Fuel recommendations

[Normski xs]

Good evening, so I’ve always tried to use the hi octane quality fuels in my bikes and cars also. I know the lower graded fuels are best not left for long periods in your bike as they may cause issues. So my question is, during periods when the bike is in regular use is standard fuel better for these bikes? Are they “happier” running on the standard stuff. I’ve heard mixed opinions on “what’s best for them “ so I thought I’d put it out in here, where I’m probably also going to get mixed opinions cheers

 

[5twins]

I've always run the hi-test in all my bikes. I tried the regular grade but they pinged with it. The new alcohol laced gas seems to work OK in the 650s but I try to get the no-alcohol fuel whenever I can. The bike seems to like it a little better.

 

[Normski xs]

I've always run the hi-test in all my bikes. I tried the regular grade but they pinged with it. The new alcohol laced gas seems to work OK in the 650s but I try to get the no-alcohol fuel whenever I can. The bike seems to like it a little better.

Cheers mate

 

[bosco659]

I’ve always used the fuel with highest octane rating, not so much for the octane rating itself, but around here, the premium fuels usually means no ethanol. It doesn’t bother me from a cost perspective because I don’t ride a lot of km in a season.

 

[JJames]

I've always run premium in al my vehicles and equipment, even in my poorest days. Just a habit. Surprised that a stock xs would ping on regular gas but if 5twins says so, I believe him. For me the issue is Ethanol. Ethanol Sucks.! It will screw up an engine in a number of ways and if left sitting, goes bad about as fast as milk. Fortunately in Kansas City , most Quick Trip stations sell 91 octane, No-Ethanol premium. Costs more but worth it in my book. Before that I could only get it at a station about 15 miles away. Still worth it. I'd strongly recommend looking for Ethanol- Free in your town. That's my rant . Have fun.

 

[Adamc]

Non Ethanol petrol is really hard to find in South Wales UK.
So I run E5 (V-Power Shell) or Esso most of the time. Some on line specialist fuel suppliers are available, but somewhat expensive.

 

[Jim]

Non Ethanol petrol is really hard to find in South Wales UK.

If you search Youtube for removing ethanol from gas, there's easy (and free) ways to do it. The gist of it is water will absorb alcohol. Pour water in a container of gas and drain off the water/ethanol mix. Pretty much that simple.

As to wanting to go to all that bother?
I think I would, if for no other season than to run the ethanol free stuff on the last one or two tanks in the fall for the bikes winter slumber.

 

[bosco659]

If you search Youtube for removing ethanol from gas, there's easy (and free) ways to do it. The gist of it is water will absorb alcohol. Pour water in a container of gas and drain off the water/ethanol mix. Pretty much that simple.

As to wanting to go to all that bother?
I think I would, if for no other season than to run the ethanol free stuff on the last one or two tanks in the fall for the bikes winter slumber.

Just watched a couple of YouTube vids on this. I’d never heard of this before. Now that the ethanol has been separated, what do you do with the water? I wonder if the ethanol night also carry some additives in solution that may be removed by the process. Chemists please chime in..

 

[Jim]

Now that the ethanol has been separated, what do you do with the water?

It's corn alcohol and water. Drink it!

 

[Jim]

Little known fact.... E85 contains 15% gasoline... we all know that. That 15% is there for one reason only, it's to poison the fuel so it's not consumable.
Otherwise, a gallon of corn liquor for 4 or 5 bucks beats the hell out of the 80-100 bucks you'd pay if it was a gallon of whiskey.

 

[robtattoo]

Ummmm......I know y'all jest, but in case you don't, you might want to look up the differences between Ether, Ethanol & Methanol

 

[cra-z1]

It's corn alcohol and water. Drink it!

Again if it's on the internet it must be true and safe

 

[Jim]

Again if it's on the internet it must be true and safe

Well, I was serious about using water to separate out the ethanol. The rest of the bullshit.... nah, not so much.

 

[bosco659]

Ummmm......I know y'all jest, but in case you don't, you might want to look up the differences between Ether, Ethanol & Methanol

Sheeeet - now ya tell me. I just finished mixing a drink for the wifey!

 

[Normski xs]

I've always run premium in al my vehicles and equipment, even in my poorest days. Just a habit. Surprised that a stock xs would ping on regular gas but if 5twins says so, I believe him. For me the issue is Ethanol. Ethanol Sucks.! It will screw up an engine in a number of ways and if left sitting, goes bad about as fast as milk. Fortunately in Kansas City , most Quick Trip stations sell 91 octane, No-Ethanol premium. Costs more but worth it in my book. Before that I could only get it at a station about 15 miles away. Still worth it. I'd strongly recommend looking for Ethanol- Free in your town. That's my rant . Have fun.

Thanks mate

 

[Normski xs]

I’ve always used the fuel with highest octane rating, not so much for the octane rating itself, but around here, the premium fuels usually means no ethanol. It doesn’t bother me from a cost perspective because I don’t ride a lot of km in a season.

Cheers buddy

 

[zrx1100]

back in college, I rode an XS400. in the middle of texas summer I tried regular. The engine would continue running after shut off. Have always put premium (91) since then in all my bikes.

 

[Signal]

If you live near an aero club they may sell you aviation gas. Go along with a container it is illegal for road use here. It is great stuff, doesn't go off like pump gas here does.
Some other things:
Put some meths ( a good cupful) in the tank. Meths being alcohol mixes with water and in turn mixes with petrol as explained above. This helps top water from gathering in the bottom of your tank.
If you want your bike to smell nice chuck some castrol R in the tank as well.

 

[Adamc]

If you search Youtube for removing ethanol from gas, there's easy (and free) ways to do it. The gist of it is water will absorb alcohol. Pour water in a container of gas and drain off the water/ethanol mix. Pretty much that simple.

As to wanting to go to all that bother?
I think I would, if for no other season than to run the ethanol free stuff on the last one or two tanks in the fall for the bikes winter slumber.

Cheers Jim, I did see a YouTube video on doing just that. A bit of a faff but your ideas to run a few tanks through is very sound. When I get Taffy to run more than a mile without misfiring I will do that.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I have E0 available all over the place. The issue is it’s mostly 87 octane (R+M)/2. The bikes run fine on it if everything is right. 93 octane E0 is available, but not local and easy to come by.