Some gas is worse than others!

[barry5k]

You probably already found this out.
I find Shell to not work as well as other gas - maybe because they use up to 10% ethanol. I'm not sure that the other brands here in California do the same, but I find that I get the best mileage (a few MPG more) with 76 and Chevron. I don't know why, but it is interesting. Arco and Valero and just kind of neutral. So I am saying certain brands make my bike run better and smoother, with slightly better mpg.

Do you notice a difference and do you have a favorite? I'm not talking about using different grades of gas, just brands. Speaking of gas grades, here in CA:

Regular = 87 octane
Midgrade = 89 octane
Premium = 91 octane

[jbsmd]

Usually use Valero in the bikes (cheapest next to Arco) but I get the best mileage in the car with Chevron. I've never had luck with Shell. I do only use premium, but I have wondered if I could drop a couple octane.

[RichLockyer]

Everything in CA is up to 10% ethanol.
It replaced MTBE as an oxygenate when they discovered that MTBE was poisoning the groundwater.

The exact percentage of ethanol in CA gas will vary from county to county and even from city to city (which is one reason prices vary so much from city to city), but in areas with more pollution problems, it will be 10%.

[soc_monki]

we now have 10% ethanol in Mississippi. i dont really notice a difference in my car, and havent used anything else in my bike so i cant comment there.

however i have no problem with Shell gas...Exxon, Shell, or Chevron all work fine for me. however Texaco sucks! and i dont usually touch the bargain gas around here so i cant comment on that. not sure about BP either.

we dont have the other fancy stations...stupid MS! LOL

[Justin-]

funny, the only company I can recall right now bragging about their quality of gas is shell...

[OKC_Kent]

In Oklahoma City, Shell is straight gas, and also Valero. My old 650 loves the Shell 87 octane. I've been looking for stations that sell straight gas, after hearing the ethanol fuel can damage the vintage stuff I ride.

[sbg8r]

Valero I heard is owned by Chavez....not a big supporter of him...just my opinion...

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by OKC_Kent

In Oklahoma City, Shell is straight gas, and also Valero. My old 650 loves the Shell 87 octane. I've been looking for stations that sell straight gas, after hearing the ethanol fuel can damage the vintage stuff I ride.

The KZ750 runs like garbage on anything but straight 87 octane. I'm wondering what will happen if they mandate ethanol.

[Ole Yeller]

I once had a 94 kaw police bike that would only run good with Chevron supreme. It was crazy. I took to carrying around a bottle of Techron and octane booster in my bags in case I had to fill up with another brand.
I still use it in my current bike.

[slaponte]

I always try to use Chevron for the cars and the bike. Mostly because of Techron. It IS one of the best add-ons to clean and keep clean your FI.

[07Ninja250]

I totally agree. I've cleaned many fuel injectors with Techron, so I'm hoping it's keeping my carb clean as well. It also helps that the Chevron is the closest station to my house.

[Jaysin]

Ive been using mostly shell or BP and so far havent had any problems with either. Pretty sure they are both also 10% ethanol.

[soc_monki]

as an aside, i filled up with BP this morning. i dont think i like it...my exhaust smells kinda funny now bike runs great but its like what happened with Texaco when i filled my car there once. funny smelling exhaust.

no likey...me go back to normal Exxon, Shell, or Chevron.

[CTRider]

I usually fill up at the Citgo station on the way home from work. However, when I have points to burn at the grocery store, I get gas at their station - no idea what kind. I haven't had an issue with either.

I do Hess when I'm out my parent's way just because those guys are all over the place there and usually the cheapest. Again, no issues.

At one point, my truck ran really noisy after a Hess fill up. Turns out, it was just a coincidence. The corroded EGR exhaust valve broke right when I fired up the engine. At first, I thought it was bad gas, but it turned out to be a mechanical part that finally reached the end of its life.

[capncalyx]

ive been told to only use Shell, Sunoco and BP around my parts.

[hbgregg]

also a believer in Techron. have used Chevron premium in the '01 MX-5 (10:1 compression) with every fill since new. still runs like new. lower octane nets lower mpg. same for the Mean Streak.

[Freakinout]

There is one chevron station here that sells 93, everybody else is 90/91 at best. My car needs 91 minimum, even though my TL doesn't quite need that good of stuff. Lots of 10% ethanol between here and NM a couple of weeks back, my car got a lot worse mileage (24 going out - uphill into head wind) (22 coming back, downhill with tail wind.)

Yeah, craptastic

[fitbmxseries1]

I found that some gas stations gas just suck ! I always go to the Kwik Trip gas station by my house, but the other day i went to one on the otherside of town, after i filled up the bike ran like complete crap! i even had trouble starting the bike. I guessed it was bad gas so i ran the tank empty and filled up at the usual station and all the problems were gone almost instantly! It would be nice if i could find a station that sold 93 around here.

[Guitarosaur]

Originally Posted by OKC_Kent

In Oklahoma City, Shell is straight gas, and also Valero. My old 650 loves the Shell 87 octane. I've been looking for stations that sell straight gas, after hearing the ethanol fuel can damage the vintage stuff I ride.

As of this summer, all gasoline sold in the US is 10% ethanol. Haven't you noticed the accompanying precipitous decline in fuel prices?

Thanks for posting this thread- I operated a gas station for years and the wisdom I gained then is mostly out the door now. Here in VA I've found BP (formerly Amoco), which was once the best around, especially in their 93 octane "white gas" flavor, has gotten crappy. My truck pings when I use it, and my mower chokes on the stuff. Citgo, which used to be crapoline, is excellent fuel these days: the same vehicle that pings with 93 octane BP does purrs like a (large, hairy-chested) kitten on 87 octane Citgo. Exxon is crap around here too, as is pretty much everything you get at convenience stores like Sheetz, RaceTrac, and Stop-In.