F700GS fuel

[Cobweb]

My 2011 F650GS had a sticker on the fuel cap calling for Minimum 91 octane so it ran a treat on 95 unleaded which is the normal fuel in the UK so when I filled up my 700 for the first time I gave it 95 without thinking. Well it rattled like a 'son of a bitch' so thinking I'd got contaminated fuel I went to dip the tank when I got home and that's when I saw the super unleaded sticker calling for 95 minimum octane. (Ok I know I should have checked first but what a total bastard!) It won't run on 95 so now I've got to pay the extra per litre and for super unleaded and all for the extra 4 bhp which is not noticeable anyway. What is it with BMW and their obsession for high octane fuel? Good grief, I've got a Ducati that goes from stop to warp factor 8 faster than the Enterprise and that goes fine on 95 octane. So much for the 700 being a cheap commuter bike.

 

[v8legend]

My 800 runs fine on 95. It's a little quicker and has better pick-up on 98, but still runs fine on 95.

I think you have a problem. Sounds like dodgy fuel.

 

[Mr K]

Welcome to the future.

 

[Cobweb]

No the fuel is fine. I dipped it and tested it with my 'boys own junior chemistry set' and it shows well within the limits given by law so that's not the problem. I reckon that BMW have set and mapped it so that it has to run on 97 octane. What I need now is for Katy to tell me if her new 700 will run on 95

 

[StumpyFingers]

I have just looked on my F800GS the label is for min 95 (ROZ).
I have always used regular unleaded, I have found though that the supermarket fuel gives problems unless the super is used, Esso, Shell and Jet have not given any concern.

 

[The smudger]

We run ours at work on 95, no problem?

Run it out and fill up somewhere else, its shit fuel.

 

[katyotter]

Hello Aubo, thanks for your PM. Hmmmmm... I have to say I only ever give my bikes the best fuel. I've got a 21yr old Serow and that gets the high octane as well. The car gets the basic but the bikes get the best. I think the spec on the 700 stipulated high octane which I remember thinking was no problem as that's what I always do, and at 70 plus to the gallon cannot be complained about. Spoil yours a little, it deserves it! I'm taking mine to Wales on Monday to finish running it in. How's yours apart from the fuel?

 

[rodooo]

hi there just a quick reply. i am also a car mechanic as well as a 800 gs rider. had two porsche s break down today with dodgy fuel and they were just filled up and got a few miles from petrol station. it was supermaket fuel. total rubbish. where did you get your fuel?

 

[katyotter]

hi there just a quick reply. i am also a car mechanic as well as a 800 gs rider. had two porsche s break down today with dodgy fuel and they were just filled up and got a few miles from petrol station. it was supermaket fuel. total rubbish. where did you get your fuel?

I always do the bikes at an independent BP station up the road, a few more pence but not many and very friendly staff who know me. The car goes to the supermarket station - says it all...

 

[grin factor]

Supermarket fuel for the car, BP Shell etc for the bike, with the odd tank of "super" every 4th fill up. Don't know why I do it, just think it keps it a bit cleaner?

 

[ymfb]

Surely it's just bad fuel you have, my F800GS will only run on 95, the K1300S runs on both, no difference on the performance except about 2mpg more.

 

[Cobweb]

The fuel came from a Texaco station. I usually use Esso or Shell but I was running out and that was the first garage I came to. I had to drain the tank so I had the octane checked through my work and as I said before it was within the guidelines for octane rating. What I can't check for is part volume makeup additives such as bio-fuel or ethanol.

Katyotter. You're right about the fuel rating called for in the handbook, it is high octane. I read the book tonight to check and that's what it says, I should have read it before but men don't read instructions we just guess cos' we always know best. (NOT)
Otherwise the 700 is everything the 650 should have been. The twin front disks are a great improvement and the front suspension is superb under heavy breaking and hard cornering. (Sorry officer) It seems a much smoother ride as well with the new gear ratios with a nice spread of power and no flat spots. All in all I'm glad I changed from the 650, it was definitely money well spent.
Fitting hand guards and a comfort seat has made it better still and you were right about the screen as well, definitely not enough wind protection for the winter although it will be great in the summer.

