Well now that gas prices are through the roof, I've been considering putting the middle grade of gas (89 octane) in my F2. I've always run thebest stuff in it. Do any of you other F2 guys run this grade in your machines and if so have you noticed any difference in performance or any other issues using lower grade fuel over premium?

 

I actually always run the low grade stuff. Never had a problem, actually. Always very responsive despite that I have a worn boot. The manual even says the low grade is the expected. I'm running stock, so any mods related to the fuel air mixture may apply to you differently.

 

Mine is all stock except for the Yosh slip-on exhaust. Anyone else use 87 octane?

 

a lot of the f3 guys run 87 with no problems...try it for a tank..if you start to hear detonation or pinging you will want to switch back

 

Somewhere on the frame rail of my bike...towards the back...under the plastics...it recommends 91 only....91 is only sold at sunoco's here in pittsburgh(probably the same elsewhere)...i say f it and always put 93 in...15 bucks to fill up isn't a lot....so i can't cry about it

 

Higher octane gas is only less volatile than lower octane (lower octane is actually more "explosive"). The problem comes running lower octane fuels in higher compression engines the fuel may ignite during the compression cycle (as opposed to the ignition cycle).This misfiring results in the pinging. On the flip side a higher octanemay not burn as completely as a lower octane.All that being said the bottom line is thatall of our 14+ year old bikes are different now and you will run most efficiently using the lowest octane possible withoutthe pinging.I always put 89 in and never have had a problem myself.

 

Thanks for all of your input. I'll fill up next time with 89 octane and see how it goes. I know the price difference isn't all that much, but it still burns me uppaying over $4.30 a gallon.

 

I've always run 87 and never had any problems.Just use a quality brand (Chevron,BP etc) and not the cheap low rent brands (Coastal, Billy Joe Jim-Bob's gas'n' bait) and you'll be fine.Run a can of Seafoam through it every now and then to keep it in tip-top shape.

 

I notice my bike runs rougher whenever I use a 10% ethanol blended gas. generally I always run premium, which in Wisconsin here might be 91, not sure. Out of necessity I've had to put 89 octane in which was a 10% ethanol blend and it ran a little bit rough. Not enough to really change the ride-ability of the bike or anything but something I noticed. I suspect it had more to do with the ethanol than the grade of gas though.