mid grade gas for 1600?

I know this has been brought up before, but what is the opinion of using the mid grade gasoline in the 1600 engine?

[caddman11]

If it doesn't ping, it's good.

[ells]

Mid-grade (87) is all I use, no pinging. High altitude, all-weather. Tried 85 and got very minor rare pinging.

[flightdoc]

I just started using 89 octane. The weather is still cool here in New England and the bike seems to run fine with it. When it gets hot and humid I normal have to up it to a premium grade ie: 91octane or it will ping.


vin

I'll move to 89 and see what happens. I will be moving back to Florida, so that may have an effect on pinging. Thanks guys!

[ringadingh]

I use 87 regular here and it never pings for me.

[cactusjack]

Where I live, mid-grade is 89 octane. I usually use premium (91) to keep it from pinging.

I have been wondering the same thing about mid grade ( 89 octane). It's .10 per gallon cheaper, which means .50 less per fillup if you fill up from dead empry. If you are riding more than in the past, I guess over the long haul it could be a significant savings. Every penny counts. I'd rather it in my pocket than somewhere else ( if you know what I mean).

[dantama]

From a poll that was done in BD's garage, it seems that a lot of Nomads don't ping, but a lot more do.

I'd try a lower grade, and listen for pinging. To give it an extra challenge, lug it a little (not severely) and try to accelerate. You might even try it on a slight incline. That is one of the conditions that induces pinging if it is going to happen, and listen closely for pinging.

If it doesn't ping, don't wast your money on higher grades.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Dan Lund

From a poll that was done in BD's garage, it seems that a lot of Nomads don't ping, but a lot more do.

I'd try a lower grade, and listen for pinging. To give it an extra challenge, lug it a little (not severely) and try to accelerate. You might even try it on a slight incline. That is one of the conditions that induces pinging if it is going to happen, and listen closely for pinging.

If it doesn't ping, don't wast your money on higher grades.

Mine pings more than most, I think. Doing a 5th gear roll-on from say, 65-75, it pings, even a little with the high-test juice.

[dantama]

I've got one of the ones that never pings, even when lugging a bit, on 85 octane.

Unfortunately, I also have one of the ones that only gets 34mpg :(

[Top Cat]

Maybe the ping has something to do with running rich or lean ???
As I have stated before, I'm no mechanic , I just throw stuff out there as it comes to mind. If I kept it all in there my mind would be so cluttered I ....., ahh, umm, ... sorry, what was I saying ???

[MarkG]

Recently I had the opportunity to talk with a couple of the Kawasaki factory lead mechanics. Their opinions differ slightly from the official party line and what is written in the manual. The mechanics said the Nomad engine will eventually carbon up a bit running the high octane. Not a big deal, however it does mean running cleaner through it every 12k miles or so. These mechanics are the ones that use the fancy cameras to look inside the engine under various loads, fuel grades, etc.

They suggested running at least one grade down (89), or possibly two grades down (87) if I could get away with it without pinging. There is a better chance of succeeding at 89 vs. 87. The lower octane seems to get a more complete burn and prevents the carbon buildup. They also told me to run the lower octane for a couple of fill-ups to give the bike a chance to get used to it before determining it doesn't work. With my look of disbelief they went on to explain it a bit better for a non-mechanic.

Chandler is only around 1200 ft. Low altitude, dry air, flat roads, etc. Since I take my time rather than play sport bike, I am not stressing the engine. With this type of riding the higher octane doesn't help. When I go traveling and I am going up mountains fully loaded, then it is time to use the high octane for better performance. Even with the cage I have found it advantageous to run high octane anytime I am over 7000 ft.

I used high octane (91) going to Flagstaff a couple of weeks ago. After I got back I decided to try the 87, I fill at Costco and they don't have 89. I'm pretty easy on the throttle anyway and after a couple of tanks, so far no pinging. I haven't noticed any difference in the performance around town.

Talked to the local mechanics just to see what they would say. Every one of them uses the lower octane. If their bike starts to ping then they run a tank of high octane through it and go back to the lower octane. Some of them alternate between high octane on one fill-up and low octane the next. They also told me that the superheat in the summer (105+) might have an effect, too.

The prevailing theory, at least among the mechanics, is that if you can use the lower octane, without pinging, do it. Some bikes will tolerate the lower octane and others won't. It also depends on your driving style, environment, and other factors. If the bike will tolerate the lower octane, then it is better for the engine in the long run and has nothing to do with saving money at the pump.

So for now, I am running the lower octane. If I plan on going out of town, knowing how steep these roads are going north, then I will switch over to the higher octane for my trips.

Wow ! Thanks, markg . That was pretty detailed. I think I will drop down to 89 octane on next fillup, and see what happens. Thanks for your post. It was a huge help for me, as was Dan's.

[Top Cat]

If the bike will tolerate the lower octane, then it is better for the engine in the long run and has nothing to do with saving money at the pump.
It certainly does. If you can run lower octane you save money. What part of that don't you get ;)