I wouldn't have believed it.

[Haroldsenior]

I wasn't sceptical when I read on the Forum recently that Premium Unleaded made a difference as more that one contributor voiced that opinion.
May I add my experience to the list and these are not because I imagined them!!
Smoother tick over.
More flexible and responsive in the lower gears and again smoother. This particular aspect of the GS was very noticeable at first when I compared it with my previous Explorer which in this area of performance was very competent. (Still prefer the GS though overall!)
A general, improved feeling of a willingness to respond to the throttle, although in "dynamic" it was never before disappointing.

 

[pistole]

what bike is this ?

.

 

[Nutty]

Although they say that the bike was developed to run on 95, I still generally go for 97 or 98 when filling up.

 

[Nutty]

what bike is this ?

.

That's not a bike, its a full stop.

 

[pistole]

hoi !

....

 

[Haroldsenior]

Sorry, but I assumed that as it was posted in the "1200 GS Watercooled" it would have identified it. It's a 2013 TE model.

 

[Hamslay]

That's interesting that you find a big improvement with premium unleaded. In my K1300S I got better fuel economy on 97 RON than 95, and would use it whenever I wanted maximum range from a tank. With my GS LC, it made no difference to the fuel economy and I didn't "feel" anything different with the power or pick-up. I'll just use 97 RON once every few fill-ups as a treat for the bike.

 

[Fanum]

Sorry, but I assumed that as it was posted in the "1200 GS Watercooled" it would have identified it. It's a 2013 TE model.

You've got some shocking realisations to come about this section

FWIW, Some bikes definitely DO 'work better' on '98 RON , others don't seem to. (figures AND seat of the bum dynometer)

My previous 1150 GSA showed no difference on local rides, but on a longer (one side of country to other then back) trip, the increase in Miles-per-tank more than paid for the more expensive V Power fuel.

 

[Hamslay]

Can someone cleverer than me explain the recommendations in the manual?

Recommended fuel grade
Super unleaded (max. 10 % ethanol, E10)
95 ROZ/RON

Alternative fuel grade
Regular unleaded (Power and consumption-related restrictions. If e.g. the engine is to be operated in countries with low fuel grades at 91 research octane number, then the motorcycle must first be programmed appropriately at your authorisedBMW motorcycle dealer.)
91 ROZ/RON
87 AKI

That seems to be saying that "Super unleaded" is 95 RON and "Regular unleaded" is 91 RON. My understanding is that Super is 97/98 RON and Regular is 95.

So which fuel is BMW really recommending?

 

[andylel]

Always use premium fuels in mine. Definitely better. Have also fitted a booster plug which transformed the throttle transition form closed to open and getting on the gas on slippery corners feels as good as it does in the dry now!

 

[Alf Garnett]

Can someone cleverer than me explain the recommendations in the manual?

Recommended fuel grade
Super unleaded (max. 10 % ethanol, E10)
95 ROZ/RON

Alternative fuel grade
Regular unleaded (Power and consumption-related restrictions. If e.g. the engine is to be operated in countries with low fuel grades at 91 research octane number, then the motorcycle must first be programmed appropriately at your authorisedBMW motorcycle dealer.)
91 ROZ/RON
87 AKI

That seems to be saying that "Super unleaded" is 95 RON and "Regular unleaded" is 91 RON. My understanding is that Super is 97/98 RON and Regular is 95.

So which fuel is BMW really recommending?

In the "Farterland" 95 is super unleaded , here it is 98 RON which I always used in my GS bikes over the years I think MPG is slightly better and their seem to run better right round, as the say "they worth it".......,