I was coming back from the bay area in California the other day on 680 and I had to stop and get so gas in my car. When I saw this little gas station tuck away off of 680. Then I noticed that they had two pumps right side be side each other. one pump was Reg 87 Octane, Mid grade 89 octane, and premium at 91 octane. Then the next set of pumps were unleaded racing fuel. Their Regular was 94 octane, mid grade was 96 octane, then they had 98 octane and 101 octane. It's right from the pump also, which is cool. But I was thinking about running some 94 unleaded octane in my Bobber. Would it hurt it, or should I just stay with 91 octane?
Fuel Octane
- Thread starter Snakesfield
- Start date
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We don't have those kinds of choices up this way so I honestly don't know.
However, I can't see how it would do any harm, but there is probably nothing to gain either.
Many are under the impression that high grade gasoline will give you more power, but it's not so.
However, I can't see how it would do any harm, but there is probably nothing to gain either.
Many are under the impression that high grade gasoline will give you more power, but it's not so.
Do you remember where on 680 that was?
Yes, I do. It's on the right side of the freeway going towards Pleasanton, right before you get to the the 84 exit to Sunol and then 84 exit going to Livermore.I think it's called The Sunol Self Service Gas Station. It's in a blue and white building with a lot of people buying their gas, including a bunch of HD folks also. It kinda of surrounded by trees also. But there's this little road that only goes right. Right off of 680 and that's it. I'd like to try some of that 94 octane, but I called my local Triumph dealer, before I did and they said NO and then said something about how my bike is mapped out to use 91 octane. Which kinda sounded kind of silly, to me. So I called Triumph USA Maintenance, thinking that they're going to give me a big thumbs up. But instead, they gave me a big ole { Thumbs Down} also and told me that I had to run 91 octane. Which kind of chaps me, real good. But, I don't want to mess up my bike either. So, I guess I'll be safe with the 91 octane, instead of being sorry, by using that 94 octane and messing up my bike real good. See, just another good reason, to have these chat rooms..
I know where you're talking about, just after coming down the Sunol grade. I was thinking of trying it out in my SAAB turbo V6 for the fun of it, although it runs fine on 87 octane, fully within SAAB specs.
Wire-Wheels
Member
I doubt your bobber would benefit for the extra octane. I have gotten away from using premium fuels in my triumphs. They have no adjustment for octane. Not sure if the bobber does. If your engine has some kind of anti-knock it would help. My Volvo S-80 V-8 will adjust to octane but it runs a lot better on premium. I had it in Colorado a few years back. It loved the fuel there. ...J.D.
Hi Wire-Wheels,
I like running 91 octane myself. I called Triumph USA and I talked with one of their maintenance devision techs and they said that I can run 87 octane, but they recommend that I run the 91 octane. They told me, to run 91 octane for the best performance, to get the best out of my 2018 Bobber. So, I'm going to stay with the 91 octane in my Bobber. Like I said in my last post. I just thought that maybe once a month I could run a tank full of the 94 octane to keep my injectors clean and that was all. But, before I'd even do something like that? Because, I don't want to mess up my warranty or damage my bike in anyway. So, I called Triumph USA and ask to speak to someone in their maintenance division and ask one of their techs about it and the tech told me, that I could run 87 octane, but, that the Bobber runs the best with 91 octane. So that's what I'm running and nothing else. I broke it in on 91 octane, so I'm just going to keep running that. Thank you though, for your advise though.
I like running 91 octane myself. I called Triumph USA and I talked with one of their maintenance devision techs and they said that I can run 87 octane, but they recommend that I run the 91 octane. They told me, to run 91 octane for the best performance, to get the best out of my 2018 Bobber. So, I'm going to stay with the 91 octane in my Bobber. Like I said in my last post. I just thought that maybe once a month I could run a tank full of the 94 octane to keep my injectors clean and that was all. But, before I'd even do something like that? Because, I don't want to mess up my warranty or damage my bike in anyway. So, I called Triumph USA and ask to speak to someone in their maintenance division and ask one of their techs about it and the tech told me, that I could run 87 octane, but, that the Bobber runs the best with 91 octane. So that's what I'm running and nothing else. I broke it in on 91 octane, so I'm just going to keep running that. Thank you though, for your advise though.
Wire-Wheels
Member
Yeh Snakesfield: I am not familiar with the more modern stuff. All 3 of my Triumphs are Hinckley era, carburetted bikes. No fancy ignition controls. They don't seem to run any better on high octane. The timing advance curve is not adjustible and they are tuned for the 87. I do run a bit of Gumout injector Cleaner through them once in a while to keep everything clean. The factory recommended 87 for those engines....J.D.
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