Have You Met My Friend RON

[SteveADV]

RON>ROZ>PON>AKI What the heck? I just want something flammable in there.

Well, OK, maybe there is more to it than that. The specs say 89 AKI. I always run on 93. Now before all you mechanical wizzes point out what a mental midget I am (ah, well no argument there) and that going over spec does nothing, I would like to point out that I have never had any stalling or hard start problems.

In fact, my little scarlet and gray bike (hey, stop it..I spent too much $$ there on too many kids) has been perfect regardless of temp, previous riding time, shape of the moon or any of the other small nuances that seem to plague a few of the more genteel bikes owned by others.

So, what do you run on? And don't go that 3 parts kerosene, 2 parts Sam Adams and 1 part prune juice route that has become so popular in West Palm, FL.

 

[Oldscoot]

I buy 91 Octane Chevron. I worked for most of my career in the downstream oil products world (i.e. refined petrochemicals). The additive package used by Chevron (and Texaco) was always highly considered in the industry.

P.S. I worked for a competitor refiner.

 

[JaimeC]

BMW says it'll run on 89, I buy 89. No sense giving the gas companies any more money than necessary. Too bad the LT requires 91 and no one (other than the occasional Sunoco station) sells any with that rating so I have to pay more for premium.

 

[Oldscoot]

Any knocking issues? If not - I'll switch to 89 and give it a try.

 

[SteveADV]

...The additive package used by Chevron (and Texaco) was always highly considered in the industry...

Most discussions about fuel additives are pretty skeptical. One that keeps popping up as beneficial is Chevron's Techron additive. Any opinion?

 

[Xian Forbes]

I usually spend 15 bucks to fill up my bike and I would guess that the savings between high test and regular is minor. Like less than a dollar per fillup out here in California. I always tend to use as high an octane rating based on my personal belief that it will burn more predictably and possibly cleaner, especially on a motor with a relatively high compression.

but I'm no chemist so this is just water cooler discussion information

 

[JaimeC]

No knocking or pinging issues whatsoever. If it did, I'd be suspicious of the gas station and not the scooter unless it happened all the time. Then I'd take the scooter back to the dealer and have them diagnose what's wrong.

 

[JaimeC]

One thing you'll see over and over from real experts in the field is that if your engine is designed to run on a specific octane, then purchasing a higher octane does nothing but burn a hole in your wallet that much faster. The only exception would be EXTREMELY high mileage engines with so much carbon build-up that the compression ratio is higher than the original factory spec. I can't imagine there being a single BMW scooter with that kind of mileage on it already. Hell, even my 178,000 mile K1200LT doesn't have that issue.

 

[Doraemon]

I buy 91 Octane Chevron. I worked for most of my career in the downstream oil products world (i.e. refined petrochemicals). The additive package used by Chevron (and Texaco) was always highly considered in the industry.

P.S. I worked for a competitor refiner.

I also worked for a competitor for a time, though I was in the Natural Gas side. Taking condensate by the cup and upping the octane; opsss to much blew up a head. he he
anyhow, what most don't know is that the additives are the only difference between the gas. all the fuels are packed into the great CPL (central pipeline) you measure how much
you put in and then measure that much out at your plant....I said too much already.....the black sedan has pulled up at the door! gotta go!!!!