Using 87 Regular Gas - Experiences?

[kadesean]

rc51-"slow seller so sits around much longer"

Not really true as the vast majority of service stations have two tanks (not counting diesel) one for premium and one for standard. Those two are blended at the pump for your 'midgrade' fuel.

[kadesean]

BTW- The poll didn't offer my choice of using 87 in my low compression (8.5:1) G/S and premium in my 'high compression' (9.5:1) S models.

[rc51owner]

Originally Posted by kadesean

rc51-"slow seller so sits around much longer"

Not really true as the vast majority of service stations have two tanks (not counting diesel) one for premium and one for standard. Those two are blended at the pump for your 'midgrade' fuel.

I take it that there is a "mid-grade regulatory board" that goes around to every pump to make sure that they are delivering the "approved mid-grade" spec fuel...

I did not know that there were only two grades delivered. I will now happily press the middle button on the pump in the future.

Cheers,

Mark -%)

[kadesean]

Probably the same regulatory board that drains out the crap 87 before I pull up to get 93 and ensures that I get 1 whole gallon every time.

[Asphalt Outlaw Hero]

A couple of things to always remember.
You can't always hear detonation.It can be really ugly.You have a piston fighting a flame front all the way up,its just hammering the rod bearings.
The other is that all motors are a bit different.
Reminds me of the Clint Eastwood quote"Do you feel lucky today?"

[Norsman]

I remember once we were out of gas and my Mom put colemen fuel in the lawnmower... boy did it hum!

I have an '04 R1150GS ADV and have run both low grade and super (or premium some call it). I'm not sure what weather has to do with it, some are saying summer pinging, but when I use the low grade the bike is less responsive and pings quite a bit. I notice that when on the freeway at about 4500 RPM it is a bit sluggish when I gun it.

On the other hand... I have never experienced pinging or sluggishness when using the highest octane. Someone mentioned the placebo effect... that may be true (but it makes you feel a whole lot better).

I have been considering using Lucas Oil fuel additive... it cleans, stabilizes, and smooths.. amoung other things. What do think of that?

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=2&loc=show

[GS Addict]

MY '00 1150 GS wants the Chevron 94 except for the coldest months of the year, then I can run 92. otherwise it pings on hard acceleration in mid range. The manual says the compression is 10.3:1.

[NJ Moto]

My 05' GS has an 11.3:1 compression ratio IIRC. I always use premium if available.

YMMV

[Weird Bug]

Those of you who are trying to save a few $$ might want to do the math. The mid-grade cost much more per octane than either the regular grade or premium. It won't add up to much on the GS, but in a larger tank (such as on my 27 gallon tank in my van) it can be a few bucks a tank if you mix regular and unleaded in the proper proportion to result in the desired octane.

Sold the van, but seem to remember that I mixed 8 gallons of premium (93 octane) with 16 gallons of regular (87 octane) to get to 89 octane - saving $0.07/gallon. Mid-grade is a waste of money, but convenient for those that need a little extra octane to eliminate pre-ignition.

[jeffs900s]

Originally Posted by gfspencer

I always use mid-grade in my R1200GS because that's what the tank decal tells me to use.

I have a Ducati Paul Smart. The manual tells me to use high test but I was told to try regular by some folks on the Ducati Forum. I tried it. The bike does not ping, the performance is better and my mpg has improved. Go figure.

Weird huh? My Monster 900 is exactly the same way. Runs poorly on Premuim and great on the cheap stuff.

I've been running the mid-grade in the GS so far, because of the BMW recommendation to run 89 at a minimum.

Jeff

[Norsman]

Any one use octane additive or boost... I think it is just a couple of ounces per gallon?

[TexBiker]

Originally Posted by sjensen

Any one use octane additive or boost... I think it is just a couple of ounces per gallon?

I don't use additives in my oil or gas. If I need higher octane gas, I buy higher octane gas. If I'm travelling through an area that doesn't have 93/91 octane fuel, I'll fill up with regular. One or two tanks of low octane gas won't kill the bike.

[fudgypup]

Going to Baja on the '11 GSA for 920 miles of fun. I''ll get 89 or 91 if I can but if I do a tank of 87, I'm not worried about it.

However, if there's nothing but 87, I'd rather try an octane booster. I take it those 16oz bottles treat 16 gallons, so half a bottle per tank is what I was thinking. I'll take two bottles with me.

I know a lower octane will not ruin my engine or have me sputtering, I would just run it properly and have that peace of mind.

Any thoughts from others who've had their GS/A's down there?

[marty hill]

I've used 87 octane in 12GS's for 220k miles. Hope this helps.

[ShaftEd]

Originally Posted by fudgypup

Going to Baja on the '11 GSA for 920 miles of fun. I''ll get 89 or 91 if I can but if I do a tank of 87, I'm not worried about it.

However, if there's nothing but 87, I'd rather try an octane booster. I take it those 16oz bottles treat 16 gallons, so half a bottle per tank is what I was thinking. I'll take two bottles with me.

I know a lower octane will not ruin my engine or have me sputtering, I would just run it properly and have that peace of mind.

Any thoughts from others who've had their GS/A's down there?

I really wouldn't bother with an octane booster. I've had my 1150GS and my 12GS in Baja using regular unleaded and both ran fine. No issues or pinging at all. However, if you do get a chance to run the Premium (Rojo), it's awesome, but not found at many stations down there.