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what octane do you use

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Old May 18, 2007 | 11:51 PM
  #11  
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wildthing62
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Default RE: what octane do you use

I put 89 in the wife's bike last weekend and other than highway speed passes in 5th gear (WFO) it made no difference. At WFO in 5th it pinged.
 
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Old May 18, 2007 | 11:53 PM
  #12  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

I always ran 87 in the 883,never had a problem,but I put 93 in the 1200.
 
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Old May 18, 2007 | 11:57 PM
  #13  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

883 calls for 87 octane, 1200 calls for 91 octane so you should not have problems.
 
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Old May 19, 2007 | 12:09 AM
  #14  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

Ethanol added to the fuel does not affect the octane (flash point) per sey, as delivered at the pump. If the pump says 93 octane, regardless of whether ethanol is added, the octane is still "supposed" to be 93 out of the nozzel. That doesn't mean some off the wall brands don't cheat.
 
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Old May 19, 2007 | 12:41 AM
  #15  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

well, my manual for my 1996 1200 says they 'prefer' 91, but they also say that at least 89 is ok. Ethanol is ok too, so long as its less than 10%. Methanol (with an M) is bad juju at any octane.

So, not ALL manuals are the same. I'm running mine with 89 and ethanol when I can't get the Premium 91, but I'm not going to lose sleep at night over one tank now and then. We're all different guys. Gas is no different than what oil you use, so long as the bike don't ping.
 
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Old May 19, 2007 | 12:44 AM
  #16  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

I have a 2006 as well and it clearly says 91 for the octane in my manual, but you are correct, not all are the same.

Good looking bike Pilot
 
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Old May 19, 2007 | 01:30 AM
  #17  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

I run 93 and will continue running it.
 
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Old May 19, 2007 | 01:32 AM
  #18  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

Its because of the compression ratio of the 1200. Are you sure its not pinging maybe you cant hear it over the exhaust.
 
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Old May 19, 2007 | 06:07 AM
  #19  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

Unfortunatly 90 octane is the highest I can get around here unless I use 100LL avgas, but I've been advised against that.
 
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Old May 19, 2007 | 07:36 AM
  #20  
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Default RE: what octane do you use

ORIGINAL: titus3:5

I have a 06 1200c, ive been using 89 octane with 10 percent ethanol for the last year, cant tell any difference than 91 octane, my question is is it the 10 percent ethanol that is making the difference. I get no ping and its running fine.
I use 91 or higher octane in my 2005 XL1200R. I guess my first question would be, "...is your bike showroom stock, or does it have any mods like new pipes, Stage 1, cams, etc.?"
 
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