Will Using 87 Octane impact performance?

[Bangorbob]

Must have missed that detail. No, you are not lugging the engine starting out from a stop. Is that the only time you get the sound?

Yes. I found it kind of weird. I had a lot of different vehicles over the years. Had a 1982 Nissan 280ZX that would ping on reg but not mid grade. Had cars that pinged especially when lugged. The only thing with my very limited mechanical skills is maybe the idle is set to low at 900.

 

[Bangorbob]

Ron, you didn't miss a thing. I thought maybe you were a mind reader and could tell that I had an SE6. I will add that to my signature.

 

[hut1]

One tank of 87 octane .... it was a mistake ???? .... what exactly happened to your Spyder after you did this ???? .... Thanks ...Mike :thumbup:

I wasn't paying close attention while filling up and mistakenly punched the button for regular rather than premium. I usually refuel with 2-3 bars left so it wasn't even a full tank of 87. There was no noticeable difference in performance. for the sake of reference, all of my riding has been here in the mid-Atlantic region (at sea level), and I'm a relatively moderate rider, one up 99% of the time.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I wasn't paying close attention while filling up and mistakenly punched the button for regular rather than premium. I usually refuel with 2-3 bars left so it wasn't even a full tank of 87. There was no noticeable difference in performance. for the sake of reference, all of my riding has been here in the mid-Atlantic region (at sea level), and I'm a relatively moderate rider, one up 99% of the time.

Thanks " NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE " .....Well this proves my point .....Mike

 

[hut1]

Thanks " NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE " .....Well this proves my point .....Mike

Mike, I don't disagree with you at all. But I doubt if my one example of "less than a full tank" of 87 provides much support for your position. :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, I don't disagree with you at all. But I doubt if my one example of "less than a full tank" of 87 provides much support for your position. :thumbup:

Well I'm not really looking for support ..... the Key word here is, IMHO .. NOTICEABLE ......;.. I don't like " seat of the pants " performance whether we're talking about Tires or Gas .... I'm a " show me the numbers " kind of guy ..... that's all ... nothing more - nothing less ....I respect everyone's right to have an opinion, and some I agree with and some I don't...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[old Timer]

The combustion chamber design, the air/fuel flow design and flame front propagation are different on the two Spyder engines. The more current design of the later model 3 cylinder engines will allow for a lower octane rating under the same running conditions. An occasional good West Texas Tune up will go a long way to keep your steed in good running conditions.

 

[BajaRon]

The combustion chamber design, the air/fuel flow design and flame front propagation are different on the two Spyder engines. The more current design of the later model 3 cylinder engines will allow for a lower octane rating under the same running conditions. An occasional good West Texas Tune up will go a long way to keep your steed in good running conditions.

What is a 'West Texas Tune-Up'? And does it include running over a few armadillos? Seems to be a popular pastime in those parts.

 

[old Timer]

Have to watch those armadillos you know.......................

A West Texas tune up is running your vehicle up to the red line thru the gears, ie full throttle thru the gears, thru the first four in any event. Helps to keep things cleaned out. Combustion chamber, rings, valves, fuel system and exhaust. Just make sure you, no cops, etc. Heck, it's also a lota fun.

Can't really do it in the first two gears because because my rear tire wants to brake loose, but 3rd 4th and 5th work great.

 

[ARtraveler]

Have to watch those armadillos you know.......................

A West Texas tune up is running your vehicle up to the red line thru the gears, ie full throttle thru the gears, thru the first four in any event. Helps to keep things cleaned out. Combustion chamber, rings, valves, fuel system and exhaust. Just make sure you, no cops, etc. Heck, it's also a lota fun.

Can't really do it in the first two gears because because my rear tire wants to brake loose, but 3rd 4th and 5th work great.

