Wilsons Sandbox

> > On Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:25:32 -0700 (PDT) Craig Kahler > writes: > > I agree with Mike, our low compression KLRs should not need premium fuel. > > Craig, > > Not trying to give a nasty reply but the problem with your bike is the > way it's being operated. You are lugging the engine. Quit riding below > the power band and the issue will go away. > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

> Also fuel consumption is lower by more than 10%, used to be 4.8-5.0 l/100 km down to 4.3l. That's up from 58.8 mpg to 65.7 for our friends in the US.

> > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "h3n5y" wrote:

> > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "h3n5y" wrote: > > > Also fuel consumption is lower by more than 10%, used to be 4.8-5.0 l/100 km down to 4.3l. That's up from 58.8 mpg to 65.7 for our friends in the US. > > > However, a quick correction is needed, before American heads start exploding due to limited ability to embrace alternate forms of measurement. The conversion above is to imperial gallons, not American gallons. 4.8 liters per 100 km is a bit less than 50 miles per US gallon. 4.3 liters per km is about 55 miles per US gallon.

On 3/11/2011 11:38 AM, markwdavis2002 wrote: > Sorry I'm responding to an old thread, but I'm a new owner and I have a fuel question. Is there any harm in running avgas in a 2009 KLR650? I just bought two bikes and they'll sit over the winter every year and I like to top off any gas burners with avgas in the fall so they're not varnished up in the spring. Avgas is even better than mogas with StaBil in it as far as not souring. The owner's manual I got with the bikes refers several times to a catalyst in the exhaust but my selling dealer said it didn't have one. The bikes are in Colorado and I'm in Kansas so I can't look for myself. Thanks for any assistance. > > Mark > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Frey" wrote: >> Craig, although it was you who started the thread, my lengthy reply had nothing to do with what you wrote. It s perfectly OK to use premium gas, and just like people who say their clutch slips with synthetic but not with conventional oil, your issue is a valid one. Some do, some don t. Some bikes need higher octane while most of the same model do not. >> >> >> >> What year is the bike and how many miles are on it? How long since a valve adjustment? >> >> >> >> How well does it start when cold? How about when the engine is still warm? Can you start it from cold and ride off immediately, without the bike complaining or sputtering? (And with or without the choke?) >> >> >> >> Premium fuel is probably helping you because it is using slightly more fuel to achieve the same acceleration " therefore, running smoother. KLRs, and most modern bikes, run very lean and I rarely see anyone doing a carb adjustment or jet change to an even more lean condition " usually, we go with bigger jets and / or needle settings that enrich the mixture. >> >> >> >> It sounds like a lean surge - mine does it during lightly loaded, low RPM flat road conditions, but doesn t annoy me. It s just noticeable. >> >> >> >> Mike >> >> >> >> From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Craig Kahler >> Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 11:26 PM >> To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Runnig better with premium gas >> >> >> >> >> >> >> I agree with Mike, our low compression KLRs should not need premium fuel. >> >> So, what could be wrong with my bike? >> >> With regular gas, if I give it just a little throttle in 5th gear at 2750rpm, it will kick and buck with every power stroke. What I refered to as lugging. >> >> With premium, I can still feel each power stroke, but its much smoother. >> >> I don't think carbon deposits are the problem, since the bike behaved this way since new. >> >> Could ignition timing or valve timing issues cause this? >> >> Is ignition timing adjustable? >> >> Craig >> >> --- On Thu, 10/21/10, Mike Frey wrote: >> >> >> From: Mike Frey >> Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Runnig better with premium gas >> To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >> Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 10:28 PM >> >> >> >> I can t sit back and read this without further comment and a war of words may ensue " but: Premium Fuel is merely higher octane fuel. It does NOT clean your engine better. It does NOT prolong the life of your engine. It does NOT save money. Last and definitely not least, your KLR will NEVER produce more power via higher octane fuel. It will VERY likely produce LESS power. >> >> >> >> I doubt if I will convert anyone (and that s fine) but there are only 2 reasons to use Premium (higher octane) gas: >> >> >> >> 1) If your manual says you should use it " for example, a finely tuned, high compression sports car with knock sensors and / or engine management system that adjusts the ignition timing for maximum performance. (and even then, many have proven, after 100,000 miles or more, that many of the PREMIUM FUEL ONLY vehicles actually run faster and longer when regular is used) >> >> >> >> 2) If your engine suffers from detonation, pinging, or knocking due to the uncontrolled combustion (which would be abnormal in any engine, but an indicator that you need higher octane fuel). >> >> >> >> The KLR does not fit either of the above categories. It never fits the first example, but it could fit the second. If you don t have one of the above conditions, you are wasting your money on fuel. You probably are doing no harm, but you are spending money unnecessarily. >> >> >> >> Avgas -- All people who attain their pilot s license must know this " it is required knowledge to pass your tests: Avgas (100LL) is made for airplanes. It does NOT give your KLR higher performance, nor does it make it run better, nor does it clean it. If anything, using 100LL can actually DAMAGE the engine of a KLR. 100LL is made for airplanes, not motorcycles. If you are running your KLR at 12,000 feet altitude at a steady 75-90% throttle for long periods of time, 100LL might be appropriate " but who rides like that up there? (And your bike better be jetted very lean for these conditions). 