Alright, folks, let’s talk about fueling up your Harley. I’ve been riding for years, and I’ve learned a thing or two about keeping my bike happy. Today, I wanted to share my personal experience with finding the right fuel for my Harley-Davidson.
My Fuel Journey
When I first got my Harley, I was kinda clueless. I just pumped whatever was cheapest. I mean, gas is gas, right? Wrong! My bike started running rough, and sometimes, it even made these weird knocking sounds. I was worried.
So, I did what any sensible person would do – I hit up the forums and owner groups. I read tons of posts, asked questions, and got a lot of conflicting advice. Some folks swore by premium, others said regular was fine, and a few even mentioned octane boosters.
I decided to get to the source. I dug out my owner’s manual. Turns out, Harley-Davidson actually recommends a specific octane rating for their bikes. Most, they advise, need at least 91 octane.
Experiment Time!
Armed with this new information, I started experimenting. First, I tried a few tanks of regular 87 octane, since I hadn’t before, just to compare. And, yep, just like before the problems popped up. The bike felt sluggish, and I definitely heard that pinging sound again.
Next, I switched to premium 93 octane (because that’s what’s easily available near me). Wow, what a difference! My Harley ran smoother, felt more powerful, and the knocking disappeared. It was like a whole new bike.
My Routine Now
I have to say, sticking with premium has made a huge difference.
- Smoother Ride: The engine just runs better. No more weird noises.
- Better Performance: I feel like I have more power, especially when accelerating.
- Peace of Mind: I know I’m giving my bike what it needs, which makes me feel better about taking care of it.
Now, every time I fill up, I go straight for the premium pump. It might cost a little more, but it’s worth it for the performance and the health of my engine.I ain’t going back to the cheap stuff. My Harley deserves the good stuff, and honestly, so do I!
So, that’s my story. Don’t mess this up and just follow what Harley suggests – use the recommended octane, and you’ll be golden. Happy riding!
