2007 VL : 91 OCTANE

[XRAYGUY]

My Venture Lite 2007 requires 91 octane fuel. They changed the minimum octane back to 87 for 2008 and up.
My question is anybody try to run anything other than 91 in a 2007 VL sled? And if so how'd it run?

 

[Mooseman]

From the Phazer guys, some have been running 87 fuel with no ill effects except maybe some that have reported slightly lower MPG due to the ethanol. We do have a knock sensor so if it were to start knocking it would retard the timing to protect the engine. If you read the owner's manual, it explains this. I think Yamaha was just being over cautious because of the high compression and RPM's this engine is running.

Personally, I still run 91 just to avoid ethanol. It's just evil.

 

[yamahas]

I have run 87 in my phaser before with no problem till last week when the knock sensor detected a knock. I run 91 as much as possible.

 

[Mooseman]

Maybe just got a bad batch of gas? We might be marginal with 87 and as soon as we have a bit of bad gas, we get knock. Yours is an '09 so it should specify 87 right?

 

[yamahas]

Yeah probably just some bad gas. My phazer says 91.

 

[XRAYGUY]

First, thanks for everyones input. I just read what the manual had to say like Mooseman suggested.
It says if KCS light comes on to reduce speed to 6,ooo RPM or less. then drain fuel. (very handy in middle of no where!) Which leads to original question. Will it still run or will motor shut down to protect itself?

 

[XRAYGUY]

Thanks rayclar. good to know. Maybe next year ill try some 89 or even 87 locally just to see what will happen.
On our bigger rides in more remote areas all they have is 87. would like to go without having to bring my own fuel with me.

 

[asrx600guy]

From the Phazer guys, some have been running 87 fuel with no ill effects except maybe some that have reported slightly lower MPG due to the ethanol. We do have a knock sensor so if it were to start knocking it would retard the timing to protect the engine. If you read the owner's manual, it explains this. I think Yamaha was just being over cautious because of the high compression and RPM's this engine is running.

Personally, I still run 91 just to avoid ethanol. It's just evil.

actually, with high RPMs, you can get away with lower octane.

 

[attakred06]

what about octane booster could bring 87 to 91 ???

 

[Mooseman]

Sorry for missing this one. I consider octane booster like all other additives... snake oil. Better to use real 91 octane. And it does nothing for the ethanol.

 

[campsleder]

I have been running 91 when ever possible but up north there is only 87 so I carry Startron additive I have used this product to winterize/summarize/ truck and toy tanks with great results!
It combats ethanol issue .
http://www.starbrite.com/item/star-tron-gasoline-fuel-additive?category_id=585