Regular Fuel w/Additive vs. Premium

[Tbone]

Figured out the hard way the Uly does not run well on regular? Especially when cold, Popping sounds in the air box, stuttering, etc..
Seemed not to matter with Regular fuel when I was running Sea Foam with it. Now that I finished the Sea Foam she is misbehaving. I did the breather re-route and it made a huge difference in the cold idle & low rpm's while I was running the Sea Foam.
Running premium now and it is smooth again when I rode to work today. Was going to try Mid Grade next to see how she will run? If there is a problem with the mid grade I might go back to running a fuel additive?

 

[snrusnak]

The buells require 91 or 93 minimum octane, can't remember which it is. If you run less than that you will get pinging/detonation. Especially being air cooled, this is very important. Running too low octane could result in engine damage, also reduces performance and mpg. Just use the proper fuel, don't use regular with additives, you need proper octane rating, simple as that.

 

[morrow]

It should cost you less than $1.00 to use premium rather than regular at the pump. Its a no brainer.

 

[2004xb12s]

Just use the proper fuel, don't use regular with additives, you need proper octane rating, simple as that.

As stated here. Don't be cheap. You have to use proper fuel in your bike. The extra couple cents on a couple gallons of gas wont kill you. If it does....sell the bike.

 

[stensg]

Thoughts on premium + octane booster?

 

[snrusnak]

I've been told octane booster does nothing. Even if it did work, how would you know how much to mix in to get the proper octane rating? And a bottle of that is at least a few dollars, using premium over regular will basically be $1 or less per tank like said above.

BTW, higher octane is not better as a blanket statement. You should run the lowest octane possible without getting pinging/detonation.

I use a 93 octane tune in my truck and I use a lot of fuel. I have a 26 gallon tank so every 1-2 weeks when I fill up I'm spending an additional $10 on fuel when I could use 87 octane. To me it's a no brainer though, the 93 tune gets me better mpg(I break even on cost/mile) and I get more power(power=fun). Can't believe you'd want to be cheap on the buell when it's basically no cost difference, and you'll get better performance, mpg, and won't damage the engine.

 

[stensg]

I never do under premium on my bikes but was just wondering about booster

 

[Thaloc]

I run premium no ethanol from a local mom and pops joint. Its bit more expensive but I only run it in the bike and it doesnt cost enough more to really care. She runs amazing since then. If I ever go on a road trip and have to fill up elsewhere where it isn't non ethanol I just run some Sea Foam in the next tank.

Since making the switch I am a full believer the Buell is not a fan of ethanol. I never run additives, except Sea Foam when stated and Stabilizer for the month-ish I dont ride her in the winter.

Im pretty sure the manual states 93 as best fuel, I can only get 91 in Washington but she run well on it.

 

[Tbone]

Premium it is then, thanks for the valuable feed back. I will run a few tankfuls of premium with Sea Foam and continue with Premium.

When I purchased the bike used with 13,380 miles on it, I tried to keep the fluids the previous owner used? Why I was told that regular was ok? I do not know because it is obviously not! Thanks again.

 

[SlyFox]

I get best MPG using pure (premium) gas...but rarely find it when touring.

 

[snrusnak]

sea foam is a good fuel system cleaner, to be used every once in a while, like maybe once an oil change or once every several oil changes. Using it often is a waste of money.

 

[user_deleted]

doesn't manuals state 91 octane? would think so as 93 very difficult to locate in many parts of North America. having said that, i have 3 Buells....all XB's....and 91 works great. at 20 cents per gallon extra it's well worth it. other than proven chemicals like seafoam and sta-bil. additives are a joke.

 

[snrusnak]

I think it does say 91 I just can't remember. Everything around here is 93 so I get confused.

 

[Desertjeff]

My manual says 91 and thats the best I can get around here from a pump. In the winter that seems fine. No problem with detenation. In the summers here in Arizona I have to add a splash of octane booster to control the detenation around 2500 to 3500 RPM. I have to tell you I have tried several kinds of octane booster and none provide more power or smother idle or anything like that however all of them kept my Ulysses from playing that unpleasent detenation music as I accelerate on a hot day. As for the correct ratio the bottles all say for up to x gallons of gas. Not very specific as to ratio and I have found a precise splash to be about perfect. My bike is stock except for a K&N filter.

 

[snrusnak]

desertjeff, I'd try a colder heat range spark plug. Also richer fuel mapping(race maps). This helped my bike out a lot in the summer heat.

 

[jimijeans]

If you are able to ride most months of the year 91 is the best to use for keeping the engine in good performing shape. SeaFoam in the tank is good to maintain the Fuell Injection System. SeaFoam really should not be used as a Fuell Inhancer to get better Fuell mileage. Use SeaFoam to keep your Injection system clean.
If you must get better Fuel Mileage then some Real Racing fuell like 110 Octane will have to be invested in.
And used very Sparingly as in just a splash per fill up. Too much and the mileage will actually go down. Find the right amount SAY 3.8 gallons just less than a 1/4 of a cup per fill up will help.
Try some of the Racing Auto Shops OR check on line maybe Sumint Racing or something like that will help. Use Just a Small amount to a full Fill up or you Will Burn out the Valves and maybe a hole in the Piston Top with a Stock Engine.use a NGK dcpr 9 eix Spark Plug. a good Free Flowing Mesh Air Filter helps as well. Do a little research and the Fuell Crunch is Affecting us all nowdays. Ride Safe.*Jimi