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Something I've been wondering about - what grade fuel does everyone use?

I've only ever used 95 in my R11S. In fact I think I only ever once put some 98 in a tuned Audi S3 I used to own, and couldn't tell any difference. I was listening to a motorcycle podcast this morning that suggested higher octane could help combat higher running temps on an air-cooled motor during hot weather, and it got me thinking...

I put 98 in my HP2s, and vary between 95 and 98 in my GS Adv when in France.

Definitely better consumption with the 98, but can't say there is much noticeable difference in performance. It's easy to gauge consumption over a tank-full but not so easy to spot any immediate benefit.

Probably wasted on the 1100 engine?

Al

I'm inclined to think so. Fuel light almost always comes on around 135 miles, unless I'm being daft, so fuel consumption seems pretty stable. I might pay more attention when we go away again at the end of September.

Rob smedley reckons it makes a difference.

I don't think the R11xx engines are "intelligent" enough to make optimum use of higher octane petrol, however, CANBUS equipped bikes should be. ISTR BMW's recommendation was that you should use 98 plus but that std 95 could be used with a small reduction in power and mileage.

I know just using my KGT locally it doesn't really seem to matter what I put in but on longer trips, say up the motorway to Scotland I get MUCH more mileage from the 98 plus fuels.

It's because the CANBUS bikes have a lot more electronics like knock sensors etc so that the electronics can alter the ignition advance on the fly to optimise performance and when using the lower grade fuels the sensors can "hear" the engine pinging so alter the advance curves to safer levels

Corvus wrote:Rob smedley reckons it makes a difference.

He was on Chris Evans show this morning. When asked if higher grade fuel made a difference he said yes it does. Not yes it can.

Only telling yall what I thought I heard.

My friendly bike mechanic advised me to buy higher grade fuel , reason being its a better quality fuel.

Especially if the bike is parked off for any length of time .

Apparently the supermarket fuels are the worst to use , too much what ever in them and cheapest produced fuel .

So , the last few years, that is all I use .

98 isn't readily available in my part of the world but my 11S definitely does more to the gallon / litre /tankful when I use it.

Used to use 98 in the 11S when at the 'Ring and still saw 40+ mpg.
Can't get it here in the Shropshire / Welsh borders but it averages 45/50 in regular road riding.

98 definitely makes a difference on the 11S. The engine is much smoother and responds better to the throttle.