Author Topic: Sunoco Fuel (Read 6705 times)

SHREDDER · « **on:** June 29, 2006, 06:38:53 PM »

I took a hard ride on the Bandit the other day after filling up with Sunoco 91 octane and got some of the best gas mileage ever! I was riding between 80 and 90 mph for about 3 hours straight. Has anyone had this experience with Sunoco or any other gasoline brand?

Seanybiker · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2006, 07:04:21 PM »

We more or less only have the one kind over here in reland. tis just unleaded or diesel is all we have lol.

snofrog · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2006, 08:20:31 PM »

for whatever reason??? I get better mpg`s with sunoco gas also in my bike and cars ( I only purchase 87 octane )

B6mick · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2006, 09:07:35 PM »

Yes I have, and often, Caltex premium vortex often returns the greatest millage, in both the bikes and both vans. The other big 3 petrol marques preform about the same.

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2006, 09:58:05 PM »

No Sun Oil Company stations down here. They tend to be in the northern states. But, because I work for them and get a bit of a discount, I use Exxon/Mobil fuels. I don't notice the mileage to much just get gas after turning on the reserve.

chargerst · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2006, 10:05:19 PM »

There is a Phillips 66 in town that has 100 octane. I get about 30-40 miles more on it. Bike runs 70 on speedo 4000 rpm on 87. 73-74 at 4000 on 100 octane.

jfudo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2006, 09:31:30 AM »

Quote from: chargerst

There is a Phillips 66 in town that has 100 octane. I get about 30-40 miles more on it. Bike runs 70 on speedo 4000 rpm on 87. 73-74 at 4000 on 100 octane.

I don't know how this is going to sound, but I'm not trying to insult..but...

That doesn't make sense. How can the type of fuel change your gearing? That would be cool if it was true though.

I would be very suprised if what you are saying about your mileage is true, unless you have done internal mods to your engine to be able to use the benefits of the 100 octane. You need to do an an apples to apples mileage test to verify that all the extra $$ you are spending on that gas is really worth it. You will likely find that it isn't.

doublenaughtspy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2006, 09:48:39 AM »

It wasn't an insult, but it sure was funny

tacoman · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2006, 01:22:06 PM »

We've had lots of posts here about octane and higher octane will not have a benefit for you. A stock Bandit will run fine on 87 octane. What makes the difference is fuel quality (not a lot of additives) and the main one age. Fresh fuel is the best. Gas will start to degrade just after a few days.

PaulVS · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2006, 01:42:03 PM »

Using higher octane than the bike needs is like overfilling a water canteen for a hiking trip in case you get extra thirsty.

gearset01 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2006, 07:26:32 AM »

Years back I owned a 94 Nissan Maxima SE 5 speed. It had the same 3.0 litre motor as the 300 Z. That car screamed, the power band was most pronounced with Sunoco 94. Mobil and the rest just didnt have the same performance.
PIN

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2006, 09:08:22 AM »

I'm so frustrated with mileage and octane threads. Always conflicting info.

But let's beat a dead horse some more...

Is higher octane better to use or not?

The majority on this and another motorcycle board I frequent claim not necessary to go for higher octane than a bike's manual recommends.

My Audi, Mazda, and Saab dealers all say unequivocally, "YES!" Use 91+.

My Ford dealer says 87 is fine.

Suzuki says 87 is appropriate for the Bandit and the Aerio.

Wish I had a Sunoco to try, but we're an Exxon, Mobil, Texaco, Chevron, and Valero mostly area.

PaulVS · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2006, 09:52:31 AM »

Quote from: Desolation Angel

I'm so frustrated with mileage and octane threads. Always conflicting info.

But let's beat a dead horse some more...

Is higher octane better to use or not?

The majority on this and another motorcycle board I frequent claim not necessary to go for higher octane than a bike's manual recommends.

My Audi, Mazda, and Saab dealers all say unequivocally, "YES!" Use 91+.

My Ford dealer says 87 is fine.

Suzuki says 87 is appropriate for the Bandit and the Aerio.

Wish I had a Sunoco to try, but we're an Exxon, Mobil, Texaco, Chevron, and Valero mostly area.

Apples & Oranges.

My wife's BMW is supposed to have 91 octane. Since we don't have 91 in Chicago, we go with 93. The higher compression the engine, the more octane is required (in general) The Bandit is 10-1 compression... which isn't that high.

The bottom line is to use fuel that is just high enough octane that you don't get 'pinging'. (You could probably go up one number over that and your bike would be happy.) More than that really defines the word superfluous. And using too high an octane in an old-school engine like the Bandit can cause carbon buildup... since it has a higher flash point. To my knowledge, the only factors that can severely change octane requirements is altitude or extreme heat.

I have to believe that people who claim their 1996-2006 Suzuki Bandit 1200 (with an unmodified engine) runs crappy on 87 octane (R+M/2) just got a bad tankful of 87 octane and figured they need more octane. "Bad' or 'stale' fuel is a common problem.... and more likely to occur at a "Joe's Last-Chance Fillin' Station' than a high-volume Shell/Mobil/BP/Amoco.

Frankly... there is no one I've seen who has logical or scientific proof that higher octane 'helps'.... it's all just 'feelings'.

Here's a quote from Chevron's website...

In most vehicles no benefit is gained from using gasoline that has a higher octane number than is needed to prevent knock.

http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/gas_qanda/api_octane.shtml

(87 octane USA = 91 octane EURO)

texasbandit · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2006, 12:48:05 PM »

I've always run the cheapest gas in the Bandit, I've had to buy mid grade or premium a few times when stations were out of regular but never noticed a difference. I have never noticed pinging on the Bandit although my old VX800 would ping off and on so I would alternate between mid and regular on long trips to keep things "cooler" so to speak.

Red Bandit · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2006, 02:31:01 PM »

I would be careful about using SUNOCO gas of any grade, here in Buffalo they are using ETHANOL blend in SUNOCO gas, I am not sure if it is recommended for Bandits