Premium? Unleaded? Both? Neither?

I was told by some Honda petrol guy that modern bikes don't need premium but that doesn't mean you shouldn't use it. I always use premium if it's available otherwise unleaded is fine.

The reason we use Premium is to avoid engines from pinging, ie the fuel to self detonate in the cylinder without spark due to temperature and pressure. The result is that it can damage your valves and the cylinder itself by combusting on the wrong stroke.

By using high octane fuel, they require a higher combustion temperature and thus remove this problem. I think it is very important to run all new bikes on premium as they run very high compressions (in the order of 12:1) and even HIPO Cars dont run that. Heck in cars running 9.5:1 sometimes requires use of premium.

I will add though, that you only need to run 95 octane fuel (ie standard premium) cause unless you have an oxygen sensor, 95 tto 98 wont make that much of a difference.

Also, different fuels attain their octane rating differently. Optimax is high density but the other premiums are lower and hence should work fine with carbie bikes.

Guys, dont risk it. The damage from pinging could cost you more than the extra 5 cents a litre.

..As Tanya said, our bikes are recomended to run a minimum RON, so who are we to argue. (I think it's 96 RON Tanya, gunna have to check the sticker tonight)

yep..as I said Rob....

and you may be interested in an article I saw recently.....
Shell are looking at a 96RON 'middle' ULP
to combat the BP Premium apparently .
so BP and Shell
will have a normal (93RON) ULP
a middle 96RON ULP (call it PULP??)
and a premium high (98?RON) ULP

don't you love marketers....

cheers

..As Tanya said, our bikes are recomended to run a minimum RON, so who are we to argue. (I think it's 96 RON Tanya, gunna have to check the sticker tonight)

yep..as I said Rob....

and you may be interested in an article I saw recently.....
Shell are looking at a 96RON 'middle' ULP
to combat the BP Premium apparently .
so BP and Shell
will have a normal (93RON) ULP
a middle 96RON ULP (call it PULP??)
and a premium high (98?RON) ULP

don't you love marketers....

cheers

Should find the sticker saying 95 octane.

they increasing Regular to 93?


Way it is now:
Regular 91
Premium (Vortex, BP Premium) 95
High Premium (Votex 98, optimax, ultmaite, synergy 8000) 98

We are lucky in australia, some countries regular is 88 and first step premium is 93.

Last edited by kypez on Fri May 06, 2005 11:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

My ex ZZR 1200 (carb) ran on 91+ Octane-RON, the ZX12R (FI) runs on 95+ Octane-RON which is harder to find than 98 Octane-RON. All to do with the higher compression in the combustion chamber I believe.
Anyway I will use BP, Caltex, Mobile, and Shell prem not optimax. Remember some of the other all named service stations buy from Shell so beware of what you are pumping in, I usually ask if Iam not sure.

Optimax is better explained at Misc Guides & FAQ’s found on the main page of this site under "Tech help & files".

HTH

Not me mate. I run mine on Premium all the time. Will use mainly Mobil or caltex, but won't push my bike past a BP or Shell either.
As Tanya said, our bikes are recomended to run a minimum RON, so who are we to argue. (I think it's 96 RON Tanya, gunna have to check the sticker tonight) Wouldn't be the first time i've been wrong though

Pretty close I went and checked, it's 95

Mine bike runs well on all the premium unleaded brands including Optimax.
Never had a problem



mario

I use any premium unleaded fuel, but not Optimax.

they increasing Regular to 93?
.

from what I have read..this is so...
the new fuel rules from July 1..lower Sulphur, lower SO² etc
mean the current rating comes up a few points
(fuel has to be better refined to achieve the new govt regs)
and
is the reason Caltex is spending $400mill+ upgrading their refineries

cheers

from what I have read..this is so...
the new fuel rules from July 1..lower Sulphur, lower SO² etc
mean the current rating comes up a few points
(fuel has to be better refined to achieve the new govt regs)
and
is the reason Caltex is spending $400mill+ upgrading their refineries

cheers

Nice. But they should be careful as engines designed to run on 91 octane might need valve protection with the extra "energy" produced by the high octane fuel.

Also, I wish we got 100 octane like some in america. That would let us bump the compression even higher without messing the heads too much!!

Also, I wish we got 100 octane like some in america. That would let us bump the compression even higher without messing the heads too much!!

ever heard of BP100???
available to those with a CAMS licence (who will also give you a list of Oz distributors)


cheers

ever heard of BP100???
available to those with a CAMS licence (who will also give you a list of Oz distributors)
cheers

Yeah... same as 110 Avgas. But you cant just rack up to the bowser and fill er up...

mobil 8000.

cant go wrong.

ever heard of BP100???
available to those with a CAMS licence (who will also give you a list of Oz distributors)
cheers

Yeah... same as 110 Avgas. But you cant just rack up to the bowser and fill er up...

A place in adelaide has bp100 no need for a CAMS.
OG SPeed shop for thoose interested.

But i thought it was a lead based fuel?

Could be wrong...

Yeah... same as 110 Avgas. But you cant just rack up to the bowser and fill er up...

not any more you can't
which is a bloody shame.....!

I used to own a ummmmm....highly modified Torana
and I would rock up to Moorabbin airport
to the fuel terminal with the planes and get 110AvGas
(leaded of course back in the 80's)
and from memory about 35c a litre
but it still cost me $50 to fill it (it had a 38 gallon drop tank)

was it worth it...??
that Torana with a tank of Avgas regularly ran low 12s @120mph at Calder
on street tyres with street 'zorst
FUN!

and there is nothing quite like the smell of a vehicle on Avgas
one of those smells (like Castrol R) you never forget


cheers

A matilda servo on Bald Hills Flats (those of you from Brisvegas may know it) used to have a bowser off by itself that sold Avgas. Mmmmm...Avgas.