Wilsons Sandbox

Hello, everyone, I am wandering why the majority of people who responded to the fuel grade poll on this list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/surveys?id=769099) have indicated that they are using the premium (high-octane) fuel on their KLRs? It seems that regular gas is both recommended and reportedly best for this bike. Why pay more for anti-knock additives when they are not needed? Janek KLR650 '00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I switch between 87 and 89 octane. I don't know why I just do it.

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Jan Rebalski" wrote: > Hello, everyone, > > I am wandering why the majority of people who responded to the fuel grade poll on this list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/surveys?id=769099) have indicated that they are using the premium (high-octane) fuel on their KLRs? It seems that regular gas is both recommended and reportedly best for this bike. Why pay more for anti-knock additives when they are not needed? > > Janek > KLR650 '00 > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Interesting question. The sample size of the survey isn't large enough to tell us much though. Most of the respondents use the filet mignon of gasoline and they're probably the one's most interested in gasoline matters. I guess the premium users figure the price difference is negligible considering the KLRs small tank bag and the relatively high MPG the bike gets. I've used the "discounted regular" for all 26k miles on my KLR with nary a knock (and no tweet). If I started using the premium, there would be no turning back to the hamburger though as the bike would surely start knocking. If you combine the "branded regular' and "discounted regular" votes, they come pretty close to the "branded premium" votes. Responses Choices Votes 65 replies Branded Regular Unleaded 9 13.85% Branded Mid-Grade Unleaded 8 12.31% Branded Premium Unleaded 33 50.77% Discounted Regular Unleaded 10 15.38% Discounted Mid-Grade Unleaded 3 4.62% Discounted Premium Unleaded 2 3.08% Darrel A12 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/surveys?id=769099) have indicated that they are using the premium (high-octane) fuel on their KLRs? It seems that regular gas is both recommended and reportedly best for this bike. Why pay more for anti-knock additives when they are not needed? Janek KLR650 '00

Brad, There is another way to look at the pennies: if you ride some 20,000 miles a year (as a typical self-respecting KLR owner does in a low- milage year), then at $0.2 savings per gallon and at 48 miles/gal and at $1.28/gal regular you are talking about a whopping $80 per year going to other noble causes: for example, extra 3000 miles for the money, a new rear tire, or a couple of oil changes. Wouldn't you like to get a free tire for Xmas? But seriously, if you *need* the octane, by all means do what's best for your bike. I just thought that KLRs, as a rule at least, are quite happy with the regular stuff, while, on the other hand, there are lots of folks out there who believe that "premium" will give them more horsepower or higher fuel efficiency or less emissions. Janek

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Brad Davis" wrote: > Janek, > Last summer mine knocked under heavy load while using 87 octane > regular. I started using premium and of course the knock went away. > Last tank I refilled with regular as an experiment and the knock was > there under heavy load and lower rpms, like less than 4000 rpm in 5th > gear. This last tank I refilled with 89 octane midgrade so I will see > if the knock is there later this week. > > Anyway, I figure it costs me $3 more per 1000 miles to use premium. > Not to much I'd say, but if you are watching pennies it would add up > to something over time I suppose. Like $300 after 100,000 miles. > > Brad > A9

On Mon, 19 Nov 2001, Janek wrote:

>There is another way to look at the pennies: if you ride some 20,000 >miles a year (as a typical self-respecting KLR owner does in a low- >milage year), then at $0.2 savings per gallon and at 48 miles/gal and at >$1.28/gal regular you are talking about a whopping $80 per year going to >other noble causes: for example, extra 3000 miles for the money, a new >rear tire, or a couple of oil changes. Wouldn't you like to get a free >tire for Xmas?

With 87 octane, my bike only detonates at about 70% throttle when under 4500rpm in hot and dry conditions. The cure? Open the throttle more and it goes away. I just saved my $80 this year! No, my bike has never been jetted. Yes, my bike probably has a jetting problem. No, I don't feel like taking the carb apart. RM

85 works for me (Colorado), although gas is currently so ridiculously cheap (by world standards) that I might treat the KLR to a few tanks of 91 octane. -----Original Message----- From: RM [mailto:rm@...] Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 11:30 AM Cc: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Re: Comments on the fuel grade poll results

On Mon, 19 Nov 2001, Janek wrote: >There is another way to look at the pennies: if you ride some 20,000 >miles a year (as a typical self-respecting KLR owner does in a low- >milage year), then at $0.2 savings per gallon and at 48 miles/gal and at >$1.28/gal regular you are talking about a whopping $80 per year going to >other noble causes: for example, extra 3000 miles for the money, a new >rear tire, or a couple of oil changes. Wouldn't you like to get a free >tire for Xmas? With 87 octane, my bike only detonates at about 70% throttle when under 4500rpm in hot and dry conditions. The cure? Open the throttle more and it goes away. I just saved my $80 this year! No, my bike has never been jetted. Yes, my bike probably has a jetting problem. No, I don't feel like taking the carb apart. RM http://www.dualsportnews.com Be part of the Adventure! Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/