What fuel?

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  • Galloway
    Galloway
    13 years ago

     Just interested to know what fuel you use?

    I've got an 08 Dyna Superglide & live in Sydney but never quite know whats gonna be best. 

    All this 10% ethanol stuff,  is it okay?,  or go for the Premium more expensive stuff.

     

    Does it impact on performance??

     

    Any Ideas or thoughts?

     

    Cheers

    Galloway

     

     

     

  • Noodle
    Noodle
    13 years ago

    Here's an extract as a starting point .... I am finding my Dyna running better on the lower octane ... as prescribed... I have the Premium in at the moment... but will go back to the lower octane soon.. seems to run better with lower to me.... 

    Although at the bottom of the article it does say you can user higher.... 

     FUEL

    Refer to Table 1-4. Always use a good quality unleaded gasoline.
    Octane ratings are usually found on the pump.
    Avoid spills. Slowly remove filler cap. Do not fill above
    bottom of filler neck insert, leaving air space for fuel
    expansion. Secure filler cap after refueling. Gasoline is
    extremely flammable and highly explosive, which could
    result in death or serious injury. (00028a)
    Use care when refueling. Pressurized air in fuel tank can
    force gasoline to escape through filler tube. Gasoline is
    extremely flammable and highly explosive, which could
    result in death or serious injury. (00029a)
    Modern service station pumps dispense a high flow of gasoline
    into a motorcycle fuel tank making air entrapment and pressurization
    a possibility.
     
    Table 1-4. Octane Ratings
    SPECIFICATION RATING
    Pump Octane (R+M)/2 91 (95 RON)
     
    GASOLINE BLENDS
    Your motorcycle was designed to get the best performance
    and efficiency using unleaded gasoline. Most gasoline is
    blended with alcohol and/or ether to create oxygenated blends.
    The type and amount of alcohol or ether added to the fuel is
    important.
    Do not use gasoline that contains methanol. Doing so can
    result in fuel system component failure, engine damage
    and/or equipment malfunction. (00148a)
    • Gasoline containing METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER
    (MTBE): Gasoline/MTBE blends are a mixture of gasoline
    and as much as 15% MTBE. Gasoline/MTBE blends can
    be used in your motorcycle.
    • ETHANOL is a mixture of 10% ethanol (Grain alcohol) and
    90% unleaded gasoline. Gasoline/ethanol blends can be
    used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does not
    exceed 10%.
    • REFORMULATED OR OXYGENATED GASOLINES
    (RFG): Reformulated gasoline is a term used to describe
    gasoline blends that are specifically designed to burn
    cleaner than other types of gasoline, leaving fewer tailpipe
    emissions. They are also formulated to evaporate less
    when you are filling your tank. Reformulated gasolines
    use additives to oxygenate the gas. Your motorcycle will
    run normally using this type of gas and Harley-Davidson
    recommends you use it when possible, as an aid to cleaner
    air in our environment.
    • Do not use race gas or octane boosters. Use of these fuels
    will damage the fuel system.
    Some gasoline blends might adversely affect the starting,
    driveability or fuel efficiency of the motorcycle. If any of these
    problems are experienced, try a different brand of gasoline or
    gasoline with a higher octane blend.
  • Hesh
    Hesh
    13 years ago
    Personally, I have always used 98 RON fuel. Whether it be Ultimate or Vortex. Have not yet put an Ethanol blend in and feel hesitant to do so, even though the manual says you can.
    Keep in mind though, if you use an ethanol blended fuel, it will not take you as far as your standard non-blended unleaded fuel.
  • kaboom
    kaboom
    13 years ago

    BE VERRY HESIDENT to ever youse ethenol on my way to q l on holls with 96 cube 07 road king filled up half a tank with ethanol as at this garage in main st of GUNDAWINDY . set off for warick got half way stoped at pub rest stop &soft drink

    went to continue trip started ok went 100+ meters stopped  could not get it started was in roadside assist so tooke bike to twomba still cost me 85+dollars cos when got towomba h shop closed by they found prob  IT WAS FUELL RELEASE VALVE ETHANOL STOPPED IT FROM WORKING THERE WAS ANOTHER SMALL THING  BUT THEY PUT IT ON DYNO OR COMPUTOR ALL UP IT COST ME 400+   +THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT &SUNDAY NIGHT ACOMODASION STUFFED MY HOLLS COMPLEATLEY BUT DID LIKE TOWOMBA     was fixed when filled up with ordenary fuell  caltex 95 ron  then i herd from dealer never youse ethanol  it said in MY HARLEY MANUAL TEN % WAS OK  never again  it was a costley exersise

  • fastapastor
    fastapastor
    13 years ago
    I have a 08 Dyna Superglide too and find it pings on 91 runs good on the highway on 98 but blows a bit black on start up, I use 95 all the time and it runs great. I always try to use the same brand caltex and same pump each time I fill (not possible when along way from home). Even when it was new (stock) it rattled same as now with the pipe and command 5 and heavy breather on 91. One time I filled up somewhere different and put 91 in and I think they must have put ethanol in the tank with the 91 and it was bad low power rattled under load and I didn't make it very far, soon mixed in some vpower98 that leveled it out.
  • Dyna1994
    Dyna1994
    13 years ago

    i only use 98  RON as it runs the better than the lower octane fuels. it also runs cooler as higher octane burns quicker. probably the best thing for air cooled bikes. Every 5 tanks i use liquid moly carby cleaner ( about 30mls) .

