[Hondaman]

Hey guys. Ive read all the fuel related links on the org. But i was just wondering anyone has tried the new vortex 98 fuel. The reason i ask is because on wednesday night last week i filled up. I didnt get to ride the bike until saturday when i went to lake macquarie for a weekend getaway. 30 mins into my ride the bike stating making really loud engine noises. It was out doing the sound of the exhaust and general road noise. I pulled into another caltex and filled half the tank with vortex 95, which is the fuel that i normally use. The noise didnt go away straight away obviously, but riding home on sunday i noticed it had quietened down quite a bit. Getting back into sydney i filled the tank full of the 95 and the noise is only there slightly.
At the time on saturday i was quite worried that something was going to explode on my bike. The noise was terrible. It only happened under load and got louder as the bike revved out. Looking at the exhaust puffs of black smoke was evident at around 7k rpm under quick acceleration.
Anyway thinking about it now im quite sure it was pinging due to the fuel. But my understanding is that pinging happens when you use a lower grade fuel that burns too quickly, therefore heating up the engine. Any thoughts on my noise and the puffs of black smoke?

[Cowboy1600]

I use vortex sometimes and have had no problems. I actually find it to be one of the fuels my bike really likes. Maybe the probs ur having with it could be a 954 thing tho Or maybe the problem is unrelated

Sounds like maybe its running a bit rich(explains the black smoke). What mods do you have? Bikes tend to run rich at about 7000rpm which means if urs is running rich then it may smoke a little thru that rev range. Id suggest getting it up on a dyno and having it tuned properly then see what happens.

[Cowboy1600]

Get in touch with The Sook at doin' bike (see bottom of main forum page) They have an email addy, or just PM him. Hes in sydney and will look after you

[Hondaman]

Thanks cowboy. I might have to see the sook. I have been using the vortex 95 octane fuel since the bike was brand new. The vortex 98 was the first time i used it and i dont think ill be going back to it. But ill shall have to get the map done soon....and maybe an arata exhaust

[Jungleboy]

Originally Posted by Cowboy1600

Bikes tend to run rich at about 7000rpm which means if urs is running rich then it may smoke a little thru that rev range. Id suggest getting it up on a dyno and having it tuned properly then see what happens.

Is that all bikes or just red ones

[The Sook]

It does seem wierd that it only makes noise with the the 98 fuel. Do you have any mods done to the bike yet? Or are you gonna get the Arata system with the free powercommander? Hahaha

[Hondaman]

Haha no mods yet! yeh i thought it was strange with the 98 fuel. i rode it again today with a full tank of 95 and its purring like a baby again. I wont be touching that 98 again.

[matt232]

Originally Posted by Hondaman

Haha no mods yet! yeh i thought it was strange with the 98 fuel. i rode it again today with a full tank of 95 and its purring like a baby again. I wont be touching that 98 again.

Don't suppose the petrol truck was in the servo while you were filling up?

I've been given two golden rules for fuel.

1. If the fuel truck is pumping into the tanks then find another servo because the stir up all the **** in the tanks and you can have performance problems and/or screw your engine in some cases

2. Don't use Shell Optimax

since getting the 1000rr I've now got another one

3. 95 RON or higher (But I usually throw BP Ulitmate, Mobil 8000 or Caltex Vortex in it, in that order of preference.).

I was forced to put 1/4 tank of 91 RON while in Tassie (no 98 RON downthere and the 95 RON was out) but encountered no problems then or after I filled up with 95 RON.

Anyway, do you remember a fuel truck there?