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I'm asking in relation to my 2001 V-Star 650 Classic (15k+ miles). I switched over recently to mid-grade, but I don't know if it's worth the bother. Anyone have thoughts on the matter?

What octane does your motorcycle owner's manual recommend? There is no need to use something other than what is recommended by the manufacturer. Especially if changing up costs more money.

P

For maximum performance, use the lowest octane that doesn't make your engine ping. I use 87 in the CBR600RR & the KLX250S. The Hyper gets 89 as that is what it calls for, but may try 87 to see if it pings at all. The R1150R calls for 89 octane but will ping with it so I put in 93. The 900SS is modified with HC 944 pistons and will even ping sometimes with 93 if WOT at high speeds if the rpm is in the lower half.

Yep what they said, as long as it's not pinging you're fine. In your 650 you should be perfectly fine with 85.
And hyperr... Sounds like you should switch the 900SS over to E-85...

Wrider wrote:And hyperr... Sounds like you should switch the 900SS over to E-85...

The Ducati Sports Classics with the plastic tanks are swelling up from the ethanol.

HYPERR wrote:

Wrider wrote:And hyperr... Sounds like you should switch the 900SS over to E-85...

The Ducati Sports Classics with the plastic tanks are swelling up from the ethanol.

All the more reason to switch!!!

Wow guys your fuel is sh.it

Over here in the "motherland" we start at 91 moving on up to the extra extra premium of 98, also if they stick ethanol in a particular fuel it has to be identified as "containing ethanol" and its percentage.

I would never knowingly put ethanol in my vehicles.

ANyhoooo, my current bike is a 2006 it recommends 95 octane, if I run 98 in it it will start banging away as I roll off the throttle (Big twins will do that any way but the 98 makes it worse.
Other than that I could not report any kind of performance issue running a higher octane rating fuel then recommended.

Im stunned you have fuels with a rating of less than 90


Side note, my ear wax smells like chocolate.


me



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Interesting reading right hear.

Johnj wrote:Interesting reading right hear.

Thank you "J"






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This is not official by any means.

I have the same bike 4 years newer, I get slightly higher MPG on 90. Just sharing.