Actually, I didn't. Thanks for mentioning it. Probably like many others, I go along with the idea that higher octane for aviation (100 octane, low lead for private aircraft, something I know a little bit about) and, I guess, the "top fuel" methanol-driven engines that power the dragsters I seem to remember (Daddy Garlits, anyone?), spell more performance and "combustibility," but I am no chemical engineer.
Unfortunately, it is something that gas companies LIKE consumers to be confused about. Hence the word "premium" slapped on it. There is nothing "premium" about higher octane gas, except the price. Higher octane is not "better" gas, any more than the color red is better than blue or green or yellow in your coolant. There is also a misconception that high octane gas has more or better additives, which is also 100% false. The purpose of higher octane is to prevent pre-ingition in engines that need it. If you put high octane gas in an engine not designed for it, it will perform WORSE. The C14 needs it, in its range of maximum compression (remember, it has variable valve timing, so it is not enough to look at just the static compression ratio) and temperature operation. In some cases, you can get away with running "mid range" or even low, if you are not pushing the bike hard, and/or at certain elevations and/or at very colder temperatures. But it is a gamble. And some engines (NOT ON THE CONCOURS) there are knock sensors that will mess with the timing and fuel ratio to try and *cope* with being given [wrong] gas with too low an octane.... but, as you might guess, at a cost; lost performance, more fouling (which leads to reliability issues and service problems), possible engine stress, etc.
The other thing- higher octane gas doesn't cost ANYWHERE NEAR what it used to cost to make (due to technology improvements). The price is typically severely artificially inflated. And it is obvious when you compare the price difference between high and low octane price gas at "normal" gas stations to places like Costco/BJ's who don't rip people off.