1150 gs and leaded fuel

[jez kearns]

I am currently riding through the western sahara and there seems to be a dearth of unleaded. I have been buying petrol from street corners out of vegetable oil bottles. i am guessing it is leaded fuel, the people selling it arent sure. How far can I go on leaded fuel and when i find some unleaded should i do anything special or just whack it in.

Cheers,

Jez

 

[bigchris]

simply, the gs is built for both leaded and unleaded - and should be able to run a variety of octanes too. That said, if you've got the standard exhaust on, you can kiss goodbye to your catalytic converter working after using leaded..

Otherwise, keep on plodding!

 

[Steptoe]

Use of leaded fuel over long periods will ruin the lambda sensor in the exhaust, the easiest way to cure any problems ( running slightly rougher, surging etc) is simply by disconnecting where it plugs into the loom. Follow the lead up to the R/H side under the tank near the front, and pull the connector apart. if you don't notice any difference, don't worry about it.

It will also bugger your exhaust cat ( unless you have a Y piece fitted instead ?), but that won't make any difference at all to how the bike will run now, in the future or at any time or in any country .
So definitely don't worry about that.

Just use whatever is available, no need to make any engine adjustments between leaded or unleaded.

Enjoy your trip, but it does seem as if your determined to try and get an adverse answer

 

[Number 6]

Put leaded in, it will run better and go further on a tankful. I did 6500 miles down there last year and always used leaded petrol with no problems. I've only just changed the fuel filter too, 18 months later. Stop worrying!

 

[jez kearns]

Thanks again

Thanks for all the reassurance. i am not trying to look for problems im just trying to think of things that might trip me up. Thankfully it seems that the good old gs is fairly bullet proof. To be fair it has been an absolute gem and we are having a fabulous trip. The Western Sahara desert was incredible and i now have a neck like an England prop from the endless wind. I guess the best thing to do is trust in the gs and enjoy the scenery. All your help is much appreciqted and there will be a big shout on the Times Website for thez site.
Cheers
Jez.