What gas to use

dougster · 10-03-2008, 10:41 AM

Hey all,

I have seen a couple of comments about what gas should be used in the FI Nomads. (Mine is a 2003 VN1500 Nomad)

The book says we must use 90 octane fuel in the bike or the engine could be harmed.

My questions:
1. Will the engine be hurt if you run a lower octane, such as 87 or 89?
2. Will the engine be hurt if you run a fuel with ethanol added (10% around here)?

Thanks
Doug

cactusjack · 10-03-2008, 10:56 AM

When I bought my Nomad, the dealer was going through the pre-delivery stuff with me. I was told I could run whatever doesn't cause pinging. I typically run 89 octane (mid-grade here). As far as the ethanol goes - what are you going to do about it anyway? It's not going to hurt your engine. I can't think of a station locally that doesn't state on the pumps "our gasoline may contain up to 10% ethanol".

flightdoc · 10-03-2008, 12:11 PM

When the air temps are running a little cooler I run 89. Hot weather, I use 91+ to stop the pinging.

vin

Yellow Jacket · 10-03-2008, 01:16 PM

Don't use anything with more than 10% ethanol.

**schoeney** · 10-03-2008, 01:38 PM

I only use premium (92 Octane) in my 2003 1500. It runs great.

I figured out that I only drive about 8000 miles per year. So that only cost me about $40 a year (more than regular) to give Miss Ruby the good stuff. It is only $25 more than mid grade.

Not enough difference in price to deny performance in my book.

dogdoc · 10-03-2008, 02:15 PM

Mine pings like crap with the 87 and half the time on 89, its going to be 93 all time for me.

formikec · 10-03-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

I only use premium (92 Octane) in my 2003 1500. It runs great.

I figured out that I only drive about 8000 miles per year. So that only cost me about $40 a year (more than regular) to give Miss Ruby the good stuff. It is only $25 more than mid grade.

Not enough difference in price to deny performance in my book.

+1

mikey911s · 10-03-2008, 04:44 PM

Here in Louisiana it is very hard, if not impossible, to find any non-ethanol gas . I know of only one station that offers it....and the station is located in Tulsa, OK.
mike

macmac · 10-03-2008, 06:53 PM

Well there is more bang in the lowest octane you can run. Whether or not you can run any lower remains debateable.

The more stock the bike is the higher Oct it may need.. It usually is a compression issue to need higher blends, but with these bikes as lean as i believe they are it is more a mix issue.

With V&H a TFI and a Cadd kit I ran 89 just fine. Over summer there was no choice to run anything but 87 and that ran just fine too. So I will stick with 87..

dantama · 10-03-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formikec

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

I only use premium (92 Octane) in my 2003 1500. It runs great.

I figured out that I only drive about 8000 miles per year. So that only cost me about $40 a year (more than regular) to give Miss Ruby the good stuff. It is only $25 more than mid grade.

Not enough difference in price to deny performance in my book.

+1

dougster, from previous threads we have found that some can run 85 and most need some level of higher octane. There isn't very many who can run 85, and those who can live at higher elevations.

The myth that there is more performance and power in high octane is left over marketing from the days when they could lie in their advertising.

Octane only slows how fast it can ignite. That way it won't light up sooner than it is supposed to as easy.

I would start at the next to the highest octane and see if it makes pinging. If not, you can run it.

I would try the next lower, if it doesn't ping you can run it. (I'd only put a gallon or two, so that if it does ping, you can top off with higher.

My bike at the high altitude of Colorado and Utah where I've ran it, never pings on 85 octane. So for me, giving it higher octane would be a waste of money. It wouldn't be a treat that makes my bike bond to me for giving it "extra" of something :)

macmac · 10-03-2008, 08:01 PM

Thank you Dan....

**ringadingh** · 10-03-2008, 08:15 PM

I agree that if the motor doesn't ping on regular, your not going to make it run better on premium. Mine works well on 87 octane, never pings, and regular is all it gets.

