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grae · 07-07-2011, 02:18 PM

What octane should be run in a motorcycle. I have a 2007 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 cc. My Harley ridng friend tells me to run the highest octane possible. Use racing fuel if you can get it. Since i live in US i guess the best is usually 93 octane. I saw a couple of responses for a smaller cc engine. I just want a general concensus.

12er · 07-07-2011, 03:44 PM

Reg should be fine on the sabre unless you want more detergent that some premium gas supplies. Owners manual will say what grade is recommended or the dealer but higher octane is to keep the gas from exploding before you want it to in high compression situations. If you put a turbo on your Sabre or really pimped the compression up then yes, more the better. But if you've left it stock reg should be fine unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer.

The_AirHawk · 07-07-2011, 04:02 PM

Whatever the manufacturer says.

Usually Regular (87 octane R+M/2 method in the U.S., except for Colorado and other mountainous areas).

Anything more is a waste of money - but hey! It's YOUR money!

trenttheuncatchable · 07-07-2011, 05:34 PM

http://www.motorcycle.com/how-to/wre...-gas-3417.html

A Star Ride · 07-07-2011, 06:47 PM

If it isn't pinging, the gas is ok in my opinion.

Captain Steve · 07-07-2011, 08:07 PM

Octane (as mentioned in the article) is only a measure of resistance to pre-detonation (knocking/pinging).

Do this: Run on a tank of 86 octane, then run on a tank of 93. I'll bet that you get better mileage on the 86. The reason is that often they use Ethanol to increase the octane of gasoline. Ethanol has a higher octane rating (much higher) but lower specific energy. So you need more Ethanol to equal the same amount of work as Gasoline.

Easy Rider 2 · 07-08-2011, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grae

What octane should be run in a motorcycle.

You should use what the manufacturer tells you to use in your owner's manual. And if you don't have a manual, get one.

AND you should not listen to ANYTHING that Harley riders tell you.
We all know they are all just a bunch of posers !!

Morbo the Destroyer · 07-09-2011, 08:52 AM

Do you think he should use regular oil with the regular gas and only use synthetic oil with the high-test? What if he's using a car tire on the rear wheel?

The_AirHawk · 07-09-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morbo the Destroyer

What if he's using a car tire on the rear wheel?

Flaming Death is the sure outcome.

07-07-2011, 02:18 PM	#1
grae Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1	What octane What octane should be run in a motorcycle. I have a 2007 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 cc. My Harley ridng friend tells me to run the highest octane possible. Use racing fuel if you can get it. Since i live in US i guess the best is usually 93 octane. I saw a couple of responses for a smaller cc engine. I just want a general concensus.

07-07-2011, 04:02 PM	#3
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	Whatever the manufacturer says. Usually Regular (87 octane R+M/2 method in the U.S., except for Colorado and other mountainous areas). Anything more is a waste of money - but hey! It's YOUR money! __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

07-07-2011, 06:47 PM	#5
A Star Ride Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: central Va Posts: 1,126	If it isn't pinging, the gas is ok in my opinion. __________________ White Trash Hick from Appalachia

07-09-2011, 08:52 AM	#8
Morbo the Destroyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,309	Do you think he should use regular oil with the regular gas and only use synthetic oil with the high-test? What if he's using a car tire on the rear wheel? __________________ Fun Facts to Know and Tell! Thomas Jefferson wrote that the 1st Amendment erected a "wall of separation" between the church and the state (James Madison said it "drew a line," but it is Jefferson's term that sticks with us today). The phrase is commonly thought to mean that the government should not establish, support, or otherwise involve itself in any religion. Its.......A FACT!

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07-07-2011, 03:44 PM	#2
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	Reg should be fine on the sabre unless you want more detergent that some premium gas supplies. Owners manual will say what grade is recommended or the dealer but higher octane is to keep the gas from exploding before you want it to in high compression situations. If you put a turbo on your Sabre or really pimped the compression up then yes, more the better. But if you've left it stock reg should be fine unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer.

07-07-2011, 05:34 PM	#4
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 834	http://www.motorcycle.com/how-to/wre...-gas-3417.html

07-07-2011, 08:07 PM	#6
Captain Steve Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 109	Octane (as mentioned in the article) is only a measure of resistance to pre-detonation (knocking/pinging). Do this: Run on a tank of 86 octane, then run on a tank of 93. I'll bet that you get better mileage on the 86. The reason is that often they use Ethanol to increase the octane of gasoline. Ethanol has a higher octane rating (much higher) but lower specific energy. So you need more Ethanol to equal the same amount of work as Gasoline.