Octane level

[Jared]

What grade of octane do you use in your Nomad?

[Cajunrider]

Occasionally I'll mix 89 or 91 with the 93 but that usually contributes to pinging. There aren't many places down here more than 20' above sea level.

[ringadingh]

My bike has always run just as well on regular as it does on premium. Ive never had a pinging problem that some others have had.

[Jared]

It might be good to mention your altitude. It makes a difference.

[ells]

For me, it varies with temperature, mid grade when cooler, high-grade above about 80F. Have gotten away with regular, 85 octane in Denver area, when in the sub-forties. Not sure how some get away with regular all the time and others can't seem to get rid of the ping not matter what. Lots of differences between bikes, same model and year, and discussed here a lot in the past but always a worthwhile topic to bring up once in a while.

[cactusjack]

I use 89 octane, which is mid-grade here. I am at approx 1100' above sea level.

[cheech]

I live in sunny Florida and since I did the Caddman intake mod, the BD bafflectomy and added TFI module, I have absolutely no ping on regular at any temp and the bike runs much cooler.
Cheech

[pirate]

Was tempted to vote for diesel, but I didn't ;) I usually put in 91 octane, which is considered mid-grade up here. It has 10% ethanol in it. I've never had a pinging problem no matter what grade I put in, but obviously here in North Dakota, we really don't have any elevation! An escalator at the mall is about the biggest elevation change we have http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[strobe]

I have been running premium here (91), only because I was told that is what I had to run, but was thinking of trying mid grade (89) this spring and see if it generates any pinging.

[rflnomad]

I use 91. I drive it pretty easy so pinging is pretty rare.

[bosko]

Only ran one tank of premium, since then I've run regular (87) with no problems on my stock bike. I have de-baffled but that was just before putting the bike away for the winter.

Elevation here is about 800-900m

[dabull]

91 to 93....i think i may have put lower in her recently as i twisted the throttle and got a few pings :(

[Jared]

I'm assuming that pinging very noticeable? Is it hard not to hear?

I ask because I have run all grades of gas offered here to see if there was any difference in mpg. I didn't notice ANY difference between them.

[Jared]

Was tempted to vote for diesel, but I didn't ;) I usually put in 91 octane, which is considered mid-grade up here. It has 10% ethanol in it. I've never had a pinging problem no matter what grade I put in, but obviously here in North Dakota, we really don't have any elevation! An escalator at the mall is about the biggest elevation change we have http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

No one puts diesel in their bikes? ::) You ought to try it, it performs incredibly! ;)

[dogdoc]

the bike will run like a scaled dog on 87 IF you add a TFI....

[Jared]

scaled dog? = poor?

[bosko]

the bike will run like a scaled dog on 87 IF you add a TFI....


scaled dog? = poor?

I'm thinking very fast, as in good.

[blowndodge]

87 octane sea level at the beach

[Jared]

[quote=Doc (Lonewolf)]the bike will run like a scaled dog on 87 IF you add a TFI....


scaled dog? = poor?

I'm thinking very fast, as in good.[/quote:h7sbnlg4]

Thanks for the translation. I've never heard that term before..

[landman]

i run 89 and live at about 5000' altitude.

[waterman]

Most of the time I run 85 octane here. Generally do mix a tank of higher every now and then. Don't notice any pinging.

[cactusjack]

I'm thinking very fast, as in good.

Thanks for the translation. I've never heard that term before..

Just a guess here, but I think Doc meant "scalded dog".

[strobe]

Thanks for the translation. I've never heard that term before..

Just a guess here, but I think Doc meant "scalded dog".

That helps...I was wondering too :)

[blowndodge]

actually its "Scalded Cat".

[bosko]

actually its "Scalded Cat".

That's the one I'm familiar with.

I guess we will never know for sure what Doc meant until he responds himself. ???

Maybe he should have said Raped Ape. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Jared]

Raped Ape??? I don't think I want to know.

