Gasoline Choice?

[mcmd]

Just curious, what's your gas of choice for the CT 125? Regular or hi-test and why? Obviously, there's very little cost differential in the two choices for the small capacity tank. Just thought it would be interesting to see what everyone is using and their reasoning.

 

[oldskool]

Whatever doesn't have ethanol, rec 90.

 

[dmonkey]

From the owner's manual:

Recommended fuel octane number:
Pump Octane Number (PON) 86 or higher.

In the high elevation of Colorado 87 octane is mid-grade, that's what I run in the CT125. Regular is 85 octane and not recommended in fuel injected vehicles that target a specific air-fuel ratio. More importantly I try to fill up at higher traffic gas stations with name brands on them. Gas stations in the boonies with poorly maintained tanks in the ground are a common culprit of bad gas and high water content. I'll buy ethanol-free when it's available, but Honda OK'd the bike for up to 10% ethanol (also in the owner's manual) so I wouldn't be afraid of it unless you're going to to park the bike for a few months. If you're filling up from a pump that doesn't have an individual hose for each octane, the hose usually still has some fuel from the previous purchase in it, so you're getting some of that rather than what you're intending to buy. In a larger fuel tank that's not significant since the volume of fuel dilutes it, but if you're getting 0.3 gal of the previous purchase that is significant on a ~1.14 gallon fill up, which would be around what it takes to fill up from 1 bar flashing on the fuel gauge.

The engine doesn't make any more power on higher octane, it can actually perform worse with too high octane of fuel due to a slower burn and heat soak.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Regular around here is 87. I usually try to use Costco gas, because the fuel cycles frequently, their pumps are slower than the other gas stations (easier to prevent overfill spills) and they don't have the vapor lock that I usually have to pull back.

 

[DJ427]

There's a Buc-ee's Truck Stop (the Disneyland of fillin' stations) in Denton TX that sells ethanol free gasoline, and a whole lot of other things

 

[mcmd]

From the owner's manual:

In the high elevation of Colorado 87 octane is mid-grade, that's what I run in the CT125. Regular is 85 octane and not recommended in fuel injected vehicles that target a specific air-fuel ratio. More importantly I try to fill up at higher traffic gas stations with name brands on them. Gas stations in the boonies with poorly maintained tanks in the ground are a common culprit of bad gas and high water content. I'll buy ethanol-free when it's available, but Honda OK'd the bike for up to 10% ethanol (also in the owner's manual) so I wouldn't be afraid of it unless you're going to to park the bike for a few months. If you're filling up from a pump that doesn't have an individual hose for each octane, the hose usually still has some fuel from the previous purchase in it, so you're getting some of that rather than what you're intending to buy. In a larger fuel tank that's not significant since the volume of fuel dilutes it, but if you're getting 0.3 gal of the previous purchase that is significant on a ~1.14 gallon fill up, which would be around what it takes to fill up from 1 bar flashing on the fuel gauge.

The engine doesn't make any more power on higher octane, it can actually perform worse with too high octane of fuel due to a slower burn and heat soak.

I've been told not to fill up when you see the tanker truck filling the station's underground tanks. Apparently, as the tankers offload the gas it stirs up sediment in the station's tanks which can make it's way into the customers vehicle tanks. The pump hoses do have filters, so not sure if sediment makes it's way through or not. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Cubtestdummy]

I've been told not to fill up when you see the tanker truck filling the station's underground tanks. Apparently, as the tankers offload the gas it stirs up sediment in the station's tanks which can make it's way into the customers vehicle tanks. The pump hoses do have filters, so not sure if sediment makes it's way through or not. Any thoughts

 

[m in sc]

ethanol is fine, i run everything i own on it, have never had an issue. ever. that includes my 61 & 55 year old cars and all my vintage bikes plus the new ones. I usually run 93 except in the ford edge, that gets 87.

