I just checked the sticker on my 2015 ES California model. It also states a minimum of 95 RON should be used.
(Tenerejourneyman, I don’t see in your photo anywhere that says 89 RON as you describe?)
In the US the pumps are marked with PON (Pump Octane Number) not RON, which is an average between RON & MON. The equivalent PON to 95 RON is 91. This is the highest octane widely available throughout the western if not the entire US. European and many other places in the world label their pumps with the RON value. This makes for some confusion in discussions on the topic in an international forum like this.
I’ve never seen any pumps labeled with AKI numbers.
Hello “WJBertrand” and “Campion”,
All of my comments are based on recognized US standards and terms:
You are correct, I mistakenly typed 89 RON, instead of the “95 RON” which was reflected in the photo of the VEC sticker from my bike. The notation should have stated the following,
“The actual photo indicates 95 RON Unleaded Fuel is minimum needed/factory recommended”
And I probably should have added the following, just after the above notation,
“95 RON = 89 Octane Rating”
And also this small notation,
“AKI = US Octane rating”
And I probably should have added the following, as well,
“AKI = Anti-Knock Index”
And I probably should have added the following, as well,
“Minimum Octane Rating = AKI”
And I probably should have also added the following, from WIKI,
“Octane rating
Description
An octane rating, or octane number, is a standard measure of a fuel's ability to withstand compression in an internal combustion engine without detonating.” WIKI
Much of this was covered by earlier posters., But it should now (hopefully) be clear enough for our new Tenere owner/new forum member/“original poster” to make reasonable fuel purchasing decisions (based on his individual driving/maintenance habits, budget and the (wind/mountain grade/pillion/luggage-loaded weight/conditions of his motorcycle) during the decades and decades that he will likely own, ride and enjoy his wonderful new machine.
To Campion, I say, “Ride it Your Way!”