Reserve?

[chief]

Its more than that... and since I am disagreeing with you... its now officially a controversy! <LOL> Your facts are correct... but the various manuals make it clear as mud which octane to use.

As a result we go with the HIGH octane recommendation... which to most if US means 91+ octane.

[JHoffman]

I don't think it is really a contoversy over the Octane itself, just the differance in the rating system. Most places outside North America rate fuel at the pump by the Research Octane Number (RON). The RON is determined by running the fuel in a test engine at 600 RPM, with a variable compression ratio under controlled conditions, and comparing the results with those for mixtures of iso-octane and n-heptane.
Then there is the Motor Octane Number (MON), which is a better measure of how the fuel behaves when under load as it is done at 900 rpm instead of the 600 rpm. The MON testing uses a similar test engine to that used in RON testing, but uses a preheated fuel mixture at a higher engine speed, and has variable ignition timing to further stress the fuel's knock resistance. Depending on the composition of the fuel, the MON of a modern gasoline will usually be about 8 to 10 points lower than the RON.  Clear Yet?  
Now just too make it easier; here in the good ol' USA the rating on the pump is something called the Anti Knock Index (AKI). To get this AKI take the RON add it to the MON and divide by 2 (on the pump it will say R+M/2). Simple isn't it.
So now just to make it easier for us, we have 3 differant octane numbering system, giving 3 differant octane numbers but it is the same fuel!
So if you have a fuel with an RON of 91 and an MON of 82, overseas the pump will be marked 91 Octane, in the US it would be sold as 87 Octane.

HUH??

[pcarrell]

I just run super (93 octane) and call it done.

I did hear about some pumps over by the track (I live near Indianapolis) that sell 104 octane........had me thinking.......but I don't want to do any damage.

[griz01]

I don't think it is really a contoversy over the Octane itself, just the differance in the rating system. Most places outside North America rate fuel at the pump by the Research Octane Number (RON). The RON is determined by running the fuel in a test engine at 600 RPM, with a variable compression ratio under controlled conditions, and comparing the results with those for mixtures of iso-octane and n-heptane.
Then there is the Motor Octane Number (MON), which is a better measure of how the fuel behaves when under load as it is done at 900 rpm instead of the 600 rpm. The MON testing uses a similar test engine to that used in RON testing, but uses a preheated fuel mixture at a higher engine speed, and has variable ignition timing to further stress the fuel's knock resistance. Depending on the composition of the fuel, the MON of a modern gasoline will usually be about 8 to 10 points lower than the RON.  Clear Yet?  
Now just too make it easier; here in the good ol' USA the rating on the pump is something called the Anti Knock Index (AKI). To get this AKI take the RON add it to the MON and divide by 2 (on the pump it will say R+M/2). Simple isn't it.
So now just to make it easier for us, we have 3 differant octane numbering system, giving 3 differant octane numbers but it is the same fuel!
So if you have a fuel with an RON of 91 and an MON of 82, overseas the pump will be marked 91 Octane, in the US it would be sold as 87 Octane.

[chief]

I used 87 exclusively when gas shortage problems hit this area... the engine seems to like 91-93 better.

[JHoffman]

lol...yea it definitely sounds like someone can't make up their mind.  I put 87 in it just to get it to half a tank cuz I had some around the house but I'll put 93 in it and see how things work out.  Thanks alot

[chief]

Believe it or not there is some controversy over the octane. If you will look on the bike it says to use 95 RON which converts to 91 octane.  But Kaw says to use min. 91 RESEARCH/87 AVERAGE octane.  (Google RON and RESEARCH).

So now it looks like 3-4 different recs in different places.

1) Owners manual - use 90+ octane
2) Service manual - just says use "HIGH octane - see owners manual".
3) On Bike - 95 RON (pump octane is going to be 91 I believe.)
4) Spec Sheet - The spec sheet from Kawasaki says: "Min 91 Research/87 Avg. Oct. Unleaded OK"

You can find the spec sheet(800 and 1500) on the vdr site, or on the kawasaki site.

Sounds to me we can choose what works best for us! Apparently, Kaw isn't too sure!! <LOL>

I typically use 91, and sometimes 93. I get some increased pinging with 87.

Now, my Goldwing GL1800 says to use 87 octane regular!... go figure.

[JHoffman]

gotcha...ok one other question and I'll try and shut up for a while.  Can I get away with running 93 octane in it or should I stick with 87?

[pcarrell]

Yeah, they can't have a reserve because the fuel system is pressurized.  The tank is kind of a "one trick pony"!

[JHoffman]

Lol ok thanks man...like I said...never had one before

[pcarrell]

Fuel injected bikes don't have reserve tanks.  Thats what the low fuel light is.......it's your reserve.

[JHoffman]

HAHA...ok I've never had a bike with a gas gauge on it let alone a low fuel light.  My question is, where in the world is my reserve switch?  I can't imagine them not putting one on the bike?!?!  The dinkus dealer left the bike to me below "E" and even though I live about a mile away from the closest gas station I'm not exactly sure I'm going to make it.  Kinda feel dumb asking this question but please help.