Shell Optimax

[Bones]

I know high octane fuel such as Shell optimax has been discussed before but with the recent hike in petrol prices the posh stuff in my local Shell station is now 7p (about 5%) more expensive than regular fuel. The reason I now use it all the time is that the GS delivers 10-15% more MPG when running the premium fuel and so for me it works out cheaper. It also means that I can do two days return journey to works (230 miles) on a single tank.

 

[Wapping]

Our world is richer for knowing your personal choice of fuel.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Engineer]

I know high octane fuel such as Shell optimax has been discussed before but with the recent hike in petrol prices the posh stuff in my local Shell station is now 7p (about 5%) more expensive than regular fuel. The reason I now use it all the time is that the GS delivers 10-15% more MPG when running the premium fuel and so for me it works out cheaper. It also means that I can do two days return journey to works (230 miles) on a single tank.

My bike also goes much faster on Optimax

 

[Bones]

My bike also goes much faster on Optimax

That's the other bonus. I would say 'a bit' rather than 'much' though

 

[Steve]

My bike also goes much faster on Optimax

My money goes faster with Optimax.

 

[Owen Snell]

My bike also goes much faster on Optimax

Is Optimax like Remus headers on installments

 

[Bones]

My money goes faster with Optimax.

Not true (for me anyway). 5% more expensive but 10-15% more mpg

 

[Bikerbrady]

I dont have a 1200 but have a 1150gsa 2004. I have just filled up with unleaded today adn will run it until i have 1 bar showing on the fuel guage and se what mileage i got.

I will then refuel on optimax and see what i get to a tankful of the premium stuff. If I get 10 - 15% more i will start to use the fancy stuff instead.

Biker

 

[cookie]

I dont have a 1200 but have a 1150gsa 2004. I have just filled up with unleaded today adn will run it until i have 1 bar showing on the fuel guage and se what mileage i got.

I will then refuel on optimax and see what i get to a tankful of the premium stuff. If I get 10 - 15% more i will start to use the fancy stuff instead.

Biker

technically possible on a 1200, but even less likely on an 1150 due to the simpler engine management. it takes no account of octane.

 

[Wapping]

I dont have a 1200 but have a 1150gsa 2004. I have just filled up with unleaded today adn will run it until i have 1 bar showing on the fuel guage and se what mileage i got.

I will then refuel on optimax and see what i get to a tankful of the premium stuff. If I get 10 - 15% more i will start to use the fancy stuff instead.

Biker

I'm not a statistician, or a fuel engineer, but......

I think it may take more than one tank to make a realistic MPG comparison. Not least, you will have 'one bar's' worth of un-super-dooper petrol sploshing around / mixed in which will spoil your super scientific survey....



You, 'know' your average MPG on regular fuel, I guess? If YES but your knowledge is only 90% accurate (for instance if you say, "My bike returns 'about' 45 mpg" (but in reality the engine returns, say, 41 or 49) then the alleged 10% better MPG of the wonder fuel will be lost (or exaggerated) in your little study, will it not?

Much better:

(a) Work out the exact MPG of your bike on bog standard fuel over, say, 1000 miles of mixed riding.

(b) Repeat with 1,000 miles' worth - of similar mixed riding - with super-blitzen-fuel.

Compare results......

Expect to hear from you in 2000 miles time.....

 

[Bones]

I think it may take more than one tank to make a realistic MPG comparison. Not least, you will have 'one bar's' worth of un-super-dooper petrol sploshing around / mixed in which will spoil your super scientific survey....

You, 'know' your average MPG on regular fuel, I guess? If YES but your knowledge is only 90% accurate (for instance if you say, "My bike returns 'about' 45 mpg" (but in reality the engine returns, say, 41 or 49) then the alleged 10% better MPG of the wonder fuel will be lost (or exaggerated) in your little study, will it not?

Much better:

(a) Work out the exact MPG of your bike on bog standard fuel over, say, 1000 miles of mixed riding.

(b) Repeat with 1,000 miles' worth - of similar mixed riding - with super-blitzen-fuel.

As I am getting through a tank every two days that is exactly what I did. Have now been on 'Super' for 3 months so know that the low fuel light is coming on 20-30 mile later than it did previously (I always reset trip 1 when I fill up). I do a lot of motorway commuting (yawn), maybe this is when the bike can make best use of the extra octane as it can run leaner on a constant throttle

 

[cookie]

a 1200 will advance the ignition up to the point of detonation (pinking). this could make the engine more efficient. that's why you might see an increase in mpg.

'course if you cane it to make use of the extra power......

 

[Ali-bear]

Bones,

Any chance you work for Shell marketing department?

 

[John Armstrong]

Bones,

Any chance you work for Shell marketing department?

Or Darling Alistair

 

[Bones]

Bones,

Any chance you work for Shell marketing department?

I wish. I could do with a slice of their profits as my bonus.

 

[Bones]

a 1200 will advance the ignition up to the point of detonation (pinking). this could make the engine more efficient. that's why you might see an increase in mpg.

'course if you cane it to make use of the extra power......

I have a couple of bottles of Miller Oils octane booster at home (for my Mille), I wonder how far the ignition will advance?

 

[Owen Snell]

As I am getting through a tank every two days that is exactly what I did. Have now been on 'Super' for 3 months so know that the low fuel light is coming on 20-30 mile later than it did previously (I always reset trip 1 when I fill up). I do a lot of motorway commuting (yawn), maybe this is when the bike can make best use of the extra octane as it can run leaner on a constant throttle

Have you tried throwing in a couple of tank fulls of cooking unleaded to see if the range goes back down?

 

[Ali-bear]

Or Darling Alistair

Oooh that was both odd and spooky - until I re-read your message.



regards,
Alistair

 

[Bones]

Have you tried throwing in a couple of tank fulls of cooking unleaded to see if the range goes back down?

Not gone back but I was using regular for the first 2years/20K miles so knew the normal mileage the fuel light would come on, but yes that would be the proof of the pudding.

 

[cookie]

I have a couple of bottles of Miller Oils octane booster at home (for my Mille), I wonder how far the ignition will advance?

not enough to cover the cost of the booster, i suspect.