Anyone used Octane Booster fuel additive?

[Betty Swollocks]

Yes, I've trawled the threads about fuel grades on here and have decided my bike prefers the richer stuff, but I can't get it where I live.

Bike is a 2010 Twin Cam. Owner's handbook says it should run on 98 Ron, but can run on 95 Ron although power and mpg will be reduced.

I live in Northern Ireland and we don't have the same choices as our cousins across the pond. Super unleaded is only 97 Ron. I do try to use it but see no noticeable difference from 95 Ron.

Been to Scotland and each time I source the Tesco Momentum fuel...... First time I tried it I was shocked ay how quiet the TC became and did notice more power.

I'm just back from Europe where I did a lot if miles in the Alps..... Filled up in Slovenia with 100+ Ron unleaded and I was blown away by it.
Engine instantly as quiet as a sewing machine and felt like it had a turbo fitted, despite being at altitude. Passes at higher than 7000 feel and bike pulled like a train uphill.

Added a 2nd tank of 100 Ron in Livingo (Ialian Alps) and shipped the bike home from Geneva by truck.
Enjoyed about 100 miles at home on the last few litres of it and then filled with 97 Ron. Instant change in performance, not as good.

So, I'm convinced the TC needs at least 98 Ron.... But I can't get it here. Does anyone use an Octane booster fuel additive?

If so, what I it and how good is it?

 

[mikeyboy]

here is where i stick my neck out
from what i was told at college.
a high octane fuel burnt slower,this is why it was used in high compression motors.
with a modern engine with knock sensors a lower octane fuel which in theory will burn faster, it should make more power.
unless of course the motor does not get enough ign. advance with low octane fuel.
over to ukgser technical team for analysis.as i cannot be arsed to think too hard about it ,and a certainly too tight to pay for "premium " fuel

 

[cookie]

here is where i stick my neck out
from what i was told at college.
a high octane fuel burnt slower,this is why it was used in high compression motors.
with a modern engine with knock sensors a lower octane fuel which in theory will burn faster, it should make more power.
unless of course the motor does not get enough ign. advance with low octane fuel.
over to ukgser technical team for analysis.as i cannot be arsed to think too hard about it ,and a certainly too tight to pay for "premium " fuel

the ecu will advance the timing until the knock sensors detect pre ignition and say stop. the point at which it does this will be higher with higher octane fuel.

the extra advance should give more power. can't say i can tell the difference myself, but YMMV.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Mmmmmmm.

Sadly I've had too many birthday to comprehend the technical content of you posts. I'm 100% sure you are correct in your deductions, but it doesn't help my dilemma.

I have no understanding or desire to know the science of how the engine processes the fuel.

My bike is my escape from the rat run and I don't mind throwing a bit of money at the cost of fuel if it puts a smile on my face.

My bike hates 95 Ron fuel. When down-shifting it will stall from 3rd to 2nd unless I blip the throttle after a spirited ride.

I've read the possible causes...... Prob an oxygen sensor, but not worth a £70 punt to attempt a resolution.

I can live with it. When the bike has super Ron fuel the problem was gone and it runs as sweet as a nut!

Anyone using an additive and if so what is it and what's it like?

 

[TLSgazza]

Why don't you just try it, I'm sure it won't do any harm, then you've answered your own question

 

[JJH]

Why don't you just try it, I'm sure it won't do any harm, then you've answered your own question

Because he has asked for anyone who has any experience to share it. I would try octaine booster myself but any I've come across seem to contain lead which is bad for cats. Living in Ireland South the best petrol I can get is 95. I'm currently on IOM so I'm going to fill up with super plus and serif I can notice anything. JJH

 

[davegs]

Yes, I've trawled the threads about fuel grades on here and have decided my bike prefers the richer stuff, but I can't get it where I live.

Bike is a 2010 Twin Cam. Owner's handbook says it should run on 98 Ron, but can run on 95 Ron although power and mpg will be reduced.

I live in Northern Ireland and we don't have the same choices as our cousins across the pond. Super unleaded is only 97 Ron. I do try to use it but see no noticeable difference from 95 Ron.

Been to Scotland and each time I source the Tesco Momentum fuel...... First time I tried it I was shocked ay how quiet the TC became and did notice more power.

I'm just back from Europe where I did a lot if miles in the Alps..... Filled up in Slovenia with 100+ Ron unleaded and I was blown away by it.
Engine instantly as quiet as a sewing machine and felt like it had a turbo fitted, despite being at altitude. Passes at higher than 7000 feel and bike pulled like a train uphill.

Added a 2nd tank of 100 Ron in Livingo (Ialian Alps) and shipped the bike home from Geneva by truck.
Enjoyed about 100 miles at home on the last few litres of it and then filled with 97 Ron. Instant change in performance, not as good.

