Ok, I just wanted to take a quick poll:
What octane unleaded gas do you run in your quads?

I have always run Super (91+) in my 4-Strokers, but can't seem to get the same answer from any 2 people. Some say the additives in Super are damaging to mortorcycle engines, while others say the lower octanes are no good...

Thoughts....?

 

I run 94 Sunoco in my stock engined 87 X... If I cant run that, i run 93 ot the stations highest.

 

91 , or 96 or 100!

depends on the mood

 

118 octane Turbo Blue ultimate or whatever its called its the orange stuff!

 

double post! sorry!

 

Oops, doubble post due to editing with the back button

 

for as little as my ATV's take I run 92 octane that is free from alochol as I test all fuel with the $5 briggs & stratton tester #100023 that you can buy at any lawn and garden repair center. Its amazing how much fuel contanins over 10% ethonal! bad stuff, very bad stuff

 

I run regular octane fuel in my quads unless I get knocking. Here's why. The ONLY advantage a higher octane provides is that it's harder to burn. This keeps higher compression engines from knocking (pre detonating.) NOTHING else changes with the fuel. If your engine knocks, go to a higher octane fuel. If it doesn't knock, save your money. As for higher octane fuels causing damage to engines...some engines will collect deposits with higher octane fuels. These deposits will eventually affect performance.

As for the alcohol (ethanol) in fuels. JRM is right on target. Many engines are not designed for it. Also, the BTU content of ethanol is lower (just over half that of gasoline.) and it's much harder to ignite. So the final mixture has slightly lower energy.