KymcoForum.com
Scooters - Big Bore => Xciting 500 => Topic started by: winginman on September 11, 2009, 07:23:24 PM
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Since day one I have been using premium fuel 91+ octane cause that's what the book says. I read an article that there is a difference in the octane rating used in Europe, Asia and the US. It seems that the X500 manual that says use premium fuel min octane 91 research octane number (RON) is actually something like 86 (MON) in the US. That if I use US regular 86 or 87 octane (MON) I might get better mileage and performance. Prior to this I had no idea that numbers were different. What are the rest of you using? Have I been wasting that extra 20 to 30 cents a gallon? :o
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It's NOT a waste. Keep buying the best brand/ highest octane you can find. Try googleing ANYTHING re octane/ detergent vs engine life/condition. THE JURY IS IN ON THIS ONE
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..Shell V-Power!!!
..woo-hoo!!!
;D :o
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Our german manual says "standard", that is 91 RON = 82.5 MON.
But as standard is abandoned, "super" with 95 RON = 85 MON is the new practcal minimum.
Kymco usually builds standard engines which run with bad fuel all over the world, compression ratio <=1:10 and <10000 rpm.
There is no need to buy more than good fuel, high tech fuel for >=1:12 compression ratio and >12000 rpm is a waste.
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I just put my first 1/2 tank of Chevron 87 regular in the X500. Will gradually wean it over. Let's see if I can tell a difference in performance, MPG, etc.
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I put regular fuel in my zx50 one time, and will never do that again! I ran out of gas at my house and all I had was a can of regular. I put in enough to make it to the gas station. I was questioning whether or not I would make it! I ran horribly! I didn't want to idle and was stuttering the whole time! I would just spend the extra 20 cents and get the good stuff! ;)
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I wanted to get an answer from Kymco on the octane issue so I asked Kymco the following question on their customer website:
"Is the suggested gasoline octane rating stated in the Owners Manual for scooters sold in the U.S. measured by the European/Asian standards or by United States standards?"
Kymco replied:
"The Octane listings in the owners manuals are probably Asian standards. Regular gas is fine for KYMCOs."
Kudos to all who new that already.
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The key word is "probably". Even the Kymco guy didn't know for sure. I've made the switch to regular and just like others, had knocking, sputtering, almost stalling, and other running issues. As soon as I put the good stuff back in, NO MORE PROBLEMS. Really, it's 20 cents. With the MPG you're getting is that a problem?
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The key word is "probably". Even the Kymco guy didn't know for sure. I've made the switch to regular and just like others, had knocking, sputtering, almost stalling, and other running issues. As soon as I put the good stuff back in, NO MORE PROBLEMS. Really, it's 20 cents. With the MPG you're getting is that a problem?
Good point about the qualification of "probably". It's a shame that Kymco USA hasn't a clue. The $.20 difference is not an issue with me - and judging by your experience - no savings at all. I was just trying to get an official ruling but got a maybe instead.
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I use 87 AKI, but from a known good fuel station. Bad gas is bad gas, no matter what octane. Never had any problems with Chevron up here where I live. I use the savings vs. premium to ride a little further. Perhaps others are mistakening bad gas with regular-grade gas? I know some stations might have more water or ethanol or other impurities than is expected!
Now in bikes and cars that have engine tuning to take advantage of 92 AKI, I definitely fill up with premium!
Shaka, if I recall correctly your ZX50 is a two-stroke. I think two-strokes might be more sensitive to ethanol blends. Try looking for stations that serve ethanol-free fuel if you think the ethanol is a problem.
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Yes, a good fuel station is a must regardless of octane...
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So Diesel is a bad idea then?
(I am joking...even this moron knows better)
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Most vehicles sold in the US have a sticker somewhere that states the recommended octane.
Most cars have a knock sensor so can use different octanes and self adjust to what your running.
Most bikes have a simpler system so are tuned to a certain octane, unless it's a high performance
bike (like Ducati) they usually tune for 87. Use the lowest octane the bike works best with. If you
hear knocking use a higher octane. As a vehicle ages it's octane requirements could go up (due to
carbon deposits that raise compression).
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I've used 87 (US) octane in my Grand Vista without problems. Be aware that if the pump uses a common hose to deliver any of the fuel types, it can hold 1/3 gallon of whatever was pumped before you pulled up to buy your gas.
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Premium all the way do my average fill up is 2.25 gallons. I guess i could save $.50 cents a fill up at 54 mpg. 87 is pennywise and pound foolish.
I'll pay a little extra for "Unicorn Piss" and full synth oil and a little extra for stabil or seafoam.
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91 non-oxy (no ethanol) whenever I can.
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91 octane or better premium every time. It's hard to find non-ethanol premium here in our area. I throw a little startron additive in it from time-to-time to help with the reported side effects of ethanol.
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why not put the BEST IN YOUR TANK...20 cent here and there isn't going to break you for better emission ..CONSUMER ENERGY CENTER...SAYS.... There is little difference in energy content of regular versus premium gasoline. They both contain about 111,400 British Thermal Units of energy per gallon.
The price difference, however, between the fuel grades is anywhere from 20 cents to 40 cents, depending on where you live in the United States. The experts' consensus goes against the long-held belief by thousand of drivers who fill up with premium only, or on every third or fourth trip to the pump. The idea is to fill up with premium every so often to clean out the engines or rev up the performance of older engines.
But according to the experts, this practice is like tossing quarters in a wishing well, since most engines are designed to operate on relatively low-octane regular unleaded gasoline.
Octane is defined as a fuel's resistance to knocking. There is no benefit if the octane is higher than what the engine needs. Engine knock occurs when fuel in a combustion chamber ignites before it should. This disrupts the engine's operation. But electronic knock sensors are now common and have nearly eliminated engine disruption.
The American Petroleum Institute says if you find that your car runs fine on a lower grade, there is no sense switching to premium. The Institute recommends following manufacturer's recommendation, but even those manufacturers say that it is more of a suggestion than a command.
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I use standard pump gas with no pinging or problems.