Author Topic: 100 Octane in the B4?!  (Read 2954 times)

Offline MasterM3

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 86
100 Octane in the B4?!
« on: February 20, 2006, 12:05:24 AM »
Hey guys,

I live out here in sunny california and the highest octane availible is 91. I've found a gas station that sells 100 octane. Do you guys think its a bad idea to start using 100 octane on my 1991 Bandit? I'd love to get some extra performance out of the 400cc I've got.

Offline Krautwagen

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 126
    • http://home.comcast.net/~jeffgundry/
100 Octane in the B4?!
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2006, 02:07:56 AM »
It is definitely not needed.  Higher octane gas doesn't neccesarily mean more power.  It can help an engine run smoother.  If the engine has computer controlled ignition with knock sensors, it is possible to advance the timing more, or leave it advanced more without the computer pulling out some advance to combat detonation, which the user sees as more power (it's actually not more, it's just not as hindered).

On our bikes, there is no knock sensing ingnition, so you won't see much of a power gain.  In my opinion, it is definitely not worth twice the price of regular premium gas.

Try a tank out to see what you think, but more than likely, you'll just be throwing your money away.
Dave
'92 Bandit 400 - parts
'07 SV650n

Offline Red01

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 8977
  • Are we having fun yet?
100 Octane in the B4?!
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2006, 09:50:41 AM »
You want to use the lowest octane that doesn't produce pinging.
The higher the octane, the harder it is to ignite.
Paul
2001 GSF1200S
(04/2001-03/2012)
2010 Concours 14ABS
(07/2010-current)


Offline Herr Tod

  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 489
100 Octane in the B4?!
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2006, 10:52:09 AM »
Using 100 octane instead of 95/98 gives a little bit of extra power in the top revs. Since the B4 has a high revving engine it runs better on high octane fuel. The Shell V-Power fuel in The Netherlands has 98 octane, in Germany it has 100 octane. My bike seems to like the 100 octane better.

Offline interfuse

  • Site Supporters
  • Board Homesteader!
  • ***
  • Posts: 1336
100 Octane in the B4?!
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2006, 03:30:24 PM »
I use 89 sans problemo. I can't notice any difference what so ever with higher octane fuel... actually, if anything it seems to run better with 89.
Mike

'91 GSF400
It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.