:yes: That is what I thought it would be. :bowdown:

 

[Bangorbob]

Heck, I've done that forever but didn't know it was called West Texas tune. I'm from Michigan originally and just called it blowing out the carbon and hoping not to break Dad's car doing it.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

After a long ride through the mountains today, I got pretty low on gas, so I pulled into the gas station and the only 100% gas they had was 90 Octane "horror of horrors" LOL! I actually made it home before I had a piston come through the case from "Pinging" Lol

 

[ARtraveler]

After a long ride through the mountains today, I got pretty low on gas, so I pulled into the gas station and the only 100% gas they had was 90 Octane "horror of horrors" LOL! I actually made it home before I had a piston come through the case from "Pinging" Lol

Nice try. :roflblack: :roflblack:

 

[2dogs]

After a long ride through the mountains today, I got pretty low on gas, so I pulled into the gas station and the only 100% gas they had was 90 Octane "horror of horrors" LOL! I actually made it home before I had a piston come through the case from "Pinging" Lol

I've been told it's the pre-detonation you don't hear that's most destructive. Kind of like the bullet you don't hear. :dontknow:

 

[Peacekeeper6]

All
Doing a 600 mile, many overnights, trip with our new (to us) 2013 Spyder ST/S the first of April. Wondering if using 87 Octane gas vs. 91 will change the performance during this trip. I think it was recommended either in owner manual or I picked up on the web to use 91. It will help on the money side a bit. Also this bike’s fuel gauge is off some. When it shows a half tank I put more than 3 gallons in to top off. Has anyone run into this with their gauge?

I had to use cheap, low-octane fuel in an emergency.

Performance was neglible; however, if I was riding two-up or hauling a trailer or riding up steep grades, it might make more of a difference. <shrugs>

 

[2dogs]

I had to use cheap, low-octane fuel in an emergency.

Performance was neglible; however, if I was riding two-up or hauling a trailer or riding up steep grades, it might make more of a difference. <shrugs>

I carry two small bottles of octane boost should I get caught in a situation like that.

 

[Snoking1127]

I've never said that running premium fuel was 'Necessary'. I agree with all those who say that you can run low octane fuel without any issues. Though the ethanol component can be problematic.

However, from the testing I've done, I have proven to myself that performance and fuel mileage is improved by running premium fuel (whether ethanol or non-ethanol). This from a 5,000 mile + test on my 998. Granted, it was summer and warm weather. Most of it was not high altitude. But it was quite conclusive. I simply report my findings. Others say they haven't noticed any difference. I can't say I noticed any seat of the pants difference either. It is the carefully kept data over the span of 28 tanks of fuel on that trip I am referencing with my comments.

As far as service. We don't see anything we do at the shop as 'Special'. We ride. You ride. We get it. We see customers as friends. And try to send bikes out as if they were our own. Actually, we don't take as good a care of ours as we do customer's. We just don't have the time anymore! But the kind words are greatly appreciated. We enjoy what we do.

The question I would ask is, did the increase mileage off-set the higher price of the high-octane gas? I run 87 in just about everything that hits the highway. Chain saw, pressure washer, and gas golf cart get 100% gas from the local Co Op in Washington. Arizona does not have 100% gas except very expensive racing fuel.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The question I would ask is, did the increase mileage off-set the higher price of the high-octane gas? I run 87 in just about everything that hits the highway. Chain saw, pressure washer, and gas golf cart get 100% gas from the local Co Op in Washington. Arizona does not have 100% gas except very expensive racing fuel.

Well, it depends what the price difference is between 87 and 91 oct, and how much you gain using 91 oct. .... in Vermont it's about .70 cents higher for 91 (both grades have Ethyl) ... Math is not my forte', maybe someone here can figure it out using Ron's MPG's ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

The question I would ask is, did the increase mileage off-set the higher price of the high-octane gas? I run 87 in just about everything that hits the highway. Chain saw, pressure washer, and gas golf cart get 100% gas from the local Co Op in Washington. Arizona does not have 100% gas except very expensive racing fuel.

No, I averaged a little better than 10% with premium. That won't offset the higher price. If cost is primary, then regular is your choice.

 

[Big F]

I've had 5 Spyders over the years and tested each one with the 87 vs 91 octane and there was absolutely no difference in performance or MPG, etc. on all of them!
My present 2023 RT Limited runs like a dream on 87 octane.
BIG F