Talon fuel octane

[bjniceguy]

this is my 1st Honda. The manual recommends 87 octane. Does the Talon run better on 87 or 91? Some units if tuned for 87, they runs worse on 91, especially at altitude

 

[Cuoutdoors]

I try to run at least 91. I recommend you never run anything with ethanol. Most of the time I run basic aviation fuel which is called 100LL "100 octane low lead" . It runs better and starts better especially in winter. But good 91 fuel would be just fine.

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[sharp]

I usually run 87. As far as ethnol i dont really care, its what whetever is at the pump at the time.

 

[JimmyTalon]

The higher the octane number, the less power available in it. If the compression ratio demands higher, you have no choice. Also, Ethanol contains less power per unit of fuel (straight alcohol contains 30% less power than straight gasoline). But more importantly, ethanol fuel does not store well for long periods. It attracts water and allows growth of undesireable.
So, imo, 87 with ethanol is fine for our moderate compression Honda engines, but if left in the tank for months it would be crap. If there is non-ethanol available it is always preferred, but running ethanol enhanced fuel is fine if managed correctly. Don't use ethanol fuel for the last three or so fillups before extended storage. Do treat last fuel fillup with storage treatment products such as Stabil or Star Tron.
Consult your owners manual.

 

[bjniceguy]

I guess my question is "does the Talon have high enough compression to NEED 91?" I agree ethenal is not good for stored vehicles as draws moisture.

 

[JimmyTalon]

Honda says 86 octane or higher.

 

[fartsalot]

I try to run at least 91. I recommend you never run anything with ethanol. Most of the time I run basic aviation fuel which is called 100LL "100 octane low lead" . It runs better and starts better especially in winter. But good 91 fuel would be just fine.

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Leaded fuel will ruin your Cat converter just like it would in a car. As what was mentioned,, a higher octane will reduce power compared to 87 if there is a lower compression in the engine.

 

[Mopower58]

I am not so sure about less power with 91 octane. I do know that higher octane gas burns slower and to stay away from ethanol gas. Ethanol gas does get less fuel mileage than non ethanol. We run 93 octane non ethanol in zero turn, chain saws, weed eater, push mower and Pioneer.

 

[Governors20]

Some of you need to understand the difference between octane and BTU. Alcohol has 100 octane but less BTU’s which is why you burn more. Octane is resistance to ignition. 93 and 87 octane have the same BTU. 91 is harder to ignite which is why it’s used in higher compression engines.

 

[stellarpod]

The higher the octane number, the less power available in it. If the compression ratio demands higher, you have no choice. Also, Ethanol contains less power per unit of fuel (straight alcohol contains 30% less power than straight gasoline). But more importantly, ethanol fuel does not store well for long periods. It attracts water and allows growth of undesireable.
So, imo, 87 with ethanol is fine for our moderate compression Honda engines, but if left in the tank for months it would be crap. If there is non-ethanol available it is always preferred, but running ethanol enhanced fuel is fine if managed correctly. Don't use ethanol fuel for the last three or so fillups before extended storage. Do treat last fuel fillup with storage treatment products such as Stabil or Star Tron.
Consult your owners manual.

EXACTLY right, JimmyTalon. Well stated. I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to explain this to people who refuse to abandon their erroneous perception that higher octane = more power.

Steve

 

[LarryAmboy]

EXACTLY right, JimmyTalon. Well stated. I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to explain this to people who refuse to abandon their erroneous perception that higher octane = more power.

Steve

Want more power? Add a couple of kits of nitrous or you could try running nitromethane.

 

[PS3471]

EXACTLY right, JimmyTalon. Well stated. I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to explain this to people who refuse to abandon their erroneous perception that higher octane = more power.

Steve

Higher octane (slower burn, harder to ignight) on a low to mid compression engine will allow you to run more advanced timing (if not already maxed out) because it is less likely to cause detination..... so in a round about way you can squeeze out more..... but not simply from adding race gas in the tank. Like you said, its very difficult to convince some people of this.

 

[Cuoutdoors]

You're right it's not more power. Putting jet fuel in a lawn mower is not going to turn it into a pulling tractor.

But I think it's fair to say higher octane fuel does have its benefits. It burns cooler, stores longer, avoids all the ethanol issues and higher octane rating leads to a higher quality cleaner burning fuel. My machine runs a little better and definitely starts easier, especially in winter, with the better fuel. It has a lot of fringe benefits but no real major benefits in our world of sxs's

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