Why is octane rating of petrol important for your bike?

Why is octane rating important in choosing petrol for your bike? Does high-octane petrol give your bike the best it deserves?

Most of the petrol pumps offer octane-petrol with different ratings and you may wonder how this form of petrol could help your bike give a better performance. Basically, the octane rating is available in the range of 80 to mid 90's, and it indicates the resistance of the gas during self-ignition. Octane fuel is a mixture of various chemical components and it is present in the crude oil with other hydrocarbons that are of different sizes. High-octane petrol is processed with additives so it provides a better engine performance of the vehicle.

What is octane rating?
Octane rating is basically an indication of refined, pure, efficient and heat-resistant petrol. And, there are different ratings assigned for different vehicles that range from bikes to spaceships. The crude oil goes through various stages of refinement from which you derive a better quality fuel and octane grading is done on these various fuels that are extracted. These ratings point out the quality of the fuel- the higher the grading the better will be the quality in general.

Kinds of Octane Rating
Octane rating is obtained from two methods; one is the RON or The Research Octane Number, which is drawn by testing the fuel combination in a conditioned situation that facilitates better quality fuel. This method is mostly used in Australia and Europe. The other kind of rating is MON or Motor Octane Number, which is a test engine, is done in more of realistic condition. This method gives a lower rating as the engine is under severe pressure due heat variations of the fuel. USA and other countries adopt this form of octane rating.

The best kind of petrol for your bike...
One needs to be cautious while selecting the octane fuel for the bike; especially if the fuel has additives such as friction busters, which can prove to be harmful to the bike, and the fact that high-rating octane generates more heat can also prove to be unsuitable for any bike engine. It is always a better to consult the dealer of bike to know the most suitable octane rating petrol for the bike you are driving. For the regular bikes high-octane fuel could cause clutch slippage and may eventually corrode the engine. So, make sure you have the right information while choosing octane rating petrol for your bike.


And for those who own super bikes, (yes! We are seeing these super metals more often on Indian roads and can expect to see them multiply too) octane rating fuel is quite ideal. This form of fuel will cost you more than the regular petrol. For, every extra dime you spend on a litre of this premium product will be meaningful only if you own a bike that is highly performance oriented.

It is also essential for you to go through the bike manual to find out the right kind octane fuel that is suitable for your bike. Also remember, if you choose to use the octane rating fuel for the bike it is sure to burn your pocket and during this recession you will think twice to be extravagant. And beyond this it is a personal choice and the requirement of the bike.