I just got a 2009 Honda 500 foreman and want to run what is best for it.
I have heard that the Ethanol fuels are not good on the carburator .
If that is so and in case that is true i have found a place close to me where I can buy 87-89 or 91 octane gas.
First i would like to know if the ethanol fuel has any downsides to using in my rig and if I shouldn,t use it which ethanol free gas octane should I use in it for the best performance and longest life?
My uses are mostly hunting .I wont ever get over 15 mph or so unless I need to wring it out occasionally for the engines sake.
Temps mostly 30-60 degrees in hunting season.
Thanks

Craig

 

Stock set up you'll be fine with 87 octane. Ethanol free gas around here is just too far to drive. Use sta-bil or other forms of fuel stabilizer and you should be ok. I think you're fuel lines will be one of the things to go if it does start to do anything.

 

Yes the fuel is a 30 mile round trip but I make it at least 1 evry couple of weeks anyway.

 

In my quads i always run the highest octane that the pump station has. Its just better for the engine. Plus it doesnt have such a large amount of carbon build up. But i run the crap out of my quads. I wouldnt run the cheapest fuel. No matter the speed power or temp

 

Octane rating is linked to compression ratio. Octane stops pre-ignition. If an 89 octane will stop detonation and pre-ignition, it's pointless to run a higher octane. Was getting higher hp/tq numbers on the dyno with a lower octane fuel in a 113" S&S motor. Bike was a H-D FXRS.

Additives/solvents/etc. in the fuel are what keeps plugs, valves, etc. clean.

 

 

I fill up in the States due to theirs cheap gas prices, $1.00 per litre vs $1.35 in Canada and run that corn gas without a problem as long as you always burning it.
When I store the machine for the season I fill up in Canada because we do not have that government subsidized corn gas and it much more stable over long periods of sitting time.
that's my thinking anyways . LOL

 

I live in Canada also, and agree that we have a better quality fuel here.
A Chevron chemist told me that there are two things that will 'spoil' gasoline.....
1) Constant temperature change ..... night - day.
2) Sunlight ..... sunlight through opaque plastic gas cans.

He said that the shelf life of Chevron gasoline was two years if it was stored properly ......

He also said that a fuel stabilizer wasn't necessary, but, they sure like it when everyone is buying it. ... $$

 

I run 89 octane with Stabil or SeaFoam. All three of my bikes have carbs,not to mention a generator,weedeater,chainsaw and mowers. Never have had a problem.

 

At that rpm range you would be waisting your money if you used anything better than 87 pump gas. The ethno in it is less than 10 percent. You shouldn't have any issues unless your compression is higher than 140 psi per cylinder. And remember even if you removed all the ethnol from your fuel you would still have 87 octane fuel. But with no chance of water. Because ethanol has around the same burn speed as 87 octane fuel that's why they can blend it . It however has a different density and specific gravity than gasoline and if they added any more to the fuel everyone would have to add weights to there floats in there bowls and obviously have to step up their jets in order for it to run right. Like they do In straight ethanol burners. But that's a whole other discussion. If you choose to use a higher grade of octane than you manufacture suggest, If still all stock no performance add ons, you may run too hot at low speeds unless you quad is liquid cooled. Your fuel will still expire no matter what grade you use. And if your gonna store your quad add stabilizer shut your fuel off and drain you bowl. Also it's good habit to take your carbs apart every year and give them a good once over , jet cleaning, check the bowl heights and inspect the float pin and plunger and make sure all the ports are clean and your air screw is set right. Check the Gaskets , springs Inspect the choke And then you can inspect the slider clean and lube it and set your idle at the same time for the current temp. So essentially it will be good as new every year.