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Low Octane Fuel? Dies at Idle

CBJoe

CBJoe

Tuned and Synch'ed
Joined
May 23, 2015
Messages
63
Location
Indianapolis
So I know these bikes like the higher octane fuels. Would you think the following behavior is a good example of what could happen on a tank of 87?

Currently starting out a 2 week trip out west....on the first day we were low on fuel and 87 octane was all that was available at this rural station. Filled it up and rode through some drenching rain and parked it at the end of the day.

This morning (Sunny and Hot) the bike would stumble and die at idle. I had to rev it up at starting to keep it from dying. After 30 seconds or so of giving it a higher idle RPM it would stay running, albeit rougher than usual.

Idling at a stop light would require riding the clutch a bit more to not kill it. We made it about 20 miles to a gas station and topped it off with premium. Got a bit better. After cycling all the gas through and running the higher grades its better.

So....bad gas or totally due to low octane?

I’m thinking a combination of both

Cheers, Joe
 
Last edited:
CBJoe said:
Bike started up today just fine...so we'll go with bad gas combined with low octane.
Click to expand...
Of course the poor octane fuel didn't help, but I have to say, IMHO, I'm inclined to go with just the rain, especially as you mentioned it only exhibited this problem the next day when starting. I once put 87 octane in my bike by accident and it idled and rode fine from cold until the engine had thoroughly warmed up , then it began to "ping/knock" badly, but only on a WOT in a tall gear (sounded like the exhaust had fallen off), but it never "hiccuped" at reasonable throttle or stalled at idle/startup, only when lugging. (it was a fairly hot day also - about 26C/80 F :whew:).
 
We’ve ridden this bike through tons of rain before with no issue...but who knows. I think the bike gods just wanted to give me some anxiety :)
 
Low octane petrol has exactly the same calorific value as high octane petrol. You'll never tell the difference at idle. Under heavy load and high temperature the low octane will induce pinging. Pinging can be diabolical for your engine.
 
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