Choosing the Right Fuel for Your Motorcycle
Whether you’re the proud owner of a street bike or a cruiser, one of the most important choices you’ll have to make is regarding what fuel to use. At S&N MotorSports, we do our best to help you choose the right product for your needs. We’ve gathered some useful information that will help you decide which fuel is best for your motorcycle so you can increase the efficiency. Keep reading to learn more. If you’re still searching for the right bike, stop in and see us at our dealership in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Octane Number
Generally speaking, motorcycle manufacturers offer a wide variety of models with different engines designed to run on different types of fuel. One of the most important deciding factors for the fuel you can choose is the octane rating. The octane number signifies the efficiency of the fuel to undergo combustion under pressure or when it is compressed. Typically, a higher octane number implies that the fuel has higher tolerance when compressed. Most modern bikes have high compression engines so high octane fuel will be ideal. However, you’ll want to take precautions before filling up your tank with higher octane gasoline than recommended by the manufacturer. This is because the high compression can cause engine knocking that can have a damaging effect.
Types of Fuel
Gasoline is the most popular option which is easily available at local gas stations. Gasoline motorcycle engines are thought to be the most low-maintenance option. The benefit here is mostly that gasoline engines are so common that most small engine repair shops only work on gasoline.
Gasoline bikes usually have the lowest upfront cost and, because they’re so popular, there’s always some new technology that’s increasing their efficiency or reducing service intervals. If simplicity and convenience are your primary requirements for fuel, then gasoline is a great choice.
Blending gasoline with ethanol increases the octane rating, thereby boosting engine power and performance. Ethanol-blended fuel packs less chemical energy than gasoline, but it produces fewer emissions and is based on a much more sustainable resource.
As you can see, each fuel has its own advantages so you need to consider what will work out best for you, in order to make the right choice.
How to Increase Fuel Efficiency
When the motorcycle engine isn't in good condition, fuel consumption can be affected. It's important to keep your bike running well so that it can offer better fuel efficiency. This involves preventative and proactive maintenance. Be alert for any abnormal performance issues and odd sounds or vibrations. If you discover something that could suggest a bigger problem, bring your bike in for service.
When you leave a dirty air filter in your motorcycle, it ends up having to work much harder to do the same job. As you can imagine, this negatively affects your bike’s fuel economy. You’ll be in good shape if you keep the air filter clean and replace it as needed.
We hope that this guide has been useful. If you have any questions, we will be happy to help! Give us a call or visit S&N MotorSports today. We’re conveniently located in Port Charlotte, FL, and we serve all those in Fort Myers.