Fuel

[rkba101]

I can not find where it states the type of fuel, but been running super in the st.. Any draw back using just regular fuel on long trips ?

[4 MARIE]

your ST will kind of "dumb itself down" to whatever octane fuel you are using. Which is handy if you are ryding in Mexico for example.
So while it won't be performing at 100% it will not suffer any real problems.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I can not find where it states the type of fuel, but been running super in the st.. Any draw back using just regular fuel on long trips ?

NOT really .... perhaps a .01 % loss in performance ....some folks claim they can REALLY feel the difference .... NOT ....jmho ..... Mike

[ARtraveler]

I have mentioned this in other threads--but will add here.

In 10 years of Spyder ownership--I have put only premium in my rides. Here, premium is 90 octane.

This year, I listened to Mike (Blue Knight). I have so far been burning regular (87 octane). I have noticed NO impaired performance. My mileage has remained the same. The 998 gets around 30 mpg, and my 1330 gets around 40 mpg.

Since I usually buy gas at least twice a week for the Spyders, I am saving 20 cents per gallon minimum. If I buy Shell--they want 40 cents per gallon more for premium.

That's my current story. And, Thanks, Mike.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I can not find where it states the type of fuel, but been running super in the st.. Any draw back using just regular fuel on long trips ?

Go here to read about my two years of data about regular vs. premium. At the very least read the first few posts and then go to the end. The results may surprise you!
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...egular+premium

[gnorthern]

I could have sworn Can Am recommended premium. Am I wrong?

[Woodaddict]

I could have sworn Can Am recommended premium. Am I wrong?

yes!! I usually follow the rules! why get the computer or nanny in an uproar or all wabbyjawed??

[Bob Denman]

The suggested fuel to be used, is 91 octane...

But if you can get it to light: the computer can figure out a way to make it work!

[BryanSD]

My reason for getting the Premium isn't the higher octane but that it is the best chance to contain pure gas. Here in the cornbelt most of our lower octane gas is blended with 10% ethanol. Is this a valid reasons to purchase Premium gas?

As a side note, I have no problem putting gas blended with ethanol in my cars and trucks. I do go out of my way to not using ethanol when towing or in my small engines.

[Bob Denman]

Ethanol isn't considered to be a problem for the Spyder's fuel systems.
BRP has taken this into account, when equipping the bikes, and they make no mention of it (Other than to NOT exceed 10%...) in the manuals.

[Mr. White]

I have always used regular in my three Spyders and two Gold Wings. I can't tell any difference other than .30+ a gallon.

[Easy Rider]

your ST will kind of "dumb itself down" to whatever octane fuel you are using. Which is handy if you are ryding in Mexico for example.
So while it won't be performing at 100% it will not suffer any real problems.

A common mis-conception.

While it might not ever be a problem with a Spyder because the compression really isn't THAT high........

There are two kinds of combustion chamber pre-ignition (ping or knock).

When the spark hits, if the fuel burns too quickly there is an explosion of sorts. This "spark knock" is what the engine can correct for by backing off the timing a bit.

Then there is compression knock, which is much worse and, if present, can NOT be corrected for with simple ignition timing changes.
With compression knock, the fuel ignites BEFORE the spark hits and the max. expansion occurs before TDC and puts a huge strain on the engine.

Having a higher octane helps prevent both these conditions but really is the ONLY protection from compression knock if conditions can occur to cause that. Note: A very sophisticated engine could correct for that too by changing the valve timing but I don't know if any actually DO that or not, since using the right fuel would make it mostly unnecessary.

[JFD]

Bryan is CORRECT, in the midwest especially around large metropolitan areas, the only gas without ethanol IS premium. All other octanes will have alcohol. And in Northern Illinois, within 60 miles of Chicago there is NO non-ethanol gas. For us the best chance for getting non-alcohol and in fact the only chance IS premium,

[Easy Rider]

BRP has taken this into account, when equipping the bikes, and they make no mention of it (Other than to NOT exceed 10%...) in the manuals.

Check the manual for your new machine.
I think you will find that it says to use "only fuel blends approved by the Government".......which would seem to allow for E-15 if and when it is approved.

NOW.....do they sell Spyders in South America ? Where much of the fuel used approaches E-100 ? I wonder what those manuals say.

[billybovine]

Check the manual for your new machine.
I think you will find that it says to use "only fuel blends approved by the Government".......which would seem to allow for E-15 if and when it is approved.

NOW.....do they sell Spyders in South America ? Where much of the fuel used approaches E-100 ? I wonder what those manuals say.

