Can I make it?????

[Hvyhau8272]

Give the post office in La Sal UT a call 435-686-2265 or the general store 435-686-2225. It looks like they have fuel pumps next to the post office and that could solve your question if they tell you they are working and open to the public.

[tonik]

Yea, call around in that area..anyone you can. I learned on my Mt. Rushmore trip that google maps does not show all the gas stations.

That said, I have taken mine to 184 and put 5.2 gallons in it, and I have a heavy wrist. And that 184 was 80 mph highway which is where I get my worst fuel mileage. I think you can make it. But I think you will be worried about it the whole way. Buy a 1 gallon can and toss it in the bags or bungee it to the left side passenger footrest if you are 1 up.

[davidhollinger]

I agree with Tonik, I am heavy wristed as well. My mileage goes down considerably on the interstate. Peace of mind would be nice...

[Hvyhau8272]

Just called......La Sal Utah has unleaded fuel Monday thru Saturday from 8am to 7pm. Should have no problem making it now. Their fuel is not premium though so I would take a fuel octane additive with me for that fuel up.

[cliffordgos]

Bill I would just go on to Monticello and get gas and then go back to Hwy 211. It is 30 miles longer but you will have peace of mind.

[kawboysix]

Originally Posted by Hvyhau8272

Just called......La Sal Utah has unleaded fuel Monday thru Saturday from 8am to 7pm. Should have no problem making it now. Their fuel is not premium though so I would take a fuel octane additive with me for that fuel up.

Just to let ya know, these engines don't require premium fuel. I started off using it in mine when I first got the bike ( which is 92 and sometimes 93 octane here ). I have since stepped down to mid grade ( 89 ) and now for the last 4 fill ups regular unleaded ( 87 octane ) and have had no ill affects. There have been no decrease in engine power or engine response, no increase in engine noise or exhaust popping on deceleration.

At 9:1 compression these engines live happily on 87 octane. As a matter of fact my mileage went up and on yesterdays 280 mile trip, I was rewarded with 41 mpg. Up from 38 when I first purchased it and running premium.

[HwyRider]

Originally Posted by kawboysix

Just to let ya know, these engines don't require premium fuel. I started off using it in mine when I first got the bike ( which is 92 and sometimes 93 octane here ). I have since stepped down to mid grade ( 89 ) and now for the last 4 fill ups regular unleaded ( 87 octane ) and have had no ill affects. There have been no decrease in engine power or engine response, no increase in engine noise or exhaust popping on deceleration.

At 9:1 compression these engines live happily on 87 octane. As a matter of fact my mileage went up and on yesterdays 280 mile trip, I was rewarded with 41 mpg. Up from 38 when I first purchased it and running premium.

That's a debatable issue and has been debated on here numerous times. They do require premium fuel but a lot of people choose not to run it.

[kawboysix]

Debatable without question. Just giving my personal real world experience. Only thing that changed was I now get better mpg. Can't beat that I recon. Specially on this topic of debate wondering about making it between fuel stops out there in the wide open spaces.

[HwyRider]

You get more miles per gallon from regular gas?

I don't see how one type of fuel can increase your gas mileage. If I put 5 gallons of gas in my car and drove the same amount of miles with and without premium I would expect to get the same mileage from both. I would think that the vehicle would just run better with the premium fuel that it is specced for and that there would be no mileage gains or losses.

[kawboysix]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

You get more miles per gallon from regular gas?

I don't see how one type of fuel can increase your gas mileage. If I put 5 gallons of gas in my car and drove the same amount of miles with and without premium I would expect to get the same mileage from both. I would think that the vehicle would just run better with the premium fuel that it is specced for and that there would be no mileage gains or losses.

+1 I'm not claiming to know how or why. Just what I've experienced. May have nothing at all to do with the fuel except that that is the only thing I have changed ( the fuel I use ). Went from 93 down to 87 and presto, better fuel economy.

I have read that higher octane is more resistant to burning? Which would explain the lower chances of detonation and less popping from the exhaust on decel due to less UNburned fuels entering the exhaust.

Maybe it burns more thoroughly and therefore requires LESS fuel to make the same power?

Either way I'm satisfied.

[HwyRider]

Did you clean your air filter, fuel filter, or adjust the air in your tires prior to the mileage increase?

[kawboysix]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

Did you clean your air filter, fuel filter, or adjust the air in your tires prior to the mileage increase?

Air filter was just replace before I purchased the bike and it still looks new. I have only put 3400 miles on the bike since I purchased it. I did replace the tires back in march after 1500 miles of my ownership but I keep them at the same pressure as the old ( 40 psi ). One thing I forgot about though that may have affected mpg once you mentioned tires. The factory rear tire that I removed was 170/70/16. I replaced it with a 180/70/16 which is taller and wider. I did this to help correct the speedo error which it did. I am now off only by 2 mph stead of 5mph under actual speed. Don't know which way that might affect mpg. Up or down? or if anything at all.

[usranger74]

I made it. Just out side of the Park is a not often opened gas station where I paid $6.50 for 1 gal of gas!! On the way into the Park I almost got bit by a tar snake!!!!

[HwyRider]

That's some expensive gas. Glad you made it.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

That's a debatable issue and has been debated on here numerous times. They do require premium fuel but a lot of people choose not to run it.

Fuel issues are certainly debatable, but anyone who debates that 9:1 compression engines need premium fuel, even if they run great on regular, is debating from the wrong side of the issue. I ran premium in my Nomad because it pinged going uphill with regular. My Vic runs like a raped ape on regular no matter the circumstances.

I am no expert, but have educated myself plenty from those who are. Pinging is simply the pre-detonation of your fuel before the piston is ready for the downstroke. For obvious reasons, prolonged pinging is not good for an engine. Premium fuel, with its higher octane, delays the detonation just long enough for the piston to get to the proper position for the downward force of the blast. Hence, if your bike pings on regular, you need premium fuel....if not...you don't...and every bike is different. There are no additional benefits from the higher octane.

The higher octane fuel also adds additional carbon build-up over time, so regardless of what the manufacturers say, running the lowest possible octane fuel you can without pinging is perfectly acceptable...in fact preferable. Now if I have this wrong...it will take Mac or BD about 2 seconds to bust my balls. I may not have it perfect, but I'm confident in this instance I am close enough to be safe from their critical judgement.... I can see where mileage could be improved running regular as opposed to premium, because the fuel would be burning in a more efficient manner, detonating at the perfect time, rather than having the detonation be unnecessarily delayed. Just sayin'.....