I have 2 friends that swear that there M8 engines run better and cooler on regular gasoline, although HD says use premium. They say the ECM will compensate for the regular gasoline. Has anyone heard of this?
Gasoline
- Thread starter Aquaholictom
- Start date
I always use 93 even though Harley recommends 91.....Sure the EMC will to some extent compensate...IE; Detune the engines spark advance...But i'm willing to bet their reason is 87 is cheaper then 91/93...Octane...
Jack Klarich
Gold Member
The M8 engines have spark knock sensors to deal with the knock to pull spark and timing away from the engine. You can use a lower octane gas tho I would not make a habit of it. Instead I would run a NO alcohol gas for a better burn. Less alcohol = more complete burn
The MOCO designed the engine to run on at least 91 octane due to the compression ratio & the way it's tuned.
It's kind of silly, to me, to spend that much on a vehicle & then try to save $2.50 at each fill up.
It's kind of silly, to me, to spend that much on a vehicle & then try to save $2.50 at each fill up.
That is like someone paying $450.00 for new boots, then buying tube socks at the Dollar Store to wear with them.
I ran 87 octane in all my Harleys(Vettes too) for over 30 years and never had a fuel related problem...ever. Why give our enemies more money then we have too?
I have NEVER heard of any Harley engine being destroyed by using regular gas.
Now some are saying we have to use "Top Tier" gas. When will this nonsense stop?
It's almost as bad as the "which oil" to use.
It's you bike - run whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
I have NEVER heard of any Harley engine being destroyed by using regular gas.
Now some are saying we have to use "Top Tier" gas. When will this nonsense stop?
It's almost as bad as the "which oil" to use.
It's you bike - run whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
What's wrong with tube socks??? I've been wearing them for almost 70 years.
BTW - who the hells pays $450 for boots?
Trampas
1000+ Posts
Trying to find a gas station that doesn't have alcohol in it is pretty slim around here, most have it, some don't. As far as the 91 octane and above is very slim also and the ones that do have it also have alcohol in it, my station that I went to all the time for 91 started using alcohol and I complained, they said if it doesn't sell well, they will drop the alcohol, must be selling ok since it has been 2 years. I have a few around here that has 91 and no alcohol so that is where I get it now. I know you can use alcohol in the bikes but I personally will not unless I really have to, so far I haven't run into it. I use to have to drive around 15 miles to a gas station that had no alcohol in their 91 octane, now I don't have to they built a gas station that has 91 and no alcohol and only 5 miles from me and that works out great, real real close to interstate since I don't care for the local streets here, highway and interstates are better but could be improved for sure.
All for now Trampas
ctdair
150+ Posts
My 2 cents worth on knock sensing and engine operation. Once a "knock" is detected the timing is altered incrementally until "knock" no longer detected but then timing is incremented back until "knock" detected and cycle repeats again. To the best of my knowledge the timing does not stay at a fixed value once "knock" has disappeared, it constanly responds to any given variable it has been progammed to respond to. So if non premium gas does induce a "knock" the programming will compensate but I would prefer that it not have to constantly "hunt" for the optimum timing value.
ctdair
150+ Posts
Once you've worn a good pair of White's boots with Archease. And a good pair of Smartwool socks. You'll never wear cheap shoes or socks again. So I spend $450 and more on boots. and $25 a pair for socks
https://whitesboots.com/foreman/safety/roughneck/
DK Custom Products
Sponsor
I know with the old (pre-M8) Ion sensing knock control, when I ran (because there was nothing else around) 87 octane, I would still get some pre-ignition knock. The Ion sensing can only do so much/retard the timing a certain amount.
I even tried ethanol free 87 octane, without good results.
I have not tried it on my 2019 TG that has a more advance knock control program.
For those looking for pure gas (no ethanol) take a look at this website, it may help you find some near you.
https://www.pure-gas.org/
Kevin
Last edited:
Jack Klarich
Gold Member
My M8 likes the NO alcohol gas
It runs about 15* cooler per the power vision ET reading, it appears to make the same power, I have never had any lag in the throttle or spark knock that I can hear
Jack Klarich
Gold Member
The M8 is a higher compression higher pressure running engine that needs higher octane fuel. The knock sensors not only detect engine knock and detonation but help to keep the engine running cooler than Ion sensing engines like the Twin Cam, and the knock sensors can react faster than the Ion sensing system.