No need to wonder what those manuals say. Just look it up.

Fuel.jpg

[irvin48]

Check the manual for your new machine.
I think you will find that it says to use "only fuel blends approved by the Government".......which would seem to allow for E-15 if and when it is approved.

NOW.....do they sell Spyders in South America ? Where much of the fuel used approaches E-100 ? I wonder what those manuals say.

some of the caseys stations carry 91 octane alcohol free gas in our area of
illinois. we are in mt morris ,il 25 miles sw of rockford. on rte 64. hundreds of riders come
through here to go to poopy's and galena and beyond. usually fill up all engines sitting
during the winter with it and seafoam.

oops --replied under wrong name. oh well,sillinois people ,there is pure gas in my town.

[ARtraveler]

Hope I have not started a mini war....

Still going to use 87....for now.

[Road-Kill]

In the winter I put the expensive stuff cause my bike might sit longer but in the summer I put the cheap stuff cause my bike never sits at all. Never had a problem.

I can not find where it states the type of fuel, but been running super in the st.. Any draw back using just regular fuel on long trips ?

[Bob Denman]

A common mis-conception.

While it might not ever be a problem with a Spyder because the compression really isn't THAT high........

There are two kinds of combustion chamber pre-ignition (ping or knock).

When the spark hits, if the fuel burns too quickly there is an explosion of sorts. This "spark knock" is what the engine can correct for by backing off the timing a bit.

Then there is compression knock, which is much worse and, if present, can NOT be corrected for with simple ignition timing changes.
With compression knock, the fuel ignites BEFORE the spark hits and the max. expansion occurs before TDC and puts a huge strain on the engine.

Having a higher octane helps prevent both these conditions but really is the ONLY protection from compression knock if conditions can occur to cause that. Note: A very sophisticated engine could correct for that too by changing the valve timing but I don't know if any actually DO that or not, since using the right fuel would make it mostly unnecessary.

This is for the "991 engine"... with a 12.2:1 compression ratio.

[aka1004]

I was using 87 for 09 but with higher compression engine in 15, I will use 91.
I get the point that Spyder will retard/make adjustments so that it will run fine with 87 but I don’t want a retarded Spyder. 😀
And I will pay 40cents more per gallon if it helps Spyder to run cooler especially because I will have to hold onto this Spyder for long time. No more RS. 🤬

[BryanSD]

....Sir I'm not dissing you - however you are mis-taken on this ...... the " best chance " ( really ONLY chance ) on NOT getting Ethyl in your gas is using the gas from a pump labeled " NON-ETHYL GAS " ...The GRADE of gas has absolutely NOTHING to do with Alcohol content ........ not JMHO ...... Mike

Mike, I understand the difference between octane ratings and alcohol content. But as JFD mentioned in his post, IN PRACTICE for those of us that live in the corn states you'll almost NEVER find non-ethyl gas in the lower/mid grades as every pump is required by mandates to carry blended gas/ethanol. Yes, premium gas can contain ethanol (so you're not wrong here)...but many of the premium pumps are non-ethyl in my neck of the woods. Thus why I stated that if I want "pure gas" my only option is Premium (except when it it). The worst label is "may contain up to XX% Ethanol" which tells the consumer nothing.

[ARtraveler]

Update: We did 153 miles today. All highway except for the ten mile jog through Anchorage. Used 87 Octane. The 2014 (1330) got me 38 miles per gallon and the 2011 (998) got 33 mpg. That is a couple miles per gallon better than usual for the 2011.

[Fat Baxter]

Down here in Alabama, I found one gas station that has a non-ethyl gas pump. It's regular (87) octane, and it costs as much as premium does with its 10% ethyl. It's used mainly by boaters whose engines crap out on ethyl gas.

[fatenhappy]

I can not find where it states the type of fuel, but been running super in the st.. Any draw back using just regular fuel on long trips ?

Are you running with a stock ECU / Engine etc ? …

[SPYD3R]

i run 87 octane, no "E" gas 80% of the time... when i can't find the no "E", i use the 87 octane with the corn syrup in it...
i've used the 87 octane in both my SPYD3RS; RS & F3 since new... i've had ZERO fuel issues ever, and that includes performance...
i changed the plugs (3) in my F3 a couple months ago at 44,480 miles of smiles, and the plugs looked perfect, see pic...
keep in mind that the computer will compensate for octane variations and elevations...
20180319_161027.jpg 20180320_125656.jpg
worry less, ride more....
Dan P
SPYD3R