I just had a question. It might be dumb, but here goes. We all know what octane boost does to cars. Does it have the same affect on motorcycles? Is there such thing for bikes? And is it even good to use on bikes? This just something I've been wondering for awhile. So I know someone here would have an answer. Thanks for your time everyone...........

 

Not a dumb question at all. I have thought of it myself. It seems like it should give the bike a little boost, but damn if i will be the first to try it HOPEFULLY we have some good tech people in here or someone who uses it.

 

I once read an article on octanes of gas in a tuner magazine and octane is a measurement that most people have misconceptions about (myself included, until I read that) The octane rating on the pump is actually telling you how the gas reacts to heat and pressure. When 87 octane is put into a high compression engine at normal operating temperature you will get pre-detonation (the gas starts to explode at TDC just before the plug fires) which is bad. The higher the octane, the more resistant to pre-detonation and the better your spark will ignite the mixture. Octane booster will take 87 pump gas and turn it into 89 or 90 octane roughly. The reason you "feel" a boost is you are limiting the pre-detonation of the lower octane you usually run. If you switched to the highest at the pumps, you would feel that same boost after a bit of riding/driving. Now those HP boosters, those are different beasts altogether. Hope this helps some.

 

thanks. it does help me understand the whole octane thing. So if we use the octane boost on the bikes it won't hurt the bike at all. I think that's what your saying. Right?[&:]

 

Yes. All your doing is increasing the resistance to exploding under heated pressure. When your plug fires, its after the piston has started a downward movement. If the gas starts to explode due to the built up heat in the cylinder and the pressure created at top dead center (aka: pre-detonation), the piston isnt going to have the same amount of force as when the explosion starts after the piston has started to travel downward. so by increasing the octane, you increase the resistance to pre-detonation and the motor will run smoother and have a better power delivery. Also, in higher performance engines (mostly those with higher compression ratios) you have to run higher octane as engine damage MAY result. Notice I say may, it's not a definite thing, but I wouldn't want to take the chance. Now like I said earlier, the horsepower boosters (ie: outlaw, 0-60, etc) These, as far as I know, *which isn't very far* are not octane boosters and have the chance to burn up a piston if over used (at least thats what Ive heard) I ran it in my Yamaha Blaster once every month or two and never had a problem, but you never know. Basically, the octane boosters are good once in a while, but if you notice a lack in power with 87 or 89 without the booster then you add it and notice a big difference in sound and performance, then you should probably jump up to 91 at the pump.

 

thanks for the info. that really clears things up. see i knew someone had an answer. right on brother.

 

pre detonation is only an issue in your higher compression engines though. for instance, my old car is runnning mid 12s on 87 octane, because the compression is somewhere around 8.7:1. If i put higher octane fuel in it, its just a waste.

but with engines like my dads bimmer, which is stock high compression, plus the performance ECU, it requires hi-test.

in my daily driver, which is an almost 10:1 engine, it states that hi-test is best, but when i run it, i do dump a little outlaw in the tank, and its helps a bit.

 

also as far as different octanes of gas go, I hear that the higher octanes have more additives and detergents. this helps keep injectors cleanand valves from getting deposits and such.

 

[Deleted by Admins]

 

why would i want to touch a honda??????????????? you freaken cry baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well maybe you should go over to the ama supersport honda guys and give them some of your octane boost. cause the last time i checked it was a kawi leading in points. oh and while your at it. check in with the superbikes guys too. honda's not doing that good there either..... [sm=icon_rofl.gif][sm=icon_rofl.gif]