SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> type of fuel
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1217005721

Message started by Seth on 07/25/08 at 10:08:41

Title: type of fuel
Post by Seth on 07/25/08 at 10:08:41

Just out of curiosity, I was wondering what you all would recommend as far as what grade of fuel to use...My last bike and this one so far, I've always used premium, but It seems to be running slightly rough, and I was wondering if I should drop down to regular, but without knowing a whole lot about the savage in particular, I didn't want to make that adjustment yet. Can you oldtimers out there tell me what you've used/using, and your opinions on it?

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Charon on 07/25/08 at 10:15:35

The owner's manual suggests Regular. I have been using either Regular or the 10% ethanol blend widely sold here. The bike doesn't seem to care, and runs fine on Regular. I buy fuel by price, and the cheapest stuff seems to work just fine.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 07/25/08 at 10:21:41

I've been running regular. Just noticed the other day that Cenex has started putting up 10% ethanol stickers on all their pumps. Time to go back to Conoco, I guess. I'm sure it's a losing battle, though.

Someone around here who knows made a pretty good argument for why you should NOT run premium in this low-compression engine. It convinced me. It isn't harmful, but isn't efficient in our engine. That's what I took away from reading their post anyway.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Seth on 07/25/08 at 10:34:40

I've been wondering about that, since the bike seems to be running a bit rough, and wasn't sure if it was because of the premium. I know if some vehicles, they actually will run worse if you use premium, and knew that it could happen to a bike, but I just didn't have any specs on the Savage to check out on. Thanks! Sounds like I'll be going to regular my fill up!

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by sjaskow on 07/25/08 at 10:50:13

77767D7D7B7C63130 wrote:

I've been wondering about that, since the bike seems to be running a bit rough

A bit rough as in missing or just a lot of vibration? Don't forget this is a BIG single and, by nature, it vibrates. A lot.

And I run 87 octane in my '06 and I'm getting about 57 mpg.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by 07S40rider on 07/25/08 at 10:57:54

My 07 seems to run better on 91 octane, but it is seriously brand new still - only 440 miles. I have only put about 4 tanks through it (2 regular and 2 premium) so take this for what its worth. Since I am still in the break in period I am sure the running characteristics of my bike are changing a little with each tank no matter what kind of gas I am running.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Seth on 07/25/08 at 13:06:30

when I say rough, not really meaning rough per say, almost like there's a very slight hesitation when I roll on the throttle...whenI roll hard,it seems to go fine, and then there's also the issue with it not wanting to idle at a light, without stalling...don't know if that has to do with the fuel...
I think I just figured out my issue, right now. I just came from California, 29 Palms, elevation about 3000, to Indiana, where I'm probably closer to sea level...with this bike being carburated, I'd bet the carb isn't adjusted right...anyone ever do anything like that on a bike? I've done it before on a car, but never tore into a bike that much.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by SimonTuffGuy on 07/25/08 at 13:39:38

The book tells me 87, that's what I put in it...

It sure beats the 93 my Festiva needs to run. :-P

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Demin on 07/25/08 at 13:48:36

I usually run 86/87,but in this 100 degree heat I've been running premium because it has been pinging when running it hard.Seems to be ok,and no pinging.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by skrapiron on 07/25/08 at 14:10:08

Any 87 octane fuel with up to 10% ethanol will run just fine in the Savage. The compression ratio is so low, that higher octane fuel is just a waste. It won't burn completely and can lead to carbon buildup in the cylinder, on the plug and in the header.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 07/26/08 at 00:02:46

6D6C6767616679090 wrote:

I think I just figured out my issue, right now. I just came from California, 29 Palms, elevation about 3000, to Indiana, where I'm probably closer to sea level...with this bike being carburated, I'd bet the carb isn't adjusted right...anyone ever do anything like that on a bike? I've done it before on a car, but never tore into a bike that much.

Oh my goodness, no. No one here would think of tinkering with their carburetor. ;D

Yeah, check out the technical section. Go to the "Table of contents with links" and scroll down to the carb section. Then, just start reading. Lancer's tuning article is a great place to start. Most of these guys switch the jets twice a day, I think. One set for the ride to work, and one set for the ride home. Then they have their Sunday go-to-meetin' jets, their pick the kids up from school jets...

