Preferred Fuel

Having read over recent weeks some articles suggesting that certain fuels (Shell Optimax) are not, or at least were not, good for your bike I have been taking an interest in how my bike runs with different fuels. Surprisingly (to me anyway) I have found a difference. This could be caused by how stale the fuel is but without being able to determine that I was wondering what experience you guys have had. Particularly anyone riding a VN900.

Do you notice any difference between fuels?
Do you have recommendations?

My VN seems to prefer BP Ultimate. Can't give any reasons, but it is my preference, given the choice. I believe it does reflect in my fuel economy also, which I will quote here when I get home and check the details. I actually log all fuel expenses to track such things.

How very strange. I find the BP to be the best as well.
The bike just seems to run 'smoother'.
When I run the Shell the bike seems a touch rougher.

The BP does seem to struggle more when the bike is first started though but as soon as its warm it makes the bike purr.
All rather odd really. Wonder whats going on.

Distance travelled 44,000 km/2 years
Average km per litre: 21.3
Average litres per 100: 4.70
Average fuel cost per km: $0.065
Best economy trip : 28.97 km per litre on a trip to Oberon
Worst economy trip : 15.43 km per litre day to day city riding
Furthest on a single tank: 465 km with a few litres still left.

I have no problems at start up Verna. When you say 'stale fuel', I assume you are referring to how long it sits in your bike, before riding. Shouldn't really be an issue with most bikes.

By stale fuel I meant how long the fuel may have been sitting in the tanks at the petrol station.
Once its in my bike it never sits there long.

I also don't want to overstate any of this. If I had never read any of these articles I would probably never have noticed any of this including the sluggish start up. It really is only very small differences I am talking about.
Indeed its quite possibly nothing more than an overly powerful imagination.

I was just curious if others had noticed anything is all. Its really not a cause for any concern.
That 465 is though! I don't get anywhere near that - though maybe that's the resistor / fuel light thing?

I average 21km/L, havent heard of a vn900 worse than 19km/L with normal mixed riding
Oh and no preferance in fuels but i dont like ethanol but was forced to use it once ,
Brands and even octance ratings dont seem to make things vary for my bike either

How exactly are you guys working this out?
Are you filling the tank fully, riding till empty (or at least till fuel light comes on) and then checking how many litres are required to fully refill vs the km travelled?

Full tank, ride, then fill tank again. Distance travelled divided by the amount of fuel used. PM me an email address Verna and I will send you my Excell spreadsheet. Then use it for a few weeks and see you go are going.

So I paid attention to my stats this last tank and achieved 22km\L (over approx 300km) which seems on par.
What did surprise me is that my fuel gauge said empty and the fuel light had been on for a while when I filled up and it still only took 13 litres to refill. Considering the tank is 20 litres that seems a rather large 'reserve' of fuel.

hi VERNA
preferred fuel for my vn900 is BP ultimate AS WELL... it seems to run smoother have tried other fuels ...had a bad run with local shell fuel so has some friends etc
have been sticking with BP ultimate no problem around 20 klms a ltr average...around city ....little better on hwy runs
cheers fender