  • pisspour
    pisspour
    13 years ago
    For my 2 cents worth for those interested.
    I previously ran a servo and fuel depot for 16 years.So tried this method with many vehicles and spread the word to many customers
    98 is the way to go in just about anything no matter how you want to drive/ride it
    Forget km to the litre try working on Km to the dollar the net result is about the same
    and youll reduce wear & tear, improve power, reduce emissions
    your average 6 cyl car will get about 80km extra per tank compared to 91 octane ULP (after a coulpe of tanks to clean the system out)
    could,nt tell you a comparison with my bikes as nothing i own now has ever been fed standard ulp.
  • Stumpy
    Stumpy
    13 years ago

    I use only 98 from Caltex stations. Next best is BP and Ampol (if you find it around.). Use Shell and my beast stopped the moment I pulled the clutch in and came to a stop. it ran badly on Shell with rattling and popping plus lose of power. Only on the rare accassion do i put Shell in and then only enough to get me to a Caltex!!!!!! Mine runs hotter on Shell and have a few mates that have the same problem when using that brand of fuel. Would never contimplate using 91 ethonal in the bike..

    Also get better performance and power using 98 and runs cooler. I get around 22klm per litre and thats not taking it to easy mostly longish rides of about 500klm round trip on weekend.

    Hope this helps as most of the other comment have help you mate.

  • Galloway
    Galloway
    13 years ago

     Thanks guys some good stuff in there.. Gonna try the Caltex 98..

  • kaboom
    kaboom
    13 years ago

    the petrol station i stopped at ended up being all ethanol i put 98 octain in thinking it would be o k till i filled up with proper fuel at the next stop

  • Noodle
    Noodle
    13 years ago
    Many searches of cause can be made about fuel wikipedia is just one and has some interesting facts on the subject here well worth a read IMO http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating
  • kensim
    kensim
    13 years ago
    yes i have heard from lots of bike riders dont use shell.i use bp or mobil full strength ,i dont believe the 98 will damage or effect performance in any way,but i may be paying more for fuel than is required ,but i dont care!
  • scozzy
    scozzy
    13 years ago

    Fellas, i work in the fuel game as a tanker driver delivering tha stuff,and have spoke on several occasions to the refinery techs down at caltex banksmeadow as well as operators at bp parramatta.

    The best, cleanest and most responsive fuel,along with being refined to the highest production processes is bp ultimate 98.Before anyone comments, no i dont work for bp, i drive for Cootes transport. Even tha caltex tech i spoke to a couple of months ago agreed that ultimate is tha way to go,especially on long trips.Caltex vortex 98 is excellent as well,but personally i use tha ultimate in my bike and also my car, as its the preferred fuel by ford for my falcon bf GT.

    And for fux sake, whatever fuel you choose, do yourself a favour, and stay well away from E10,unless you want a gunged up shitbox motor to play with,its just not worth it, to save 3cents a litre with tha worst mileage? 

    Cant comment about shell, but have heard a few bad reports.

    Scozzy. 

  • SuperGlide
    SuperGlide
    13 years ago

    BP Ultimate and nothing else, just my thing.

    Also still whack in a bit of octane booster specially if going WSID etc.
  • Merlin
    Merlin
    12 years ago

    When I got my bike the dealer recommended BP ultimate. Or if not available, anything that's 95 or better.

    One time I got stuck in a little town and put 3 dollars worth of 91 in just to get me to the next place, filled up and then went 100k and filled up again to get back to normal as quick as possible.

  • Noodle
    Noodle
    12 years ago

     Not a drama at all.. actually the workshop manual reccommends 91 .. You've done what you had to do, to get where you needed to be. 

    I've seen the light.. and only use 98 now.. but if stuck, a blend to get you to the next 'pump' is ok I'm sure.. We could get Avgas 100 too I guess.. buy it by the 20 litre drum .. and store it next to our arc welder .... errrrrrh .. 

     

    ... all is good with the world.. 

  • Buck
    Buck
    3 years ago
    Quoting fastapastor on 04 Dec 2010 12:36 PM

    I have a 08 Dyna Superglide too and find it pings on 91 runs good on the highway on 98 but blows a bit black on start up, I use 95 all the time and it runs great. I always try to use the same brand caltex and same pump each time I fill (not possible when along way from home). Even when it was new (stock) it rattled same as now with the pipe and command 5 and heavy breather on 91. One time I filled up somewhere different and put 91 in and I think they must have put ethanol in the tank with the 91 and it was bad low power rattled under load and I didn't make it very far, soon mixed in some vpower98 that leveled it out.

    Yeah mine puffs a bit of black as well
     on start up with the RON 98, its like its running rich 
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    3 years ago
    FARK, another fuel thread.  Oddly enough my Sporty runs bloody awesome with whatever fuel I put in her (but never E10, just cause).  The electronics adjust to gas - thats why I bought an EFI bike.  
    IF your on a modern bike and you have problems then 99% sure it aint the fing petrol.
  • gidgi
    gidgi
    3 years ago
    post be 10yrs old
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    3 years ago
    Got a bad batch of fuel in the  car last week.  The  bowser I pulled up beside only had 91 or 98 so being the lazy tightarse I am I filled it with the 91.ULP ( no ethanol)
    The car seemed to run allright but I was having trouble starting it the next day. On Tuesday morning it didnt start at all.
    I can't remember what brand  of fuel it was but I got it at the Tarree service centre. Maybe someone knows what brand they have there.
    I think it was Shell but could be wrong. 
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