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What Octane Fuel Does Your Spyder Drink Most of the Time?
- Thread starter AZLife
- Start date
BajaRon
Well-known member
I use 93 when I can get it but 91 is more common. I know there are a lot of people who use 87 or 89 and they are happy with it. Many claim they can't tell any difference and I understand that.
But if you'll notice, the BRP recommendation is MINIMUM 87 which means the Spyder will run on 87, but that at least 91 octane is optimal.
The bigger story is that the computer will compensate for low octane fuels. It does this by retarding the ignition which reduces power and efficiency. But it still 'Runs Fine'. In colder climates, when riding easy or when lightly loaded the effect is probably minimal or nonexistent.
But as temperatures rise, or if you're working the engine a bit more or heavily loaded (2 up or towing a trailer), the computer is probably going to have to do a lot of compromising to keep the lower octane fuel working well in your Spyder.
I use the higher octane fuel because I want the computer to keep my engine tuned at the optimal ignition advance. It would be great to have an indicator which told me how much, if any, the computer was retarding ignition to prevent knock.
In addition, I've proven to myself that I get better fuel mileage with at least 91 octane which partially offsets the additional cost.
But if you'll notice, the BRP recommendation is MINIMUM 87 which means the Spyder will run on 87, but that at least 91 octane is optimal.
The bigger story is that the computer will compensate for low octane fuels. It does this by retarding the ignition which reduces power and efficiency. But it still 'Runs Fine'. In colder climates, when riding easy or when lightly loaded the effect is probably minimal or nonexistent.
But as temperatures rise, or if you're working the engine a bit more or heavily loaded (2 up or towing a trailer), the computer is probably going to have to do a lot of compromising to keep the lower octane fuel working well in your Spyder.
I use the higher octane fuel because I want the computer to keep my engine tuned at the optimal ignition advance. It would be great to have an indicator which told me how much, if any, the computer was retarding ignition to prevent knock.
In addition, I've proven to myself that I get better fuel mileage with at least 91 octane which partially offsets the additional cost.
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BajaRon
Well-known member
I used to do the same thing (though I didn't put Seafoam into every tank). Until I discovered that there is quite a bit of alcohol in SeaFoam fuel treatment. Ethanol is a form of alcohol. I certainly didn't want more alcohol in my tank! :yikes:
So I quit using SeaFoam fuel treatment in my gas tank.
Bob Denman
New member
I noticed the same thing; I experimented with 87 several years ago, and there was a noticelable drop in fuel economy... over 2 mpg! :shocked:
flaggerphil
New member
When I first bought my RT I used 87. After a couple of months I started using 93 (91 isn't that common around here). My mileage increased a bit and the engine seemed to run better. Since the tank isn't that big using the recommended octane doesn't hurt me financially at all.
CurtG
New member
Started out using 87 most of the time, long about our trip to DC in May I switched to 91 or 93 depending on the station. Engine seems happier and the mileage went up. Never did use Seafoam seemed silly to add alcohol to deal with alcohol. Will use Startron or Stabil for storage when it get too :cus:y to ride this winter, but for the most part don't use anything during riding season as the gas doesn't stay in the tank long enough to mater 
. At some of the stations (nation brands) around here the high test is rumored to not have ethanol added to it one of these days I'll either make or get a tester and check that out. Much too busy having fun right now.
Ride and ride safe,
. At some of the stations (nation brands) around here the high test is rumored to not have ethanol added to it one of these days I'll either make or get a tester and check that out. Much too busy having fun right now.Ride and ride safe,
BajaRon
Well-known member
It is odd that your engine would have trouble and run hotter with higher octane. It could be you got a bad batch. Premium fuel does not get pumped nearly as much as the lower grades. It is important to get your fuel from a station that has a lot of customers so you're getting fresh fuel. Especially if you're using ethanol fuel as it doesn't last nearly as long as straight gas.
It's also a good idea to get it from pumps that have dedicated hoses. Otherwise, you're probably getting a volume of 87 octane left from the previous customer from the tank valve to to the nozzle.
Chelle Crane
New member
Gas octane
On the 2008 GS I use 87 was never told to use 93 and it's been fine . My new ST -Limited only gets 93. I am hoping our weather breaks up a bit so I can ride more before the snow comes.:yikes:
On the 2008 GS I use 87 was never told to use 93 and it's been fine . My new ST -Limited only gets 93. I am hoping our weather breaks up a bit so I can ride more before the snow comes.:yikes:
Bob Denman
New member
The ST and RS bikes got the 991 series engine last year; that's why you only see 91 octane being recommended now...
jcthorne
Well-known member
Sorry it took me a while to get back to this but NO, the minimum octane on the 2013 RT is 91. Please read the engine and emissions certification label under the seat and next to the gas cap. The owners manual is out of date and has been updated for the 2014s. The actual label on the bike takes precedence to any printed material. If the manuals are updated they just publish new ones as can, if the bike requirements as shown on the certification label actually change, a recall has to be issued to apply a new label.
The minimum octane requirement for 2013 RT is 91.
Oh, just FYI, if you mix 50/50 87 octane and 93, you get 89. Octane is a logarithmic scale, not linear. The 'plus' grade sold at most pumps is indeed a roughly 50/50 mix of the two. Only two grades are delivered to the station.
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Highwayman2013
New member
89 most of the time, 91 once in a while. See no difference.
rcantrell52
New member
Octane Rating
We use 93 on every tank.
Reese
We use 93 on every tank.
Reese
bikeguy
New member
I usually run the highest octane available. That is usually 91 but sometimes 93. In some smaller towns around here there will only be one station and the only fuel available is 87 octane with up to 10% ethanol. I don't like it but if that's all that's available, that's what I run. I honestly cannot tell any difference in performance or fuel economy between 87 and 93. There are no stations anywhere close to me that sell straight gasoline with no ethanol. Seems strange since I am in the middle of the oil patch. You would think that oil people would want to promote their product, but I guess not.
Cotton
Cotton
recordingguy
New member
I started using 87 this last summer while out east. My mileage increased when using the lower octane fuel for some reason. Even in the mountains I did not notice any difference in performance with my RT. Go figure! Still using Shell 87 octane now. May every ride is different. Bob :sour:
Dan McNally
New member
Thanks for pointing that out, jctthorne. I had been using this calculator, which showed that 3 gallons of 87 and 3 gallons of 93 would give 6 gallons of 90 Octane. http://www.wallaceracing.com/octane-mix-calc.php . . . My concern was what ethanol is doing to the engine, which is why I mixed. I just looked at the label under my seat, and, sure enough, it says 91 Octane is minimum. It seems that something this important would be pointed out by the dealer when the Spyder was purchased . . . or BRP would have printed a single page addendum to the manual and directed dealers to insert it in the owners manual . . . or even included a mention of the error in the owner's manual in the welcome package . . . I guess its 91 or 93 from now on . . . I sure hope the government doesn't force 15% ethanol on us!
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johnwinslow
New member
I am in Maine and non ethanol fuel is available at some airports it is 93 octane with no alcohol. I get better than 40 mpg when I use it in my 2011 RTS, with after market exhaust an modified intake. the problem is I have to fill gas cans as they do not allow you to fill directly into a car truck or motorcycle. New Hampshire does allow it to be pumped direct, and if you are near a raceway you can get higher octane direct from the pump. three cheers for the states that allow no ethanol high octane gas. My :spyder2: loves it
