regular or premium fuel

[95magna]

well i know we talked on this subject before,so i tried using regular in my bike and it would run,but i can tell the difference BIG time,boggy,a little knocking,slow throttle response,i drained the fuel and replaced with premium,not top grade,started it and and soon and the new fuel hit the carbs it came to life.
i guess my magna doesn't like regular

[tmds3]

My 03 is the same way, I think it has something to do with the ethanol that they put in the fuel. Seem to run better on the higher octane and doesn't knock

[lragan]

I am outside the "corn squeezin's zone" so our regular is just that -- regular -- no ethanol.  Runs great in my '96.  Of course it has the jets and shims adjusted to the Cobra pipes...

[hootmon]

To repeat from a previous thread.. My '94 bike is mostly stock (K&N) and I use Mid-Grade.
My bike will knock if I use straight regular (even before the ethonol) and I have a sticker on my frame that states to use 89 Octane..
If you can get away with regular, then that is what you should use.. There is no benefit for the higher grade/price. But if you get valve knock, then pay the extra $$$

[Indonlire]

I use regular in my 94 and occassionally add some sea foam! (That's another thread) 

Serenity runs just fine and occassionally I get 62 mpg - but mostly 50-55.

[Magniac]

62 mpg! You must never go over 50mph. I can get 50 mpg if I keep the speed under 65, but at my normal cruising speeds of 75+, it drops to 42-45 mpg.

[dgc67]

I have an opinion on how mine runs if I put super in it, but I am not allowed to say it.  Last time I got shut down big time!

[Smoked U]

I'm not a fan of ethanol laced fuel, however, all of my machines are running fine on it currently.

If you are getting some knocking, you might want to run a few tanks of fuel treated with RXP gas additive to clean out any carbon deposits that might be present. These deposits glow hot in the combustion chamber and are responsible for the pre-ignition knock that can occur during a compression stroke.

[hootmon]

I have an opinion on how mine runs if I put super in it, but I am not allowed to say it.  Last time I got shut down big time!

[Capt. Howard]

I have an opinion on how mine runs if I put super in it, but I am not allowed to say it.  Last time I got shut down big time!

I'm afraid to comment on my mpg. I don't know what you'll are riding but if it's a 750c Magna like mine I have some real serious issues. I get 40mpg around town and haven't been on a road trip yet. Is that about right? I'll admit I don't hesitate to get on it hard during those around town rides. Need tune-up maybe?

[Justin]

I run nothing but 94 octane in my 94 magna, I find i get better gas mileage, and more power if there is any change in elevation, I do find i get knocks with anything under 91 octane.

[MarylandMagnav45]

I have an opinion on how mine runs if I put super in it, but I am not allowed to say it.  Last time I got shut down big time!

I helped with that one lol!

Wow 60 mpg.  Yeah, ur def must be riding the right rpm in the right gears AND...u must be going like 50mph to reduce wind drag.

On the highway going 70 mph...my stock Magna (completely stock) gets 51 mpg.

All this premium talk makes me want to try some....although I've never heard a knock of any sorts.

You can't beat filling up with a 5 dollar bill though ...so regular i will stay.

[MarylandMagnav45]

I have an opinion on how mine runs if I put super in it, but I am not allowed to say it.  Last time I got shut down big time!

I'm afraid to comment on my mpg. I don't know what you'll are riding but if it's a 750c Magna like mine I have some real serious issues. I get 40mpg around town and haven't been on a road trip yet. Is that about right? I'll admit I don't hesitate to get on it hard during those around town rides. Need tune-up maybe?

Try this...

Have a full tank of gas, and bring a spare gallon or so of gas on ur back etc...

Go 70 mph on the highway... keeping constant throttle...and go until you run out of gas (school of hard KNOCKS)...calculate MPG.

You could always use the mathematical formula which I explained in an earlier thread...

"My personal best for mileage was 140 miles before I filled up.

When I was traveling from New York to Maryland, I had a friend with me and we measured the theoretical maximum mileage you can get out of a tank.

I filled up 2.01 gallons going 70 mph at 100 miles (give or take a mile each way).

So I just did the ratio:

2.01 gal / 100 miles = 3.7 gal / x

x = *184 miles for 3.7 gal of gas

*theoretical

Of course, in real life conditions, you are not going to be able to maintain this constant speed 99.9% of the time (not to mention, the conditions: wind/road..etc.. will negatively affect you).

I think I'm safe to say if you fill up to the top, and you don't do jack rabbit starts or excessive speeds, you should probably fill up at around 160 miles to be safe.

I personally like the gas light because since I don't have a speedometer/odometer...I can't track my speed/mileage (can't afford a replacement right now)."

[Sledge Hammer]

I have an opinion on how mine runs if I put super in it, but I am not allowed to say it.  Last time I got shut down big time!

I'm afraid to comment on my mpg. I don't know what you'll are riding but if it's a 750c Magna like mine I have some real serious issues. I get 40mpg around town and haven't been on a road trip yet. Is that about right? I'll admit I don't hesitate to get on it hard during those around town rides. Need tune-up maybe?

I get about 40 around town, too, a few MPG less if I goose it frequently and maybe one or two more MPG if I am willing to run the risk of being run over from behind. I've gotten 47-50 on rural backroads. BTW, my usual mix of riding is about 25-30% highway at 70 mph and 30-45 mph in suburban commuter traffic; my bike has just over 6K miles on it, so it should be a long way from needing a tune-up just yet, so if you're getting similar results, I'd be willing to bet your machine is running fine.

[dgc67]

Guess we are kind of off the original topic here, but I my low fuel light comes on reliably at about 90 miles starting on a full tank.  BUT I just cannot make myself ride economically at all.  I don't do full throttle take offs or anything, but once on the freeway I do have occasional spurts of full throttle and ride between 70-80 and up to 90 pretty regularly depending on my commute conditions.  95% of my riding is commute to work and back.  I avg. 35 mpg.
I feel safer when I am slightly overtaking traffic and steady leaving them behind me.  I HATE riding in a group of cages around me.