[moenko]

Same here, at 180 ft elevation, 87 never gave me any problems but again, I add Lucas Fuel Treatment which makes up for some of the ill-effects of Ethanol plus lubricates the upper cylinder walls... bike runs good!

[jamiep24]

Scaled or scalded, either one probably means "fast as hell".
I bet a "Raped Ape" is pretty quick, also.

[nomad561]

89-93 depending on ride conditions.

[MarkG]

Factory mechanics suggested running lowest possible without pinging, keeps the carbon from building up. Usually run 87 at the lower altitudes. When I get into the higher altitudes, over 7,000 feet, I run 91.

[Jared]

Factory mechanics suggested running lowest possible without pinging, keeps the carbon from building up. Usually run 87 at the lower altitudes. When I get into the higher altitudes, over 7,000 feet, I run 91.

I think you've got that backwards. For each 1000 feet of altitude the atmospheric pressure will drop by a little less than 11 kPa/km (1 inHg). An engine that might require 93 octane at sea level may perform at maximum on a fuel rated at 91 octane if the elevation is over, say, 1000 feet.

[Jared]

Factory mechanics suggested running lowest possible without pinging, keeps the carbon from building up. Usually run 87 at the lower altitudes. When I get into the higher altitudes, over 7,000 feet, I run 91.

And your very correct about using the lowest octane without pinging. Often time people have the misconception that the high octane the better, and more powerful the engine will run. Octane rating does not relate to the energy content of the fuel. It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn rather than explode.

[nightmare]

I have to use the highest octane available and a bottle of octane booster in every tank, due to the modifications

[Jared]

I have to use the highest octane available and a bottle of octane booster in every tank, due to the modifications

Serious? Wow! What mods have you done to require that?

[rlfaubion]

Being at sea level with temps from the mid twenties in the winter to over one-hundred degrees in the summer, I had excessive pinging until I added the "Resistor Mod" (see the garage and/or Gadget's site).

I soldered a 1K OHM resistor in-line with the fuel heat sensor circuit. I believe I gained a horse or two, and have no pinging issues running 87 octane.

[Jared]

That would probably be a good mod for those that are constantly having pinging problems.

All we have in Alberta that I know of is 91 octane and thats what I run. If we had 92 I'd burn that. Mad- no?

[bucfan11]

I'm assuming that pinging very noticeable? Is it hard not to hear?

I ask because I have run all grades of gas offered here to see if there was any difference in mpg. I didn't notice ANY difference between them.


If you have to ask, your bike is fine. You can roll on my here in central Florida and you'd know instantly what "pinging" sounds like. I've ordered a TFI so I can remedy it hopefully.

[coacha]

I use 87 that is at the lowest possible price. I'm cheap and the bike runs fine. I use some Seafoam or other additive about every 4 or so tankfuls.

[Jared]

I'm assuming that pinging very noticeable? Is it hard not to hear?

I ask because I have run all grades of gas offered here to see if there was any difference in mpg. I didn't notice ANY difference between them.


If you have to ask, your bike is fine. You can roll on my here in central Florida and you'd know instantly what "pinging" sounds like. I've ordered a TFI so I can remedy it hopefully.

Good to know! My bike must be one of those lucky ones that doesn't have a problems.

[oldbikers]

I have always run 87 octane with the caddman, TFI and baggers it just runs better http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[kawbuc]

I run 89 sometimes but i feel my bike runs better with 93. I cant hear any pinging. Maybe the Vance and Hines covers the pinging noise up?

[flavor]

Don't have many stations serving up 91 octane in this area. High test is mostly 92 or 93.

My Nomad is stock FOR NOW, as far as the intake, TFI and exhaust. I tried mixing about 2 1/2 gallons of 89 in with the high test one time and the bike would ping going up every hill. (About 90 degrees that day).

Until mods are made I don't have a choice on octane. High test is a must.