most manuals say to avoid fuel and oil additives.they also only recomend theyre oil.if what ever your riding or driving calls for 91 oct and you buy 95 your pretty much wasting money unless your vechicle been modified.putting a race fuel of 110 oct and up can cause more harm than do any good.
Fuel additives
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GW 04 XB12R
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I'm not sure it will cause any harm, besides decrease in power, but yes, not cause any good.
Octane is quite the opposite to its popular conception: it is the fuel's resistivity to igniting. Basically, a higher octane fuel is less flammable than a lower octane fuel.
WHYYY???? you ask, do race cars etc use high octane fuel and make TONS of power?!? Because they have extremely high compression, and a killer spark (both of which create a bigger boom in the cylinder for more power). If they used a lower octane, more flammable fuel, it would ignite before it should (read: pre-ignition). Pre-ignition = BAD.
So, in summary, your engine will make the most power using the lowest octane fuel that doesn't pre-ignite, or "ping" (that nasty noise you sometimes hear at lower RPMs under heavy throttle).
If you hear "pinging" (can't describe it well, kinda need to experience it to know it), then you may decide to up the octane, or lower the throttle at lower RPMs.
Octane is quite the opposite to its popular conception: it is the fuel's resistivity to igniting. Basically, a higher octane fuel is less flammable than a lower octane fuel.
WHYYY???? you ask, do race cars etc use high octane fuel and make TONS of power?!? Because they have extremely high compression, and a killer spark (both of which create a bigger boom in the cylinder for more power). If they used a lower octane, more flammable fuel, it would ignite before it should (read: pre-ignition). Pre-ignition = BAD.
So, in summary, your engine will make the most power using the lowest octane fuel that doesn't pre-ignite, or "ping" (that nasty noise you sometimes hear at lower RPMs under heavy throttle).
If you hear "pinging" (can't describe it well, kinda need to experience it to know it), then you may decide to up the octane, or lower the throttle at lower RPMs.
buelladdicted
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is any one going 2 answer his question? I have not,yet used octain booster in my xb,owners manuel scared me out of it, w/ claiming possible damage of FI components.However , runing it in 2 high performance sportsters,and a dozen road race bikes,it does make a definate difference.Some are total crap and admit they cant actually raise octain in the fine print.Some are good if they use actual aromatics such as tululene. here in cali.,91 is all thats available and has been for a long time.the power advantage to higher octain is more stable and complete combustion without excessive piston crown and chamber temps ,alowing for leaner air fuel mixtures,higher compression, without preignition and posible meltdown.
Until I saw this thread I wasn't even aware that the recommended RON octane for an XB12 was 91.
I've been filling up with 87 for a few thousand miles with no pinging or problems of any kind.
I assumed that since the XB has a lower compression ratio than my last bike, it must also use the same 87 octane.
Granted, I haven't ridden it in the heat yet. I imagine in 100 degree weather I might notice some issues at stop lights.
I may start putting in 91 octane, but I'm certainly not putting in any kind of witches brew fuel additives.
Might as well put in some 5 hour energy shots as that undocumented garbage.
I've been filling up with 87 for a few thousand miles with no pinging or problems of any kind.
I assumed that since the XB has a lower compression ratio than my last bike, it must also use the same 87 octane.
Granted, I haven't ridden it in the heat yet. I imagine in 100 degree weather I might notice some issues at stop lights.
I may start putting in 91 octane, but I'm certainly not putting in any kind of witches brew fuel additives.
Might as well put in some 5 hour energy shots as that undocumented garbage.
konarider94
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there is a federal law that requires all vehicles sold in the US to be able to run on 87 octane without causing damage.
i know some vehicles recommend 89 or 91 octane, i own one. but running on 87 will not harm them. vehicles will pull timing if they detect knock. do buells have knock sensors?
i know some vehicles recommend 89 or 91 octane, i own one. but running on 87 will not harm them. vehicles will pull timing if they detect knock. do buells have knock sensors?
konarider94
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that makes sense, and i didnt think the buell had a knock sensor.
nativeXb12Rbuell
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ok i didnt have time to find this the other day, for you wanting to use octane booster.
here is what the owners manual says about all of it.
