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Originally Posted by Ed Cregger
I would run lower octane fuel ONLY if there is no indication of difficulty. High octane fuel is safe to run. Carbon deposits are removable, requiring only man-hours and new gaskets.
A lower octane fuel that is causing problems will shorten the life of your engine. Carbon deposits will not. Damage from too low of an low octane fuel can require a rebuild, or a new engine. I would rather err on the safe side if I did not trust my ability to detect signs of preignition/detonation.
Ask a motorcycle mechanic that you trust for their opinion. Show up with a little low octane fuel in your tank and have them give you their diagnosis, if you do not trust yourself to make the proper diagnosis.
Going with the owners manual's recommendations is by far the safest path. Since they made the engines, they should know what is good for them.
Frankly, in many cases, the savings in running low octane fuel is lost by the fact that a fair percentage of low octane fuel is not gasoline. It is additives that do not contribute that much power per gallon. Many times, higher octane fuel contains less additives and makes more power per gallon, not counting the effects of the higher octane. At least this is how it was explained to me by a petroleum engineer. I'm not an expert in this field.
Dual spark plug equipped (per cylinder) bikes should have zero problem burning higher octane gas. But, this is theoretical, just like the carbon build-up scenario in 800 engines.
There IS a difference in this regard with two-stroke engines, but that is not what we are talking about - is it? Nope.
If you disagree with me, let's please talk about it. That is what forums are for.
Ed Cregger
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V.R.O.C. #17052
AMA #73846
A.R.S. NM2K
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Vulcan 800 Classic, 2005
Honda CB-360, 1974
Yamaha YR-1, 1968
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If you are running premium in the 800, you are asking for trouble. The 800 uses regular gas, premium will carbon up the rear jug and could cause piston, valve damage. Go to the Wolf and read up.
http://www.angelfire.com/ak5/russwolf/ Also check with the 800 owners on VROC.
www.vroc.org.