Premium gas or regular?

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=benefits...=bv.1354675689,d.aWM

So the trick with ethanol, is it's equivalent octane rating is about 115. So guys who race like it, because you can run 15:1 compression ratios with it. Or loads o' boost. But it does have lower energy content than gas, so when you run it in an unmodified engine, yea, it just sucks. But they can't raise the ratio on normal engines, because then they'd knock constantly on regular gas, especially since ethanol content varies in some locations. So basically, putting ethanol in the gas, just sucks.

But if you're ever building a track vehicle, and think, man I wish I could just get 5 more psi boost. That's your solution, have fun modifyin everything to survive it.

And no we can't just convert everything to all ethanol to get the benefit, shits crazy expensive, and we'd run out of food.

Consider the situation where the high test gas you get out of the pump might not be very fresh. Many people don't buy it for their cars.....it sits in the ground tank. It's most likely ethanol blend.....moisture problem...etc.

So it depends on where you buy it as well.....

If the bike has stock pistons, then the 87 octane fuel may be your best bet.

WABBMW wrote: I agree that the ethanol is of no performance value, nor mileage value. I undrstand that it only has about 2/3 the power output of petroleum fuel. So if there is 10% ethanol in your fuel, and that 10 % is only 2/3 as powerful, then the ethanol will deliver about 96.7% of the power that full petroleum based fuel will do. Also, in humid weather, an open pan of the stuff will become cloudy within minutes, indicating that it soaks up water like a sponge (like somebody said).

But how can you fine any NON-ETHANOL fuel any more?

My '82 KZ650 runs the same regardless of the octane rating. I think that regular grade ignites a little faster that premium, similar to advancing your timing. So that helps, provided your compression ratio and timing are not too high or advanced. The debate goes on.......

Try puregas.com

Wick little story

you know that smell quality gas has when its burning 100 octane or at leat high 90's
I went to visit a friend who haD 1 gas stattion to choose from pump says 87 octane
i been followin him doin burpies smellin the sweet aroma of high 90's all dat while
I was at his
shop I was lookin for the jug of race fuel (never saw it) after all 1075 that pulled like a freight train
on roids isnt running that 87 octane


I filled up for a 40 plus mile ride we had a great day trailered my bike home went for a ride
and noticed that smell coming from my bike I never saw his jug of race fuel at his shop
doubt he secretly topped mine off

pretty sur I just got some really good gas oh yeah bike has never ran better

advice 1 gas station in 60 miles bet its good gas lol

Here is a story I heard recently on E15 AAA Calls To Suspend Sale Of New Ethanol Fuel - Click Here

I have never understood the push of ethanol by the government. Yes, you can say the farm lobby was a factor and the benefit for emissions. But E15, yikes!

Lots of helpful information here. Although it looks like premium is probably NOT what is causing me problems, it looks like in the future I'll be sticking to regular.

Thanks for the help, guys. Now to figure out what's going on with my bike...I think it might be the petcock...

Check out www.pure-gas.org . They have a list of ethanol free stations.

LarryC wrote: Consider the situation where the high test gas you get out of the pump might not be very fresh. Many people don't buy it for their cars.....it sits in the ground tank. It's most likely ethanol blend.....moisture problem..

So after it sits does it separate some ?
Is alcohol heavier or lighter than petroleum ?

I know water is heavier so probably the alcohol is too, which means you'd get more ethanol in old gas, along with H2O :pinch:

Here is a read that some of you might enjoy on Octane and fuel. Get a cup of coffee and have a look.
www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/gasoline-faq/part3/preamble.html

Motor Head wrote: Here is a read that some of you might enjoy on Octane and fuel. Get a cup of coffee and have a look.
www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/gasoline-faq/part3/preamble.html

Thanks. Section 6.13 & 6.14 seem to have some of the most useful info... to me anyway.

6.13 Can higher octane fuels give me more power?

On modern engines with sophisticated engine management systems, the engine
can operate efficiently on fuels of a wider range of octane rating, but there
remains an optimum octane for the engine under specific driving conditions.
Older cars without such systems are more restricted in their choice of fuel,
as the engine can not automatically adjust to accommodate lower octane fuel.
Because knock is so destructive, owners of older cars must use fuel that will
not knock under the most demanding conditions they encounter, and must
continue to use that fuel, even if they only occasionally require the octane.

If you are already using the proper octane fuel, you will not obtain more
power from higher octane fuels. The engine will be already operating at
optimum settings, and a higher octane should have no effect on the management
system. Your driveability and fuel economy will remain the same. The higher
octane fuel costs more, so you are just throwing money away. If you are
already using a fuel with an octane rating slightly below the optimum, then
using a higher octane fuel will cause the engine management system to move to
the optimum settings, possibly resulting in both increased power and improved
fuel economy. You may be able to change octanes between seasons ( reduce
octane in winter ) to obtain the most cost-effective fuel without loss of
driveability.

Once you have identified the fuel that keeps the engine at optimum settings,
there is no advantage in moving to an even higher octane fuel. The
manufacturer's recommendation is conservative, so you may be able to
carefully reduce the fuel octane. The penalty for getting it badly wrong,
and not realising that you have, could be expensive engine damage.

high test, if you got any.