What PREMIUM GAS Does To Your Motorcycle! (NOT GOOD!)

The professional Victory tuners always used to say use the lowest octane rating you can that doesn’t ping. Personally, I use non ethanol every time I can.

 

...now if Rylan posted this after tearing down and rebuilding numerous bikes, I would be more inclined to not question it’s accuracy

 

At times under load or just hard acceleration I can hear some detonation happening on my 11 XC.
This happened a few years ago well after my tune with KMC. Once I noticed it I got home and dropped timing 1* at a time to see if it helped. I wound up at 2* advance from roughly 5* advance. At times it’s there and now I just figure I’ve got carbon built up on the pistons. Too many years running premium. I’m considering 89 octane to see if it helps. Every third tank I run a little Techron additive.

 

I switch from 89 to 91 depending upon the ambient temperature and the forecast for when I'll be running out the tank of fuel.

 

Kyle always used a LOT of timing in his tunes. Once Kyle tuned your bike you should have been running premium fuel 91-93 octane.

 

Ya these guys that say their stock Vic won't run on regular and needs premium are delusional. That same motor will run on pump gas with high compression pistons and advanced timing added so tell me how a stock 106 needs premium!

 

I have and always have. Rec90 and pump 93.
Still too much timing and carbon build up are 2 different things and again this issue showed up years after kyles tune leading me to believe carbon build up may be the culprit. If the pinging continues I will likely go to Maximus. I’m running Techron treatment every 3 to 4 tanks. See if that will break it up some.

 

Incidentally. I run 89 in Honey’s Magnum. Maximus tunes. 505 cams. Runs perfect !
Think I’ll stay 89 and rec90 on this bike.

 

I run 87 octane more than anything else. IMHO, it runs better with that over the 89, 91 or 93 octane.

 

Compression Ratio 9.4:1

Maybe if you are 2 up loaded down in scorching hot temps. 9.4 doesn't require 93. I'm lucky to have a Rec90 right up the street. On the road, mid grade what ever.

 

Run some SEAFOAM in the tank, this will clean the carbon....

 

In Texas you can use either 89 or 93 Octane. There is no 91 readily available. Some will say you can use boat or aviation fuel around 91, but this is not a reasonable option since I do not live near a lake or an airport. I use 93. All of it seems to have ethanol. Your have to go with what you have.

 

You're likely much better off using the 89. As an added benefit, it's likely fresher as well since it may get consumed at a faster rate from the station.