87 or 91 ???

[RedNigel]

What octane is everyone running in their NT????

Im not sure I needed to but Ive been running premium for 3500 miles. Will switching back to Reg hurt anything?

 

[Rich]

I've used nothing but regular in the 10,000 miles I've put on it. At higher elevations, this is usually 85 octane. No problems at all.

 

[vacanefan]

Regular. There is no benefit to running higher octane in the NT.

 

[Phil Tarman]

Nigel, there is actually a double-negative cost to running the higher octane fuel. 1) it obviously costs more -- about 10 cents a gallon here in Colorado; and 2) it actually has less enegy per gallon.

The only reason for higher octane is to provide more anti-knock protection and with the relatively low compression ratio of the NT, you don't need anything more than you'll get from the 87-octane you can buy most place (or, as Rich said, the 85-octane you start finding when you pass about 4,000 foot elevations.

 

[RedLdr1]

Regular Grade with no issues.... As others have said there is no benefit of running higher grade fuel in the NT.

 

[Herb]

I also run only 87 here on East Coast. On my trip this summer, I freaked a bit when I got into the mountains and found 85 octane, but not too much. Filled it up and got the best mileage ever. Someone explained the connection between octane and altitude at Spearfish but can't remember.

 

[Warren]

One of the many benefits of the NT is that you can burn 87 in it. Using a higher octane will be of no help and is a waste of money.

 

[tawilke46]

Regular 87 octane. Used regular for a year now, and no problems.

 

[RedNigel]

I only used premium out of habit, as the CBR250R I was riding prior required Premium. I didnt even look at the owner's manual. I will make the switch on my next fillup.
hooray for cheaper gas

 

[Desert Dan]

Regular never an issue.

 

[vzshadow]

87 and only 87 octane.

 

[ARKNT]

I use 87 with no problems.
One advantage around here for the higher octanes is there are stations where the higher octane fuel is pure gas with no alcohol. I still just use 87.

Brad

 

[Rich]

Slightly lower octane is acceptable at higher altitudes for non-turbocharged engines because the lower density air results in lower combustion chamber pressures just prior to ignition, which means pre-ignition margins are preserved.

The higher gas mileage at altitude for FI engines is fully expected. We pilots know that the main reason is the thinner air results in considerably less aerodynamic drag. It does reduce your maximum available power considerably, but you don't need that max power for cruising along at normal highway speeds.

 

[gcantella]

This works for motorcycles as well as cars: unless the owners manual says "required", you're all set with the 87. Often you'll see "recommended." Recommended means just that, not "required." I wasted a lot of money putting 93 in my Mini. Then, as I was browsing through the owners manual, I noticed the word "recommended" next to 91/93. I immediately switched to 87 and have noticed no difference in performance/mileage. You will notice no difference in performance/mileage on your NT. You will, however, notice that you have more money for snacking.

 

[Phil Tarman]

85 works good at 4330' ASL. That's what we buy when we buy Regular.

 

[tawilke46]

I noticed the octane difference in regular between here in Louisiana and States at higher elevation. In many western states, regular was 85 octane, intermediate grade was 87 octane. No difference in how my CRV drove. Averaged 30.5 mpg for the whole 5,300 mile trip.......not bad for a small SUV.