curious about Octane ratings used in ST's

[emshaferii]

I was curious how much STock folks put into choosing octane ratings for their ST's.

[emshaferii]

also curious if your STeed drinks only 93 or higher, what gas stations regularly carry this level of octane

[sherob]

All stations in the Houston area carry 93+ octane... that's what she gets ;)

[George]

Ought'a specify 1100 or 1300. 1100 requires only 87 octane. I understand the 1300 has a higher requirement.

George - stOC 004
in Kingman, Arizona

[sherob]

Ought'a specify 1100 or 1300. 1100 requires only 87 octane. I understand the 1300 has a higher requirement.

George - stOC 004
in Kingman, Arizona

+1 93 for 1300 ;)

[STill Fiddlin]

I haven't noticed a difference - course my old 1100 doesn't require premium.

[JReviere]

I have an 03 ST1300A. It gets only unleaded regular... normally pump marked at 87 in low elevations and 85 in elevations over about 3,000'MSL.

I guess I'm either easy on the throttle, the knock detectors work as designed, or 87 pump octane is right for my particular bike. It does not ping and delivers excellent gas mileage.

On the mileage point, I just simply do not comprehend how people are operating their engines when they complain of fuel use down in the upper 30's and low 40's. Over the 9 or so months I've had my 1300, it has consistently done an average of 48 to 52 mpg in hot or cold... windy or still conditions. But then, it's a very rare moment when I accelerate hard for I usually never turn over 3500rpm until I'm in top gear.

JR
STOC 394

[sherob]

I've never even seen 93 octane gas. I guess I need to get out more.
91 is the highest we have in these parts.

I think it's a regional thing... 93 along the GC is pretty common. I know when I head north, it becomes harder to find ;)

[Mark]

Ought'a specify 1100 or 1300. 1100 requires only 87 octane. I understand the 1300 has a higher requirement.

George - stOC 004
in Kingman, Arizona

No vote; but

87 for the 1100
91 for the 1300

Mark

[msnyder755]

This is weird because just this morning I was thinking about this exact same poll but you beat me too it.

Most of the stations around here carry 93 and I try to stay with the same brand as well...don't why thats just me

[Scooterb]

On the mileage point, I just simply do not comprehend how people are operating their engines when they complain of fuel use down in the upper 30's and low 40's. Over the 9 or so months I've had my 1300, it has consistently done an average of 48 to 52 mpg in hot or cold... windy or still conditions. But then, it's a very rare moment when I accelerate hard for I usually never turn over 3500rpm until I'm in top gear.


JR,

I'm one of those guys that typically used to only get anywhere from the upper 30's to the lower 40's for MPG. Over the last month, I've managed to into the upper 40's and actually had one tankfull where I got 50.0 MPG! Let me tell you, I never thought that I'd reach that mark and I always thought that guys that were claiming that kind of mileage were smoking rope or something.;)

So what has changed for me in the last month? Several things, first of all it's been hot out here as it is everywhere. Most of my longer rides over the last month have been done when it has been in the upper 80's or above. I also know that I have the thermostat problem with my STeed and that it will be replaced sometime during the summer. Anytime that it is 75 degrees or above, it jumps to three bars right away. During the spring I really felt the effects of cooler temps and lousy milage. This bike loves to run hot!

The second thing that I had done was to install a set of Staintubes. Now I didn't put them on to try to increase my MPG but I'd be hard pressed to say that they haven't been a factor in my increase.

Another significant factor for me was that I have been able to get outside of the four county area here in SE Wisconsin that is required to use gasoline with a blend of 10% Ethanol and get a hold of "pure" gas. I know that this makes at least a 2-3 MPG difference for me.

The last thing that I've done more over the last month is to ride as much as I can with the windshield down as far as it will go. I'm not sure how significant this is since I usually only run it up about halfway when I do have it up.

As always...YMMV!:)

[J Paul]

My 06 has a tank sticker that says 91 octane or better. The super here inside the beltway is 93. I have yet to hear a preignition rattle and the dash seems locked at 40.5mpg city or highway. Just remember that octane is resistance to ignition-if your engine can safely run 87 your wasting money putting higher octane fuel in it, and can actually cause some damage as in flame still going when exhaust valve opens.

[dteel]

Milage for me typically runs around 36 MPG, have gone as high as 48 MPG on trips.

I'm a creature of habit so don't shop around much, typically just fill up at the Exxon next to my house. Highest octane rating available is 91 and since that's what the manufacturer recommends, that's what she gets. So far in my travels I have rarely found an octane higher than 91. Bike is still fairly new and I've only been in CA, AZ, NM, CO, UT and NV.

