Premium or Regular

[Golfr]

Have a 1997 Goldwing MotorTrike conversion. are benefits of premium worth the added cost? Don't want to start a war, just some good experienced opinions.

[Rambozo]

Regular is just fine. These are low compression engines, tuned for smoothness not peak horsepower.

[Zman457]

I have run both in my 96SE. I don't think I could tell you which one was in the tank if you switched them on me.

[Golfr]

Thanx for replies. I had been told this previously, but was told today by a reputable source that I would benefit by premium. ‘Wing runs like a striped a$$ ape on regular. Anyone use fuel additives to help maintain fuel system??

[joecoolsuncle]

lasy week, gas staion was out of everything but premium. so, i filled with premium. i lost 4 mpg as i predicted.

[Golfr]

Thanx for insight. Be blessed

[DenverWinger]

Thanx for replies. I had been told this previously, but was told today by a reputable source that I would benefit by premium. ‘Wing runs like a striped a$$ ape on regular. Anyone use fuel additives to help maintain fuel system??

Premium in a 'Wing is just wasting money. Ethanol fuel is fine, too, if you don't let the fuel get past 6 months old. Winter storage (if you do that) is best with non-ethanol.

Additives usually not needed unless bike wakes up crummy after long winter nap, then some Seafoam or other similar might be the "cup of coffee" to help get things right again.

[Golfr]

Again, thank you Gor that very helpful insight.

[WingAdmin]

Have a 1997 Goldwing MotorTrike conversion. are benefits of premium worth the added cost? Don't want to start a war, just some good experienced opinions.

Fuel with a higher octane rating can be compressed to a higher pressure before it will self-ignite and explode (causing knocking or pinging, which is detonation) instead of being ignited by the spark plug. In high-compression engines, or forced-induction engines (i.e. turbo or supercharged), fuel with high octane ratings must be used, or detonation will occur, damaging the engine. In our relatively low-compression engines, high octane fuel is not required. High-octane fuel actually contains less potential energy by volume, so you will actually reduce your power and mileage with higher-octane fuel (while paying a "premium" for the privilege) - exactly the opposite of what the gasoline company marketing departments would have you believe.

[Golfr]

Thanx, Admin for the very enlightening information and tutorial.
Be blessed

[ncdave]

FWIW, I've found that running non-ethanol is more productive for my bike's mpg than premium.

[Golfr]

Thank you. Did you try any of the “ethanol treatments” prior to deciding on ethanol free. Finding it locally is a ****.

[blupupher]

FWIW, I've found that running non-ethanol is more productive for my bike's mpg than premium.

Yet I have not noticed any measurable difference using ethanol free on the Wing, especially since it is $1 more a gallon for ethanol free.

[Golfr]

Thanx. I am interested in effects of regular vs ethanol free to carbs. Just had carbs rebuilt.

[Solo So Long]

Yet I have not noticed any measurable difference using ethanol free on the Wing, especially since it is $1 more a gallon for ethanol free.

Hmmm. You SHOULD be seeing another mile or so per gallon without corn juice.

Ethanol has an octane of 115, but significantly less energy than gasoline. Most places run about 10% ethanol. At an MPG of 35 or so, that should give you a little more range -- but not enough to make up for the price!

Plane owners like to use non-ethanol autogas rather than 100LL ("Low Lead"), not only for the price savings but also to prevent lead fouling of spark plugs (100LL actually has THREE TIMES as much lead as 80/87 leaded Avgas). For the average driver or rider, there's really not much advantage.

[Golfr]

More good info. Thanx for adding to my education.

[blupupher]

Yet I have not noticed any measurable difference using ethanol free on the Wing, especially since it is $1 more a gallon for ethanol free.

Hmmm. You SHOULD be seeing another mile or so per gallon without corn juice.

Ethanol has an octane of 115, but significantly less energy than gasoline. Most places run about 10% ethanol. At an MPG of 35 or so, that should give you a little more range -- but not enough to make up for the price!

