What octane fuel do you burn?

tazfl · 09-19-2009, 02:34 PM

I bought my 2008 Nomad new in March, up until a few weeks ago I only ran premium unleaded in it. there was a disscussion on the delphi forum and allot guys were saying only run the 87 octane / regular unleaded in the bike. For the last couple of weeks I've been running the midgrade (about 89 octane) but I saw in my owners manual where it says don't run anything under 90.
what do you guys with the FI 1600's run?

bigdave · 09-19-2009, 03:25 PM

I run the 93 octane premium i have tried to run 87 but it pinged extremely bad. my bike is completely stock

lasse · 09-19-2009, 03:42 PM

I run with the lowest octane available over here,
witch is 95. We only have 95,96 and 98 octane. ;)

oldbikers · 09-19-2009, 03:51 PM

I run 87 octane in my 95 and always have even before I put the TFI on it.

**brote** · 09-19-2009, 05:19 PM

I use the best grade available when I fill up. It really doesn't cost that much extra per tank full.
So usually 90+ octane.

Hank

tazfl · 09-19-2009, 05:33 PM

ok thanks for the responses, i think I'm going back to running the premium.

**ringadingh** · 09-19-2009, 06:03 PM

I use 87 and it runs well with it, using a higher octane fuel is of no benefit unless the motor requires it. If it doesn't ping and knock on 87, there is no reason to go to a higher grade. Here in Ontario premium gas is priced about 10-12 cents a litre higher ( approx 50 cents a gallon )more.

cactusjack · 09-19-2009, 06:33 PM

It's safe to run the lowest octane you can without pinging. I usually use 89 octane but in the colder months can get away with 87. Unless you have a pinging problem, buying premium gas only benefits the shareholders of Exxon and Chevron. 87, 89 and 91 are what is sold here.

The reason the manual recommends premium is because these bikes come so lean from the factory, they will ping like hell if you don't - under most conditions.

tazfl · 09-19-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

It's safe to run the lowest octane you can without pinging. I usually use 89 octane but in the colder months can get away with 87. Unless you have a pinging problem, buying premium gas only benefits the shareholders of Exxon and Chevron. 87, 89 and 91 are what is sold here.

The reason the manual recommends premium is because these bikes come so lean from the factory, they will ping like hell if you don't - under most conditions.

but doesn't burning the higher octane gas help keep your engine cleaner (less gunk / carbon build up) due to higher octane fuel burning cleaner?

eagleman · 09-19-2009, 09:04 PM

I run BP Gold 93 Octane whenever I can get it. I prefer BP over the other brands. Just a personal preference that I have. I have no issues with binnging and on the highway the bike runs great.

Eagleman

cactusjack · 09-19-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tazfl

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

It's safe to run the lowest octane you can without pinging. I usually use 89 octane but in the colder months can get away with 87. Unless you have a pinging problem, buying premium gas only benefits the shareholders of Exxon and Chevron. 87, 89 and 91 are what is sold here.

The reason the manual recommends premium is because these bikes come so lean from the factory, they will ping like hell if you don't - under most conditions.

but doesn't burning the higher octane gas help keep your engine cleaner (less gunk / carbon build up) due to higher octane fuel burning cleaner?

No. The higher the octane rating, the slower the fuel burns. Unless your engine requires high octane (due to high compression, for example), you are getting no added benefit from using high octane.

In the case of our Nomads, Kawasaki engineered the fuel system to be way too lean in order to meet US EPA specs. This lean condition is conducive to pinging. If you have a fuel processor, you can "cheat the factory" and run a richer mixture, and this negates the need for higher octane because it eliminates or greatly reduces pinging.

jamiep24 · 09-19-2009, 10:08 PM

premium, pings down here in this heat. only a dollar more a tank. why not use the best? plus that little warning on the tank about potential engine damage, i'll pay thay extra buck. slower burning fuel sounds a lot better to me, anyway.

AlabamaNomadRider · 09-19-2009, 11:38 PM

The sticker on the engine says minimum 90 octane. What we can get locally here in north Alabama is 87, 89 and 93. I don't really want to go below the 90 so since I added the fuel processor I run 93 then fill with 89 then 93. This keeps the gas in the tank above 90 octane. I with you Jamie about the sticker. I don't want to chance any damage and if someone can prove to me that running higher octane will damage my engine then I will definitely switch to 87 octane.

Scoot · 09-20-2009, 12:50 AM

87 octane

bundyrumandcoke · 09-20-2009, 12:57 AM

Our choice over here, 91, 95, and 98%. I run 98 whenever its available, or 95 if not. I have only ever had to run 91 once.