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Seth on 07/26/08 at 07:32:30

lol....yeah, guess that didn't come out quite the way I meant it...does sound pretty dumb...anyways, thanks for the info, onna go check it out. :D

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Robertomoe on 07/26/08 at 14:28:39

if you're stalling at lights, turn up the idle using the adjustment screw on the carb

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Seth on 07/26/08 at 14:42:42

I adjusted it today, but can't get the bike on the road till the wife comes back from visiting friends...I got all three kids, so can't just hop on the bike and go for a cruise! It does seem to have had some effect on it already though, since when I shut down, I don't get the loud explosive backfire I used to. There's still a soft thump of gasses when I shut down, but not a true backfire in the sense. hopefully, that'll make a difference, and I can fine tune it when I get a chance to put the engine under a load when riding it.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by 4carbcorvair on 07/26/08 at 14:43:17

What is the compression ratio on these?

I have just over 500 miles on mine, tried the good stuff once, really didn't notice any difference.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by mo.goad on 07/26/08 at 14:58:08

I tried all 3, 87,90,93. No difference. 87 for me

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Ed L. on 07/26/08 at 15:53:02

My '02 runs fine on 87 octane. Tried 93 and had the bike run rough under hard excellation (not like I use WOT a lot) ;)

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Charon on 07/26/08 at 17:03:41

Compression ratio is said to be 8.5:1, according to various road tests and the Suzuki web site. That would make me think it ought to be perfectly happy on Regular. You can probably induce pinging (or knocking, if you prefer) by running it on a hot day, in high gear at low speed with heavy throttle application.

If you go up to high altitude (Colorado) you may find Regular billed as 85 octane instead of 87. That's because the higher altitudes reduce ambient air pressure, thus cylinder pressure, and lower octanes work fine. Those higher altitudes also richen the mixture, because carburetors meter fuel according to volume airflow instead of mass, and the richer mixture also helps reduce knocking. You also lose power, about 3% per thousand feet of altitude.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Jay on 07/27/08 at 02:24:17

3F3E353533342B5B0 wrote:

What? One on the pillion, one in each saddlebag. Problem solved! :D

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Seth on 07/27/08 at 07:40:01

2C273F2A367777460 wrote:

[quote author=3F3E353533342B5B0 link=1217005721/0#13 date=1217108562]I adjusted it today, but can't get the bike on the road till the wife comes back from visiting friends...I got all three kids, so can't just hop on the bike and go for a cruise! It does seem to have had some effect on it already though, since when I shut down, I don't get the loud explosive backfire I used to. There's still a soft thump of gasses when I shut down, but not a true backfire in the sense. hopefully, that'll make a difference, and I can fine tune it when I get a chance to put the engine under a load when riding it.

What? One on the pillion, one in each saddlebag. Problem solved! :D
[/quote]

I don't care who you are, that's funny! ;D lol

But in all seriousness, I appreciate the help you guys offer, and am glad to see that this website isn't one of those dead forums, that no one talks on or does anything with...it's been a pretty big help to me so far.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/30/08 at 06:11:03

43424A4E49270 wrote:

I usually run 86/87,but in this 100 degree heat I've been running premium because it has been pinging when running it hard.Seems to be ok,and no pinging.

Yup, either high heat or high compression can contribute to predetonation. I tend to run premium in the hot months here in N. Texas.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/30/08 at 06:54:04

Ive seen Reelthing's post on this. He lives in Very South Texas, where sand & water meet, & he runs premium some months to keep things cooler.

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by Brad_THMP3R on 07/30/08 at 12:31:06

I live is 100 degree temps at sea level. On 87 the bike hesitates, runs hot and just says "no!" I keep 93 in it. It burns cooler, slower, and just keeps the bike happy. I also use a cap of MMO per tank. It seems to keep things loosey goosey and prevent any buildup of crud on the exhaust valve.
RSD!

Title: Re: type of fuel
Post by rpgpgmr on 07/30/08 at 13:03:33

I've be running high octane for the past couple of months and it does seem to be running a little better ... believe or not my mileage seems to have gotten a bit better too. It's probably in my head, but it cost $0.40 more a tank and I'm gonna stick with for a while.