What fuel do you use?

[cc123]

I was reading an article (below) on another forum about types of fuel and whats best. Personally I've always used Optimax, no question. When I had my old petrol Focus, I used to sneak in a cheeky tank of the stuff every few weeks (on the company!) and noticed the difference in response and overall perfomance.

So now that I'm running a bike, I've always put Optimax in but now I'm not sure if I should by trying Esso SUL....

Read below:

A bit long winded but interesting

Copied and pasted from another Forum, this guys father in law also works down at Shell Haven and confirms this is pretty much about the size of it,

"Super unleaded is a fine fuel, but only if purchased from reputable dealers. Esso SUPER, like BP are about the best you can buy. Supermarket stuff is just 4 star without the valve addictive, which itself is just 95 unleaded that has been octane boosted. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Supermarket petrol is a very dirty fuel. Any engineer of their pumps will confirm that. I have seen the results of their filters and you get everything from feathers to god knows what flowing through supermarket fuels. EVEN SAND.

All Super by law has to be 97 ron, but where its stable enough to hold higher octane, stations are able to advertise its octane as being higher sometimes.

Optimax has a variable octane rating, due to its structure its less stable, but leaves the refinery at 101 octiane. Thats the equivalent to the old 5 star for those old enough to remember it. By the time you buy it, its closer to around 97. This is why its octane isnt always stated.

Normal 95 or 97 fuels wont lose octane, whereas optimax does, but used fresh, its the highest octane fuel you can buy.

All supermarket fuels come from either the Matex or Purfleit refineries for the south east. These only take oil from the eastern block. They are most definately NOT the same fuels as ESSO and such like. They also remix contaminations for other companies then sell the fuel on via supermarkets as well. On average, each 50 litres brought from a supermarket will have 8% contaminates, and 9 grams of grit. I have got 2 test tubes sitting on my desk at work of both ESSO and Tesco regular 95 for simple comparisons when arguing these points with supermarket buyers. There is a bead in both which on the Tesco tube floats in mid suspension due to the grittiness of its petrol. The ESSO falls straight to the bottom. These are random samples taken every few weeks, and the results are always the same.

Texaco is a subsidary of ESSO and both use the same petrol.

There are basically 3 companies which supply fuel to the UK. ESSO, BP, AND SHELL.

Each sells to all the other names you find.

JET, FINA, Q8 and a few other smaller outlets all use SHELL.

TEXACO and TOTAL use ESSO,

Supermarkets use Eastern Block fuels, which are primarily designed for the 91 Ron continent market. These are upgraded in the UK to UK specs by using Butane gas. Hence to avoid.

BP Ultimate is just its old Super grade cleaned up a bit. IE. It goes through another filter at the refinery. Not a bad fuel though, second only to ESSO in quality. Its Diesel is the best in the world for all you Diesel owners.

OPTICRAP. Need i say more. All grades supplied by Shell. Might as well fill from your local FINA station and pop a bottle of Halfarts octane super duper booster plus in.

ESSO 95 and 97 = If you want every pennies worth in quality petrol, look no further. Get it at your local TOTAL, TEXACO or ESSO "

So basically, if you know someone at your local Shell garage, find out when the fuel lorry is coming but if not, use ESSO!

Any thoughts?
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[instigator]

I'll just stick the first green tap I come across in my tank

Well, if it says unleaded, I'lll just put it in. Not really bothered what price or octane thingmyjig level it has

[cc123]

But after reading that, surely you must think what crap is going through your engine?

Dunno about you, but I like my bike to be running a sweet as possible and if that means a few extra pennies at the pump then so be it...
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[instigator]

Hmm, having actually read it () it does make you think more, but when I only plan to keep the bike for less than a year (hopefully upgrade this october) I guess I care less

Just with my income, price tends to come first and if I'm near a tesco's, then chances are, I'll go tehre.

[cc123]

What bike you up-grading to?
If your getting a sports bike then higher RON fuel is the way to go. You want to get the best for your engine and with bits of crap floating around in 'lesser' fuels it can't be doing much good...

I'll just need to remember to ask the staff in my local Shell when they are getting fresh fuel in..... Optimax starts at 101 RON when it's fresh...crazy but I want some of that!
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[8316]

i dont think optimax does much difference for an old 70's designed 125 engine-so i stick with "total"'s standard unleaded
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Now own a Fireblade!! Speed Limits? Bah!

[Kickstart]

[eddie_gumshoe]

I have tried fancy 'performance' fuel, fancy 'clean' fuels, and can honestly say thay I have not noticed any difference in performance, economy or anything else on me old 89 VFR .

