that is all i wanted to know. 87 octane it will be

 

Frank is right. Lowest octane w/o pinging is the way to go for power. Race gas is at the track because at the track there are cars with 12:1 compression and 30psi+ boost pressures. These types of motors can NOT run on pump gas due to pinging/detonation and if they do it will send the motor into shrapnel. There is a thread on here about gasoline/octane ratings. However, I run 93 for piece of mind since we do not have knock sensors or any safety measures for detonation and I consider our engines high performance, pretty high compression and high revving. I would just hate to see what would happen to an engine detonating every cycle at 15,000rpms. I know I dont want my leg near the motor is all.

 

Why wouldn't octane rules apply to motorcyle engines? They're connecting rod internal combustion engines. You think the engine cares if it's in a bike frame vs. a car frame? It has no idea!

Most people advance their timing at the track which requires more octane to keep from knocking. Plus, when you're running on the street, you're rarely at WOT so the high RPM pinging isn't ever present (unless you're a ricer). At the track, you're running at WOT constantly and putting the engine under full load... when it'll most likely ping.

Yeah, you can hear pinging on the Harley. The rear head is under my balls! If that thing sounds remotely like it could blow up I pay attention! Believe it or not, due to the super long length of my pipes, the bike is considerably quiet while riding. It's the people behind me who get wide open header terror

FYI, I run 93 octane in the Harley even though it's like 8.5:1 compression. It has a 34 degree timing advance, so anything lower knocks. In my Chevy I run 87 octane on a 8.1:1 compression with a 8 degree base timing and can run WOT all day without a ping.

 

damn i must be a ricer

 

Actually...Yes. Burnouts in Sonic parking lot = Ricer.

 

Nah, you're just suffering from lack of torque. WOT is the only way to feel any power from those cock rockets.

 

I always run 93 but once i did 87 on accident...

Couldnt tell the difference... But i would much rather pay another dollar or wutever it is for the extra re-assurance.

 

well it isn't that it is in a bike frame or not it is more the compression of the engine i am referring to.

 

How is the compression any different than in a car? You've got a 4 valve DOHC engine with a piston, compression rings, etc... You could have 11.1:1 compression and if you're timing is at a base 0 degrees (for example) you could run 87 octane. Really, if you want to know what gas to run, read your motorcycle manual (RTFM). If it says 87 octane, you can run 87 octane just as long as you haven't fucked with the timing or compression (or have a massive carbon buildup, but you guys wreck your bikes WAY before that happens).

 

Pot calling kettle black here Mr. I crash my Harley trying to burn-out.