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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> What fuel grade ?
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Message started by Bruno666 on 05/15/09 at 05:02:03

Title: What fuel grade ?
Post by Bruno666 on 05/15/09 at 05:02:03

H.. I was just curious to know what fuel you guys use. I can´t seem to find what the Savage is built for and I would also like to hear from anyone that has done some performance mods.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by LANCER on 05/15/09 at 05:16:25

Compression ratio is the primary factor is what fuel to use, and with just 8.5:1 in the Savage engine the basic 87 octane usually works just fine. I will use the higher octane fuel on occasion if I am going to work the engine hard and keep it pretty hot, but otherwise regular works ok.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by SavageDanny on 05/15/09 at 05:26:14

I usually use the higher 92 octane gas. Mine just seems to run a little better on it. But it doesn't actually run bad on 87.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Jimmer on 05/15/09 at 06:04:51

I've found that my bike runs fine on 87, but now and then I run a tank of 89 just to see if there are any differences in performance. Have not seen any, buy makes me feel good.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by 12Bravo on 05/15/09 at 06:07:40

Each bike will probably be different on what grade it likes (depending on mods and location). My 07 ran fine on 87 and 91 with stick muffler but did not like 93. 93 octane seemed to make the engine ping and not run as good. It prefers 87 after putting on the Super Trapp. I am running 6 disks and adjusted the air/fuel mix (didn't have to rejet).

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by John_D on 05/15/09 at 06:08:33

I've only ever run 87, like the owners manual recommended. Seems to run just fine.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by bill67 on 05/15/09 at 06:22:32

Running 93 octane will give to a little less power because its like retarding the spark,It will run a little cooler because of that.The higher grade gas have more carb cleaners in them.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Gort on 05/15/09 at 06:47:44

This question has come up a number of times in the past. Some members experience pre-ignition (pinging-dieseling) during hot days in traffic or extensive idling. I've experienced this problem under those conditions, and when crossing the desert in hot weather. Living in warm CA and never knowing what conditions I will encounter, I use Chevron 91 octane premium all the time. The bike gets such good MPG and since premium is only a few cents more per gallon, it makes no sense for me to allow the bike's piston to rattle.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Duane on 05/15/09 at 06:55:13

Mine runs good on regular but seems to like mid grade the best.

2003 Savage
K&N stock replacement
Fuel mix adjusted

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Savage_Amusement on 05/15/09 at 06:58:45

I just stay away from the corn stuff, I ran that ONCE because I didn't have a choice. I didn't even finish out that tank before I put something else in it. Ran like poop.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Duane on 05/15/09 at 07:06:47

Speaking of corn stuff I love the Pepsi with sugar, makes me feel like a kid again. :o

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by SimonTuffGuy on 05/15/09 at 07:18:13

The manual says to use 87...

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by seviersavage on 05/15/09 at 07:41:15

Mine just runs better on high octane, Twice I've tried 87 but twice it's complained.
Seviersavage

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by vhfkid on 05/15/09 at 07:48:27

It like any grade with the stock setup on mine, but after changing to KN air filter, mixture screw and white spacer. It doesn't like 91 anymore, it'll run, but seems to have less git up and go. Because I can't feel a difference between 87 and 89, I run 87- leaves more $$ for beer; an essential repair tool.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by marshall13 on 05/15/09 at 10:03:56

8.5:1 compression ratio, emission spark box=87 octane(pump reg)... if you get pinging or knock with that, you need a colder plug, not higher octane.... or maybe the ol' combustion chamber needs a good decarb..... running primo in a smog motor just coats your plugs with octane booster residue(pale freckles), that increases resistance of the airgap, giving a colder spark.....

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Gort on 05/15/09 at 10:44:36

Internal cylinder temperatures vary in an air cooled engine much more than in a water cooled engine because airflow is required. These internal cyl. temps will increase to the point of pre-ignition under long idling or short stop and start conditions on hot days. It has happened to a number of members, and they have reported this, in the past. A cold plug will help that, but once you resume normal driving speeds and the engine cools to normal operating temps., the cold plug will be too cold for those conditions. Hi octane gas covers all these issues. I have used it exclusively in my Savage and the plug burns clean.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Duane on 05/15/09 at 12:52:40

1C2F2935282F5D0 wrote:

That's a idea, my head pipe is very discolored so I'm guessing my runs too hot. My right pants leg tends to get a hole burnt in it too from touching the oil filter access cover.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by JohnBoy on 05/15/09 at 14:59:20

Check the content of your gas on the pump. Here in AZ the state mandates additives in the summer blend (starting about April 15) to combat smog. My four cyl bikes ran like crap for 4-6 months a year. (until the blend changed back). Compression was above 10 for all of them.
As for corn...it better come from Kentucky or Tennessee!

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Charon on 05/15/09 at 19:41:00

Here in Nebraska we use a good deal of 10% ethanol fuel. It is said to be 89 or 90 octane, while regular non-ethanol gas is usually 87 octane. I buy whichever is less expensive. I have never been able to tell any difference in performance or mileage between the two.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by bill67 on 05/15/09 at 20:33:03

octane in Illinois and Wisconsin are 87 89 93,10 cents more as you go up per gallon.

Title: Re: What fuel grade ?
Post by Duane on 05/15/09 at 20:56:17

When it's hotter I'm going to run middle grade, otherwise regular, when the bugget allows. I never heard any spark ping. Getting around 55mpg this season so far.