Soo I've been running "87" in my bike since I got it. I just noticed something on the HD site saying they recommend 91...

Should I be using "91"???

 

If you hear no pinging (detonation) especially on hard acceleration after the engine is good & hot, stick with it, no use spending the extra bucks on higher octane unless you have to.

 

Stay away from ethanol. As long as you haven't added any timing mods or ECM mods 87 should be ok unless you start hearing pings and taps. A good tank full of high octane with some Seafoam or Stabil wouldn't hurt if you are going to run lower octane fuel.

 

I've always used the highest octane gas in my bikes, ever since the 70s...of course it wasn't almost $4.00 a gallon.

As for ethanol, I live in a small town and I get my gas at one station. TBH, I've never noticed anything on the pumps saying their gas has it. I guess the next time I'm there, I'll look the pumps over.

 

I always use high octane in my bike. Harley says its needed so thats what I use. Its not that much price difference when you consider I have only 4.8 gallons. Even if regular was .50 cents cheaper than premium it would only be $2.50 cheaper for the tank. If I have to worry about $2.50 I shouldn't have the motorcycle in the first place. Just my opinion

 

I'm going to assume that since you're running 87 octane gas in your bike, that you also won't have a clue what "pinging" is. In that case, run 91 octane. And if you can find it, run 91 octane with no ethanol in it.

 

I guess we're lucky, we can get the ethanol free high octane at our local Nice and Easy.

Is it true that you should get gas at a station where each grade has their own nozzle? Which would prevent mixing from lower octane with higher, even though it might be minimal. I haven't worried about it, but just thought I'd ask since it's a fuel question.

 

Hum... guess I'll try 91 from now on. Thanks for the info.

 

I get the ethanol free when I can the station right down the road has 91. Most of the time I just get 93 if they don't have ethanol free.

 

Oh and I think all my stations have 10 percent ethnoal.