High Mileage 99 VFR.. Fuel?

Greetings from Knoxville, TN

Bought my first VFR and first motorbike a few months ago... was wondering if I need to run Premium fuel in it.

'99 Honda VFR FI, 55k+ miles.

Thx!

 

short version, no it'll run happily on regular. Provided it's still stock of course.

 

Thx good to know.

 

I would like to add that 55k on that bike is not high mileage. Let us know when it hits 200k. :biggrin:

 

Thx Deadsmiley, was wondering about that to. I bought the bike with the thought that if it was anything like a Honda auto, it would run another 100k. Guess that assumption was correct.

 

reassuring,ive 45,000miles on my stock 98',

 

At 50K, she's just broken in. And another +1 to only having to run regular. (The only time I'd recommend premium is if you are going to store the bike. Gas can lose octane rating in a relatively short period of time - as little as 2 to 4 weeks. Fuel stabilizer definitely helps. But if you store it with 87 octane, 4 months later it might be 84 or 85. Better to go with 91, and have it the equivalent of 87 a few months later).

 

Hit 78K yesterday and put regular 87 octane in, been ok so far for the last 11 years.

 

Octane is nothing more than a measure of the fuels resistance to detonation. The higher the Octane the higher the resistance and the slower the fuel burns. Higher octane does not run better, produce more HP, or run cleaner.

In summary, 93 Octane fuel is a waste of money unless you are experiencing pre-ignition knocking

Rollin

 

I know my 2000 doesn't NEED premium, but I use Chevron Premium. I only add gas once or twice a month, so I don't mind the extra few dollars per tank to fill with the best of the good stuff.:smile:

Jose

 

Define "The Good Stuff" please. As I stated in my previous post the octane rating only relates to the rate of detonation under pressure and nothing more. If you just like throwing money away by all means send some cash my way.


Rollin

 

My V65 Sabre had 156k on it when I had to let her go. With her new owner she's now at 170k and still running like the proverbial swiss watch. These things can go a very long time with just normal maintenance.

 

how many times you checked the valves and if any were out of spec. thanks

 

I consider Chevron Premium "the good stuff". Chevron puts Techron in their gas and (from what I understand) the premium is supposed to get a little bit more than the lower grades. Our bikes tend to run a bit hot and IF any detonation were to occur on a 100+ degree day (like today), it would be minimized by having a higher octane gas. It makes me feel better to spend an extra couple bucks a month to have the most detonation resistant gas in my tank with what I consider the best additive package. It is LITERALLY a difference of $5 or so per month. That's my choice and if you don't agree, then don't do the same.

Jose

 

Did the check at 16K and 32K and found everything in spec. Had a dealer do the 48K and they replaced 1 or 2 shims IIRC. Haven't done it since, it's due.

 

YEP same here...no difference except in my wallet!!

Exactly!! Running a higher octane then manufacturer requires does not help a bit.

 

Checking back through some of my old posts... Thanks for all the help here guys! -- Also, nice to know I can run regular. But even if the engine doesn't need it I thought higher grade fuel would give me better mileage per tank fill up. ?

 

Not really gonna help your mileage. The Viffer doesn't have a knock sensor or any way to advance/retard the timing. Higher octane fuel does not have more energy in it. If you want to split hairs it has slightly less energy than a lower octane fuel. All the higher octane fuel does is help prevent predetonation (knock). It's not "better" fuel in most cases. Sometimes the higher octane fuel is ethanol free. This is better fuel, but it has nothing to do with the octane rating. I run 87 in my '98 VFR, my 2002 CBR954 and my wife's Ninja 500.

You will find that other will disagree with what I just said, or they simply feel better running the higher octane fuel. <shrug> Do whatever you want, you aren't gonna go to hell for it. For other things maybe, but not that. otstir:

 

truck stop down the street sells non-ethanol gas rated at 90 octane for sixty cents a gallon more than the premium stuff. I use it now on my viffer as it doesnt get the miles my other bike gets. Cant tell you anything about mileage vs regular pump stuff, but can attest to the fact that the bike doesnt stink any more after you ride it!

You know that motor/oil/petrol smell after you come back and lock it up in the garage after some spirited riding? Well, now, it just smells like a butter-cup, well not exactly, but no more petrol stink. Even when you stick your nose right on top of the gas cap, zero...no wise-en-heimer comments on "sniffing gas-caps."