Regular or Mid-Grade? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Chriszuki · 07-31-2007, 05:07 PM

I have a Suzuki B-vard C50T, just hit 20000 miles what do you all think about making the move to mid-grade gas? This bike has had regular run in it all its life, should I move up a grade or will it be okay?

GregR1 · 07-31-2007, 05:19 PM

um... why? has your bike gained a point of compression or something?

Rockhead · 07-31-2007, 05:25 PM

Chriszuki · 07-31-2007, 06:30 PM

just wondering if mid grade would be better with 20000 mile or just stick with reg. Not sure what you mean by point of comp.

**Clint** · 07-31-2007, 06:36 PM

No. It's not better unless you have a knock problem due to raised compression. Sometimes carbon buildup can cause this, but it's rare.

GregR1 · 07-31-2007, 06:45 PM

stick with regular. the small amount of carbon buildup likely won't affect the engine significantly enough to have to go from 87oct fuel to 89oct. your bike runs a fairly low compression ratio, something around 9.6:1 i think. my bike runs a 12.5:1 and at double your rpm, and i'm doing just fine with 87oct fuel.

unless you're in Ecuador and there's a giant heat wave, you probably don't need to change fuels.

LCA_koolaid37 · 07-31-2007, 07:19 PM

I've been ruining premium on my Stage 1 Marauder... Should I be?

GregR1 · 07-31-2007, 07:29 PM

if stage 1 is just a few tiny mods like an air filter and muffler, then no you don't need anything premium. use the lowest octane level you can, and if the bike happens to ping and knock on 87, then maybe move up to 89 on those hot days.

Chriszuki · 07-31-2007, 08:40 PM

thanks for the good news i thought i would be spending $10 instead of $8 for a fill up. ill keep on running reg

LCA_koolaid37 · 07-31-2007, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the information!

GregR1 · 07-31-2007, 10:16 PM

np

Easy Rider · 08-01-2007, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriszuki

thanks for the good news i thought i would be spending $10 instead of $8 for a fill up. ill keep on running reg

If it takes $8 to fill it up now, that means it takes ~ 3 gal.
With a 10 cent price differential, it would cost you an additional 30 cents, not $2.

It certainly wouldn't hurt to try a couple of tankfuls.
A scant few "feel" some difference and stick with it.
Most go back.

TFee3 · 08-01-2007, 10:28 AM

Heck, that's the advantage of a Suzuki over a Harley. My friend has to use premium gas, and I fill up with good old regular. I'm retired and ride about 100 miles per day, so I put lots of gasoline thru my bike.

Hey Easy Rider - I'm sure he was just talking figuratively speaking!

**Clint** · 08-01-2007, 11:11 AM

There's a "figurative" form of mathematics?

Basso · 08-01-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

There's a "figurative" form of mathematics?

yep. Its called "new math." Just ask anyone with a kid in elementary school...ugh.

Oh, and thanks for the info...my dealer suggested I go with premium fuel for my M50...maybe he's got stock in the oil companies

I'll go back to 87.

DrBob · 08-01-2007, 02:40 PM

If a motor runs fine on lower octane gas, then any money spent on higher octain gas is totally wasted. And if your motor ran fine on regular gas but suddenly needs higher octane, then there is something wrong with it that should not be covered up by simply switching to higher octane gas- it needs a tune up, valve adjustment, or something like that, as it is no longer operating within design specifications.
My Intruder 800 (55,000+ miles) runs great on regular. My old shovelhead, on the other hand, was designed to run on 100 octane (which no one even sells anymore) so I had to modify the motor to get it to run on today's 93 octane, and in hot weather I need 93 octane plus octane booster. What a PITA!.

**Clint** · 08-01-2007, 03:13 PM

The joys of owning a classic.

Chriszuki · 08-01-2007, 05:54 PM

yes i was just a little extreme on my numbers. but the way gas prices go up and down in a day around here that could be right. I might run a tank fulll of the good stuff through it to see if there is any difference.