A few places in my area have alcohol free in premium gas. There's lots of boaters here that demand it.
DK Custom Products
Sponsor
My M8 likes the NO alcohol gas
What is the octane of the alcohol free gas that your running?
Kevin
I don't know what it is in Florida where Jack is located ....But where i get it in PA [I only used it in Chainsaws/Mowers/String trimers and leaf blowers] Its 91 octane..
Jack Klarich
Gold Member
Interesting Jack, at our Shell station, they carry 90 no ethanol which is what I've used for the last 5 years.
Jack Klarich
Gold Member
We have a local chain Gate gas stations that have ethanol free also
Fearless
Gone But Not Forgotten
I run 93 and treat with gold eagle 360 stabl performance kinda pain in the A$$ but it works doesn't matter where we need fuel we can fill up instead of looking for non ethanol. Fred
Ps. Ethanol here is 90 just to rare to bother with.
Ps. Ethanol here is 90 just to rare to bother with.
I bet someone that paid $1000 for their boots and $50 for their socks wonder why you wear cheap boots/socks.
I've only owned 3 pairs of boot in my 60 years of riding. First pair were ordinary engineer boots, second pair were a pair of H-D harness boots and my last pair were $185 H-D boots on sale for $85. Been wearing them for the last 20 years. Don't know how $450 boots could possibly fit any better. As for socks, I agree. I wear tube socks for around town riding, but for my long distance rides, I wear much better motorcycle (L/R) specific socks.
I bet someone that paid $1000 for their boots and $50 for their socks wonder why you wear cheap boots/socks.
I've only owned 3 pairs of boot in my 60 years of riding. First pair were ordinary engineer boots, second pair were a pair of H-D harness boots and my last pair were $185 H-D boots on sale for $85. Been wearing them for the last 20 years. Don't know how $450 boots could possibly fit any better. As for socks, I agree. I wear tube socks for around town riding, but for my long distance rides, I wear much better motorcycle (L/R) specific socks.
When they are constructed for your foot they sure will fit better. I'd pay even more if necessary. I have one mangle ankle and one good. I cannot get one foot into boots because of that. But I have a special pair that I can with it's extra large ankle area and a big zipper in the back so I basically just slide my foot into the boot. $450 is cheap if the boots fit and work for you and just reading about those White's boots it sounds like they can make minor size changes between your feet. And most people don't have the same size foot on both, there are differences. But if you can wear off the shelf boots, go for it. I can't so I'm stuck.
BTW, I run 89 octane on my Indian. But I do have a tuner device and had the tune compensate for the lower octane. Works great and I've never heard it knock but I know the computer is changing things all the time. I do reload the tune about twice a year as I was told that rests everything. Don't know if y'all can do the same or not with your Harleys.
Of course special needs factor into the comfortability of an off the shelf boot, but like I said I don't know how a $450(or any price) boot can be more comfortable then my $85 boots - I am completely comfortable with mine so why should I spend more than I need to??? Doesn't make any sense. Now, if I WAS uncomfortable, you would be right. I agree 100% with you on the socks. Like I said, I have good dedicated motorcycle socks that are L/R specific.
- Thread starter
- #25
Ill continue to run high test. Thanks for the help and the advice on tube socks
Boots vs gasoline ??? OK I give...
I think the connection is pretty obvious. People love to spend a fortune on something and then cheap out on the stuff that makes it go. So if your motor blows up because of improper fuel, or stops goin because you're out of fuel. Well a good pair of boots will come in handy.:laugh:
It's all perception .....If you think you can out think the engineers....Then it works...
..
Welcome to the Trike Talk Community
Join our vibrant online community dedicated to all things Trikes! Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, this is the place to share experiences, tips, and stories about your three-wheeled adventures. Explore modifications, maintenance advice, and rides, all while connecting with fellow trike enthusiasts from around the globe
Forum statistics
Share this page
