Gasoline Octane Poll - Moto Guzzi

[LowRyter]

I use high octane in bikes, particularly the air cooled Guzzis.  Lug it in the wrong gear you might get some ping.

OTOH, I use cheap 87 octane in my Corvette.  Can tell no difference using 91.

[JJ]

Funny story...A few years ago, a group of us were riding at the annual Guzzi Rally in Datil, New Mexico, and it was dusk and we were out of gas at a rural station in Magdalena, that was about to close for the day.

My buddy was on his modern Victory Cross-Country at the time, and realized that the only gas at this station (closing in 15 minutes...) was only 85 octane.   

He protested and said:  "I only run PREMIUM in my bike and I refuse to put that lower octane gas in my tank!!"

The rest of us were filling our Guzzi's up and said:  Well, I guess you're "shit out of luck!"

Of course, rather than be stranded with an empty tank, he finally gave in, and his bike ran just fine the rest of the weekend...

[kballowe]

Took a road trip on a Harley Dyna Superglide "out west" and thru the Nebraska Sandhills. 87 octane was the only thing available once Lincoln, Nebraska was in my mirrors.  Ran about 1,200 miles (of 3,500) on 87 octane fuel.  Couldn't tell the difference.  Of course, I was meandering along the 2-lane roads for most of the trip.

 

Really, the only issue was trying not to slip on the cow hockey.

[JJ]

On our "Road Trip" to the NORCAL Guzzi Rally in Susanville, CA, my buddy's GS1150 Beemer ran out of gas, just 1/4 mile outside of Tonopah, Nevada. 

Luckily, I had about 25 miles left in the tank of the "White Whale" and I had a siphon!   So I motored up the road, filled her up and returned to save the day.

Morale of the Story - When the sign says:  Next Gas 100 miles...pay attention!!

[rpiereck]

I live in Korea and often get gasoline on a US Army base, usually I put 91 octane. On Korean gas stations I only get the premium gasoline, which I believe is equivalent to 91 octane.

[MMRanch]

I'm with  Dilliw

I can't tell the difference in performance , but my V7II Herron head get better MPG on the 87 than the 93.
Grant ya ... If the RPM's fall below 1500 in anything but 1st gear ... I'm down-shifting before it starts "Rattling" 

[Pescatore]

The only corn free gas I can find is 110 octane, at one station.
93 premium E10 when I don't have a choice.

[JJ]

Back east, (New York), and back in the day, we used to have SUNOCO gas stations...and you could dial in the octane rating you wanted right on the pump...

Remember SUNOCO 260?

[dbarb3]

Put 89 in my V11 yesterday and it did not like it starting rattling under load

[guzziart]

Put 89 in my V11 yesterday and it did not like it starting rattling under load

Go for a lower gear & higher revs??!!

[MedicAndy]

I don't think that I have ridden any of my bikes during the last three years, but my 1100 Sport's get 93 octane ethanol free when I'm riding around my area or when they are just sitting around unused in the barns, but I will also fuel up with 93 octane corn fuel when I'm out riding away from home.

Neglecting all of my rides.... Hard to believe that I have six or seven bikes in this barn just sitting there, waiting on me to start slowing down the work thing and start living again little.... :)

[guzziart]

Hey Medic Andy,

It doesn't do the bikes any good to sit either....start slowing down & living again, we ain't getting any younger.

Art

[cowtownchemist]

I don't think that I have ridden any of my bikes during the last three years, but my 1100 Sport's get 93 octane ethanol free when I'm riding around my area or when they are just sitting around unused in the barns, but I will also fuel up with 93 octane corn fuel when I'm out riding away from home.

Neglecting all of my rides.... Hard to believe that I have six or seven bikes in this barn just sitting there, waiting on me to start slowing down the work thing and start living again little.... :)

Well if you ever decide to downsize I'll gladly take that yellow 1100 off your hands.  That's one beautiful bike!

[old head]

I run 89 non ethanol, except during the heat of the summer I run 91 non ethanol.
I have run 87, but it pings if I give too much throttle.

[twowheeladdict]

Funny story...A few years ago, a group of us were riding at the annual Guzzi Rally in Datil, New Mexico, and it was dusk and we were out of gas at a rural station in Magdalena, that was about to close for the day.

My buddy was on his modern Victory Cross-Country at the time, and realized that the only gas at this station (closing in 15 minutes...) was only 85 octane.   

He protested and said:  "I only run PREMIUM in my bike and I refuse to put that lower octane gas in my tank!!"

The rest of us were filling our Guzzi's up and said:  Well, I guess you're "shit out of luck!"

Of course, rather than be stranded with an empty tank, he finally gave in, and his bike ran just fine the rest of the weekend...

Some engines require high anti-knock fuel because of high compression.  Some only because of being air cooled.  IMO, the air cooled bikes run fine on low octane as long as they aren't sitting in traffic or ridden hard.   I way I look at it, if I am averaging 50 mpg and ride 10,000 miles a year I am putting in 200 gallons of fuel.  Today the average difference in my region is 75 cents a gallon.  If I can't afford an extra $150 a year to follow the manufacturers recommendation I probably buy a more fuel efficient bike that is recommended 87 octane. 

Now, if I am out in the country and there is only 87 non-ethanol available I will mix that in with 1/2 a tank of 93 non-ethanol instead of waiting until I am almost empty.

[Kaladin]

On my trip to Moab in October I pulled into the first station I saw and put 5.997 gallons in a 6 gallon (manufacturer's rating)  tank.  I didn't expect to only get 31MPG in the Norge.  Now I will fill up a little
more often.

[AJ Huff]

As far as I can tell, Guzzi has spec’s 90 octane (US method) for all , for decades.

I put higher octane in when that’s all they have, but there is NO value to the bike to run higher octane than spec’s by mfg.  A properly running motor, at least in mostly stock configuration can not take advantage of higher than rated octane.

Hmmm. Now I've to think. I've been putting 91 ethanol free because I've been led to believe the ethanol is bad, fair enough. I think most people are running high octane to get the ethanol free benefit. But I looked yesterday and I can also get 87 ethanol free here. Which is more important, the octane rating or the ethanol content?

-AJ

[larrys]

I run 91 in my Cal and Monster. No ethanol free gas in my AO. The Bonneville with the 800cc big bore motor will only run on avgas or VP racing fuel.
Larry

[Clifton]

What octane would you choose? I generally go with 90 non ethanol or 93 w/10% ethanol.

[kballowe]

What octane would you choose? I generally go with 90 non ethanol or 93 w/10% ethanol.

That's quite a selection you got there !

 

[Moparnut72]

Why are all the different grades the same price?  Premium is usually a lot more than regular. Both of my bikes run on regular.
kk

[Clifton]

All the same price when I filled up (and took the pic a couple weeks ago). Last time I was there prices were a little lower and interestingly 93 (10% ethanol) and 90 ethanol free, were 1 cent less than 87 and 89.

[80CX100]

     This is just a wag, but I think I usually run 91,possibly 93 or 94,idk.

      What I do know for certainty,is that I only run ethanol free gas,which is only available in premium gas and certain stations, ie Shell,Ultramar + ?

[kballowe]

I don't know of any ethanol-free fuel in this area.  It's out there, somewhere, but I am simply unaware of it. 

Three of our bikes spec 90+ octane, and the rest say "86 or higher"

So, those lesser species get good old 87 octane.  The rest get 89 or 91.  Usually.

[blackcat]

I don't know of any ethanol-free fuel in this area.  It's out there, somewhere, but I am simply unaware of it. 

Try searching this website for ethanol-free gas:

https://www.pure-gas.org/