# Octane Ratings

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/octane-ratings/56537>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 18, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/octane-ratings/56537 "2010-10-18T16:24:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![planohog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@planohog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/planohog)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/octane-ratings/56537/1 "2010-10-18T16:24:15Z")

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My Harley requires 91 octane. In Texas 87, 89, 91, and 93 is available. After moving to Colorado, 85,87,and 91 octane is readily available. My question is: Can I use a lower octane number rating in Colorado (87 vs.91) as my Harley does not require the highest rated octane available? Thanks, Panohog

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/octane-ratings/56537/2 "2010-10-18T16:29:37Z")

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For such small $$, I would use 91.

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/octane-ratings/56537/3 "2010-10-18T16:32:08Z")

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It all depends on what your owners manual states. Is 91 octane “recommended” or “required”? If the manual states that 91 octane is “required” then use 91 octane. Since the Harley gas tank is so small why risk damaging your engine for a few cents?

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**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/octane-ratings/56537/4 "2010-10-18T20:46:53Z")

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You answered your own question right in your opening statement “My Harley requires 91 octane”