BossMiles

What octane do you guys use?
I've been using 87 and am thinking about going up to premium but I hear some bikes don't like more expensive gas.

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Cold beer, hot women.

cagie

Don't. Higher octane will make it ping big time. The reason the book recommends 87 is for the higher burn rate (higher octane = lower burn rate) The Rebel doesn't have enough stroke to justify high octane fuel.

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

Medic

I've been using midgrade (89), but I think I may just go to regular. All the advice from another board seems to suggest that regular is the way to go.

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BossMiles

All right thanks.

to my gas to try and smooth out the throttle which is "jumpy" at the low end of first gear.
Has any one added it to there carbs, I'm not sure exactly how to do it and don't want to ruin anything.

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Cold beer, hot women.

cagie

kinda lost something there. Are you asking about additives to your gas to smooth out the throttle? A lot of us use SeaFoam. I use 1 oz per gallon about every fourth tank of gas or so, seems to keep the varnish and crud from building up. YMMV

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

BossMiles

Oh sorry, half of that got cut off.

I'm using seafoam in my gas now, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to use it in my carb. Should I just run it with the gas, or should I put it directly in the carb?

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Cold beer, hot women.

cagie

Just run it through the gas...

__________________
Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

Guba

Hmmmmmm, would it sound like BB's rolling around in a glass jar? When I have a lot of throttle on thats what I hear. I've been using 89 octane. I'll have to check my book, but I think it said to use 89. I've known about predetonation, but I haven't actually heard what it sounds like( ignition of fuel/air mixture as it enters the cylinder and before the spark plug fires). Of course the opposite is the backfire. Bossmiles, I only get a jumpy throttle in first when the bike isn't warmed up enough. As I was taught, motorcycles are coldblooded!

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

ASE-Tech

Confusing I know, In the owners manual it says anything 86 octane and up. Yet on the specs sticker on the airbox cover it says 91 octane is recommended. Personally I find my bike runs better with the premium in it. I guess it's just a matter of opinion really.. but mostly it should be up to the setup of the bike itself.

You could use a gas analizer, read the plugs etc etc... And it also will depend on the overall condition of the engine, AND what your using your bike for. Generally the higher octane fuel would be more reserved for higher Rpm riding, acceleration, sporty type riding, as the lower octanes for just puttin around, city, low rpm relaxed riding.

Thats just my 2 cents, but for me... its nothing absolutely lower than 89, but mostly 91.

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I know stuff, it just doesn't come out when I need it to.

93 Shadow 1100

sebi2003

I don't know. I bought mine new and they told me to use 91... so that's what I use

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2009 Honda Rebel 250