A question of Octane By steelblade (Read 1,331 times)

[steelblade]

2 manuals I've downloaded say that I should use 90+ octane but I filled it with 87 Octane 2 times so far. My milage hasn't reached 70, I'm about 60 I think.

Am I damaging the engine? Should I use the higher octane?

[cyborg]

This debate has been raging for some time now,,,for both my stella and my dr350 it is suggested 91oct or better i've run 87 with no "ping" or knock so i'm not getting detonation,,,and this was during the summer months here in so-cal where it gets real hot,,,i think you're safe as long as you don't have detonation,,,and to be honest with you i actually noticed a bit more mpg,,,

[steelblade]

I HAVE heard 2 separate loud pops, bout a week apart. No idea what those are, though. I thought it was road noise, but the second time got me wondering.

[Bashan]

I just looked up your compression ratio, it's 10.8 to 1. You need to run premium. You didn't do any damage, just start running premium.

[steelblade]

Shucks! That will add about $0.12 to the cost of filling it up! Where will I come up with THAT kind of cash?

[cyborg]

Wow that's a deal breaker

[sillylittleboy]

Yea, but this post is about two years old so that $.12 extra per fill-up is now running about $.24, at least that's about the extra amount of money I'm spending on a tank of gas.

So, with MAYBE a maximum of 6-8 fill-ups per month (8 x $.24 = $1.92/month extra for premium), I'm having to spend an extra $1.92 for the premium vs. regular, BUT... I'm probably spending about $20-$40 LESS due to the MPG I'm getting.

[crwford]

Think remember the saying pay me now or pay me later? If book says hi test use it or you my pay later ? It's you engine so do what you want remember the manufacturer design it one way to run the best and last.

[rks]

I pay at least $.70 a gallon more than regular, for what I use.....but I don't mind a bit. Below are my fuel records from last year.

Scooter 2015

Date                Location         Miles    Gallons   MPG         Notes                             Cost
Nov 11, 2014  Cook’s Mt Mo  5771.7
Apr 16, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo   5861.5   1.072   83.77   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.59
Apr 25, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo   5958.5   1.150   84.35   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.91
Apr 30, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo   6051.5   1.093   85.09   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.75
May 11, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  6139.2   0.981   89.40   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.48
May 18, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  6239.1   1.123   88.96   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.99
May 23, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  6314.7   0.894   84.56   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.17
May 29, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  6415.4   1.082   93.07   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.89
Jun 4, 2015     Cook’s Mt Mo  6506.2   1.038   87.47   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.74
Jun 10, 2015   Cook’s Mt Mo  6597.8   0.996   92.06   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.58
Jun 16, 2015   Cook’s Mt Mo  6709.2   1.246   89.40   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $4.48
Jun 23, 2015   Cook’s Mt Mo  6801.3   1.000   92.10   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.60
Jun 29, 2015   Cook’s Mt Mo  6893.9   1.061   87.27   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.82
Jul 4, 2015      Cook’s Mt Mo  6994.3   1.101   91.19   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.96
Jul 10, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  7093.7   1.085   91.61   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.90
Jul 17, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  7200.2   1.179   90.33   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $4.24
Jul 22, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  7297.2   1.072   90.48   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.86
Jul 29, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  7397.3   1.084   92.34   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.90
Aug 3, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  7502.0   1.178   88.88   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $4.24
Aug 6, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  7594.5   1.014   91.22   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.65
Aug 14, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  7692.9   1.139   86.39   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $4.07
Aug 22, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  7798.6   1.193   88.60   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $4.17
Aug 28, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  7897.2   1.045   94.35   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.55
Sep 3, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  7997.4   1.087   92.18   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.69
Sep 10, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  8100.4   1.131   90.07   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.73
Sep 20, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  8197.2   1.082   89.46   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.52
Oct 4, 2015    Cook’s Mt Mo  8292.1    1.072  88.53   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO    $3.41
Oct 19, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  8383.8    1.040   88.17   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.31
Nov 5, 2015   Cook’s Mt Mo  8490.7    1.154   92.63   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.67
Nov 18, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  8591.9   1.136   89.08   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.52
Nov 27, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  8687.9   1.053   91.17   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.21
Dec 10, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  8778.3   1.024   88.28   91 nonethanol+ .4oz MMO   $3.07
Dec 13, 2015  Cook’s Mt Mo  8882.1   1.224   84.80   91 nonethanol+ .5oz MMO   $3.67

Total Miles... = 3110.4
Total Gallons = 34.829
Aver. MPG = 89.30
2015 fuel $ = $119.34 + $1.98 (15 ounces of MMO) = $121.32
Fuel cost per mile = $0.039

[richardv]

This has been discussed on two motorcycle boards in the resent past and there were a couple guys that seem to be in a position to know. Their replies were that Chinese gas is rated differently and that there 91 is equal to our 88/89. But if you all are getting better milage there has to be something to it. I know my 98 VF750 Magna called for the 91 but I never got better mileage or performance than with the lowest octane. The Gold Wings were the same but they were made in the USA and called for 86.
When I get a scooter I'll study it and listen to those with experience.

[jct842]

One other thing about wanting to use hi octane is that most of the gas stations around here have the one hose pumps. With a small scooter you would probably never get the regular out of the hose before your tank is full. Having to fill at home out of a can just plain sucks.

[rks]

Jul 30, 2016 12:02:28 GMT -6 jct842 said:

One other thing about wanting to use hi octane is that most of the gas stations around here have the one hose pumps. With a small scooter you would probably never get the regular out of the hose before your tank is full. Having to fill at home out of a can just plain sucks.

Very true. I'm lucky to have a nearby station with separate hoses for each grade. When out of town with one of the bikes needing fuel, I'll check all of the pumps, to see if one's last sale was non ethanol. Have even been known to sit on the sidelines with a cup of coffee, waiting for someone else to come along to fill gas cans, or a classic car with real gas....then, quickly push the bike up behind them, knowing the hose has been flushed of ethanol.

I know most can't be farting around like that on the way to work or wherever.....but, being a gezzer, with lots of time, I can.

[jct842]

With more and more gas stations going the one hose route I believe that would factor into a decision to purchase a scooter or bike requiring to high priced stuff.

No danger of getting a Chinese machine needing premium,...yet any way. I would sure hate to have a high priced machine out in the middle of no where needing super-duper high test and none to be found. Get home and check out the divits on the top of the pistons.