When it comes to automobiles, regular motorcycle maintenance is necessary to keep them in good working order, but sometimes, the fuel in the vehicle is overlooked. The fuel system plays a crucial role in ensuring that your bike receives the proper fuel at the right time and place for optimal performance. When visiting a petrol station, there are so many alternatives available that it can be challenging to determine which is best for your bike. Here are some pointers on the type of fuel that will work best for your bike.
Regular Petrol: An Affordable Choice
Standard petrol, generally referred to as unleaded petrol, is the most widely utilized kind. It has an octane rating of 87 and is reasonably priced and easily accessible.
The SAE states that most motorcycle engines can run on ordinary petrol. It’s a beautiful option for commuter motorcycles, but you might want to look at other solutions if your engine is more sophisticated or high-performance.
Since there are so many different kinds of fuel for your vehicle on the market, why do you all choose to spend more on higher-octane fuel? You are aware of the different octane ratings found in petrol, but are you aware of the meaning behind octane? Allow me to take you on a knowledge trip about Octane ratings.
It’s crucial to know what kind of fuel is appropriate for your particular motorcycle before you put any type of petrol in it. Every motorcycle has a varied engine size; hence, every motorcycle requires a different amount of fuel. The owner’s manual for your bike will list the recommended fuel to use. Each engine manufacturer sets the minimum octane rating that petrol must meet. The optimal motorcycle performance can be obtained by following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Each engine manufacturer sets the minimum octane rating that petrol must meet.
Premium Petrol: To Boost Efficiency
Premium petrol is the way to go if you like to ride spiritedly or own a high-performance motorcycle. Premium fuel has an octane level of 91 or 93, which means it has better power delivery, smoother engine performance, and better throttle response.
To maximize your motorcycle’s engine’s capability, experts from top motorcycle manufacturers advise using premium petrol.
Ethanol Blended Petrol: A Sustainable Option
Fuel combined with ethanol is becoming more and more popular as a way to help the environment. It lowers carbon emissions by blending a specific amount of ethanol with conventional petrol.
It’s crucial to remember, though, that the API states that petrol combined with ethanol may have a slightly lower energy content, which could result in slightly worse fuel economy.
Octane Rating: What Is It?
The octane rating of a fuel indicates how resistant it is to “knocking,” or spontaneous detonation, which occurs when the air/fuel mixture explodes before the spark plug ignites.
The fuel’s resistance to detonation increases with the octane rating. High-performance engines should use petrol with a higher octane rating.
Octane is Important: The octane rating of petrol indicates its consistency, purity, toughness, dependability, and capacity to withstand heat. However, we offer several grades of gasoline for a range of uses, from spacecraft to motorcycles.
The multiple Octane petrol ratings, which represent purity and sophistication in ascending order, are 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, and 97. Mostly we have two types of petrol: 87 octanes, which you use for your bike as unleaded, and 97 octanes, which are used to fuel the Speed 97 superbikes that are offered in India. Because they require a lot of refining, high-octane fuels are also expensive.
Leaded And Unleaded Petrol
If you can travel back in time to 2000, you will observe that we were using leaded gasoline, which had 0.15 grams of lead per liter. Lead offered unique benefits that contributed to the engine’s long and steady life. However, the government mandated the use of unleaded fuel in 2000 because lead in petrol increased carbon monoxide emissions. Because unleaded petrol has significantly lower CO emissions and is more environmentally friendly, automobile and bike exhausts with honeycomb catalytic converters have deficient pollution levels.
Read More: Electric Bike Vs Petrol Bike
Synthetic Fuel Additives: Increasing Efficiency And Performance
Synthetic fuel additives can improve your bike’s efficiency and performance in addition to different types of petrol. When used with ordinary or premium petrol, these additives increase combustion efficiency, reduce carbon buildup, and maintain clean engine performance.
Things To Consider Before Buying Petrol
Think about factors like your bike’s engine type, compression ratio, manufacturer’s recommendations, and riding style when choosing the appropriate fuel for your bike.
Suggestions For Varieties Of Bikes
Based on the bike categories, the following general advice is provided:
- Commuter Bikes
For the majority of commuter motorcycles, regular gas usually suffices, offering a decent mix of performance and affordability.
- Sports Bikes
Premium gas is advised for high-performance sports bikes to optimize power and responsiveness.
- Cruisers And Touring Bikes
Although regular petrol performs admirably on these bikes, premium petrol offers some riders a smoother ride and better performance.
Conclusion
Companies such as BPCL, IOC, HPCL, IBP Red, and Shell, among others, provide you with a range of petrol options for your vehicle in India. A higher octane number indicates that more heat is being produced in the engine, which is bad for the engine of your bike. High-octane fuels also contain additives like friction busters that may not be suitable. Therefore, inquire with your dealer about the suitability of using higher-octane petrol the next time you consider fueling your bike with Xtra Premium or Power.
Make sure to ask questions carefully before filling up your bike’s tank again because the additives may cause the clutch to slip or cause gradual damage to the engine with repeated use.
