What gas do you use?

[XSive Okie]

Regular for me. Sometimes premium, but I don't really notice a change in power,MPG, or anything else. Lucky enough to still live in a part of Oklahoma where non-ethanol fuel is available at 90% of the gas stations. The only way I even know to get leaded, is to buy the pour in substitute.

[New2Me]

"There was mention of Super grade gasoline being used, and Seafoam being added, and that they counteract each other? How was that conclusion arrived at? In all humbleness, that makes no sense."

I was saying that because of what was said by 3Phase (and others) regarding 93 Octane leaving carbon behind. Seafoam is supposed to help clean the carbon and 93 is creating it with its slow burn, thus counter acting each other. It was simply a written thought of mine. No science or proof behind it.

[Bonz]

New2Me,

Ahhh... Now I get the logic... Makes perfect sense now that I put it in the correct context. Since your post came after 3Phase, I should have been paying attention and put it all together!

I had never heard of the high octane gas doing that, until 3Phase posted. It makes sense, slower flame travel, gas mixture still burning when it leaves the engine and wa-la, you get exhaust valve deposits.

My old girl gets whatever the lowest octane is and doesn't miss a beat. Along with some Sea Foam, other types of cleaner (whatever I have on hand or strikes my fancy at the time or is on sale) every now and again, I feel like I'm probably putting more through it than I need to, but what the heck. Ran the 1025 mile trip for the Colo Rally and didn't put a drop of anything in but gas, I figure when it's run hot and hard like that it doesn't need additives to stay clean compared to the usual short trips it gets normally.

[redbone]

i don't notice any real performance diff between regular and premium, but i do get more mileage from a tank of premium so that's what i use.

[Bonz]

Anyone else ever see better mileage burning premium over regular unleaded in a properly tuned XS?

[oldyam80sg]

I run unleaded regular 87 octane gasoline.It's funny that you mention leaded gas as i doubt that you can buy that anywhere.I worked at a gas station in 1985 and I think that went out years before that.Actually it is used in South America,Eastern Europe and Asia but read those countries are phasing leaded gas out.

[planedick]

AMA article

There is a write up in the AMA magazine this month about ethenal and how the government is trying to make it 15% alcohol now. They say that the alcohol burns hotter and it may not be a problem for water cooled engines, but the air cooled ones might get a little too hot. This means valves, exhaust, cylinders, rings and oil will be hotter.

While on the Colo Rally I ran into lots of 85 octane with 10% alcohol. I ran it and rode hard. Now the bike runs better than it ever did before the trip. Much less carbon in the cylinders and lots more power. Go figure...

[OregonRider]

A friend of mine here in Eugene OR owns a solvent company that also sells Clear Gas. He said it is also known as racing fuel, or aviation fuel. It burns more complete and does not destroy fuel delivery and exhaust components of your internal combustion engine. Also by adding 10% ethanol blend to clear gas internal combustion engines see a 10% - 25% reduction in fuel economy. Since ethanol burns slower it causes the effect mentioned by 3Phase. And if you finish the fuel burning outside the power-stroke you get a net loss in fuel efficiency.

Some research has said with an E10 blended fuel you only get 25% effective power (forward motion) from the fuel. (losses occur in friction, exhaust, cooling, air conditioning, and other sources powered by the engine). Of course the 75% losses in power are based on a car not a motorcycle. Cars having a much greater demand on the engine and motorcycles being much simpler, well unless you’re riding a Goldwing.

Although Ethanol is not produced by the oil companies they are on the lobbying side with the ethanol producers. Less gas mileage means more fill ups. Also gas distributors are given a tax credit of $0.45 per ethanol blended gallon of gas pumped. Which gives them a huge incentive to blend their gas.
This next week I’m going to fill my XJ11 with clear gas and see if there is a noticeable difference.

Small aircraft owners will not use ethanol blended fuel due to safety issues. Like things getting gummed up during flight because of ethanol.

