95 or 97 RON Unleaded?

[jrswinter]

What are your all your thoughts on using 97RON high octane as opposed to 95RON?
I get a standard 47mpg out of my bike all the time with 97RON and in my opinion it seems to provide a little better performance.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how this affects engine wear?

 

[PDiddy]

I get 48 on the 95 and it still goes quick enough -

 

[Engineer]

What are your all your thoughts on using 97RON high octane as opposed to 95RON?
I get a standard 47mpg out of my bike all the time with 97RON and in my opinion it seems to provide a little better performance.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how this affects engine wear?

Is it a 2010 GS or earlier? need 98 on the 2010 model if you want full power - makes no difference on earlier models, but if you use 97RON then you can be almost 100% certain that it will be at least 95RON whatever the weather!

 

[rodsharp]

Always used 95 in earlier bikes and have tried 99 shell V power and standard 95 in 2010 model. I cant tell the difference whereas I can definately tell in my car which is only a cooking model Golf ,but VW do recommend super petrol.

 

[the beer hunter]

On a recent ride to The Alps (on my 2005 12GS) I alternated between regular & super for the whole trip & noticed no differance to performance or fuel range.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I use whatever is cheapest

 

[jrswinter]

Is it a 2010 GS or earlier? need 98 on the 2010 model if you want full power - makes no difference on earlier models, but if you use 97RON then you can be almost 100% certain that it will be at least 95RON whatever the weather!

It's a 2010 model;

there doesn't seem to be any pattern forming with the responses here...

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I thought that BMW advised you filled with the higher octane on the later motors if you wanted the full BHP?

 

[jrswinter]

I thought that BMW advised you filled with the higher octane if you wanted the full BHP?

BMW recommend high octane fuel; I am quite happy about using it barring increased costs... I just wanted to know what the rest of you think in terms of the value of the fuel and if there are views on engine wear rate etc using cheaper fuel...

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

If I had a 2010 bike I'd happily run it on 95 RON ....... the engine has knock sensors which will allow lower octane fuels to be used without an issue

 

[Engineer]

The manual tells you what fuel to use in the 2010 model, 98 for full power, 95 is fine but one might get a little less power and higher fuel consumption - RTFM!!!!!

 

[bmconvert]

As with everything else in life.....everything in moderation...go for v power when it's there but don't worry if it's not!!

Different topic but Honest John in the DT recommends BP over Shell as he reckons the octane level of the Shell stuff varies a lot but the BP one is a lot more reliable!

 

[SJPB1982]

I used the high octane on my 2010 1200GSA during running in to give her the best possible start in life but switched to 95 octane petrol after the first service. There is maybe a small economy difference but not enough to compensate for the financial outlay.

On an unelated note my car has a VW FSI engine and is noticably slower and more inefficient with anything less than SHell V Power petrol. In this instance the economy gain mathematically exceeds the financial outlay so I use it in my car.

 

[ianp5uk]

I used the BP expensive diesel stuff in my car because it's so slow I reckon it needs all the help it can get. Not that I can tell the difference driving. I try to believe I'm getting better mpg. I use the better petrol in the bikes just in the hope it prevents laquer build up in the fuel systems rather than to get more bhp.