SuzukiSavage.com - type of fuel

Seth

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type of fuel
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?

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01 Savage 650, 01 Dodge 2500 4x4 CTD with mods, 72 Jeepster Commando.

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Charon Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 1811 Harvard, NE Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #1 - 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.
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Sandy Koocanusa

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Re: type of fuel
Reply #2 - 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.

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Savage: (adj)1. Wild 2. Uncivilized : Primitive 3. Ferocious 4. Cruel or merciless : Brutal --- Webster's. (n.) 1. A motorcycle named for its seat.--- Sandy's unabridged

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Seth

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Re: type of fuel
Reply #3 - 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!

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01 Savage 650, 01 Dodge 2500 4x4 CTD with mods, 72 Jeepster Commando.

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sjaskow - FSO Senior Member Offline Posts: 371 Frozen Tundra of MN Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #4 - 07/25/08 at 10:50:13 Seth wrote on 07/25/08 at 10:34:40: 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.
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07S40rider

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Re: type of fuel
Reply #5 - 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.

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Seth

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Re: type of fuel
Reply #6 - 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.

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01 Savage 650, 01 Dodge 2500 4x4 CTD with mods, 72 Jeepster Commando.

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SimonTuffGuy Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline i like to thump... ;) Posts: 1159 Central PA Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #7 - 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
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Demin Serious Thumper Offline We need more chlorine in the gene pool Posts: 2435 Warren,Ohio Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #8 - 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.
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skrapiron -FSO Serious Thumper Offline Instant Human.... Just add coffee.. Posts: 1456 Pittsburgh, Pa Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #9 - 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.
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Sandy Koocanusa

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Re: type of fuel
Reply #10 - 07/26/08 at 00:02:46

Seth wrote on 07/25/08 at 13:06:30:

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. Grin

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...

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Savage: (adj)1. Wild 2. Uncivilized : Primitive 3. Ferocious 4. Cruel or merciless : Brutal --- Webster's. (n.) 1. A motorcycle named for its seat.--- Sandy's unabridged

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Seth YaBB Newbies Offline Posts: 17 Indianapolis Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #11 - 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.
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Bobbert Serious Thumper Offline CHOP IT Posts: 836 Los Angeles, CA Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #12 - 07/26/08 at 14:28:39 if you're stalling at lights, turn up the idle using the adjustment screw on the carb
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Seth

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Re: type of fuel
Reply #13 - 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.

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01 Savage 650, 01 Dodge 2500 4x4 CTD with mods, 72 Jeepster Commando.

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4carbcorvair Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 175 Maine Gender:	Re: type of fuel Reply #14 - 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.
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