M50 MilkToast · 08-24-2007, 02:47 PM

I have a "06 M50...the previous owner said he always ran Premium. Should I take it back down to regular?

mtalicarox · 08-24-2007, 04:36 PM

Sigh my bikes manual said it requires 91 +

07-31-2007, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chriszuki Ditch Magnet Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T tricked to the max (thanks dad) Location: East Tennessee Posts: 190	Regular or Mid-Grade? I have a Suzuki B-vard C50T, just hit 20000 miles what do you all think about making the move to mid-grade gas? This bike has had regular run in it all its life, should I move up a grade or will it be okay? __________________ If you can't reach what your striving for, try standing a little closer.

07-31-2007, 05:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rockhead M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: M50 Location: 1060 West Addison, Chicago Posts: 3,767	__________________ Greg Biffle #16

07-31-2007, 06:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chriszuki Ditch Magnet Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T tricked to the max (thanks dad) Location: East Tennessee Posts: 190	just wondering if mid grade would be better with 20000 mile or just stick with reg. Not sure what you mean by point of comp. __________________ If you can't reach what your striving for, try standing a little closer.

07-31-2007, 07:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
LCA_koolaid37 Eternal Vigilante Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 VZ800 Location: MO Posts: 1,279	I've been ruining premium on my Stage 1 Marauder... Should I be? __________________

07-31-2007, 08:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chriszuki Ditch Magnet Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T tricked to the max (thanks dad) Location: East Tennessee Posts: 190	thanks for the good news i thought i would be spending $10 instead of $8 for a fill up. ill keep on running reg __________________ If you can't reach what your striving for, try standing a little closer.

07-31-2007, 05:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	um... why? has your bike gained a point of compression or something?

07-31-2007, 06:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	stick with regular. the small amount of carbon buildup likely won't affect the engine significantly enough to have to go from 87oct fuel to 89oct. your bike runs a fairly low compression ratio, something around 9.6:1 i think. my bike runs a 12.5:1 and at double your rpm, and i'm doing just fine with 87oct fuel. unless you're in Ecuador and there's a giant heat wave, you probably don't need to change fuels.

07-31-2007, 07:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	if stage 1 is just a few tiny mods like an air filter and muffler, then no you don't need anything premium. use the lowest octane level you can, and if the bike happens to ping and knock on 87, then maybe move up to 89 on those hot days.

07-31-2007, 09:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
LCA_koolaid37 Eternal Vigilante Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 2001 VZ800 Location: MO Posts: 1,279	Thanks for the information! __________________

07-31-2007, 10:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
GregR1 ... Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,308	np

08-01-2007, 10:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
TFee3 Clunked into first gear Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: '07 C90T Location: Gravois Mills MO Posts: 200	Heck, that's the advantage of a Suzuki over a Harley. My friend has to use premium gas, and I fill up with good old regular. I'm retired and ride about 100 miles per day, so I put lots of gasoline thru my bike. Hey Easy Rider - I'm sure he was just talking figuratively speaking!

08-01-2007, 02:40 PM	#16 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	If a motor runs fine on lower octane gas, then any money spent on higher octain gas is totally wasted. And if your motor ran fine on regular gas but suddenly needs higher octane, then there is something wrong with it that should not be covered up by simply switching to higher octane gas- it needs a tune up, valve adjustment, or something like that, as it is no longer operating within design specifications. My Intruder 800 (55,000+ miles) runs great on regular. My old shovelhead, on the other hand, was designed to run on 100 octane (which no one even sells anymore) so I had to modify the motor to get it to run on today's 93 octane, and in hot weather I need 93 octane plus octane booster. What a PITA!. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

08-01-2007, 05:54 PM	#18 (permalink)
Chriszuki Ditch Magnet Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50T tricked to the max (thanks dad) Location: East Tennessee Posts: 190	yes i was just a little extreme on my numbers. but the way gas prices go up and down in a day around here that could be right. I might run a tank fulll of the good stuff through it to see if there is any difference. __________________ If you can't reach what your striving for, try standing a little closer.

08-24-2007, 02:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
M50 MilkToast Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 8	I have a "06 M50...the previous owner said he always ran Premium. Should I take it back down to regular? __________________ M50 MilkToast

08-24-2007, 04:36 PM	#20 (permalink)
mtalicarox Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 Suzuki GSXR 1000 (Blue/White) Location: Hopkinton MA Posts: 647	Sigh my bikes manual said it requires 91 +

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