to this discussion.

Actually, running 100LL in the spyder would probably make it run great (especially since it contains no ethanol), and also enable better fuel economy as well. ...although, at the price of aviation fuel, "economy" is probably the wrong word there.