Gas for Downtown 300i ? What octane do you use?

[bountybuddy]

Please tell me what octane gas you use in your Downtown 300i?  Thanks for your help.  Ride safe.

[zombie]

We've had this conversation here before, and I usually wind up hospitalized from the flac.

I always use premium fuel in everything I own. The higher octane rating creates a more uniform flame front, thereby creating more power per combustion cycle.
The resulting increase in power equates to less throttle applied per equal HP realized at the ground, and in turn better fuel mileage. The increased mileage equals roughly 10% improvement translating to an overall savings in fuel cost vs the 7-8% savings over "regular" grade fuel. 2-3% savings over a year adds up to enough to take your Mrs. out for a night on the town. (mickeyD's perhaps but the idea is there)

You might want to put on your helmet because I feel INCOMING!!!

[windwheeler]

>>>You might want to put on your helmet because I feel INCOMING!!!<<<<

BOOOM!!!! SPLITTER!!!  CRASH!!!

You are absolutely right Zombie, because to generalize "ALWAYS using premium fuel..." is not a good statement and not valid  for the then following claims from you either...   

I am not going any further and could PROVE you wrong for some what you posted. Your "reasoning" has flaws, and you did also not say "HOW" and on which engines with which fuel requirements you compared that.  As a summary: "Generalizing is always bad" as results depend usually on many different factors, OR, it needs to be compared 100% with the same parameters of "everything".

General rule is: "When it does not call for premium gas by the manufacturer, there is no need to use it."  Very technical reasons of engine design behind that...

For all who still wonder what grade gas to use: 
"STICK WITH WHAT THE MANUFACTURER ASKS YOU TO PUT INTO THE TANK (see owners manual) AND DO NOT RE-INVENT THE WHEEL."
PS: If you do it anyway it actually "can/could" cause running problems sooner or later. If the manufacturer says it needs premium gas, then please yes of course put premium gas into your tank.

FYI: If you want to do ONE good EXTRA thing, then run about every 1000 miles a tank with the correct % quantity measured of "good fuel system cleaner" through it to get rid of carbon deposits on valves and piston(s)  Many of those system cleaners eliminate also water droplets in the tank that come from condensation of the humidity in the air that replaces the fuel, when using-up the fuel in the tank.

[zombie]

Told ya so... 

[CROSSBOLT]

87 octane in this country works well in the DT. We have this strange system of Research+Motor divided by two (R+M/2) that gets everyone here confused as to what octane is it really. Kymco finally got around to changing some of it's books and stickers to reflect that 87 pump gas is OK. Higher octane fuel burns SLOWER  and actually reduces power output as a result. It consequently is a waste of money. However, use what ever makes YOU feel good because the Kymco EFI can handle about any gasoline you can thow at it. You have been introduced to the forum's foremost pi$$ing contest! Enjoy!

Karl

PS: The fuel sticker is in the helmet tub under the seat at the rear.

De-dee brings up a good point: use NON-ETHANOL gas if available. It is way less destructive to the scoot engine and fuel system. Check the numerous threads on the evils of 10% ethanol gas.

[de dee]

when I bought my downtown 300i    I broke it in hard up and down a hill to set the rings,  then at 25 miles I changed the oil and filter  changed it hot ,.  then I changed it hot again at 50 miles,    oil was 10 w 30  reg. oil,.  I switched to full syn. oil at 1600 miles  5w50  mobil 1   I never fill the scooter and park it,  I gas up before I go for a ride, never had trouble of over filling the gas tank,  type of fuel I go high octane be cause there is no 10 % in it where I am,.  the first day I put about 300 miles on the scooter,  just pure joy!!the joy got better after I modded the seat , for brake in look up  mototune usa     

[Stig / Major Tom]

I use 93 BP....because I can't figure out what the  "research 91 or higher"  means in the manual vs what is written on the gas pump.
Also, the manual says not to use meth or eth added fuels. But that is all we have in Ohio...corn flavored gasoline.
So far nothing has blown up and the scoot smells & sounds OK.
CM

[bluesin]

I , generally, use Mid to High Grade ( more Mid last year with gas prices ) and (on the advice of my Kymco,Honda, Yamaha Dealer ) put K-100 in EVERY time I fill up ( asdoes the dealer whenever they service a Motorcycle,Scooter,Snowmobile,Atv,Utv or other "Small " Engine machine ) .

[mnpugdog]

i go non ethanol all the time. I have the luck of having a station no more then 5 miles from house in any direction

[kneeslider]

In Malaysia the easily available petrol is RON95 and RON97.

I use RON95 because it is cheaper.

[mrbios]

Please tell me what octane gas you use in your Downtown 300i?  Thanks for your help.  Ride safe.

Update: 03-23-2015
Yesterday, I was running really low and filled up at an expensive gas station so I got regular because it was more expensive than Costco sells super for @ $3.34/gal.  My scoot took 2.24 gallons filling to the top of the filler neck.

Almost always fill up at Costco with super.  Once in a while I use regular or mid grade.  Runs the same.  Agree with Zombie that the burn is more stable with super.  Disagree about using it in everything.  Bought my car new 18 years ago.  160K miles and after replacing the head gasket compression comes in a 205 on all 4 cylinders and no valve job was needed according to the machine shop.  Always change the oil at 3K miles and use walmart oil and regular gasoline.  Full synthetic is better but I see no need for most cars and scooters. 

[AMAC1680]

I burn 93. I'm the exception to fuel issues, never had any. Never.
Cycles, lawnmowers or outboards carbs or FI. I also don't worry about ethanol as I run all my motors regularly and they're all late model and can handle the E10

Be Big,
AMAC

[Stig / Major Tom]

i go non ethanol all the time. I have the luck of having a station no more then 5 miles from house in any direction

Are you in America? (or do you fill up at marinas?)
Stig