Originally Posted by
Zolten
I'm not completely educated on this but I will say that the fuel map that you have now probably is the original. I had the same thing with my '06 XB12ss; equipped with a K&N, a Jardine and a PO who didn't play with the ECM. I've always put 93 fuel into the tank because the [my 2006] manual calls for 91 octane and it may contain up to 10% ethanol. My bike had plenty of backfire on decel before I burned a specific map from Buelltooth and now fixed that issue, plus I can engine brake much more successfully. Night and day difference. So, I recommend doing the same, of course.
Anyway, back to the question. I don't think you're crazy because I believe the compression ratio has a direct impact on what fuel is required (Again, I might be wrong.) Perhaps with the original fuel map and the aftermarket components of your bike, that map supplied a different amount of fuel into the cylinder and make is work that way. Perhaps the first gas you bought was just bad quality to begin with. I do know for sure that you should follow the manual with the fuel recommendation. I've read studies on this that basically stated putting high octane fuel in an engine that does not require it is just a waste of money. There was no measureable difference with performance or deposits inside. Lower octane, however, did create a measurable difference. More importantly, it was the overall quality of the fuel being used.