I have had some problems when using 95 octain gas on my ´07 450fse, it runs well but when hot it wont start as easily when using 98-99 octain gas (then it fires up instantly). Does this ring any bells?
I only use 98 oct when riding close to the city but when I go on the highland (in Iceland) there are few gas stations and if any there is only 95 oct. I would preferably want to be able to run on 95 oct because of that.
Have you had your bike hooked up to the "diagnostic system"?
I would be very interested in learning if all the diagnostic readings were within original (or Factory recommended) specifications.
If so, then I would believe that the two fuels are blended differently, in addition to what the refinery is adding to boost octane. Maybe the Reid Vapor Pressure is significantly different between the two mixtures. Gasoline specifications are pretty "loose" for commercial fuel. There are several standards that the fuel must meet (fall into the "range") to be put on the market, but generally, they are very wide ranges.
Race fuel is very consistent in it's mixture and specifications. That is why it is much easier to jet a carb for race fuel, instead of the constantly changing. (Batch by individual batch of fuel is tested and altered at the refinery to adjust it to meet the specifications of their intended final product. At the gasoline refinery in El Dorado, AR, they mix gasoline in 50,000 gallon batches. The lab will test the batch for certain properties, such as RVP, specific gravity, & octane; and then alter the mixture to meet the specs of what fuel they are making. BTW, octane is simply the resistance to knocking. It has nothing to do with btu content or specific mixture.)
Good Riding and Wrenching to You!
Jim