**schoeney** · 10-04-2008, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Lund

Quote:

Originally Posted by formikec

+1

So for me, giving it higher octane would be a waste of money. It wouldn't be a treat that makes my bike bond to me for giving it "extra" of something :)

Well that is why my Nad is faster....I bond with it by spoiling it with 92 octane....it is my dream, let me live it

redjay · 10-04-2008, 09:01 AM

Hi, My 05 pings regardless of what grade of fuel I use. I presume a TPS adjustment as per Gadgets website would help. Looking to buy the necessary tools to do that before buying a TFI, pipes etc.

dantama · 10-04-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Lund

So for me, giving it higher octane would be a waste of money. It wouldn't be a treat that makes my bike bond to me for giving it "extra" of something :)

Well that is why my Nad is faster....I bond with it by spoiling it with 92 octane....it is my dream, let me live it

I understand, but if it will run just fine on 89, perhaps it would rather you take it out for a beer and chasing women

10-03-2008, 10:41 AM	#1
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	What gas to use Hey all, I have seen a couple of comments about what gas should be used in the FI Nomads. (Mine is a 2003 VN1500 Nomad) The book says we must use 90 octane fuel in the bike or the engine could be harmed. My questions: 1. Will the engine be hurt if you run a lower octane, such as 87 or 89? 2. Will the engine be hurt if you run a fuel with ethanol added (10% around here)? Thanks Doug __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-03-2008, 10:56 AM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	What gas to use When I bought my Nomad, the dealer was going through the pre-delivery stuff with me. I was told I could run whatever doesn't cause pinging. I typically run 89 octane (mid-grade here). As far as the ethanol goes - what are you going to do about it anyway? It's not going to hurt your engine. I can't think of a station locally that doesn't state on the pumps "our gasoline may contain up to 10% ethanol". __________________ 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
	0

10-03-2008, 12:11 PM	#3
flightdoc Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Barrington, New Hampshire Posts: 1,285	What gas to use When the air temps are running a little cooler I run 89. Hot weather, I use 91+ to stop the pinging. vin
	0

10-03-2008, 01:16 PM	#4
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	What gas to use Don't use anything with more than 10% ethanol. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
	0

10-03-2008, 01:38 PM	#5
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	What gas to use I only use premium (92 Octane) in my 2003 1500. It runs great. I figured out that I only drive about 8000 miles per year. So that only cost me about $40 a year (more than regular) to give Miss Ruby the good stuff. It is only $25 more than mid grade. Not enough difference in price to deny performance in my book. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-03-2008, 02:15 PM	#6
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	What gas to use Mine pings like crap with the 87 and half the time on 89, its going to be 93 all time for me.
	0

10-03-2008, 04:44 PM	#8
mikey911s Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 144	What gas to use Here in Louisiana it is very hard, if not impossible, to find any non-ethanol gas . I know of only one station that offers it....and the station is located in Tulsa, OK. mike
	0

10-03-2008, 06:53 PM	#9
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	What gas to use Well there is more bang in the lowest octane you can run. Whether or not you can run any lower remains debateable. The more stock the bike is the higher Oct it may need.. It usually is a compression issue to need higher blends, but with these bikes as lean as i believe they are it is more a mix issue. With V&H a TFI and a Cadd kit I ran 89 just fine. Over summer there was no choice to run anything but 87 and that ran just fine too. So I will stick with 87.. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-03-2008, 08:01 PM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	What gas to use Thank you Dan.... __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

10-03-2008, 08:15 PM	#12
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	What gas to use I agree that if the motor doesn't ping on regular, your not going to make it run better on premium. Mine works well on 87 octane, never pings, and regular is all it gets. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

10-04-2008, 09:01 AM	#14
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,017	What gas to use Hi, My 05 pings regardless of what grade of fuel I use. I presume a TPS adjustment as per Gadgets website would help. Looking to buy the necessary tools to do that before buying a TFI, pipes etc.
	0

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