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[Tractor Bubba]

My personal opinion (only), I choose a 90 octane pure gasoline (114,000 btu/usg) over a
91 or 93 octane ethanol blend (111,500 btu/usg) due to the negative implications of the alcohol
content on the fuel system components. Particularly over the winter (storage) periods when the fuel will sit for longer in the tank, lines, injection system (or carburetor). When I'm riding multiple times per week, I'll use the ethanol blend without worry. Right now, it's the 90 pure fuel as it may take 60 +/- days or more to run a tank through.

Ethanol blends, as a result of the lower energy available per gallon (3%-5% less) will result in poorer fuel economy...in my scoot, the 90 octane pure gas gets around 2-3 mpg better than
93 octane ethanol blend - and I haven't noticed any knocking or pinging. (But then, with all the
top end "clatter" from my 110...how would I know.)

Tractor Bubba

[North Georgia Hawg]

You can't always hear knocking. If it's really bad, you can, but your engine can be knocking without you hearing it. Only the Delphi ECM ion sensing can tell you for sure if your engine is knocking if you don't hear anything.

My engine has never knocked, regardless of what gas I have run in it. I always use Premium (93 octane), regardless of the ethanol content (up to 10%... E10), and it runs fine. Every new vehicle since the early 90s can run on 10% ethanol with no problems. Now, E15 is a different kettle of fish, but the EPA has backed off on that because of the industry uproar.

I have run no-eth premium (93 octane) when I can find it, but I have no interest in tracking my MPG so precisely as to ever have noticed any difference. Those who have ridden with me can attest to my riding habits not being very compatible with optimizing MPG anyway!

And who really cares about 2 MPG, anyway? Did you buy your Harley for fuel economy? I sure didn't. If you're focusing on maximum fuel economy when you ride, you're doing it wrong!

I have a boat as well, with a Volvo Penta 5.7GXi stern drive. I never run anything but premium (93 octane) with ethanol treatment in it, and it runs fine. I would never run AvGas 110LL because it contains lead... which will fry your O2 sensors, and your cat if you still have one. And Harley engines don't need anywhere near 110 octane to be happy... so you're really wasting money there. Same with 90 octane rec fuel... I don't even use that in my boat, much less my Harley! Again, it's a waste of money. It sells for up to $1 per gallon more than Premium where I live. In a boat with a 70 gallon tank, it gets pricey for no apparent gain. A $10 bottle of Seafoam or Sta-Bil dumped in the fuel tank after each fill up cures any ethanol problem.

Just fill up with Premium, and RIDE!

Ken

[TXGator]

Just fill up with Premium, and RIDE!

Roger that Ken...  I don't ride very hard but since I had one so close just didn't know if it would help with wear and tear over the long haul.  Really appreciate the feedback from all of you and the information that is helping me get through the rookie rider issues faster.

Take care...

[Dr.D]

Those who have ridden with me can attest to my riding habits not being very compatible with optimizing MPG anyway!

And who really cares about 2 MPG, anyway? Did you buy your Harley for fuel economy? I sure didn't. If you're focusing on maximum fuel economy when you ride, you're doing it wrong!



Just fill up with Premium, and RIDE!

Ken

Roger dat amigo. The only time I ride easy and try and maximize milage is when I think I'm about to run dry and I worry about making the next two miles to the gas station.

[stealth]

On a recent trip I tried running 91 non-eth. My main objective was to see if it would run a little cooler. I did not notice a difference in mpg or heat, but under passing acceleration I did get a subtle ping, had to listen hard to hear it. Changed at the next stop back to 93 eth, no ping.

[moscooter]

 
Assuming you ride often enough that your scoot is not sitting for months on end,  the 10% blend will work OK.  However,  for your less often used items like your trimmer,  chainsaw, blower, emergency generator, boat motors, etc.   You would best be served using non-ethenol gas and adding some Stabil to boot.

Recently had to spend extra bucks on my Stihl blower as the carb was all fu**ed up due to ethenol fuel that ate up some component in there that was not designed to be exposed to that crap..........

[stealth]

On a recent trip I tried running 91 non-eth. My main objective was to see if it would run a little cooler since ethanol burns hotter. I did not notice a difference in mpg or heat, but under passing acceleration I did get a subtle ping, had to listen hard to hear it. Changed at the next stop back to 93 eth, no ping.