Yamaha recommend 91 octane. Since nothing more is clarified, it is assumed that they are 91 RON octane (the most used way to measure octane worldwide)... In the USA, 87 AKI octane is equal to 91 RON octane in the rest of the world.
2016-2021 STen cost to own
- Thread starter DanT
- Start date
ncpkwyrider747
Active Member
My S10 states "premium unleaded gasoline only" and "minimum 91 octane". Since it is an S10 the Japanese made for the USA market, I can only assume they mean to use premium unleaded gas which is defined as 91-94 octane here in the USA.
Cycledude
Well-Known Member
How many years ago did they quit selling leaded gasoline ? Always find myself wondering why most gas still advertise unleaded gasoline Prices When leaded gasoline hasn’t even been available for about the past 50 years.
ncpkwyrider747
Active Member
Hadn't given that much thought but you make an excellent point
.Yes…it is true, but for developed countries. For countries in “development paths”, lead-free gasoline was discontinued about 20 years ago… and the last remaining country, Algeria, recently discontinued the use of lead in 2021….
Tenforeplay
Active Member
You can still buy leaded race fuel at some stations.
And avgas if you go to the airfield
And avgas if you go to the airfield
Leaded race fuel over 110 octane within a few miles will put the Super Tenere‘s O2 sensors and catalytic converter into an epileptic seizure due to lead particles adhering to them and eventually clogging the screen into the catalytic converter to the exhaust system. I’d assume a rather hearty expense to remedy.
Being a bit older than most I have experience back when the US moved to leadfree gasoline in the mid 70’s ..during the transition leaded fuel was still available for older cars alongside unleaded fuel .. the leaded and unleaded fuel nozzles were different sizes. Leaded fillers were larger than unleaded.. back then unleaded fuel cost about 10 cents a gallon more than leaded fuel..so what did some people do with newer car unleaded cars to save money? .. they punched out the nozzle hole with a chisel or used a crowbar to make the regular gas nozzle fit in their unleaded required car.. some up front savings but in the long run they destroyed the catalyst and O2 sensor while the cars were under warranty. This was new to the manufacturers and a few people were lucky and got their cars repaired under warranty. But once the MFG’s figured the scam they developed a lead test and started checking the filler pipe once that happened BANG all clogged CAT claims denied.. the remaining thrifty leaded souls got handed repair bills in excess of $1000 bucks a lot of money in the mid seventies.
In the summer, our temps get ridiculous. And if I don't use premium, and I'm in stop-n-go traffic, she's gonna "rattle". Add a passenger, and it get even worse. So, I just use premium and don't have to worry about it.
The OP probably posted the same question on a BMW forum somewhere. I am curious how bad the verbal beating on The Yamaha was. If they are like the Dutch GS-riders they probably put it in front of a virtual firing squad.
True
Yes due to less oxygen. My old carb bikes really sucked gas because they couldn't change the mixture on the fly and lean it out. FI can and what a wonderful thing it is! Also pushing aside less dense air also makes the engine work less. Several factors at work.
Tenforeplay
Active Member
Don’t think too many tenere owners are going to pay the per gallon price either. There is leaded fuel available though.
thughes317
Well-Known Member
Regarding the fuel debate: If the manufacturer recommends premium, and premium is available, what is the fuss about? Is the extra $1-2 dollars per fill up worth saving in the grand scheme of things? We consciously seek out premium oil, premium anti-freeze, premium gear lube yet the fluid that the bike consumes the most of, gasoline, we're worried about saving 20-30 cents/gallon on the 5 or so gallons it takes to fill up? The additive package in premium vs regular would seem to justify the extra few cents alone, octane rating not withstanding.
Maybe I'm missing something here?
Maybe I'm missing something here?
Finally someone with some common sense, always thought I was the only one. Saving a few cents and then putting the big bucks in unnecessary repairs have always blown my mind. Short term feel good vs long term common sense. Happens in every branch unfortunately. That quick delicious burger/pizza vs healthy food for example, we all know who won that battle.
I wonder who the heck even makes tetraethyl lead any more? Every plant that I recall making it became a superfund site. Irony? Ethyl corpration still exists
eemsreno
Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Why don't we look at the real facts here instead of made-up facts.
99% of my riding there is zero difference in performance between 87 or premium fuel.
First let's look at the fact that the difference between fuel prices is not 20 to 30 cents per gallon. It is currently 81 cents. Check your facts here from Google. [in Iowa]
So with 347,500 miles on my bike, that would be about 8,689 gallons of fuel used, At 81 cents a gallon difference that would add up to saving $7,038 using 87 octane fuel. When it runs just as good on 87 why would I want to waste seven thousand dollars on premium?
99% of my riding there is zero difference in performance between 87 or premium fuel.
First let's look at the fact that the difference between fuel prices is not 20 to 30 cents per gallon. It is currently 81 cents. Check your facts here from Google. [in Iowa]
| Regular | Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Current Avg. | $2.717 | $3.520 |
| Yesterday Avg. | $2.724 | $3.530 |
| Week Ago Avg. | $2.785 | $3.595 |
| Month Ago Avg. | $2.807 | $3.593 |
So with 347,500 miles on my bike, that would be about 8,689 gallons of fuel used, At 81 cents a gallon difference that would add up to saving $7,038 using 87 octane fuel. When it runs just as good on 87 why would I want to waste seven thousand dollars on premium?
thughes317
Well-Known Member
To each his own, eh?
Well I learned in finance fuel is a commodity and priced according to supply and demand. I’d use caution taking a flat 81 cent extra cost and extrapolating that expense over 347,500 miles. I do agree 91 octane fuel costs more sometimes 30 cents /gal more sometimes 50 cents/ gal more and yes and 81 cents per gal more. But never 81 cents for every gallon over 10 years I just did a local Portland ME area snapshot from Gas Buddy as a commodity this was the difference I noted today 39.
Super T average fill up 5 gallons at todays price difference of .39 cents or $1.95 per aver fill up today. The fuel game is volatile things change everyday. Take today Shell has just suspended fuel tanker shipments through the Red Sea due to Middle East unrest ..that has the ability to impact the price of 87 and 91 octane fuel.
For a more concise comparison I checked gas buddy in Des Moines Iowa TODAY and it’s even closer $.23 difference from 91 to 87 octane fuel listed below.
Super T average fill up 5 gallons at todays price difference of .39 cents or $1.95 per aver fill up today. The fuel game is volatile things change everyday. Take today Shell has just suspended fuel tanker shipments through the Red Sea due to Middle East unrest ..that has the ability to impact the price of 87 and 91 octane fuel.
For a more concise comparison I checked gas buddy in Des Moines Iowa TODAY and it’s even closer $.23 difference from 91 to 87 octane fuel listed below.
Attachments
Last edited: