I have heard that the NT will run on almost anything 85 an above. But what do you use and why?
What octane fuel do you run and why?
- Thread starter savantelite
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I use regular, always. That's 87 octane around here. At higher elevations (CO, UT, etc.) it's often 85 octane. There's no evidence of knocking and regular is what's called for by Honda.
I run 87 and up because the owner's manual says so...I think?
I know it doesn't need premium
I know it doesn't need premium
The NT runs fine on Regular 87 octane gas... Using a higher octane does not do anything but cost you more....
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Kinda wish I could get away from the corn gas but not sure where to get it here on the Western Slope, if I can get it at all. At some point someonre posted a link to a site that showed all the stations that sold REAL gas here at NT owners.org. I run the cheap gas in my NT with no ill effects, my 125 horse Merc 2 stroke outboard actually runs better on 87 octane than 91, and my GPz turbo needs higher octane as Kawasaki calls for it and when it was built there was no ethanol, so can be problematic without high octane.
Bear
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87 Octane with Star-Tron addative. We don't have ethanol free gas here, so we are stuck with ethanol.
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Tell me more about Star Tron please. Is that an octane booster somthing to reduce the bad effects of ethanol? I have never heard of it.
yes, it counters the effects of ethanol. it's a fuel additive. you can get it at home depot, etc.
Bear
2
I got turned on to Star-Tron by an independent MC shop specializing in Sport Bike performace--for example he set my friend's Ninja 250 up for the track and got 32HP out of it. He uses the stuff in all his gas engines. I have ceased having problems with my 2 stroke 3HP outboard for our dinghy since I started using it--ditto, chain saws, weed whacker, lawn mower, and snow thrower. I use the super concentrated variety which uses a capful per fillup for the bike.
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Thanks for the info on Star-Tron, I am going to find some for my bikes and other gas drinkers. That might be exactly what my old Turbo needs! I too have a 3 HP outboard for my canoe, a 1964 Evinrude 2 cylinder 2 stroke, still runs and looks great!
jackgermain
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I use 91 Octane (super). For whatever reason my bike does not like the 89 Octane or below. Talked to the dealership here and they said run ONLY super in it.
I am a firm believer in fuel brand over octane rating. I run the lowest octane rating suggested for all vehicles. I only use "regular" gas in the NT. I also only use Shell or BP regular in all my gas engines. The additives in these brands do make a difference in fuel economy and performance, in my opinion. I avoid unbranded fuels at all costs. It is a little harder to do on a bike as the mileage varies so much by tank and riding conditions, but I challenge you in a car or truck to: Run one full tank full of unbranded regular gas (no additives, etc) and record your mileage and performance. Then do the same with a tank full of Shell or BP fuel. Even if there is a cost differential per gallon between the unbranded fuel and the branded fuel, I am certain you will find that the cost per mile is less with the better fuel. By the way, I have been in the fuel industry for nearly 20 years and do not work for Shell or BP, nor do I profit in any way from suggesting the use of any brand of fuel. This is just my observation and findings that have proven true for me over the years.
Gasahol, as it is called in Iowa, was sold here in the early 80's. LONG before the current administration.
I use 87 octane, it's what is called for.
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I use 87 octane. My bike runs fine on regular.
Also use an additive similar to StarTron.
Also use an additive similar to StarTron.
1978 was the start in the modern era, probably as a response to the first oil embargo. I remember Jay Leno's garage having an alcohol-fueled car made sometime before 1910. I'l bet that cereal grains were used in the early distilling process. The tax support for ethanol fuels was just diminshed, (25 or 30 cents) but I don't know of the mandate has changed.
Dave
Diminshed? Do you mean that the subside was reduced?
I run regular branded pump gas with no additives so far. I do stick to brands I trust, Shell, Chevron/Exxon, Valero are the main ones. I have used Murphy in a pinch. I won't go to a totally unbranded station (knock wood). The manual says any octane over 85 or 86 as I recall. I have consistently read that putting higher octanes in an engine which does not require it does nothing but cost more money. There is no benefit to the engine. If the engine won't run right on regular, I would be looking to find out why. Bad gas, try other suppliers. Altitude? tuning (mapping issue)?