The following is from www.e0pc.com
Every mandatory E10 state has exemptions to their blending law, because there are a number of piston engine applications that should not, and some that cannot, use ethanol blended gasoline. Unfortunately the exemptions are not uniform. They vary from only one exemption in Washington, aircraft, to a universal exemption of premium unleaded in Missouri. All states exempt aircraft usage, but most states like Oregon and Washington make it almost impossible to get unblended gasoline. Oregon is the only state that allows for unblended regular and premium gasoline for the exemptions, and then makes it almost impossible to get any unblended gasoline. All other mandatory ethanol states just allow clear premium unleaded gasoline for the exempted classes.
The following piston engine applications should not use ethanol blended gasoline:
• Any 2 cycle engine used in tools, watercraft, snowmobiles, etc., or small 4 cycle engines.
• Any engines used in an emergency stationary engine application like a generator or a pump, especially in a humid climate.
• All watercraft. Ethanol blended gasoline should never be used in a marine environment.
• Antique and classic cars and classic motorcycles.
• All aircraft.

Here is a quote from the Oregon State Marine Board web site. http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/news/E10.shtml “It's not just the fact that ethanol absorbs in water, it's that it acts as a solvent on rubber fuel lines and scours fuel tanks. Check out this OPB segment on ethanol in gasoline and learn why they don't mix:” (yet in Oregon it is against the law to sell E0, clear gas, real gas, at the pump. It must contain 10% ethanol.) OPB segment on Ethanol (E10) gas, although the video is about boats there is good info on what Ethanol does to fuel lines. http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1738

Here is a link to find Ethanol free (Clear) gas in your state. http://pure-gas.org/ Or In Map form http://www.buyrealgas.com/ while this list is not exhaustive by any means it may help.

[shovelhead]

octane is an additive put into fuel specifically to reduce detonation. detonation is unexpected/unwanted ignition/propagation of the fuel/air mixture. this is usually caused by carbon deposits in the combustion chamber that become superheated and ignite the mix prematurely (ping). in air cooled/hotter running engines, or high mileage engines which may have more carbon build up, it is recommended to run a higher octane fuel to help safeguard against premature ignition, and ensure that a well timed spark, and that alone will initiate the combustion process. as the volatility of the mix remains fairly unchanged between 87 and 91/93 i would disagree with the theory that it is slower burning. it is my understanding that if anything the volatility is *slightly* increased with the addition of octane which would decrease the overall time required to completely propagate the go juice

[jetmechmarty]

87 works great in my XS11 no matter how hot it is outside. I use ethanol free fuel whenever I can, but the closest place to get it is about 30 miles of twisty highway away. Once I get it, it's time to go back and get some more.

I have XS650 bikes in the stable. They have a hemi head. It has been a very long time since I put 87 in one. I run exclusively 93, almost since new when I ran 89 leaded. I could give the 87 a try, but I don't want to hear a ping.

[jwhughes3]

I found it runs "stronger" on regular vs premium plus its cheaper and i like that.

John

[JCHarth]

i got my xs1100 recently. So far I use 87 unleaded with a little lucas. I put 15-40 gtx for oil

[Brent]

Regular, ethonal free IF i can find it.

i got my xs1100 recently. So far I use 87 unleaded with a little lucas. I put 15-40 gtx for oil

That should work well.

[Crazy Damian]

Leaded fuel was to help lubricate the valves.

The use of leaded fuel was to lubricate the valves.
The Clymer manual says "Regular" but doesn't specify an Octane.
Interesting note, the side covers I bought last month that I believe were for a 1978 xs1100 Standard have a sticker on the inside of the right side cover that reads "91 Octane"

I've always believed that the higher octane gas just adds more carbon to your engine and is not needed unless you have a high compression engine I.e. Big Bore Kit, Shaved heads etc...

Damian

[BA80]

The meaning of OCTANE.

These engines only run 9.2:1 stock. 87 is more than sufficient. Higher octane fuel is more difficult to ignite so you can feel the power loss with it.

I do, my XS runs like crap on high octane.