Regular or Premium

[Spaceman7015]

Spaceman here again......
I have 2008 Navi ABS, any added benefit to using premium gasoline or ethanol free?

[themainviking]

I have used regular in my 2009 almost consistently since brand new and have not found other gasolines to provide any extra benefit. On occasion, when regular was not available, I have used medium grade, and got very slightly better mileage, but not enough to warrant the extra cost of the gas. I have never tried premium, and doubt it would give me enough difference to make it worth the extra cost. If I could get ethanol free in a regular grade, I would certainly go for it, but not if the cost was higher. The bikes were made to run on 87 octane fuel. Our regular here is 87 octane.

That said, on very hot days, a higher grade might alleviate the possibility of detonation or ping, if you happen to get that, or live where it is above 100 degrees most of the day, you might try it, but if you do not ever notice any pinging, then I wouldn't worry about it.

[alwrmcusn]

JMO: Bought my '08 GL1800 Navi (Motor Trike) two years ago. Was verbally told I should use mid-grade or higher, so for a year I did that. Perusing this and other forums I found that many people use "regular" and so I tried it. I have been using regular for the past year, no pings, no drop in mileage. About 3 times a year I do add a dose of Sea Foam but in all honesty I can't tell if it has made any changes in anything. I have never tried 100 percent pure fuel (very expensive) so I have no input on that.
p.s. I have always been rather curious about the price difference in fuel with & without ethanol. Why does it cost more to buy fuel WITHOUT the additive! Just seems backwards to me.

[WingAdmin]

JMO: Bought my '08 GL1800 Navi (Motor Trike) two years ago. Was verbally told I should use mid-grade or higher, so for a year I did that. Perusing this and other forums I found that many people use "regular" and so I tried it. I have been using regular for the past year, no pings, no drop in mileage. About 3 times a year I do add a dose of Sea Foam but in all honesty I can't tell if it has made any changes in anything. I have never tried 100 percent pure fuel (very expensive) so I have no input on that.
p.s. I have always been rather curious about the price difference in fuel with & without ethanol. Why does it cost more to buy fuel WITHOUT the additive! Just seems backwards to me.

Same reason 100LL aviation fuel is more than double the price of regular car gas: market size. If there is only a tiny market for ethanol-free gas (boat marinas and the odd gas station that sets aside an entire tank and set of pumps for it) then the cost of storing, transporting and delivering it increases.

[Spaceman7015]

Wow, thank you for answering my questions. Regular is for me........

[DaveO430]

p.s. I have always been rather curious about the price difference in fuel with & without ethanol. Why does it cost more to buy fuel WITHOUT the additive! Just seems backwards to me.

Especially since it costs more to make ethanol than gasoline, can you say subsidies? Our taxes going to pay them to make it then we have to buy it. They should have it in a separate tank and let you choose how much of it you want if any at the pump.

[mterraci]

My 2007 Goldwing runs on regular and does great. No problems noted.
I've not tried the ethanol free fuel as it's a lot more expensive. As long as I'm burning the fuel and it's not sitting in the tank for long periods of time I don't worry about it too much.

[themainviking]

Yesterday, I was in a different town than where I live, and needed fuel. They were out of regular. They were selling premium for the regular price, so remembering this thread, I filled up. Riding home, I noticed absolutely no difference in the way the bike ran. That was for 35 miles. So - pay for premium? Noooo, not me. I will try to remember to come back and report on the fuel mileage for the tankfull.

[Spaceman7015]

I had fuel average of 40.1 with the first tank, but it included the gas from the purchase of the Wing.

[AZgl1800]

I ONLY use 87 and "prefer" non-ethanol If it is available.
But, the MPG difference on the 1800 is so tiny, it is not worth the expense.

89 and 91?
you are throwing good money after bad....
the 1800s will not ping on 87 unless something else is wrong, it is not the fuel grade.
My 1800 has never had anything but 87 and a lot of 85, and it has never pinged and I ride it hard.

As we have not choice in not using E-10 normally, it is of some help to throw in an oz of TWC-3 oil ( for 2 cycle engines ). helps to keep the top end clean and lubed. ATF is also good, 1 oz per fillup.

[Spaceman7015]

So, I hadn't seen anything on TWC-3, you add to your gasoline at each fill up?

[AZgl1800]

So, I hadn't seen anything on TWC-3, you add to your gasoline at each fill up?

it is an upper cylinder lubricant, no magic.
helps valve guides.
E-10 is a dry fuel, almost as bad a natural gas.

a bottle every other fillup should do nicely.
if I can find E-0, don't add anything.

[themainviking]

I burnt that tank of premium out yesterday, and the fuel mileage was no different than regular has been all along. To me, that means, to pay for premium would be a huge waste of cash that could buy more regular.

[Spaceman7015]

I am Happy to be a part of this forum, the information you all provide is truly helpful. Just this one post alone has saved me quite a bit of money on fuel.
Regular fuel here I come.....

[NKYWinger]

I always use 89 Octane; it really doesn't cost that much more and it MIGHT help the mileage....

[DaveO430]

I always use 89 Octane; it really doesn't cost that much more and it MIGHT help the mileage....

Except that it doesn't. An oz of TCW3 oil in every tank will do more good and cost less.

[raven41951]

I use 87 unleaded. Every other tank I add two ounces of Startron Starbrite. It has helped me in other engines and I will continue to use it now so I won't need to later. Also I have no objections to Sea Foam and upper end lube. They can't hurt unless overused. And its difficult (and expensive) to overuse them.

[keithg64]

I mostly use 87 with and occasional 87-89 Efree. I also am starting to use with every other fuel fill up is the stable marine fuel additive. I used it before on my 1500. Started using it again. I have also used in the past is seafoam and I was very happy with that.

[keithg64]

I would like to make sure my injectors are clean and the fuel system is not gumming up or dirty.

[raven41951]

I should have been more specific. The "previous" engines were carbureted (GL1500, Shadow ACE). The Startron cleared up the Shadow within half a tank so I used it in the 1500 too JIC. Because it worked so well I continue to use it in my fuel injected 1800 for the same reason as you.

Stabil works well to store gas for a longer period. SeaFoam and Startron Starbrite clean up after un-stabilized fuel and the lacquer it deposits in the system (carbs and injectors). I do not know if an automotive fuel injector cleaner would work in a bike, besides, I have stuff that already works great!

[Spaceman7015]

So went for a ride in (rainy), I mean sunny Florida today. Burn all the ethanol free out if the 2008 NAVI ABS wing, average 40.6 MPG, filled up with regular. Will post mileage soon.

[keithg64]

The stable marine is a ethanol treatment and fuel system cleaner.

https://www.goldeagle.com/product/sta-bil-360-marine/