87 Octane in my 08 RT/Octane Booster Question

[cookie]

I was in Lassen Park and I pulled in to buy some gas. They only offered 87.
There was a guy watching me and he was riding a 1974 Norton Commando.
He says, "want some of my octane booster?, she won't run without it."
This park goes up to 8,541 ft, I believe. My RT pings on most 91 octane. So I put a dollup of booster in the tank and no ping for the rest of the day.
Can I use this on a regular basis?
Will it hurt the cat. converter?
Will it burn a hole in the pistons?
Will it do any harm at all?
Anybody ever try it?
Thanks!!

 

[akbeemer]

Your bike should run without pinging on 87 let alone 91 octane. There was an update to the engine mapping a few years ago to make them run on the lower octane. I had an 07 RT and now have an 08 R. I've run 87 in both several times when that was all I could get, which was not uncommon in Alaska. I also used octane booster for a year or so before the mapping upgrade; there were no ill effects from using it. Check with you dealer about the upgrade to see if your bike was done.

 

[jkersh1]

Also consider that increasing elevation has the same effect as lowering engine compression and, therefore, the need for higher octane. It's common in the mountains for mid-grade gas to be 87 to lower.

 

[cookie]

Your bike should run without pinging on 87 let alone 91 octane. There was an update to the engine mapping a few years ago to make them run on the lower octane. I had an 07 RT and now have an 08 R. I've run 87 in both several times when that was all I could get, which was not uncommon in Alaska. I also used octane booster for a year or so before the mapping upgrade; there were no ill effects from using it. Check with you dealer about the upgrade to see if your bike was done.

When you say an update to the engine mapping, I remember the bike was pinging really bad when I first got it. The dealer re-flashed the computer and he said the knock sensor was never turned on. It pings now for a second then the timing retards enough to stop the ping. I have always had a pinging problem with this bike. If I use Chevron 91 octane I get the best results. If I use an off brand I get significant pinging but again it goes away in a second but the performance is compromised.
Maybe I will take it in and have them do a rear end service and check for the latest update.
Thanks for the information.

 

[bikerfish1100]

that bike should not ping.

what rpms are you typically running?

 

[cookie]

I cruise at 3,800-4,000 rpm. I rarely cruise above 4,000 unless I am in the twisties when you may roll between 3,800-4,400 range. I ran some combustion cleaner through the tank and it made no difference. The maintenance has been by the book and it runs really good. It just seems to demand top grade fuel. The manual states 94 octane??
I have never seen 94 available anywhere.

 

[bikerfish1100]

you may be getting some carbon buildup on the piston tops. try running some real rpms. these bikes love to sing and dance above 5K, all the way to redline.

 

[David13]

I had to use a little 87 or so in Mexico a couple a times. In my 08RT. All with no ill effect, nor pinging, nor anything else bad.
Maybe your bike needs fixin' n' tunin'.
dc

 

[akbeemer]

I cruise at 3,800-4,000 rpm. I rarely cruise above 4,000 unless I am in the twisties when you may roll between 3,800-4,400 range. I ran some combustion cleaner through the tank and it made no difference. The maintenance has been by the book and it runs really good. It just seems to demand top grade fuel. The manual states 94 octane??
I have never seen 94 available anywhere.

I agree that you are operating at the low end of the RPM range; the bike seems to like to be in the 4-5K RPM range when cruising in 4th gear or above. But again, that should not lead to pinging; at least not in my experience with two hexheads. When we ride in northern British Columbia, the Yukon and parts of Alaska it is common to find only 87 octane available for multiple fill-ups. Never had any pinging issues and I am generally running well loaded when I make those trips. Something seems amiss.

 

[bikerfish1100]

I agree that you are operating at the low end of the RPM range; the bike seems to like to be in the 4-5K RPM range when cruising in 4th gear or above. But again, that should not lead to pinging; at least not in my experience with two hexheads. When we ride in northern British Columbia, the Yukon and parts of Alaska it is common to find only 87 octane available for multiple fill-ups. Never had any pinging issues and I am generally running well loaded when I make those trips. Something seems amiss.

agreed, somethin' is not quite right, and i also think it is beyond just the operating rpms being "a bit" low.

 

[Firenailer]

I might be confused as to how octane is rated but looking at the owners manual from my '12 RT it says super unleaded (91 plus, AKI) is required.(98 RON)

I also looked for the recommended RPM zone for riding but don't see anything listed for that. I've always found the "happy zone" somewhere between 3800 -4200 and have never heard pinging. Do you guys generally cruise at higher RPM's?

 

[akbeemer]

I generally try to stay above 4000 RPM. There are times when I am in the 3600-4000 range.

 

[bikerfish1100]

I might be confused as to how octane is rated but looking at the owners manual from my '12 RT it says super unleaded (91 plus, AKI) is required.(98 RON)

I also looked for the recommended RPM zone for riding but don't see anything listed for that. I've always found the "happy zone" somewhere between 3800 -4200 and have never heard pinging. Do you guys generally cruise at higher RPM's?

bmw has never listed that in an Owner's Manual. They lkely list max rpm, and max sustained rpm. you will find them to be fairly close to one another.

can't speak for others as to what they do, but "those who know" (those of us with decades of experience riding BMW twins) generally find that there are 2 answers to that question. 1)- for easy loping along on level (or nearly so) ground placing very little demand upon the engine, most anything north of 3000 is reasonable, and that 3500-4500 range seems about ideal, adn 2)- for more aggressive backroads riding, mountinas at altitude, or dealing with upgrades or weight demands, we generally run north of 4500. at least, that is what i glean from my own riding habits, and from discussions with others of a similar mindset and experience.

 

[f14rio]

doesn't the ECU or (whatever the...

...electronic control unit is called)

sense altitude and make timing and /f/a ratio adjustments?

 

[akbeemer]

...electronic control unit is called)

sense altitude and make timing and /f/a ratio adjustments?

Pretty sure it's called "der Zentrlelektroicishakontrolappartatik"....

 

[bikerfish1100]

...electronic control unit is called)

sense altitude and make timing and /f/a ratio adjustments?

do not believe that it directly measures altitude (nor should it have to). just sensing O2 amounts or A/F ratios would be sufficient.

 

[mpmarty]

I've always figured to cruise at about 80% of redline so I'm always north of five thousand rpm and change gears to achieve desired velocity.

 

[Waltersimpson]

I have a 1200 gs 08 I will use 91 octane when its available, but where I live only 87 is sold. At first I worried about it, but not any more. It runs fine on 87 what ever the elevation.

 

[henzilla]

I might be confused as to how octane is rated but looking at the owners manual from my '12 RT it says super unleaded (91 plus, AKI) is required.(98 RON)

I also looked for the recommended RPM zone for riding but don't see anything listed for that. I've always found the "happy zone" somewhere between 3800 -4200 and have never heard pinging. Do you guys generally cruise at higher RPM's?

On yesterdays ride on my GSA, I rarely shifted past 5th, in 4th a lot and around 4700 more than not.
On my R12S, its in 3rd & 4th mostly and wound up tighter as it really likes 4500-5000
Ride with a few guys that get to 6th as soon as possible,thinking they are saving fuel & equipment...I see them at the next stop

Now if I am on a LONG stretch of highway or Interstate(yuck), I'll drop it in 6th...but I am prob still over 4000 and moving.

 

[cookie]

I have a problem. Based on the comments I seem to have a pre-ignition issue, even with 91 octane and booster I still had several good crack/bang/kerplunk coming on during accelerating above 4500 rpm going home last night.
Time to take her in. She hasen't been to the BMW dealer very often.
Thank you for the help.