Your motorcycle was designed to get the best performance and efficiency using unleaded gasoline. Most gasoline sold is blended with alcohol and/or ether, to create "oxygenated" blends. The type and amount of alcohol or ether added to the fuel is important.
Do not use gasoline that contains methanol. Doing so can result in fuel system component failure, engine damage and/or equipment malfunction. (00148a)
Gasoline containing METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER (MTBE): Gasoline/MTBE blends are a mixture of gasoline and as much as 15% MTBE. Gasoline/MTBE blends can be used in your motorcycle.
ETHANOL is a mixture of 10% ethanol (Grain alcohol) and 90% unleaded gasoline. Gasoline/ethanol blends can be used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does not exceed 10%.
REFORMULATED OR OXYGENATED GASOLINES (RFG): "Reformulated gasoline" is a term used to describe gasoline blends that are specifically designed to burn cleaner than other types of gasoline, leaving fewer "tailpipe" emissions. They are also formulated to evaporate less when you are filling your tank. Reformulated gasolines use additives to "oxygenate" the gas. Your motorcycle will run normally using this type of gas and Buell recommends you use it when possible, as an aid to cleaner air in our environment.
Do not use race gas or octane boosters. Use of these fuels will damage the fuel system.
You may find that some gasoline blends adversely affect the starting, drivability or fuel efficiency of your bike. If you experience one or more of these problems, we recommend you try a different brand of gasoline or higher octane rating., or straight unleaded gasoline.
here is what the owners manual says about all of it.
Your motorcycle was designed to get the best performance and efficiency using unleaded gasoline. Most gasoline sold is blended with alcohol and/or ether, to create "oxygenated" blends. The type and amount of alcohol or ether added to the fuel is important.
Do not use gasoline that contains methanol. Doing so can result in fuel system component failure, engine damage and/or equipment malfunction. (00148a)
Gasoline containing METHYL TERTIARY BUTYL ETHER (MTBE): Gasoline/MTBE blends are a mixture of gasoline and as much as 15% MTBE. Gasoline/MTBE blends can be used in your motorcycle.
ETHANOL is a mixture of 10% ethanol (Grain alcohol) and 90% unleaded gasoline. Gasoline/ethanol blends can be used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content does not exceed 10%.
REFORMULATED OR OXYGENATED GASOLINES (RFG): "Reformulated gasoline" is a term used to describe gasoline blends that are specifically designed to burn cleaner than other types of gasoline, leaving fewer "tailpipe" emissions. They are also formulated to evaporate less when you are filling your tank. Reformulated gasolines use additives to "oxygenate" the gas. Your motorcycle will run normally using this type of gas and Buell recommends you use it when possible, as an aid to cleaner air in our environment.
Do not use race gas or octane boosters. Use of these fuels will damage the fuel system.
You may find that some gasoline blends adversely affect the starting, drivability or fuel efficiency of your bike. If you experience one or more of these problems, we recommend you try a different brand of gasoline or higher octane rating., or straight unleaded gasoline.
Yeah, Native My manual says that too. Thats why I only use it a little every other fill up or so . Supermanrider, i got a good laugh out of Video Thanks.Is that a movie! AS an retired Marine now for the last well almost 5 years now. I now run my uncles shop. So far [I've had no issues] my Fellow Buellers w/ a little 110-oct.,every couple of fill ups. I have a gas analizer kit and there are times i have bought Premium fuel.I do take notes of where etc. Took to the shop right away tested and well its 89/90/from a premium pump. So Depends on Station, area location etc.? OR just maybe OPPS they put some in the wrong ground tank! All i know FOR me I've been doing this for thirty years w/fuel now and as long as you don't get carried away.Like fill up a street bike totally full of racing fuel. My bikes have been OK. I do have customers that go to the back of the Sunoco couple miles away where he has around 98/100, maybe YEP i tested it too! about 97 most of the time. Those Bikers swear by it.In the next few years watch what will happen to good fuel most will run on low compression 77/81 octane and with computers will still run like a Devil Dog to Gun fire. SO for now while I can AFFORD it I'll keep some around for aftershave AND a little for the bikes as well. And as for ping never had an issue. Trust me I'm not easy on my bikes Throttle. Long as a Law Dogs not around .Ride Safe!
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