100LL is also NOT 100 Octane when it is measured by the same methods pump gas is " it s more like 96 Octane. Higher octane, yes. Better for your KLR, no. >> >> >> >> Back to pump fuel. Yes, some manufacturers advertise that their Premium Fuels contain additives that clean your engine. They do " but so does their Regular ! Some ads go so far as to claim that Premium contains MORE of those additives. It might " but the difference between what s in Regular vs. what is in Premium is so small that it makes virtually no difference. With each gallon of Premium you buy, it simply increases the profit for the oil companies. That s why they advertise it: you buy it, they make more money. >> >> >> >> (And, no, I am not one of those Big Oil conspiracy subscribers) >> >> >> >> Want to give a treat your engine via the fuel tank? Add Seafoam per the instructions on the can. It s cheaper than using Premium gas (when used per instructions), and it will do a much better job of cleaning and preserving the fuel. >> >> >> >> I have the following vehicles: >> >> 2004 KLR-650 >> >> 2006 KLR-650 >> >> 2002 ZRX-1200 >> >> 2000 250 Super Sherpa >> >> 1997 KLX-300 >> >> 1992 KDX-200 >> >> 1978 Montesa 348 Cota Trials >> >> 2001 Audi V8 Quattro >> >> 2000 Chrysler Concorde >> >> 2004 Nissan Titan >> >> 1997 Ford Taurus V8 SHO >> >> >> >> Only one of the above needs Premium: the Audi. It performs better with it. >> >> >> >> One other recommends premium: The SHO. However, years of experience with the Yamaha built DOHC 3.2 liter V-8 has shown that it is not needed. No one uses it, and drag strip numbers indicate lower trap times for those who use high octane, then switch to regular with the SAME CAR. It goes FASTER! >> >> >> >> It is almost universally known among the ZRX riders that this bike runs fine (actually better) when 87 octane is used. >> >> >> >> The KLR engine is a low compression, low power, low tech engine and probably knows no difference between Premium and Regular. But it s a superb bike and that s why we have them and love them. >> >> >> >> OK, my flame suit is on >> >> >> >> Mike >> >> >> >> >> >> From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Shane >> Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:11 PM >> To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Runnig better with premium gas >> >> >> >> >> >> I am amazed to learn that anyone in the group is not running the best fuel they can get in the usa. I am currently in Peru, mostly playing! Yesterday in the jungle I was checking out some outboards- Mercroid 4 cycles. They are having trouble with the oil ring turning to the bottom of the cyl.- not a problem with the KLR. Also they are burning headgaskets. Turns out the wrench is removing the thermostats! The biggest problem is the fuel. They are running cheapest fuel they can get- all they can get in the jungle! 80 octane! If they had been doing this in the usa the engines would have already been trash, of course they are Merc's already! I told him to find NAPTHA and mix in the fuel, or moth balls if he has tweezers. Down here there is NO Ethanol trash, and there is still lead! This is the only reason these engines are still alive at all. Tomorrow I will be trying to trash a KTM 530 in the desert. For that we have 98 octane, leaded, NO Ethanol!!! Yahoo! Of course it is $9.00+/ gal. For those of you near enough to an airport in the us, get the avgas! it's 104 oct& low lead. Perfect stuff for the klr. I run it in my Scorpa, KLR KTM...all the toyz in the us garage. Weed wacker too. >> >> --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comhttp://us.mc630.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com> , Gary Thacker wrote: >>> >>> >>> I just put my first tank of premium in yesterday. I have noticed a noise if I go by a wall or anything that will reflect the sound back to the rider while adding power. It does sound like denotation. Its kinda a ching sound, whatever that is. It may not be but thats why I'm tryin premium this time. I checked the frame bolts and everything seems tight. Of course there is always a chance I'm hearing things but I don't think so. >>> >>> Gary >>> Souderton, Pa. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comhttp://us.mc630.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com> >>> From: mike21b@ >>> Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:04:34 -0400 >>> Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Runnig better with premium gas >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> If you are running in 5th gear, under 3,000 RPM, and accelerating, you are lugging the engine. That said, I am guilty of this from time to time - especially during low speed cruising, as Craig described below >>> >>> The use of higher octane fuel can smooth out the power pulses at lower RPMs but you'd be better off if you downshifted to 4th gear under these conditions, regardless of the fuel you are using. >>> >>> If you really want to observe the effect of fuel on the KLR, find some old gasoline - you know, like that stuff that's still in the Chevy truck you parked out back 5 years ago, thinking to yourself "I'll get to this in a couple weeks". Don't ask me how I know this....... >>> >>> Mike >>> >>> >>> Craig Kahler wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> I have a 16T front sprocket on my 07 and have always had to run in 4th gear below 50mph. In 5th gear, If I let the RPMs get below 3K, the engine would start lugging. Since switching from regular to premium, 11/2 tanks ago, the KLR will now cruise at 2.5K rpm . I can now ride those 40-45mph roads in 5th gear. >>> It is my understanding that premium gas burns slower than regular. Maybe this explains why I"m getting smoother runnimg at low rpm? >>> Craig >>> > >

> Me again, thinking of trading my intruder 800 for a 2009 KLR. Do the > newer bikes need this swap out or has the problem been fixed? Also > any other problems to look out for in the newer bikes? I am used to > all the little niggles on my 99 don't feel like doing it all over > again. I know this has been covered but I could not find specifics > in the search section. You can e me if you don't want to take up > forum space with old stuff. Thanks again