Shell V Power

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Hi Everyone,
   I am wanting to see what peoples thoughts are on Shell V Power. On my recent FarRide to lightning ride I filled up with v power on the way home and noticed a bit of improvement in milage and performance. Before this I had always run caltex vortex or bp ultimate. only using 95 if I had to. What are anyone elses thoughts or experiences.
                                                                Cheers Greg

[Brock]

I used 98 in my 1100, and then tried 91 octane (various brands). My spread sheet showed the only difference was the cost to fill up. it made no difference to the range or apparent power.  The best test is to keep a log of your range and fuel usage for several months for each grade of fuel and compare the results..

[youngSTer]

I am wondering what effect using 91 octane will have long term on valves and pistons etc.

[alans1100]

91 RON fuel is the recommended fuel for the 1100 while the 1300 is 95 RON. Providing you use the minimum fuel rated for your bike you will be ok. In dollar terms the cost would far exceed any gains in performance/mileage by using a higher rated fuel.

When I go to dad's and fill up for the return trip I use E10 (bike/car) which doesn't do any harm either but that's 94 RON but I wouldn't run that on a 1300.

[pault]

a few i know in the trade have seen memos saying avoid v power as it will wreck engines 91 ok

[Bikebear]

I run 91 in my 1100 and it goes fine. I've tried higher octane fuel in the past and found no  discernible difference in performance or economy. Not sure if I would run E10 in the 1100 as I'm not sure that the rubber fuel lines and other bits can cope with  it, maybe it is okay in the l300's.

[STeveo]

My 1100 sometimes 'pings' on 91 octane if I give it too much throttle at low revs, and I usally go for the 95 octane. Runs a bit smoother but I don't notice any power increase. Will be interesting to see what difference the PM800 will make with 91.

 

[pault]

agree with bikebear here no difernce between 91 and 95. BP is too expensive so i have been using shell 91
scared to use E10 with diaphrams in carbies of my 1100

[Biggles]

I'm one of the bad boys who puts 91 in his ST1300.  I've used Vortex and kept a spreadsheet, and can see no difference in economy.
This issue has been around a few times before.  RON is all about pre-detonation, detected as "pinging". 
The power of an engine is determined by factors like the capacity, timing, porting and compression ratio.  The RON of the fuel for a particular engine is determined by the engine's design.  High compression engines need higher RON petrol or the fuel charge will detonate before the spark fires and you will get a knock, or "ping".
If I let the engine "lug", it still doesn't ping.  So why pay at least 10¢ per litre more?
How much does PM800 cost per mil?  You'd need a noticeable improvement in economy if it costs more than a few cents.  Otherwise you're using it to "clean the system".

[Down Under]

Have a read of this article from Road Rider Magazine:

http://www.roadrider.com.au/gear-reviews/the-fuel-truth?A=SearchResult&SearchID=4913969&ObjectID=418523&ObjectType=35

There's a reference to Shell V Power in regards to it causing sludging.  I've read about Shell V Power causing similar problems else where as well.  I've steered clear of it for this reason.

Cheers,

Tony

[Dan]

I'm one of the bad boys who puts 91 in his ST1300.  I've used Vortex and kept a spreadsheet, and can see no difference in economy.
This issue has been around a few times before.  RON is all about pre-detonation, detected as "pinging". 
The power of an engine is determined by factors like the capacity, timing, porting and compression ratio.  The RON of the fuel for a particular engine is determined by the engine's design.  High compression engines need higher RON petrol or the fuel charge will detonate before the spark fires and you will get a knock, or "ping".
If I let the engine "lug", it still doesn't ping.  So why pay at least 10¢ per litre more?
How much does PM800 cost per mil?  You'd need a noticeable improvement in economy if it costs more than a few cents.  Otherwise you're using it to "clean the system".

That's how I understand it, unless an engine is designed to use higher octane fuel it is a waste of money. 

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I guess after reading the report I realised hearing some where v power was a very oilly fuel? will probally stick with bp ultimate diesel. Seems to work for our illustrios Diesel.
                                                      Thanks for the input & info
                                                                                          Greg

[saaz]

In the ST11 I have used all sorts of brands and octanes.  91 gives me the same range and performance as the higher octane fuels.  I have also used E10 quite a lot and surprisingly here does not seem to be a noticeable rang penalty, even if itdoes have less energy per litre. I suspect that a the ethanol makes the fuel more oxegenated it might run leaner.  The best fuel economy I ever got was on E10, the worst on 98 (Vortex).  All other results seem to be in the middle somewhere.  Average speed, winds etc make more difference than the fuel I think.

ST13s ay be difference due to the EFI and oxygen sensors tuning the bike to run best on whatever fuel is being used. In my car which is EFI and has dual timing tables, and has been E10 and 98 give equivalent fuel economy.  98 feels nicer to drive though as it has more power down low as it can run more timing than E10.

[terrydj]

I always use the cheapest at the pump and if its the cheapest, have used that E10 stuff as well and never noticed a problem.

[harieg]

I guess after reading the report I realised hearing some where v power was a very oilly fuel? will probally stick with bp ultimate diesel. Seems to work for our illustrios Diesel.
                                                      Thanks for the input & info
                                                                                          Greg

yes but we all know Diesel is GREEZY