Plane owners like to use non-ethanol autogas rather than 100LL ("Low Lead"), not only for the price savings but also to prevent lead fouling of spark plugs (100LL actually has THREE TIMES as much lead as 80/87 leaded Avgas). For the average driver or rider, there's really not much advantage.

I know that e-10 has lower BTU and should get better mileage with E-0, but on my Goldwing over 6 tanks, it is no different.
I have done testing on some 4 wheel vehicles, and seen an increase (30 MPG to 33 MPG) in the past, but no difference for the wing.

[Golfr]

That works for me. I will stay with regular fuel. Might add a couple of ounces of StarTron every 3 to 4 tanks to help keep fuel system clean.
Thanx for all the info, guys.

[WingAdmin]

Yet I have not noticed any measurable difference using ethanol free on the Wing, especially since it is $1 more a gallon for ethanol free.

Hmmm. You SHOULD be seeing another mile or so per gallon without corn juice.

Ethanol has an octane of 115, but significantly less energy than gasoline. Most places run about 10% ethanol. At an MPG of 35 or so, that should give you a little more range -- but not enough to make up for the price!

Plane owners like to use non-ethanol autogas rather than 100LL ("Low Lead"), not only for the price savings but also to prevent lead fouling of spark plugs (100LL actually has THREE TIMES as much lead as 80/87 leaded Avgas). For the average driver or rider, there's really not much advantage.

Most aircraft with certified engines NEED leaded fuel in order to keep the valves lubricated. There are a few that have STC's for unleaded automotive fuel.

80/87 (the red avgas) hasn't been made or available for quite a long time.

Lastly, the main reason you never run ethanol-contaminated fuel in airplanes is because it is hydroscopic - ethanol absorbs water. Airplanes commonly fly up high where temperatures are well below freezing. Having the water in your tanks crystallize, freeze, and block your fuel sumps will cause engine failure due to fuel starvation, and in airplanes, that's a Bad Thing.

[LotsOfCoffee]

ok so new Goldwing own here. got a 1991 GL1500I. the tag on my bike says Gasoline 91. so shouldnt we be using 91?

[blupupher]

ok so new Goldwing own here. got a 1991 GL1500I. the tag on my bike says Gasoline 91. so shouldnt we be using 91?

No, 91 RON = 87 Octane in the US/Canada.
Research Octane Number (RON) is what is used in Europe, Japan and Australia.
The Anti-Knock Index (AKI) (also called Minimum Octane Rating (MOR)) is what is used in the US and Canada, it is calculated by using the RON and Motor Octane Number (MON) (R+M)/2.

[DenverWinger]

For what it's worth, Regular fuel in Colorado is 85, not 87.

All grades of fuel here are two points lower octane rating than at lower elevations, De-rated need for octane in high altitude, and the lower-octane fuels sold here are equivalent to low altitude fuel when used in an air-starved engine. Colorado fuel might knock and ping slightly if imported to sea level, but burns perfect in the partial vacuum here.....

[blupupher]

For what it's worth, Regular fuel in Colorado is 85, not 87.

All grades of fuel here are two points lower octane rating than at lower elevations, De-rated need for octane in high altitude, and the lower-octane fuels sold here are equivalent to low altitude fuel when used in an air-starved engine. Colorado fuel might knock and ping slightly if imported to sea level, but burns perfect in the partial vacuum here.....

I have read several vehicles owners manuals that say not to use 85 octane regardless of altitude. The GL1500 does not mention this in the owners manual though.
When I was riding around in west and northern Texas, the "regular" unleaded was 86 octane and I had no issues with it.

[Dodson124]

For what is worth, i plan to run 89 non ethanol in my bike when is on the road...i have had great experience with that fuel, the GL1500 is 9.8:1 compression, but the carburetors kill the benefit of higher octane fuels

[Golfr]

Thank you for answer.