 

[Cubtestdummy]

Regular in the UK (also called Premium) is the standard fuel and has a RON 95 rating. Super unleaded is rated at RON 97/98. So although the standard fuel is adequate I was taught that an engine with compression ratios of 10:1 or over will potentially make the engine run a little smoother and eliminate the chances of knocking. That said, I was taught this many years ago and that may have changed now.
I run the Cub on super and will do the same with the CTs. For what it costs to fill up (£3.15 / $3.78 last tank full) I'll not worry about it breaking the bank.

Regarding the filling station tanks I can see the logic in not filling up until the tanks settle. If sediment does get stirred up it'll be tiny particles that could get through any filters in the pumps as I can't believe that the filters will be that fine, otherwise it would potentially take hours to fill up. And if anything is going to block injection nozzles I'd think it's going to be the small stuff.

 

[m in sc]

the octane rating in the uk is measured differently than in the us, just fyi. common topic in the vintage groups. you can run up to 11:1 c/r on pump 91 (us fuels).

American vs European fuels – Octane rating – eTuners

www.etuners.gr

 

[oldskool]

Another factor that plays a long term role is the quality of the fuels. Contrary to what many believe cheap gas is different from the top tier offerings. The additive packages are different. You are not saving money in the long run by buying cheap %%$%^. Your injectors will get dirty and carbon will build up in the combustion chamber. As the ol man used to say don't be a penny wise but dollar foolish. Filling up at Bobs fuel shed if need be when you have little choice should be OK, you never know though if they maintain a clean storage and filter system at some of those out of the way fuel shacks, but it is best to make a habit of using the best fuel you can.

 

[m in sc]

^ exactly.

 

[Msfitoy]

With 130mpg capability...I don't see why not to use premium all the time...

 

[m in sc]

even on vehicles i get in the high teens with i run premium. Its jus tbetter quality fuel and the main reason is lack of deposit , its better fuel for that, not performance.

about a year and a half ago, we were out in nevada driving a just crap rental car over to salt lake city from vegas, and ran into the 85 octane fuel, we were in a ford ecosport (the ecoshart) what a terrible car. anyway, after i went out and thrashed it on the salt flats, we put some of that 85 octane fuel in it. we were averaging 75-80 mph and no matter what fuel we put in that turd, it got 24-25 mpg.

 

[Cubtestdummy]

the octane rating in the uk is measured differently than in the us, just fyi. common topic in the vintage groups. you can run up to 11:1 c/r on pump 91 (us fuels).

American vs European fuels – Octane rating – eTuners

www.etuners.gr

Nothing is ever bloody simple.
Two countries divided by a single language, octane ratings, weights and measures, etc, etc, etc...

 

[m in sc]

man, we can't even spell tyre correctly. One of my best friends is British, was a fabricator for Williams F1 before he moved here, he has schooled me on quite a few terms in the garage.

 

[tundra8970]

I use the octane recommended in the owners manual (87). However I try to use tier 1 fuel because of the additives.

 

[Rackbid]

The Walmarts/Murphy USAs around me (west of Fort Worth, TX) have ethanol-free 87 at the pumps in its own, separate hose/pump. The price is usually about ~$0.30~$0.40 higher than regular 87. I usually buy 10 gallons or more at a time in portable cans, and use it for all my small engines and boat (75hp 2 stroke Yamaha). It all appears to be high volume sales including the ethanol free stuff - rarely any empty pumps. I add Seafoam in the can every time when I buy it - so I guess that is my additive package. I don't know if what I'm doing is the best regimen, but I am having good results. 20+ year old string trimmer, blower or chainsaw that may have been sitting for 6+ months will still start right up. I use so little fuel in the Trail, it was easy to add to this routine. I wouldn't mind using the ethanol blends if I know I will use it quickly, but for anything that may sit for a couple of months gets the ethanol-free from the cans.

 

[Cpd419]

I have no ethanol available that is all I’ve used so far. If I go on a trip I fill up and fill up my auxiliary can.

 

[phiberoptick]

I was curious about this topic as well. I have found a website with stations that have ethanol free gas for the states, they also have an app for phones. Pure-Gas.org