What Type of Gasoline Should Motorcycles Use?
3 Answers
Generally, regular motorcycles use 92-octane gasoline. Below are some precautions for motorcycle riding: Break-in Period: During riding, it's important to note that the engine speed during the break-in period should not exceed 50% of the maximum power RPM, and the maximum RPM should not surpass 75% of that limit. Post Break-in Period: The maximum riding RPM should not exceed 75% of the maximum power RPM, as exceeding this limit may cause unnecessary malfunctions during riding. Gear Usage: Taking a common 125CC motorcycle as an example. First gear is only used for low-speed starts or climbing very steep slopes. Immediately after starting, shift into second gear. Second gear generally operates at speeds between 10-20, while third gear is suitable for speeds between 20-40, and fourth gear is ideal for speeds between 30-50. Typically, for speeds above 40, fifth gear can be used.
The specific gasoline grade for motorcycles depends on the manual requirements. For most daily-use small-displacement models like 125cc or 150cc, 92 octane is sufficient. As experienced riders know, 95 octane gasoline isn't as miraculous as imagined - unless you're riding a high-compression large-displacement motorcycle, using it for regular commuter bikes is just wasting money. Always check the label inside the fuel tank cap before refueling. My Honda 190 clearly specifies using 91 octane or higher unleaded gasoline. Remember never to mistakenly add diesel - a friend once did this and had to spend over 2,000 yuan on major engine repairs. For frequent long-distance riders, it's advisable to avoid ethanol-blended gasoline as it tends to cause carburetor clogging.
Having worked in motorcycle maintenance for over a decade, I've seen too many failures caused by improper fueling. Motorcycle engines are more precise than car engines—always follow the manufacturer's recommended octane rating. If the manual says 92, don't force 95. Smaller fuel tanks demand higher fuel quality, as impurities in low-grade gasoline can quickly clog carburetor nozzles. The worst case I've seen was someone filling a two-stroke bike with diesel—the blue smoke during cylinder seizure was a nightmare. Also, ABS-equipped motorcycles are more sensitive to fuel pressure, so using a filtered funnel when refueling is advisable. Recently, I handled a case where ethanol-blended gasoline caused tank rust, and the repair cost for engine damage from rust particles reached four figures.