Cheers
Bundy

09-19-2009, 02:34 PM	#1
tazfl Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 742	What octane fuel do you burn? I bought my 2008 Nomad new in March, up until a few weeks ago I only ran premium unleaded in it. there was a disscussion on the delphi forum and allot guys were saying only run the 87 octane / regular unleaded in the bike. For the last couple of weeks I've been running the midgrade (about 89 octane) but I saw in my owners manual where it says don't run anything under 90. what do you guys with the FI 1600's run? __________________ 2012 Vaquero Special edition Candy Lime Green / Ebony Cobra slip on exhaust, Kuryakyn Alley Cat intake, Cobra FI2000 Fuel Processor, Quick release trunk, Front & rear crashbars powdercoated black, Paul Yaffee stealth 3 tag frame, Arlen Ness grips, Corbin seat, Custom pinstripping, Rear LED strip turn signals, Stock rear turnsignals / tagframe assembly removed Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-19-2009, 03:25 PM	#2
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	What octane fuel do you burn? I run the 93 octane premium i have tried to run 87 but it pinged extremely bad. my bike is completely stock __________________ David "BigDave" Hall Burnsville NC VBA #477 2007 Red and Silver Nomad (traded 4/10/2014) 2013 Blue and Black Voyager
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09-19-2009, 03:42 PM	#3
lasse Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Västerås <sweden Posts: 123	What octane fuel do you burn? I run with the lowest octane available over here, witch is 95. We only have 95,96 and 98 octane. ;)
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09-19-2009, 03:51 PM	#4
oldbikers Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sardis Mississippi Posts: 3,513	What octane fuel do you burn? I run 87 octane in my 95 and always have even before I put the TFI on it. __________________ Jim Hardin Sardis MS Kawanow # 453 Proud PGR member
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09-19-2009, 05:19 PM	#5
brote Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 905	What octane fuel do you burn? I use the best grade available when I fill up. It really doesn't cost that much extra per tank full. So usually 90+ octane. Hank __________________ Hank Brote W1HCB 2008 Diablo Black Nomad Lawrenceville, GA VBA # 1234 VROC # 32837 Patriot Guard Riders Naval Advisory Group Vietnam 69-70 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-19-2009, 05:33 PM	#6
tazfl Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 742	What octane fuel do you burn? ok thanks for the responses, i think I'm going back to running the premium. __________________ 2012 Vaquero Special edition Candy Lime Green / Ebony Cobra slip on exhaust, Kuryakyn Alley Cat intake, Cobra FI2000 Fuel Processor, Quick release trunk, Front & rear crashbars powdercoated black, Paul Yaffee stealth 3 tag frame, Arlen Ness grips, Corbin seat, Custom pinstripping, Rear LED strip turn signals, Stock rear turnsignals / tagframe assembly removed
	0

09-19-2009, 06:03 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	What octane fuel do you burn? I use 87 and it runs well with it, using a higher octane fuel is of no benefit unless the motor requires it. If it doesn't ping and knock on 87, there is no reason to go to a higher grade. Here in Ontario premium gas is priced about 10-12 cents a litre higher ( approx 50 cents a gallon )more. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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09-19-2009, 06:33 PM	#8
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	What octane fuel do you burn? It's safe to run the lowest octane you can without pinging. I usually use 89 octane but in the colder months can get away with 87. Unless you have a pinging problem, buying premium gas only benefits the shareholders of Exxon and Chevron. 87, 89 and 91 are what is sold here. The reason the manual recommends premium is because these bikes come so lean from the factory, they will ping like hell if you don't - under most conditions. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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09-19-2009, 09:04 PM	#10
eagleman Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: LAKEWOOD, CO Posts: 227	What octane fuel do you burn? I run BP Gold 93 Octane whenever I can get it. I prefer BP over the other brands. Just a personal preference that I have. I have no issues with binnging and on the highway the bike runs great. Eagleman __________________ Eagleman Chaplain CMA Chapter - Riders in the Light # 946 Lakewood, CO VBA# - 01172 2006 Vulcan Nomad Green/Silver But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles: they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint - Isaiah 40:31
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09-19-2009, 10:08 PM	#12
jamiep24 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yazoo City, Ms Posts: 965	What octane fuel do you burn? premium, pings down here in this heat. only a dollar more a tank. why not use the best? plus that little warning on the tank about potential engine damage, i'll pay thay extra buck. slower burning fuel sounds a lot better to me, anyway.
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09-19-2009, 11:38 PM	#13
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	What octane fuel do you burn? The sticker on the engine says minimum 90 octane. What we can get locally here in north Alabama is 87, 89 and 93. I don't really want to go below the 90 so since I added the fuel processor I run 93 then fill with 89 then 93. This keeps the gas in the tank above 90 octane. I with you Jamie about the sticker. I don't want to chance any damage and if someone can prove to me that running higher octane will damage my engine then I will definitely switch to 87 octane. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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09-20-2009, 12:50 AM	#14
Scoot Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 878	What octane fuel do you burn? 87 octane __________________ 2002 1500 VBA #00077 _____________________ 2013 Ultra Classic (Pearl White)
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09-20-2009, 12:57 AM	#15
bundyrumandcoke Jr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 41	What octane fuel do you burn? Our choice over here, 91, 95, and 98%. I run 98 whenever its available, or 95 if not. I have only ever had to run 91 once. Cheers Bundy
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