What octane fuel do you run in your XS

[ddragon63]

So I've seen alot on here about how the XS's were designed to run on regular Unleaded. As a sport bike guy I've always put Super (92) in all my bikes. Motorcycles I've always put up there with boat motor's.. some may be in the 8 to 9 to 1 in compression ratio but @ the constant high RPM (compared to your every day car) I've always err'd on the side furthest away from detonation. what is your take on fuel?

[Shockman54]

i think the non oxy fuel i use is mid grade, but better than that is the fact that it has no ethanol

[ddragon63]

i think the non oxy fuel i use is mid grade, but better than that is the fact that it has no ethanol

Ya after being thru some carbs in multiple bikes lately I'm a firm believer that the Staybil marine ethanol treatment is for more than just boats that sit for a while... all 5 of my bikes and both tanks in the the jet boat get a lil in them every now and then...

[crazy steve]

This has been discussed here many times, here's one of the later threads....http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ght=fuel+grade

Bottom line IMO is run the lowest grade fuel that the bike doesn't ping or rattle on. The 'ethanol' problem is here to stay, so I don't see much help for that. Putting higher-grade fuel in will likely carbon it up faster, so that's not the answer....

[ddragon63]

This has been discussed here many times, here's one of the later threads....http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...ght=fuel+grade

Bottom line IMO is run the lowest grade fuel that the bike doesn't ping or rattle on. The 'ethanol' problem is here to stay, so I don't see much help for that. Putting higher-grade fuel in will likely carbon it up faster, so that's not the answer....

Ya I understand the concept of fuel to air ratio. The lowest grade fuel you can get your motor to run on, without detonating, the more power and efficient it will be. I guess when the weather warms up I can see running regular ( not sure how its been up north there Steve, I'm ready to float my boat to work if it don't stop raining) Would it be beneficial to maybe go up in octane rating in cooler weather as the air is alot more dense.. then maybe go to a lower grade in hot weather?

We use to change octane fuels when we raced in places like boise, Madras, Ashcroft, BC and Medford just because of the heat and altitude change. A lower octane fuel aided in the jetting change from day to day... Had a weekend in Boise where thursday Corrected altitude was 4500 ft... friday it was 6700 saturday 6800 sunday it was about 4000.... Tuners nightmare.

I know, I know (once again) I'm talking about WOT race car... but air fuel ratio all works the same...

K I'm going to quit thinking so deaply... My head hurts now

[Joab]

I have always run the super in mine, but honestly, I have never thought that hard about it. Next week I will try running mid grade to see if it makes any difference, now that you have the wheels in my head turning, and smoke coming out the ears

[ddragon63]

I have always run the super in mine, but honestly, I have never thought that hard about it. Next week I will try running mid grade to see if it makes any difference, now that you have the wheels in my head turning, and smoke coming out the ears

Sorry Buddy... that's how my brain works. I seem to find every what if... then grab hold of that thought and run down the bunny trail with it till we're all lost.

[Joab]

So what your saying is I need to stop letting you be the road captain on bunny trail rides...one "oh shiny object!" moment, and it is all over...

[ddragon63]

So what your saying is I need to stop letting you be the road captain on bunny trail rides...one "oh shiny object!" moment, and it is all over...

Ya I've said it many times, I'd make a horrible fish... oh look shiny, and I'm luch!

this is why I have multiple toy's, to keeps my mind distracted for its own good... Unfortunately for all of you I seem to find my way back to here every night!

[BA80]

I just run regular in mine. It runs like crap on premium, OK on mid grade but it screams on regular and that is what I get the best mileage on.

The only time I get any pinging is at the top end in high gear when the ambient temps are above 70º. I have a set of 1 over main jets I've been meaning to try to cure that but haven't felt that it was real urgent.

[Bonz]

Nothing like throwing out a poll to resurrect and re-discuss a familiar subject to this forum...

Run the lowest octane your bike can take without pinging or detonation.

These bikes WERE NOT devised to need high octane, and the slower flame propogation in the cylinder with premium fuel lets the burning continue as the exhaust valve is opening, and can/will accumulate carbon on the exhaust valves.

I'm re-quoting the above information from what I've heard over the years, nothing original in terms of my own pea-brain coming up with that, but it is accurate.

[madmax-im]

In NC you can buy ethanol-free gas ...as you can in most every state...but not NJ...and maybe a few others... all i use is the regular 89 octane...in all my vehicles. My engines love it and run really well with it...every once in a while I'll run a tank of premium ethanol-free and they all run just as well on that too.

[ddragon63]

Thanks for the info guys. Gonna put a splash of seamfoam in it and switch to regular. If there is any carbon on the valves the seafoam should take care of it. I will report back after I sync the carbs, change the gas, and get some miles on it tomorrow.

[ddragon63]

In NC you can buy ethanol-free gas ...as you can in most every state...but not NJ...and maybe a few others... all i use is the regular 89 octane...in all my vehicles. My engines love it and run really well with it...every once in a while I'll run a tank of premium ethanol-free and they all run just as well on that too.

In WA state all gas is 10% ethanol (well at least here in clark county) and regular is 87 octane mid is 89 super is 92

[motoman]

Wastin' your money on premium..............at times, I think these scoots would run on kerosene..........