What Type of gas should I use in my 2021 RT Ltd?

[jephillips44]

Just traded in our 2017 F3 limited for the 21 RT Limited. I'm not a dummy but the book says to use fuel with different ratings that I'm not familiar with. Why they can't just say what octane to use is beyond me. The F3 took 93. What does the RT take as a minimum?

[JayBros]

The 1330 ACE engine hasn't changed although there have been some minor improvements in the ECU software. Run what you did in your '17 and, if you run lower octane the ECU will compensate. Were I in your boots I'd do what I've been doing since I bought mine, run 91-93. I have had to run 89 on tour and never noticed any difference in performance.

[K80Shooter]

Just me mind you but I run the premium (High Octane) in mine. Mainly because it's under warranty. Once the warranty expire I'll use ethanol free or maybe just stay with the premium. The differance in cost on 6 gallons is not worth it to me.

It's your bike, run whatever "YOU" prefer.

[Mikey]

I would use what ever you want, but try to have a tank full of ethanol free in it before winter storage, if you live where you have to store it away!! Enjoy that new ride!!!!

[Pooch]

The Operator’s Guide which came with my 2021 RT Ltd, page 47 states:
“Recommended Fuel: Use premium unleaded gasoline with an AKI (RON+MON)/2 octane rating of 91, or an RON octane rating of 95.
NOTICE Never experiment with other fuels. Engine or fuel system damages may occur with the use of an inadequate fuel.
NOTICE Do NOT use fuel from fuel pumps labeled E85.
Use of fuel labeled E15 is prohibited by U.S. EPA Regulations.”

Being a person who has limited knowledge of things like this I find it always prudent that I try to comply with procedural advice. I run the highest octane I can find around here which is 92-93.

[bikerchris1270]

The Premium 91 fuel option may allow for a higher fuel additive package of detergents and also may allow it to be ethanol free which allows for higher combustion temps.(Tier 1 Fuel) My experience is that when its above 90 degrees, use a premium fuel to prevent any drivability issues.......you spent 30K on a toy, why now be concerned with money?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The Operator’s Guide which came with my 2021 RT Ltd, page 47 states:
“Recommended Fuel: Use premium unleaded gasoline with an AKI (RON+MON)/2 octane rating of 91, or an RON octane rating of 95.
NOTICE Never experiment with other fuels. Engine or fuel system damages may occur with the use of an inadequate fuel.
NOTICE Do NOT use fuel from fuel pumps labeled E85.
Use of fuel labeled E15 is prohibited by U.S. EPA Regulations.”

Being a person who has limited knowledge of things like this I find it always prudent that I try to comply with procedural advice. I run the highest octane I can find around here which is 92-93.

BRP procedural advice " if you have ANY issues with your Spyder " .... Go immediately to the nearest Dealer , preferably using a tow service !!! .... do you do that ???? ..... Mike .... PS there are many places in this world where anything rated higher than 87 oct. is Not available ....

[jephillips44]

The 1330 ACE engine hasn't changed although there have been some minor improvements in the ECU software. Run what you did in your '17 and, if you run lower octane the ECU will compensate. Were I in your boots I'd do what I've been doing since I bought mine, run 91-93. I have had to run 89 on tour and never noticed any difference in performance.

First Semper Fi. This is my wife's ride and my Indian takes 93 so I'll just use 93. 3 or 4 dollar difference isn't much.

[jephillips44]

I would use what ever you want, but try to have a tank full of ethanol free in it before winter storage, if you live where you have to store it away!! Enjoy that new ride!!!!

We are still able to ride some in the winter. I'll enjoy it little, it's my wife's ride. I'm an Indian guy

[Mikey]

If your going to use high test no matter what, why did you ask the question?

[ARtraveler]

Been using 87 octane now for over five years. In Alaska there was no ethanol. Moved to Arkansas in 2019. Now using 87 octane with 10% ethanol in all my vehicles. I have noticed NO performance issues with any Spyder. We had two RT's (one 998 and one 1330), now we have switched over to F3's (19 & 20). I can still punch it, and take off like a bat out of heck. Good enough to have a conversation with Sheriff Randy in Ponca. No ticked issued though.

