Gas Pumps/multiple Hoses Harley EFI & Harley Carb Discuss Gas Pumps/multiple Hoses in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Those of you that use high octane gas, do you frequent pumps with a hose for each octane? Do you look for these pumps when on the road? Especially those ...

Those of you that use high octane gas, do you frequent pumps with a hose for each octane? Do you look for these pumps when on the road? Especially those of you with small tanks, can you notice a performance difference when getting a hose full of low octane gas (if the person ahead of you used a low octane).
I have a friend with a sporty, with a small tank, that uses a multiple hose pump when he can. He claims he gets less performance when he gets a hose full of low octane gas.

[evoKENevo]

This issue occured to me awhile back. I prefer using the multi-hose pumps. But,most stations don't seem to have them. So,when I fill up at the single hose places,and the last purchase there shows lower octane than I usually run,I've been squirting a little of the "hose-residue" into each tank first..to kind of even things out..and,sometimes go with a grade higher than usual to compensate. Which works "in my head",anyhow !?!

[EZE RIDER]

Who knows how much of the old gas there is in the line? It cant be more than a pint if that but like your friend I still look for the dedicated hose pumps around home. On the road I'm not that selective. I have the 5 gallon tank and never really noticed a difference.

[4cams]

With a 1200 Sportsters' 3.3 tank, I gas up often. I go where there is a 90+ octane hose whenever possible. If I have to use a single hose, it does bother me. Maybe I should carry some octane boost for the stations that don't carry premium.

[jmk713]

The only time I'll use a single hose pump is if I get to the point that it's use it or push.
I prefer as high an octane as I can get 92 or 93 if possible.

[lowrider01]

I try to go where there are multiple hoses too,but can't always find them,my bike likes 92 or above octane,so i usually carry some octane boost that i been gettin at autozone,it's a small purple bottle usually on the counter ,it's pretty good stuff...later

[JCourneyaP]

How do you know if you select the Higher Octane Hose or Button that you are getting the Premium stuff? Maybe its one big tank. Huh?

I run 90+ most of the time. However if I hit a small town and need juice I use what they got. I really have not noticed any difference in power. However... In both cage and bike I get fewer miles with the premium stuff.

[QUOTE=JCourneyaP;20213]How do you know if you select the Higher Octane Hose or Button that you are getting the Premium stuff? Maybe its one big tank. Huh?

Are you implying there are CROOKS in the oil/gas industry? I'm losing my faith in mankind!

[frisco-rigid]

I also use high-test whenever possible but that's because all my motors are over 10-1 comp..

Depending on the Octane chemicals added to the gas at the refinery by diff gas Co.'s there could be even less BTU energy in the high-test.. Kinda like diluting 100 proof whiskey with 86 proof whiskey.. It's possible to get more power/energy outa low-test.. Heck, they're not going to give you the good stuff that has more BTU's and octane..!!
2 examples-- trimethlybenzene and dimethlybenzene,, both with about 117 octane but they're super solvents sooo, you gotta add lubricants just like are in motor gas,, ok, then you're lowering octane and possibly BTU's again,, it's a very delicate cycle that could ruin the motor..

Octane does not give more performance, it has no performance enhancing qualities..
All it does is allow the use of the performance mods built into the motor like high-comp and aggressive ignition while discouraging detonation ..
And it does help in very high temps like here in the Phoenix Valley summer..

Ooh yeah, almost forgot,, multiple hoses or single hose, that teeensy amount of low test that might be in there doesn't bother me at all..

I personally don't look for multi-hose pumps. The closest station has single hose pumps and the closest with multi-hose pumps is 15 miles away.

frisco
You're correct as usual, the octane level controls the detonation. I never get any detonation with single hose pumps even with the sporty (small tank).

Thought it would be interesting what others thought, and if any could tell a difference.