Ipervious to gas prices...gas question

I've got an '82 maxim, just wondering what gas to use. Is the cheap stuff ok or should I go to the mid grade or the good stuff.I have heard the good stuff burns hotter so the engine might overheat if sitting in traffic, just itching to fill the tank and chuckle! hanks everyone ! :lol:

 

I know other people will chime in on this and have far more information than I do. I use the lower octain and I do run fine. I do not use anything with alcohol in it if I can help it. I pay more happily. I do notice a difference.

I saw on a local news station this week where the local police will no longer use ethonol in their patrol cars due to the fact that it is a solvent for petrol products, like seals and gaskets. I figure with an older bike and not yet put newer seals on things, I do not need to help father time more than I have to.

 

I tried the more expensive stuff and didn't really notice a difference. I do try to get 100% gas though. There's one station in town that advertises no ethanol so they get my business.

mikeg

 

87 octane does the trick
I will buy the mid grade at times like:
It relatively cheap, I want some of the additives, or my wallet is TOO fat to sit comfortably 8O

 

I run 87 in my 82 650 with no problem. Tried the higher grade a few times and didn't notice any difference.

 

I can definitely tell the difference between regular grade with and without ethanol. I get better mileage with the "pure" stuff. The 10% ethanol seems to rob about 10-15 miles off a full tank.

Premium gas doesn't do much for either of my bikes... Wallet feels lighter, though :mrgreen:

 

I run low grade, but have hard time finding anything without ethanol. Around town, all mid grade is 10% e. Wouldn't bother with high grade other than in my car which recommends high grade only.

 

87 Octane, that's ALL you need. Don't poor more money into big oil than you absolutely have to!!

 

I as well use 87 octane and my 750 runs just fine. Now in my HD I have to use 91 or higher.

 

Thanks for the input, this site is awesome for us beginners,its nice to know people still want to help in the world!

 

I used to use premium in my bike because that's what the PO said to use when I bought it. I did a seafoam treatment on it (ran it to reserve, added can of seafoam, road about 5-10k on it, parked it over night, filled up next day with fresh gas and smoked the neighbourhood) and have been running regular ever since with no noticeable difference though now i think the carbs need tuning.

 

No need for 91 or even 89. Unless you are running high compression pistons. Stock these bikes do not run high compression. Use 87.

 

OK let me throw my few cents in.
If you look at gas it says 87 RON which stands for Reserch Octaine Number
This number indicates the fuel knock value that is at certain pressure in combustion chamber fuel will explode instead of even burn hence the word "KNOCK"
Higher RON number does not consistute more energy per given volume of fuel. Ethnol has very high anti knock value but it's energy content when compared to gasoline is about half if I remember correctly.
So idea is run as low RON fuel as possible that does not knock your engine.
In old bygone days knock value was achieved by adding lead but in the past 30 years or so we use lead-free gas which require either more refining of the fuel or other non-lead chemical.
Simply filling fuel with higher octain fuel when you don't need is waste of money.

 

Well, ...
Here's the other side of the coin.

My Bike knocks when I use whatever the New England Summer Blend is for Regular 87 with 10% Ethanol added.
Knocks. Bad.

So, I don't use the Regular.
Instead, I go inside and tell the clerk that I'm taking 10-Bucks worth of gas.
I'll be pumping 6-Bucks worth of 89 and 4-Bucks worth of the good stuff.

The Bike runs Great on that blend.
Great.
I have it tuned on the Lean side of things, anyway.
But, running the blend ... my Bike don't knock.

The Bike's happy.
I'm happy!
And, they all lived happily ever-after!

 

87 makes my bike knock a bit in the summer but otherwise runs is ok in the winter!? Does that make sense?
I do what Rick does and mix the good stuff with the regular unleaded.

I did just get done with my carbs again and maybe I wont have to do that again!?

As a rule I try to NEVER burn corn in my bike

 

Rick... your killin me. I am the tightest wad I know... But I think you just showed me up!

89 @ 4.19
93 @ 4.29

10 cents difference times 4 gallons from reserve to top is 40 cents.

You get off your bike for 40 cents?

I would burn the good stuff (or go to SUNOCO and just fill up with their 91)