I DID notice that in France last year I got almost 10% better economy ... and that cruisin the peage at around 90 - 100 mph ... anyone explain that ...??

[Keith]

Hmm. I only ever used to use an Esso station down the road, but when their prices rose, I only ever used a Tesco station which was the same distance away. Well I think I'll be avoiding the 'cheap' stuff from now on if they dont do any good for the engine. No wonder they can supply so cheap if its not even purified properly.

My dad works on oil rigs in Africa and all over the world, his last job was with Esso I believe. Just he said it all goes to the same refinery and its all shipped out and re-badged as different brands.

Nevermind. Think I'll start paying the few pence extra and fill my bike with some better quality stuff. Good post, was an interesting read.
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Aprilia RSV Mille R Edwards Replica - Aprilia RS250 - Suzuki GSXR600 Supersport Race Bike

[cc123]

I might try the Esso stuff for a while to see if there is any difference. Even then, take it with a pinch of salt but would you still run the risk of using cheap supermarket fuel 'just incase'? Although there might be no immediate consequences it 'could' cause more long term effects?
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[Bendy]

I'll be sticking with my cheap supermarket petrol, been using it for about ten years and never come across any problems or noticeable performance difference. It saves me money and is nearest my house.

The only time I've ever noticed fuel having an effect was a phase of BP Unleaded making my bike backfire. No idea why.

[Kickstart]

[zephyrgirl]

I always put the cheapest stuff in my car, but have to 'fess up to falling for the blub and put BP Ultimate in my knackered old Zephyr every time.

I ride off the forecourt feeling smug, like I've really given the bike a 'treat', and...........poorer.
BP Unleaded atm is approx 75.9
BP Ultimate is 83.9

What a Muppet!
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Fly away on my Zephyr?
I bloody wish.

[paulodd]

The green one, like instigator says the first green thing i see goes in.

Paul
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[Ricey]

Used BP Ultimate in my car but in my ped I used Shell Optimax and it made a difference. But the BP stuff is not all that don't bother paying the extra.

[innominate]

Standard green.


Optimax or the like thrown in once a month.
With a little RedEx.

It does seem to start slightly easier with Optimax.
But would not jump to the expense of filling every time.
(Do about 250miles a week on meh cb500)
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I, as a responsible adult human being, will never concede the power to anyone to regulate my choice of what I put into my body, or where I go with my mind. From the skin inwards is my jurisdiction, is it not? I choose what may or may not cross that border. Here I am the customs agent. I am the coast-guard. I am the sole legal and spiritual government of this territory, and only the laws I choose to enact within myself are applicable.

[Wave2k]

i use unleaded

more specific

Regualer unleaded
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[dodsi]

I use esso as it is nearest. Standard unleaded goes in the tank....easy.

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Think higher octane fuels work better in my bike (runs smoother, which I like), but for the past few weeks/months I have been using regular unleaded simply because it's cheaper. Most of the riding I do at the moment is commuting.

Don't really need anything special for just bimbling around town, and I get more miles per tank... Maybe when the weather gets better, I might put in a nicer fuel for the different riding style...

[BUSA BOY]

very interesting read. .i tend to use optimax wi the busa. but it still scares me with asda fuel in it. but i will say that with optimax in the throttle feels crisper and not so lumpy low down wi the race cans on. .so nasel sex{f**ck knows}
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!!MADE IN SCOTLAND.WHERE THE MEN ARE MEN
AND THE SHEEP ARE SCARED!!

[cc123]

My bike is a toy only, I don't commute to work and back, got a company car for that but even then.... £12-13 pounds for a tank of fuel ain't a great amount of money to fire some in some Optimax or Esso SUL?

How can you say it's a marketing thing for oil companies to 'big up' there special brands of fuel?? These oil/petrol companies are some of the richest in the world, why crave for more?!

I'll stick with the dear stuff thanks
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[iCraig]

I shove any unleaded in it, if I am running out I will use supermarket stuff if that the closest station, but most of the time I use Texaco Unleaded, never had any problems with it and I really don't care aslong as it makes my bike run.

[Bendy]

[TheShaggyDA]

Well as far as the car goes, it's diesel. The bike gets whatever unleaded is going, but I do follow 2 simple rules for both the car and bike. Firstly, I don't go below a quarter of a tank, and secondly, if I see a petrol tanker at the petrol station, I avoid it for at least 3 days. Don't like the amount of crap that gets stirred up.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[cc123]

So many pro's and con's..............Eeeeekk !!

Anyone know where to buy 'race fuel' !?
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