So, I'm convinced the TC needs at least 98 Ron.... But I can't get it here. Does anyone use an Octane booster fuel additive?

If so, what I it and how good is it?

You certainly aint done it any good by running on unleaded!, probably just ruined your cat.

 

[Martyn H]

You certainly aint done it any good by running on unleaded!, probably just ruined your cat.

Isn't it leaded fuel that ruins a cat ? The old "4-Star" ?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

You certainly aint done it any good by running on unleaded!, probably just ruined your cat.

Eh

Mmmmmmm.

......................................................

My bike is my escape from the rat run and I don't mind throwing a bit of money at the cost of fuel if it puts a smile on my face.

..............................................

I've read the possible causes...... Prob an oxygen sensor, but not worth a £70 punt to attempt a resolution.

..................................

Eh

.................imagine how well it could run if you had the engine running properly AND ran high octane fuel

Andres

PS The only experience I have of octane booster was back in the day on a highly tunes XS650, it stopped the bike from pinking. Used to cost a fortune though.

 

[Bendy toy]

Lead poisons the exhaust catalyst. Unleaded = no lead.

Petrol octane indicates how smoothly the fuel burns and if its prone to pre-ignition. Cheap fuel causes the engine to knock so it will run less efficiently in an engine with a knock sensor and ECU.

If you can't get posh fuel use an octane booster. Posh petrol is cheaper to run in my bike. Octane booster might not be that costly in pence per mile compared to plain 95-RON or worse.

My bike gets Tesco 100 octane or Shell Optimax. BP 97 is OK but the higher octanes are better. Am I made of money? The bike costs less to run on posh fuel than it does on standard 95-RON and it performs much better. It's a no brainer.

Reason is that the engine ECU advances the spark timing until the knock sensors indicate it's gone far enough. Too much spark advance causes pre-ignition and engine damage. I melted pistons on an old rattly Triumph 500 by having the sparks advanced too far.

All fuels take time to start burning so ignition has to start before the piston reaches top then its all set for expansion and delivering power. Cheap fuels ignite randomly so the sparks must fire late to avoid engine damage. This allows less time for the engine to use the heat before the exhaust valves open. It feels flat and it cooks the valves.

Running the valves hotter than necessary causes increased seat wear and risk of one failing. More immediately, posh petrol is cheaper per mile so why waste money on cheap fuel?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

After reading a few reviews on the web, I opted for this at £13 from Halfords......

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Did a 15 mile run round the block and first impressions are that it has made an improvement. Hope to get a long run tomorrow to see for sure.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

After reading a few reviews on the web, I opted for this at £13 from Halfords......

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Did a 15 mile run round the block and first impressions are that it has made an improvement. Hope to get a long run tomorrow to see for sure.

I use their diesel version in my van and car sometimes. It's good stuff. Never used the petrol stuff though.

 

[Bendy toy]

When you've run a tankful through try it again with ordinary 95 RON and see how long you can put up with it.

 

[newboy]

daft question
Does the ECU need time to adapt to changes in petrol octane numbers?? I believe some cars do....

I ride an R1150 GSA so probably doesn't apply to me anyway

 

[Betty Swollocks]

When you've run a tankful through try it again with ordinary 95 RON and see how long you can put up with it.

Good idea...... I hadn't thought of that, but will give it a go.

daft question
Does the ECU need time to adapt to changes in petrol octane numbers?? I believe some cars do....

I ride an R1150 GSA so probably doesn't apply to me anyway

As mentioned in the original post, when I tried the 100+ fuel in Slovenia, the difference was noticeable immediately.

 

[newboy]

As mentioned in the original post, when I tried the 100+ fuel in Slovenia, the difference was noticeable immediately.

cheers

 

[DrFarkoff]

Into Hilltop and Get er Chooned Stevie!

 

[JerseyNeil]

My 2010 GS runs much better on higher octane fuel and I get a fair few more mpg too. Unfortunately like you in Ireland we only have 95ron fuel on general sale. There is one company that imports 98ron and sells on their own forecourts for silly money as they know the Aston Martin, Ferrari owners are happy to pay. Every now and again I treat my self to a tank. A tank full of 95 in jersey cost circa £19 a tank full of 98 cost £26!!!!!!!!

Might look at that additive too.

Neil

 

[Bendy toy]

Chooning works A LOT BETTER with posh petrol or octane booster.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Into Hilltop and Get er Chooned Stevie!

Jay, hilltop is top of my list for the next modification..... As you know, us Norn Irelanders have to shell out another £100 for a ferry then an overnight in a hotel, which at the minute puts it in the region of £500...... Bit rich for me @ present.