[cyberdos]

I know it's been talked about before but I’d like to re-open the discussion. Is it really a big difference between fuels made by different gas companies keeping the same octane as a constant? Or is this a myth?

I ran Hess and BP fuels because they are the cheapest (reputable) gas stations around here. A couple of days ago I ran out of gas and the nearest station was a Shell. For some reason the bike seems to be running a lot better. I've filled it up twice with Shell now and it's running great.

And also, I’ve heard and read that some people say 90 octane might be even better than 93 in terms of performance.

To sum it up:
1. Is there a beneficial difference between fuels made by different companies?
2. What are the benefits of running either 90 octane or 93 octane?




While searching this topic, I found these two threads:
topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4393&SearchTerms=what+gas

topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4803&SearchTerms=what+gas

 

[-gary]

The lower octanes actually have a faster burn rate, but higher compression (or less heat efficient) engines require the higher octane to combat detonation.

Different companies use different additives and some use a mix of ethanol (? I can't remember) to help with emissions. I've never noticed enough difference between different brands to warrant a look, but there are some stations I avoid like the plague because they always seem to have a water problem. Get a little water in your tank and I guarantee you'll tell a difference. That's why I stick with the larger name-brand stations that have a lot of turnover.

 

[jmickle11]

Well, I don't know much about fuels. I use BP 93 in my 03. I was in a pinch and had to use Marathon 92 and I didn't like it at all. It just didn't seem to run as well. My bike runs really well on the BP 93. Where I live there aren't a lot of choices. BP, Marathon, Speedway, and several discount gas stations.

 

[sixftnine]

i don't know the specifics but like gary said different companies have different additives. out here in az i'll i run is chevron w/techron. somtimes i'll put in texco gas but every thing else always made my truck run different so i don't even bother(sp?) tryin' different gas for my bike. and all we get out here is 91. there is this gas station by the salt river that has 114 octane for 5 bux but you cant put it in anything with the wheels touching the ground. cant wait to get some of that shit.

 

[-gary]

Originally posted by sixftnine

there is this gas station by the salt river that has 114 octane for 5 bux but you cant put it in anything with the wheels touching the ground. cant wait to get some of that shit.

Won't do a thing for you unless you're running bumped up compression or a turbo and you've backed the timing down to keep it from detonating.

 

[Flash Ahhh]

Cyberdos, to answer your questions in my opinion.

1. Yes.
2. Pick the gas that runs your bike the best, and stick with that brand. I have a California model so I know the emissions are different here, but according to the manual for the '02 use 91 octane fuel.

Also see pages 35-39 in your J3 manual.


Out in California the three top gas companies seem to be Chevron, Shell and BP.

Next is Union 76.

I am somewhat loyal to Chevron. Never had a problem with their gas in any of my cage vehicles, nor my bike.

I run nothing but 92 octane Chevron (with Techron) gas in my bike.

I stay away from the discount gas chains. I "heard" they buy older gas or gas that the additive mixture is not "ideal" but still within legal tolerances. So not taking any chances. A few cents difference per gallon is well worth the added piece of mind.

I read an acticle that gas brands can be mixed but not different levels of octane. But, take ths with a grain of salt. So according to the article, don't mix two different octane levels in the same tank, but you can use
two differnt gas brands providing they are of equal octane.

The article went on to say that a person should not use an octane rating higher than what is specified for their engine by the vehicle manufacture. Any higher than recommended octane would be a waste of money. I don't know how true it is, but the rationale they gave in the article made sense.

The article had a side bit where it discussed gas additives, such as; methanol, ethanol, MTBE, TAME, ETBE (alcohols and ethers) and other various anti-knock, rust inhibiting and emission control additives. Without getting into it, basically I felt it almost contradicted what the article said above. So I decided to find a brand of fuel I like and stick to it.

Hope that all helps.

-Flash

 

[sixftnine]

thanx gary nice to know. how would i bump up compresion?

 

[-gary]

Taller piston, shaved head. Nothing you would want to do to a street bike.

 

[bs121583]

at our local drag stip they sell 110 octane fuel and a buddy of mine puts this in his stock 2002 gsxr750... he swears it makes his bike faster.. is he completely full of shit or does it do anything for him... he is the stubborn type and thinks he knows.. so when i go to tell him that its a waste of money he'll think i'm wrong.. let me know

 

[-gary]

He's wrong, unless he's putting a little more timing in it which the higher octane would let you do, but it still wouldn't make that much of a difference.

 

[Soulreape]

In Scotland , the standard fuel is 95 octane .. and Super Unleaded is 97 Octane generally .. my ZX6R specified to use no less than 95 octane on the fuel tank .. with reports of the super giving you about an extra 1 or 2 bhp performance from other sources...

 

[dj dunzie]

soulreape the octane measurements in Europe are different than those in North America... just a slightly different way of doing the same thing, as usual.

 

[mfzx6r]

Here in Australia
My j2 has a sticker that states nothing under 95 octane
Normal unleaded is 91 and the ultra type unleaded fuel
is 98 octane.

mfzx6r

 

[Soulreape]

Ahh right .. thanks for clearing that up DJ ... was starting to wonder what the performance difference would be....

 

[neattoes3000]

Buy gas to keep your bike moving! That is it plan and simple. Don't ran anything but what the manufacturer(sp) recommends. I live in Ca, and all the gas has MTBE. That is horrible stuff, it is so bad for the environment, major carcinogen, but it makes less polution. Anyway, buy gas when you need it. Who cares where it comes from. Just don't buy it near a freeway...It is like 10-20cents more per gallon. Insane! Ride and be happy. You other things to worry about when you ride other than the gas. Like cleaning and lubing the chain, cleaning the mirrors, and cagers tryin to kill you.

Craig

 

[cyberdos]

I disagree. Fuel is an important part of the life of your engine. Changing your chain is not as expensive as rebuilding your engine. So I do care about what my baby drinks.

Thanks for all the helpfull posts.

I think that by what i've read, as long as you use 90 octane(US) or higher from a reputable gas station you should be ok. It's a mattter of finding out which of those gas stations work better for your bike. Then stick with it.

 

[TheDemonOfMine]

I've found that my bike and car (85 Monte Carlo SS 305HO stock) run better on Shell 93, after reading a lot of the posts on this site about gas I wish we had Chevron around here so I could try it but the shell is good and I have noticed not a single person has said anything about Exxon/Mobil, I never ran my car on that stuff so when I got the bike I stuck to my guns with the Shell, plus Shell has that new gas that claims to actually help clean your engine. my friend also runs shell in his Katana and 01 Eclipse GT 6 cylinder which says to run 91 or higher I think which my bike says too.

 

[Mythical_Rider]

well i got an exxon to the left of my drive and a chevron to the right... ive used both... also have used citgo (dont use it i think it sux) the exxon and chevron seem to perform both the same.. and shell a little less better in my bike for some odd reason.. shell has ran nice in anything else.. ill still run its not like that noticeable.. it is for me, its just if i can i try to hit an exxon or a chevron, to me it feels and sounds like it just burns cleaner

 

[cyberdos]

I must appologize. The gas that I put in my bike that made it perform better wasn't Shell, it was Mobil. The Shell station is in front of the Mobil station that I went to. I noticed it yesturday.

So there it is, one vote for Mobil.

 

[thasher917]

I use Sunoco 94 octane in my bike and ocassionaly Amoco 93 octane