Forum

[Spitting Bull]

What's the forum's collected wisdom on using 97 octane fuel instead of 95 octane? Are there any benefits? Tom

[Frank]

After reading the supposed benefits of using super unleaded I trialled it over 2000 miles in my car and found absolutely no difference in either performance or returned mpg. However with the bike it's a different story. I'm convinced it runs smoother, pulls harder and is more forgiving under load in the wrong gear. Not sure if it's the higher octane or maybe the lack of ethanol that I understand manufacturers aren't putting in the super unleaded but for now I will be sticking to it.

[JOHNNY SINGLES]

I always put the best in with an egg cup of oil, this heps lubicate the carb and stops the tank rusting out. But I am bloody fussy.

[geoffro]

I use either in my old classic bikes and car with no problems, just dont use that old rubbish they sell in supermarkets and thats on the advice of a well known petrol company scientist. If you dont believe it just fill up one week with decent petrol and the next week with the supermarket stuff and see how much more throttle you need to maintain the same speed and how much less mileage you acheive to the gallon, or perhaps i should say litres in todays language.

[Alan R]

--------we've always been ahead of the game in this "Progressive" land of ours. The metric unit is the "Gallona" and there are 8 "Pint-os" to each one. Simples really !! Yes, I'm of the same opinion as you lads----I tend to put the super in the Classic 500 and }--- Mr. Scrotum's Barrel Bottom cheapie in the Ford Ka. ( Wife drives it 90% of the time, round town. ). Every little bit helps----

[Durham Tim]

Good Question!!
Can I also ask if there's any chance of it doing any mechanical damage to a Bullet 350 Classic??

[apparently lucky eddie]

I always use 97 octane from the local standard oil or british petroleum garage. I recently had no choice after running on reserve for several miles but to use some murcky low octane. The difference in my 500 E/S classic was huge, like a completely different bike, rough as buggery, gutless, felt like it was vibrating far more. Drained out the petrol and put it in the lawn mower where it belonged, put in a gallon of super-unleaded and I've got a new bike.
In such a low compression engine it should n't make the slightest difference but it does. But then there's only one cylinder, not 3 or 4 as in a japper or car. I would expect the difference to be bigger in the new fangled higher comp. unit construction type motors.

[Riggers]

When I'm at home I use the cheapest 95 octane I can find (currently Tescos here in Hull at 127.7p). When I'm on a run I obviously have to use whatever can be found. Must say I've never noticed any difference whatsoever.

[grunda 12]

call me old fashioned but this petrol business is very interesting i bet they don,t have 97 octane in india they are running on pool petrol from the war,unless your running a machine with a very high compression ratio i doubt any benefit would be found ,not subscribing to petrol burning very often i find 95 ron runs grunda12 scorchio ,grunda 11 runs on chip oil HAPPY DAYS!!

[Craig]

Hi All:....Right in classic 350 & 500 Iron head....Std Carbs....
When i was Using cheap Morrisons Petrol I Noticed No Performance difference But Twice a Year I had To Clean The Grunge Out Of My Carb..
Since Then I have Mainly used Shell Inc Shell advance!..NO Gunge..And The 500 went better on the Advance the 350 the same...II have used castrol valve master in The 350 for years & Noticed No difference in Performance between The Octane Booster One & the Normal....
Lastly In all My Bikes over the Years JET Petrol use to Make them Pull & Sound Nice, Now They are all MERCO its not the same......
Perhaps its how petrol is Kept That Determines how good it is, Like Beer :0) ...... A High Turn Over Garage has Fresh stocks.
...But Yes The Classic Motor Should Run on Owt' really..... Q: What about Electra & Efi??...
Cheers all.