[jephillips44]

If your going to use high test no matter what, why did you ask the question?

Some one woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I wasn't for sure and I'm still not based on the replies I'm getting. I stated when we ride together I would because my Indian requires 93.

[ARtraveler]

Your answers are going to be all over the place. When in doubt, do what the manual says. That is the ultimate CYA solution.

There are others that will use only the most high test they can find. I did that for the first five years or so.

There are others that will be on the other end of the spectrum--like me currently. As mentioned above, I use 87 with ethanol. I find no performance issues. I drive mine over 25K a year now.

I am currently close to 200,000 Spyder miles, and have no issues caused by bad or low performance gasoline.

And, the computer will make your engine fit what you are using for gas.

It's your money, it's your Spyder. You can do whatever you decide-regardless. We have mostly uniform gas quality in the US...so you do not have to worry a lot about the rare "bad gas" happening. That's why they make Seafoam.

[jephillips44]

Your answers are going to be all over the place. When in doubt, do what the manual says. That is the ultimate CYA solution.

There are others that will use only the most high test they can find. I did that for the first five years or so.

There are others that will be on the other end of the spectrum--like me currently. As mentioned above, I use 87 with ethanol. I find no performance issues. I drive mine over 25K a year now.

I am currently close to 200,000 Spyder miles, and have no issues caused by bad or low performance gasoline.

And, the computer will make your engine fit what you are using for gas.

It's your money, it's your Spyder. You can do whatever you decide-regardless. We have mostly uniform gas quality in the US...so you do not have to worry a lot about the rare "bad gas" happening. That's why they make Seafoam.

I agree and was looking at the book but the book uses something other than 87/91 and 93 ratings. Hence the question. I think if she fills up, I'll tell her 87. If we ride together then I'll use 93 since my bike requires it.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The Premium 91 fuel option may allow for a higher fuel additive package of detergents and also may allow it to be ethanol free which allows for higher combustion temps.(Tier 1 Fuel) My experience is that when its above 90 degrees, use a premium fuel to prevent any drivability issues.......you spent 30K on a toy, why now be concerned with money?

Well I ONLY use 87 in my 2014 RT ... and I've ridden in 100 F plus temps on numerous occasions .... never had an issue .... Mike

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Just me mind you but I run the premium (High Octane) in mine. Mainly because it's under warranty. Once the warranty expire I'll use ethanol free or maybe just stay with the premium. The differance in cost on 6 gallons is not worth it to me.

It's your bike, run whatever "YOU" prefer.

Why do you think the gas octane has anything to do with your Warranty ????? ..... Mike

[Peter Aawen]

Just traded in our 2017 F3 limited for the 21 RT Limited. I'm not a dummy but the book says to use fuel with different ratings that I'm not familiar with. Why they can't just say what octane to use is beyond me. The F3 took 93. What does the RT take as a minimum?

The Operator’s Guide which came with my 2021 RT Ltd, page 47 states:
“Recommended Fuel: Use premium unleaded gasoline with an AKI (RON+MON)/2 octane rating of 91, or an RON octane rating of 95.
NOTICE Never experiment with other fuels. Engine or fuel system damages may occur with the use of an inadequate fuel.
NOTICE Do NOT use fuel from fuel pumps labeled E85.
Use of fuel labeled E15 is prohibited by U.S. EPA Regulations.”

Being a person who has limited knowledge of things like this I find it always prudent that I try to comply with procedural advice. I run the highest octane I can find around here which is 92-93.

BRP DOES actually say what Octane rated fuel they recommend, see Pooch's Quote above. . The United States uses and has standardised upon the 'AKI' Octane rating system (as per Pooch's post, see the bold bit in it. )

So jephillips44, if you live, ride, & fill up with gas in the United States, the Octane rating you'll see on the pumps etc AND BRP's recommended Octane rating as stated in the manual for Spyders as the fuel you should put into your Spyder is simply 91, when using the AKI Octane rating method anyway, which is pretty much all you'll ever see over there. .

