You weren't imagining it when Optimax felt faster....

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Just read an interesting little test in RiDE magazine. Tested on a dyno were two standard bikes, a GSX-R600 and a ZX6-R. They tried standard petrol, Optimax and BP Ultimate. The results were as follows...

Suzuki
98.5bhp standard
100.4bhp Optimax
100bhp BP Ultimate

Kawasaki
101.8bhp standard
102.7bhp Optimax
102.9bhp BP Ultimate

It's also worth noting the Suzuki tested was fuel injected and the Kawasaki carbed.

I thought this was quite interesting as general opinion was that Optimax etc only increased bhp when combined with some ignition advance.

[Ninja]

I was about to say 'Bollx' until you qualified it with that last comment ... I wonder if the injected bike has any form of knock control?
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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

[G]

Another thought... optimax is supposed to have lots of cleaning-y stuff in, it could just be the initial load had the same effect as a bottle of redex and would have kept the higher power if a different fuel was used after.



I presuem they did do several dyno runs etc, as they can easily vary by a hp or two between run.

[Kickstart]

[dibbster]

Is it really worth the couple of extra pence per litre to make 2 bhp difference. I think I will stay with bog standard unleaded!
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Suzuki RF 600 - The two wheeled Testarossa (Deceased)
Suzuki GSXR - Now stops on a sixpence; SBK3's
www.bikepics.com/members/dibbster

[loply]

1% difference?

Average person weighing 80kg could make more than a 1% difference by loosing 2kg in weight...
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[EuropeanNC30R...]

It's paying 5-7% more for less than 2% performance increase. The 2% extra performance might not be worth it for normal road riding, it was also said both fuels returned a better mpg (didn't say by how much). In my opinion, the extra cost may be worth the performance alone for drag racing and trackdays. It's also a similar increase from what you'd get from fitting a race can.

[G]

As maurice said. If you look at the lengths people go to, to get a few extra hp, this is a pretty cheap and easy method.

I always try to use one of the 'good' fuels for my r6; but it does have an ignition advancer.

[JonB]

Esso have joined the bandwagon now haven't they with something like "Esso-Ultimate energy" or something like that.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[pipnet11]

[Jrod]

I've Redex'd my fuel recently. Being an older bike I thought it would have more of an affect. The bike starts alot easier IMO and it seems to pick up a little better higher up in the rev range. Might just be in my head but who know.s (Besides the dyno before and after )

[stinkwheel]

Would have been interesting if they had tried it with normal, leaded 4 star like we could all put in our bikes up until a few years ago. I reckon it would have made a bigger difference. There is a garage near me that still sells it and the bikes run noticeably better when I treat them to the odd tankful if I am passing.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[K!K @]

The main problem is the price difference.
I mean who in there right mind would pay a extra £1 every time they fill up for 2.4 BHP.
I can eat a curry and shit with a extra 10 BHP in the morning doesnt mean im gonna buy a better curry for 50p more for 12 BHP.
FUCK THAT
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Suzuki AY50 Katana
~Elite~Knights~

[G]

You're buying a whole load of petrol if you pay an extra £1.

Plenty of people will pay £500-£1000 for mods totalling to a few extra hp. So this isn't really too bad value, especially if you don't ride or care about the extra power that often.

[Milo]

I'd like to see the actual difference cheap supermarket petrol makes...
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Shaft drives rule.

[M1ke]

[Milo]

You know what I mean.
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Shaft drives rule.

[stevo as b4]

I nearly always use optimax in my zx6r, and i reckon that the 4deg ignition advancer will help maximise the power gains from the higher octane rating. Im also fitting an Akrapovic can, K&N filter, and having my Dynojet kit fitted and set up. i reckon this lot will give me at least 4-5bhp all through the rev range, all together.

[mchaggis]

[Fortuna]

Actually with better fuels your MPG will go up making the price increase compared to lower spec fuels negligable.