I'm just wondering why some people will only use 91 or higher octane with 8.5:1 compression ratio? I have used both in my LS650 & have not noticed any pinging. Just wondering what Suzuki recommends?

Thank you for confirming.

twelveport wrote on 04/19/14 at 13:08:14:


People do this because they don't know the facts.....that they are wasting money.

Stock piston.....use regular.

Wiseco......use premium.

Wiseco ups the compression... with a domed top I believe...

You guys have confirmed just what I was thinking. There are a lot of HD's out there and all of those guys burn 91 or better. So I guess there is just a lot of uninformed riders. Does anybody know the compression ratio for HD's? You would be surprised at the number of guys who think higher octane fuel makes more power. But we don't want to go there today.

Every Harley I've ever ridden, even the 1920 Sport Twin, sounded like a washing machine full of rocks if you used regular gas in it.

A Savage would happily burn 85 octane.

All 4 of my Indians over the years were designed to run on 60 something octane garbage gas. Very anemic compression ratios. My 1949 Dodge 218 L6 will run on stale gas, it might have 6.5 or 7:1 compression.

My 98 Savage was happiest with low octane modern garbage gas and a splash of ATF or 2 stroke oil every couple tanks. A lot quieter than with plain modern gas.

Accidentally fueled the 03 Savage with 89 the other night, ran like crap. Filled it with 87 today and it ran fine.

If you can find it locally, run pure gas, no alcohol. The difference in how the engine sounds is incredible. As is the fuel economy boost.

I'm not sure if anybody is "ignoring" what the owners manuals says. Most of the time when you buy a used bike it does not come with a owners manual so we have to rely on our own judgement or the opinions of others. That is why we come to this web site. Thankfully we have those who have checked into this before or have a owners manual.

I agree!