R1100 R gas questions...

[JackHinrichs]

I recently bought a '98 R1100 R. What kind of mileage and range should I be getting? My gas light comes on at about 145-150 miles and 3.8 gallons tops it off at 160 miles (42.1 mpg). Does that seem right or is it a little low?

Has anyone experimented with different octane levels? What should I be using?

:drink

-jack

[Panhead_Jim]

I recently bought a '98 R1100 R. What kind of mileage and range should I be getting? My gas light comes on at about 145-150 miles and 3.8 gallons tops it off at 160 miles (42.1 mpg). Does that seem right or is it a little low?

Has anyone experimented with different octane levels? What should I be using?

:drink

-jack

You are spot on for 11R. About 40 to 45 mpg, depending on the obvious. My response is based on 96R11RSL

Use HIGHEST octane available, every fill. My .02...

[enjine]

yeah, you're in the right zone there.

[rgvilla]

my 99 R1100R does the same thing. The light comes on at about 160 miles, I usually ride to about 185 and when I fill up it gets between 3.9 and 4.1 gallons depending on the kind of riding I have been doing. If i ride conservatively I can get close to 45 mpg. That means steady 60 mph on the highway. As soon as i kick it up much the mileage goes down. I use highest octane available. Safe riding!

[ChicotDave]

My light comes on like clockwork around 150. This is without a windscreen and average 60 MPH.

[Motor31]

Are you guys using high octane because of pinging or just because you feel it makes the bike perform better?

[John Brase]

Are you guys using high octane because of pinging or just because you feel it makes the bike perform better?

I'm curious, too. I run mid-range (91 octane) in my 1150RS. It doesn't ping on that fuel. I wear earplugs. Maybe I just don't hear it.:)

John

[Motor31]

Leave off the ear plugs one or two rides and find out.

[rgvilla]

mostly habit I guess, I always run higher octane in higher compression engines. I don't mind paying the extra bucks for such a small amount of gas. On the other hand I run the 87 in both the cage and truck and don't have any problems. I've never run less than 92 in my bike and prefer 93 if I can get it.

[Troutluck]

Your mileage is comparable to mine ('00 R1100R). I run whatever doesn't ping, which is 89 here in NW Arkansas. Curiously enough, when I switched to Rotella 5W-40 synthetic for the winter, it eliminated ALL pinging (used to ping a little in top gear with a hard throttle roll-on, no matter what octane). Starts like a champ, even at 32F.

Beware of the dreaded spontaneous gas leak. The clamps sometimes get a little loose.

We have a "specialty" gas station here that offers 101 octane at the pump. I've been tempted to try it, but $4 a gallon is a little steep. The 1100 oilheads lack a knock sensor, so I doubt it would make a big difference in performance.

[Polizeitaucher]

I have a '99 R1100R and my experience with fuel mileage is the same as listed above. I am running a parabellum fairing. I use the high octane fuel too. It really does make the difference to me. I also just did an oil change with 5w40. So far so good.

[sgtboring]

I have been getting better milage and performance for the 89 Grade then I was a 92 Grade. (about 7 miles a gallon better!) I still can not get better the 39 miles to a gallon but I am heavy on the throttle :wow or have extra wieght on the bike.:kiss

[Pahl]

I've been told one should use the minimum pump octane fuel that will run in your engine without knocking otherwise you are wasting your money. Octane alone does little to increase performance or fuel mileage. I would try to stick with the AKI recommend for your bike.

Pahl

[Motor31]

I've been told one should use the minimum pump octane fuel that will run in your engine without knocking otherwise you are wasting your money. Octane alone does little to increase performance or fuel mileage. I would try to stick with the AKI recommend for your bike.

Pahl


That's been my experiance as well. I've been running "regular" unleaded in my K75 for years.

[Fritzc]

You are spot on for 11R. About 40 to 45 mpg, depending on the obvious. My response is based on 96R11RSL

Use HIGHEST octane available, every fill. My .02...

That is the mileage I get and I use regular gasoline. Every mechanic I have ever talked to that I have the deepest respect for says "There is no reason to use premium gasoline (high octane) if the engine does not knock (detonate) under normal loads using lower octane rated fuels."
:thumb

[jacco]

What the others said, sounds normal. I got 46.3 mpg average over the past 19662 miles (OCD, I know...). But I ride it like I own it (read: NOT stole it). It'll be slightly better in the summer in my observation, the last few fillups I got lower 40ies.

Enjoy!
Jacco

[PHMarvin]

Hi,
To the poster who uses "mid-grade - 91 octane", it must be nice. Here, 91 is the highest available and sometimes premium is 90. Mid-grade is 88 and sometimes 87. Regular is 86 and sometimes 85.

I ride a K1100LT. The manual says to use, at a minimum, 95 octane (research method), 85 octane (motor method) or 89 octane (R+M)/2. This, of course, is at sea level. On my trip from El Paso to Worcester, MA and return this past October, I used everything from 86 octane regular unleaded to 93 octane premium unleaded and never heard any pinging. I usually fill the tank with premium unleaded. Why? Probably because it makes ME feel better. I don't think the engine needs it!

[bikerfish1100]

tend to alternate tanks between mid-grade and hi-test. biggest difference seems to be the pennies leaving my wallet at a faster pace with the hi-test, but it does seem to have slightly better pull at lower revs in top gear with the higher octane or the hi/mid blend than with a steady diet of mid-grade.
in going back east for the Nat'l Rally, i got low 40's everywhere- except when i was in CO, where my mileage jumped back up to my normal mid to upper 40's. i think that's just my bike's way of thanking me for giving it the opportunity to ride real mountains :p

[PaulWhite]

My low fuel light comes on at about 150 mis cruising at 70. I ride until about 180 and fill w/ right at 4 gals. Use mid grade and get about 43 mpg w/ factory windshield.

[kantuckid]

I run 87 in my 2000 model with no pinging-I've tried 89/92/93 with no noticeable difference. I too use synthetics all around. I have run regular in the BMW cars requiring high octane with similar results. Also have a VW turbo that runs fine on 87. They all have the same BTU's