Gasoline grade poll

[pmackie]

(As I understand it, the lower the octane, the lower the flash point.)

Not quite...flash point is controlled by the lightest Hydrocarbon molecule in the blend. "Old" gas can loose a little vapour pressure, but flash point would be pretty similar, Premium or Regular, down around-40 (F or C) or lower. Can be market specific in the winter (as is RVP - Reed Vapour Pressure). Less light ends are blended into "summer" gas as opposed to "winter" gas.

[H2RICK]

Less light ends are blended into "summer" gas as opposed to "winter" gas.

So, Paul, what we REALLY need to do is to buy a tanker-load of winter gas and use it in our bikes through the summer. That way, we'd avoid all those nasty heavier/non-combustible ends.....and take advantage of cheaper winter prices, too.
What's not to like ??!!??
Although a guy would have to ride a lot to use it all up before it went off..........mind you, my H2 could certainly help out with that problem.....
I wonder if the neighbours would mind a tanker trailer parked in my cul-de-sac ???
Hmmmm.....I'm starting to think like the late John Denver....but for different reasons.....so I'm probably okay.
 

[pmackie]

Hey Rick

Nope, you need those additional light ends to vaporize and let the bike start in the winter. We usually see the reverse, as we head into fall, farmers who have had summer gasoline (low vapour pressure) sitting all fall start to have problems starting equipment as it cools off.

[gyrogearcrunch]

Regular always. Rule of thumb (very roughly) is: multiply compression ratio by 10, then buy nearest grade of gas. For the 1200 Bandit, that's 9.0 x 10 =90. First try a tankful of regular 87 octane. If it pings, buy mid-grade. No need to waste  money on high-test.

This rule may not be valid much longer as manufacturers figure out how to get more compression on the same grade of gas. Hemi engines have always been less prone to ping on a diet of low-grade fuel.

Herb

[A1A]

I use 87 octane from a Top Tier gasoline station.
 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Weird, for some reason I have no voting buttons. Anyway I use the highest pump octane available because the anti-knock additives keep the possibility of engine ping at bay, especially in summer. Oops! Missed the part about voting closed.

[China Greg]

Mid-grade for me... 89-90. Seems fine; no performance difference than high test (91-93).
Maybe 87 would work.. haven't experimented enough.

PS.. here in China, you get 90.. 93.. and 97 as options, although who's actually measuring those octane levels here is unclear.

[Red01]

Greg, I'm guessing China rates octane like Europe and uses only the RON number, not like the US (RON + MON / 2) and that's why you see higher numbers there.

[Daytona]

I can understand yawl up in that icy stuff resurectting the old here! Man Ice storms have got to suck! Hurricanes anyone! Ok back to octane, My Bandusa will drop 1 MPG if i use the Mid grade stuff. Use top grade and it runs and starts sluggish. Our winter Gas seems to not have the zip the summer stuff did!  Am I still allowed A word here

[China Greg]

Greg, I'm guessing China rates octane like Europe and uses only the RON number, not like the US (RON + MON / 2) and that's why you see higher numbers there.

Oh... no kidding..? news to me..
Do you have any idea what that translates into, octane-wise? I currently put their mid-grade into my NC31 Honda (1997 CB400SF), which they advertise as "93"..(90 and 97 being the other options). Good old Iranian CRUDE here, Ayatollah..

[Red01]

Just an guessitmate, but I'd say 93 RON is about the same as the US's 89 RM/2.

[gyrogearcrunch]

87 octane - always.

Herb

Lets not get into the octane debate, just vote what you use most often in your Bandit (any size, stock compression ratio).

[max]

I RUN NOTHING LOWER THAN 90 OR 93

[ippo]

Usa regular 87=euro 92

Usa mid-grade=euro 94

Usa premium 90, 92 =euro 95-99

source of inspiration:neste oil Finland

[wanabeguru]

87 per book and my poor pocketbook
PS:  paulVS: I'd like to have your "attendants" service me[uh, fill up bike]
Wally