Since I'm not having any problems I don't see any reason to change what I'm doing.

[Scaredy Cat]

Just a note for the Europeans, cos these octane numbers all look very low compared to what we see on the pumps - 91 octane in the USA is equivalent to Euro 95 RON octane, which is what the sticker on the tank of my '05 said was a minimum.

[BikemanKZ]

91 Octane is generally what's available at this altitude. Doesn't run well on the 10% ethanol winter mix in some areas around here, so I don't use it.

Tried some 105 octane racing gas in my old ST1100. LIKED IT A LOT!

KZ

[ST1300 Alicia]

All we can get around here is 91 Octane and it does ping a little. Mostly though it does just fine. I'm thinking that the FPR change might help the pining some. I Get high 30's in town get high 40's on highway. Bike has just over 4k on it so it's still breaking in I think. I will switch to Shell 5W-40 Rotella-T Synthetic at 5K. I'm sure my riding style has a lot to do with my mileage. I just can't resist some Punk Kid in a stock Honda Civic with a huge 10 gallon muffler who thinks he is Boy Racer. I waste them at the stoplights daily. A 53 year old woman has to have some kind of hobby, doesn't she.

[Peter]

Just a note for the Europeans, cos these octane numbers all look very low compared to what we see on the pumps - 91 octane in the USA is equivalent to Euro 95 RON octane, which is what the sticker on the tank of my '05 said was a minimum.


Thanks for that Mr Cat

It got me worried/posh that we were giving our bikes such a high quality drink but it seems as we are just giving ours the yankie version of 91

what does that make our "super Unleaded" it's 97 here what is that in american?

Personally I stick with our 95 as the Super Unleaded has a fairly high price premium

Peter


Only 3 days to BritSToc

[Scaredy Cat]

Thanks for that Mr Cat

It got me worried/posh that we were giving our bikes such a high quality drink but it seems as we are just giving ours the yankie version of 91

what does that make our "super Unleaded" it's 97 here what is that in american?

Personally I stick with our 95 as the Super Unleaded has a fairly high price premium

Peter


Only 3 days to BritSToc

I think 97 RON works out at about 92.5 in USA octane.

[ChipSTer]

Mine knocks if I don't put in 93+... :eek:
:cool:

[naturally wired]

What does this knocking sound like?...Like valve knock in a car ?....I have always run 91 to 94 since day one ....with no knocking ever!....I get a high of 56 mpg highway with an average of somewhere in the fourties depending on how bad I am that day ?:twisted:



If I'm riding two up ....up grade ....under 2600 rpms ...you can get her to knock there, but you should be in a different gear at that point anyway!

[Don-STOC237]

On the mileage point, I just simply do not comprehend how people are operating their engines when they complain of fuel use down in the upper 30's and low 40's. Over the 9 or so months I've had my 1300, it has consistently done an average of 48 to 52 mpg in hot or cold... windy or still conditions. But then, it's a very rare moment when I accelerate hard for I usually never turn over 3500rpm until I'm in top gear.



Wanna know how to get 42 mpg, JR?

Gain some weight so you're not such a skinny little feller.
Put on some fairing extensions or a bigger windscreen.
Do more mountain riding.
Go a bit faster and get up to speed quicker.
Quit short-shifting.

Works every time. As a bonus you'll get shorter life out of your tires, too.

:D :D

[EJ's 97ST]

I try and find 87 here for my 1100 but most stations are either running 86 or 88 so I opt for the 88. Did run a tank of 86 and didn't here a knock but the MPG wasn't as good and I'm getting smoother shifts and better at the throttle since I've put on almost 4K. Milage as an average is 43 to 45.

Ed : clap2:

[ChipSTer]

What does this knocking sound like?...Like valve knock in a car ?....I have always run 91 to 94 since day one ....with no knocking ever!....I get a high of 56 mpg highway with an average of somewhere in the fourties depending on how bad I am that day ?:twisted:

If I'm riding two up ....up grade ....under 2600 rpms ...you can get her to knock there, but you should be in a different gear at that point anyway!
Yep... valve knock... applying too much throttle in too low of a gear (but that's what I like about the ST1300)... Of course, my nearly 300 lbs doesn't have anything to do with it!!! :D
:cool:

[naturally wired]

:eek: 300lbs......you's fat not fluffy.....and me at a mere 260 :shock:

[Vifor]

In Spain we only have 95 and 98 octanes to choose from, so it's 95 in my 1100. Checked both, and no diff at all.