 

[Dean]

Otherwise the 700 is everything the 650 should have been. The twin front disks are a great improvement and the front suspension is superb under heavy breaking and hard cornering. (Sorry officer) It seems a much smoother ride as well with the new gear ratios with a nice spread of power and no flat spots. All in all I'm glad I changed from the 650, it was definitely money well spent.
Fitting hand guards and a comfort seat has made it better still and you were right about the screen as well, definitely not enough wind protection for the winter although it will be great in the summer.

I agree changing a few things makes a huge difference

I have the f650gs twin but a lot is not standard. front and rear suspension was the biggest transformation (like a different bike) some subtle tweeks have given me , most likely more than an extra 4BHP with no flat spots.

Mind set is a strange power. Like trying to see the wood for the trees , but choice is choice and opinion is like an onion (ok, it has many layer and can have you in tears)

What I would like to know is coming from a F650gs twin to a F700gs twin is, how do you find the brakes and to be most specific the twin discs? (whats the difference to your riding other than stoppies)

I have not as yet had to carry out an emergency stop as yet I just ride mine and do not have a problem but I feel this change alone will attract more buyers.would the twin discs help here

I feel that BMW have more saddled up against rivals Triumph having a distinct road bike tiger8 - and then XC in the 800 class leaving the F8 and F7 having more of a divide I hear the beak is shorter on the F7 than the F650 it was obviouse the fueling would be different, more power = .

the F650 gs twin was marketed in 2008 more of go anywhere (unstoppable) compared to the latest brochures for later models (mind set).

The F700gs and F800gs are great bikes but to close to what I already have to exchange (for my personal riding) but a few changes to original for me are a must

 

[v8legend]

My 2011 F650GS had a sticker on the fuel cap calling for Minimum 91 octane so it ran a treat on 95 unleaded which is the normal fuel in the UK so when I filled up my 700 for the first time I gave it 95 without thinking. That's when I saw the super unleaded sticker calling for 95 minimum octane. It won't run on 95 so now I've got to pay the extra per litre and for super unleaded and all for the extra 4 bhp which is not noticeable anyway.

Remember this is a German bike. Their fuel descriptions are different to ours.

Normal (rarely available) is 91 RON
Super is 95 RON
Super plus is 98 RON.

It is a legal requirement for all new (petrol) vehicles sold in the UK to run on 95 RON. This has caught out many Subaru owners (myself included), who thought their cars needed Super unleaded. Super in Japan (and Germany) is the same as our Regular fuel.

As I said earlier, I think you've picked up some dodgy fuel. It might be 'to spec' but your bike doesn't like it. Empty it in to a can, and try some fresh fuel from a different supplier.

 

[StumpyFingers]

I have just refueled my F800, it was using Jet Regular Unleaded.
Although this fuel is 95 ron, it only gave a 62.45 MPG, normally I get 65 up to 69+ MPG. This shows that my bike prefers Esso or Shell fuel as they give me a better MPG figure. Try a different brand and keep a record, Fuelly on internet or on iPhone iPad use road trip lite or Vehical both are free and give a figure. After a few fillups you should see a pattern as to the best fuel for your bike.
Also remember thatuntil the bike has run in the MPG will seem erratic.

 

[steve hughes]

I dont want to be a party pooper here , but what happens when someone takes their adventure bike F700 on a true adventure. Is the fuel in the 'stans' always super 95 plus?

 

[v8legend]

I dont want to be a party pooper here , but what happens when someone takes their adventure bike F700 on a true adventure. Is the fuel in the 'stans' always super 95 plus?

I think BMW offer a 91 RON fuel map. It requires a trip to the dealer though.

 

[steve hughes]

Thanks V8
Steve

 

[Bullwinkle]

Regardless of the anecdotal evidence and individual experiences, the fact remains that for a paltry 4 additional horsepower, BMW have increased the octane requirements for the "lesser" 800 cc GS, such that it may not be happy with some more-widely available fuels.

IMO this was a mug's tradeoff, and is the opposite of what should have been done. For me, it means that a replacement for my F650GS (when & if) probably won't come from BMW, as I refuse in this day & age to buy any new vehicle that doesn't happily run on regular (i.e. in my neck of the woods) petrol.

JP

 

[v8legend]

Regardless of the anecdotal evidence and individual experiences, the fact remains that for a paltry 4 additional horsepower, BMW have increased the octane requirements for the "lesser" 800 cc GS, such that it may not be happy with some more-widely available fuels.

No they haven't. RTFI! This bike runs on regular UK unleaded. It's just that Germany and Japan (and probably more countries) call it super.