However, as others have mentioned earlier, you really don't get too much in the way of 'lesser quality' or 'dirty' gas over there, and unless you already have an ECU Upgrade; unless you're chasing the last poofteenth of track performance; &/or unless you're riding at high altitude a lot (think Pike's Peak sorta high... ) then the ECU/computer is really going to look after you pretty well 99.8% of the time, and that last 0.02% of the time you'd still be looked after OK, in fact, so well that most would be really going some to detect the difference between the different fuels anyway!!

So, again as others have already suggested, use whatever gas you prefer; it doesn't really make a massive difference if you run 87, 91, 93, or something else.... & all those are AKI Octane Only still & also like most, I too would suggest that you use ethanol free gas at all times, unless it's absofreakinlutely unavoidable! And even in those circumstances where you just can't avoid using some gas with ethanol in it, do try your damndest to use the minimum amount of ethanol tainted fuel necessary.... even if that means draining & giving away a half a tank of the gas with added ethanol - that is, IF you can actually GIVE the bleedin stuff away!

But for whatever it's worth, & this's just my preference.... here in Oz, where my Spyder has already had an ECU Upgrade done, I generally use 95 RON on the road, while for track work I use 98 RON or specialist non-ethanol RaceFuel (it's getting harder to find any RaceFuel that's NOT E85! ) - oh, & please do just remember that here in Oz we use RON not AKI to for our Octane ratings. Simples, really....

[K80Shooter]

Why do you think the gas octane has anything to do with your Warranty ????? ..... Mike

Just using what the manual calls for and not wanting to argue with anyone in case there is a issue.

[Adventurer]

From post here and in other threads it seems many people consider the owner’s manual to be a bunch of garbage. I personally do not claim a lot of expert knowledge in all things mechanically related, but having a science based degree I do believe in science and believe that the engineers and product developers but great time, effort and testing into developing this product we call a Spyder. I do not think their recommendations are based on random whims and therefore I’m going with what the manual says not only regarding octane, but break in recommendations, oil types and viscosity, air pressure in (OEM) tires, recommenced torque values, etc etc etc. Peter got it right, the manual does specify a specific octane for the US octane rating system which is what I use when it is available but I don’t hesitate to use a lower octane if that’s all that’s available when I stop for fuel. Likewise, I prefer non ethanol fuel (again based on science) when it’s available but I’ll run E10 if that’s the only option when it comes time to fill up since BRP puts it in print that 10% ethanol fuel is compliant with their product.

I just don’t get why people all over, not just this forum, think they know more than the engineers, scientist and developers that test practically every aspect of a product before bringing it to market. Are they always 100% right, no, but they are way more likely to be right than most of us who have no particular expertise with a particular system or product in order to override the experts. If an individual wants to override manufacturers recommendations for themselves that’s fine and dandy, but to advise others they know better than the manufacturer knows their own product is baffling to me.

[RTLRider]

BRP says premium 91 so the motor can make the highest HP it was designed for. The HP rating they advertise requires premium. Using 87 is fine - just wont make the highest HP it can - which as many users would say you may never notice anyway. The electronic engine control will compensate if needed for conditions - altitude etc..... to avoid detonation. You can't damage the motor using lower octane - and you cant help the engine make more power with higher octane fuel than what is was designed for. If you are riding regularly and refilling fuel then using ethanol fuel is just fine - no need for non ethanol as its not going to be an issue unless it sits for months in the tank. I always fill with non ethanol prior to winter offseason in New England - then in spring siphon it out and put it in the truck and refill tank with fresh fuel. Instead of worrying about octane I would suggest to be much more concerned about the quality of fuel. Using a Top Tier brand that has a good additive package to keep your motor/fuel system/injectors clean. Will greatly reduce deposit build up that will definitely affect performance over time. Cheap brands are cheap because they do not contain the fuel additives. When I can't use better fuel myself in my vehicles I periodically pour in an additive - and the best one I have found that always gets best reviews is the Dupont Techron Complete Fuels System Cleaner - it is a concentrated additive. I started using that regularly in my higher mileage SUV and after very short time it made the engine run noticeably smoother - especially at idle.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/b...7-67634289aa83

