octane boost on poor fuel

[jimmystewpot]

Hi,

I am currently planning a long trip around Asia where the quality of fuel is debatable. I have been reading that the majority of fuel is between 71 and 80-something RON. Given that the BMW manual states that 91 is low octane and the "knock protection" works that low, I am wondering if its worth while bringing some octane boost with me on the trip for those places where the fuel is not so good. Any advice or comments?

Regards,

Jimmy

 

[Boxadog]

Be real carefull with octane booster if you have a cat fitted.

We have to use octane booster in the race cars mainly and have tried them all the best you can buy is called Tetraboost.

bob

 

[Tim Cullis]

This is where BMW could usefully explain how our RTW bikes might be used to go RTW Any idea whether the low octane fuel is leaded or unleaded?

From the info on this page you would need to carry a huge amount of boost.

Tim

 

[Bert]

RTW? not on a standard GS

This is where BMW could usefully explain how our RTW bikes might be used to go RTW Any idea whether the low octane fuel is leaded or unleaded?

From the info on this page you would need to carry a huge amount of boost.

Tim

With you on that one Tim! I would like to hear beemers's answer!
Bling #1 on any beemer = remove the exhaust with Cat & replace with one without
Although you can run leaded fuel through your cat, it will clog up and will eventually be rendered useless.
A Remus / Staintune cures that oversight

 

[jimmystewpot]

no idea

This is where BMW could usefully explain how our RTW bikes might be used to go RTW Any idea whether the low octane fuel is leaded or unleaded?

From the info on this page you would need to carry a huge amount of boost.

Tim

I really wish I knew, I am still doing more research on these "minor" bits. It does seem as though "super" is leaded and that is available in many of these countries, however I am still doing research on the majority of asian countries.

 

[Pukmeister]

Power isn't your problem as you aren't stressing or racing your engine if touring, but detonation might occur if long term running with poor grade fuel under load, acceleration or heat due to carbon/impurities build up within the combustion chamber. With low grade fuel the bike might be laboured at altitude (more so than with normal fuel) .

This is different from needing an octane booster for racing use to allow high compression ratios or sustained high heat-load running at big throttle openings without causing detonation.

My guess is that BMW only quote 91 RON minimum as their 'jack-of-all-trades' fuel map is not designed to cope with lower. I bet the bike will still run with lower grade fuels but will run rough unless remapped to alter the ignition timing to cope with the poorer grade fuels slower flame front travel.

Didn't the R1150GS LWR bikes have changeable maps in their EPROMs to swap fuel maps to run with poor fuel ?? Does anyone do this for the 1200 ??

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

I ran my 1150 on the kind of fuels you're talking about in Asia, and at altitude, for about 3 months. I noticed no real problems at all, no real loss of power although we weren't in race mode, and a little bit of extra pinking which was easily ridden around. Bike had no cat. I took a spare cat code plug to lean things up a bit at altitude should the need have arisen - but it didn't.

I guess it's a different kettle of fish with the 12's though, so I doubt this'll help much

Pluck

 

[terayon]

Hi,

I am currently planning a long trip around Asia where the quality of fuel is debatable. I have been reading that the majority of fuel is between 71 and 80-something RON. Given that the BMW manual states that 91 is low octane and the "knock protection" works that low, I am wondering if its worth while bringing some octane boost with me on the trip for those places where the fuel is not so good. Any advice or comments?

Regards,

Jimmy

Are you sure the fuel is RON rated and not MON rated.
http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/Reference/RONMONPON.html
This will give you some info on it

 

[alimey4u2]

According to the sales chappie when I bought my bike, the 1200GS is designed to run on any petrol across the planet. The anti knock sensors will adjust ignition to suit & take about 1/2 hour to automatically set up......

Of course the power output a riding style may be compromised.....

His words not mine........

 

[Loiq]

According to the sales chappie when I bought my bike, the 1200GS is designed to run on any petrol across the planet. The anti knock sensors will adjust ignition to suit & take about 1/2 hour to automatically set up......

Of course the power output a riding style may be compromised.....

I was told the same bike will sort itself out will rattle like a bag of spanners then as if by magic it'll do the best it can.

You may want to take a additonal fuel filter sive funnel, to try can catch the biggest cr4p and help with keeping it clean.

mate of mine used an additive to remove some of the water from fuel stored in Jerry can will ask him what it was.

 

[alimey4u2]

mate of mine used an additive to remove some of the water from fuel stored in Jerry can will ask him what it was.

Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)....

 

[Pukmeister]

Here's the official party line:


The BMW R1200 GS introduces a new system of knock control, never before used in a motorcycle engine. Knock combustion is recognised by a solid-body sound sensor matched specifically to the cylinders. Receiving appropriate signals, the electronic engine management will recover the ignition angle (i.e., it retards the angle) and protect the engine from possible damage. Engine temperatures are also taken into account in evaluating the signals and help to supplement the safety function. Benefiting from knock control, the combustion ratio of the engine has been increased to 11:1 – a remarkable figure for an air/oil-cooled engine with such large cylinders. Fuel consumption also benefits – the R1200 GS is almost eight per cent more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

Designed for unleaded fuel (RON 95) the engine, thanks to knock control, can also run on lesser fuel qualities (RON 91) sometimes found in other countries, without requiring any kind of manual intervention or adjustment. Within available limits, knock control adjusts the ignition angle automatically to the fuel on which the engine is running.

Interacting with a wide range of sensors, knock control adjusts to even the most extreme conditions and requirements – for example, when the engine has to withstand extremely high temperatures and thermal exposure in desert areas. To provide this reliability, the electronic engine management adjusts engine-operating parameters to ensure supreme reliability under all conceivable operating conditions.


I don't see any mention of RON numbers below 91 anywhere. If it were my bike, a shot of anti-knock additive and a dash of Redex every fill up would be prudent. I'd also remove the cat before you go and fit a straight through Y piece instead.

 

[alimey4u2]

Da doo Ron Ron.....

 

[ausgsa12]

CATS

Anybody removed the cat and left the standard exhaust on i,m told they just screw out....would love to throw it in the bin.

 

[deaninkl]

I have lived in Asia for the past 26 years and ridden many different bikes in Indonesia, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan... never had any problems. I now live in Malaysia 97 octane is available at every pump. Dont worry about fuel, there plenty of it and its cheap. My 1200 GS will take anything I throw at it, I always use the cheapest I can get, never had a problem.