In the U.S., we have to work with what we have. Put in the highest you can find or afford. Less than 95 octane and the onboard computer system should adjust for it but it will likely yield a hit in performance. I use the K100 fuel treatment in my GS for a 1.5-2 point octane boost including Ethanol stabilization.

 

Are we talking RON, MON or AKI?

Engine requires 95 RON (research octane number) which equals 85/86 MON (motor octane number) or 90/91 AKI (anti knock index).

 

good point. :k16:

 

Thanks, I didn't know there is a difference ie 95 RON, so what should I put in the tank, my choices are 87, 91 or 94 as posted on the pumps, I am not sure what it relates to.

 

according to wikipedia,

Octane rating - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Because of the 8 to 10 point difference noted above, the octane rating shown in Canada and the United States is 4 to 5 points lower than the rating shown elsewhere in the world for the same fuel. See the table in the following section for a comparison.

 

Octane additives have nothing to do with performance only premature detonation. If your bike doesn't "knock,ping" under acceleration, especially with a load on the bike ie: going up a hill, then the fuel rating you are using is fine.

 

Fuel rating discussions are almost as bad as oil threads but the US spec for the K1600 is 91 minimum which equates to 95 RON (Europe).

Where I live it's either 87, 89 or 93, I run 93. It's been told to me by engineers at various car companies that they use the 91 number because of the variations in the US due to altitude so as not to confuse people. They say whenever it says 91 what they mean Premium so run the highest octane you can get to maximize the performance (excluding some areas where 98+ octane race fuel is available). It's rare to have 91 as a midgrade, usually midgrade is 89 in the flatlands.

 

At PetroCanada the midgrade is 91. We never have 89 or 93.

 

Yes, in the US 91 octane or higher.

 

I read that too and understood it to say 89 AKI, or the 'mid-grade' for US stations.

 

In Germany super unleaded, Ron 94 equals our 91aki. In the K1600 run super unleaded.