[RayBJ]

From post here and in other threads it seems many people consider the owner’s manual to be a bunch of garbage. I personally do not claim a lot of expert knowledge in all things mechanically related, but having a science based degree I do believe in science and believe that the engineers and product developers but great time, effort and testing into developing this product we call a Spyder. I do not think their recommendations are based on random whims and therefore I’m going with what the manual says not only regarding octane, but break in recommendations, oil types and viscosity, air pressure in (OEM) tires, recommenced torque values, etc etc etc. Peter got it right, the manual does specify a specific octane for the US octane rating system which is what I use when it is available but I don’t hesitate to use a lower octane if that’s all that’s available when I stop for fuel. Likewise, I prefer non ethanol fuel (again based on science) when it’s available but I’ll run E10 if that’s the only option when it comes time to fill up since BRP puts it in print that 10% ethanol fuel is compliant with their product.

I just don’t get why people all over, not just this forum, think they know more than the engineers, scientist and developers that test practically every aspect of a product before bringing it to market. Are they always 100% right, no, but they are way more likely to be right than most of us who have no particular expertise with a particular system or product in order to override the experts. If an individual wants to override manufacturers recommendations for themselves that’s fine and dandy, but to advise others they know better than the manufacturer knows their own product is baffling to me.

I couldn't resist replying to this comment. No disrespect to those who actually think designers are infallible. Can you say, 'recall'?
I've worked my entire career in the technical support arena. Not an 'engineer' but a technical support resource. I repaired every kind of business machine from electro-mechanical cash registers, acctng machines, mini & mainframe computers, and cars/bikes. Basically, every manual for these products have lots of BS as to how to maintain them. Frequently, it's the lawyers' or accountants' inputs that cause head-scratching for those of us in the 'field'.
That said, I bought a '20 RT and I found it unsafe for my riding style as 'engineered' by the geniuses at BRP! After 'breaking' my RT by adding car tires, sway bar, and shocks the RT is now a very capable machine - no thanks to the pencil-neck engineers that live in the Ivory Tower.

[ARtraveler]

"THEY" can never bust you for using the owners manual recommendations.

But who reads the manual?

[Adventurer]

I couldn't resist replying to this comment. No disrespect to those who actually think designers are infallible. Can you say, 'recall'?
I've worked my entire career in the technical support arena. Not an 'engineer' but a technical support resource. I repaired every kind of business machine from electro-mechanical cash registers, acctng machines, mini & mainframe computers, and cars/bikes. Basically, every manual for these products have lots of BS as to how to maintain them. Frequently, it's the lawyers' or accountants' inputs that cause head-scratching for those of us in the 'field'.
That said, I bought a '20 RT and I found it unsafe for my riding style as 'engineered' by the geniuses at BRP! After 'breaking' my RT by adding car tires, sway bar, and shocks the RT is now a very capable machine - no thanks to the pencil-neck engineers that live in the Ivory Tower.

Please re-read my post. Did I say they are infallible, no I did not. My post clearly says they are not always 100% right.

Did I say no improvements could be made no I did not. I’ll bet we can both agree that BRP Connect can be improved!

If you think about all the multitude of systems and components that must work right for this machine to work right it’s mind boggling to my feeble brain, so the potential for recalls is tremendous but as a percentage of possibilities recalls are few.

This machine is produced for the masses so not everything that can enhance the performance is going to be on there from the factory who is certainly trying to produce an affordable machine. Not sure why you hate accountants, but I think it is highly unlikely that accountants make “all” the final decisions that seems to be a popular idea on the internet.

I find my 2021 RT completely rideable in its factory form. Now if my riding abilities and style ever reach the level of yours I may indeed improve the performance with car tires, sway bar and shocks. In fact I’ve already investigated all three of these components for future improvements, but I certainly don’t find it unridable in its factory form.

[Motogordo]

The owners manual suggests you use 91 octane.

[Baron14y]

Just filled up with 87 octane with 10% ethanol, for the first time. I can feel no noticeable difference.