Which octane

[hackers2r]

Well I just went for a ~100 mile ride and tested just about everything I could.  Still no knocking/pinging.  Can't believe I've been pumping 93 when I could have been running 87!  Like mentioned before, I actually think the bike is running smoother at all RPM with the 87 too. 

[DarkMonster620]

Well I just went for a ~100 mile ride and tested just about everything I could.  Still no knocking/pinging.  Can't believe I've been pumping 93 when I could have been running 87!  Like mentioned before, I actually think the bike is running smoother at all RPM with the 87 too. 

Great!!!

[koko64]

Well I just went for a ~100 mile ride and tested just about everything I could.  Still no knocking/pinging.  Can't believe I've been pumping 93 when I could have been running 87!  Like mentioned before, I actually think the bike is running smoother at all RPM with the 87 too. 

I'm envious. wish I could use that octane rating. Gas is $4-$4.50 a gallon in Oz. Higher octane even worse.

[koko64]

This relates to OZ users. The weather is very cold for here (4-15 deg C).

Tried Shell V Power 98 Ron fuel again. The first time any bike I have owned has run cleanly with it. It was a very cold morning and the bike ran very smoothly as if I had turned out the IMS a turn or running a little choke on a freezing morning. Did not deteriorate as the bike warmed up.

The Shell website said that the fuel was compatible with most motorcycles but to check with the manufacturer. The Shell blurb made alot out of the anti friction technology in the fuel to help reduce cylinder wall/piston ring friction. I am guessing that if you are jetted/mapped on the rich side or if you don't have a strong spark or higher compression , it may leave deposits on your plugs. The fuel is claimed by the way to clean deposits.

I believe the fuel has been improved in the last twelve months since I last tested it. I would be open to the suggestion that the burn rate has been increased while maintaining the anti knock properties, because the stuff used to foul plugs regularly. It was the smoothest running fuel I have used in cold conditions.

I will try the Shell 95 RON next.

[koko64]

Called Shell technical guy for customer feedback.
Explained that many riders have complained of fouled plugs and rough running when using 98 RON octane fuel.
Also told him that my bike ran well with the same fuel on a nearly zero Deg C morning recently with smooth running and the bike behaved as if I had richened the jetting up for the extremely cold weather.
I asked him if the fuel was changed since I last used it a year ago.

He said that they change the fuel for the change in seasons and also change it for the conditions in the Northern Australian states where it is much warmer year around. He also said in summer they make the fuel less volitile compared to winter.

He said that the fuel was very dense as in it behaves as if it is richer and would have worked well in the really cold conditions. He suggested that I try the 95 RON octane which I had planned to do.