Fuel Octane

[Ninja007]

Hey everyone.

I know this topic has been covered before here, but I was just trying to find out what fuel octane some of you use on your Ducks. I guess what I'm trying to find out is, if I can get away with using 87 octane. The owners manual says use at least 95 octane, but I don't even know if MN has that... Plus, with gas prices... Well, you know where I'm going. So, if you post what octane you use, I would greatly appreciate the info.
Thanks!

[warhummer]

The 95 octane listed in the manual is the equivalent to 91 octane gas here in (what I believe) is all pumps in the US. The difference is in how its calculated. The gas here used the (R+M)/2 method which is an average of two different octane numbers. The 95 listed is the "R" number in that formula, which comes out to a 91 here.

[Ninja007]

Originally Posted by warhummer

The 95 octane listed in the manual is the equivalent to 91 octane gas here in (what I believe) is all pumps in the US. The difference is in how its calculated. The gas here used the (R+M)/2 method which is an average of two different octane numbers. The 95 listed is the "R" number in that formula, which comes out to a 91 here.

Thank you for the info. That helps a lot.

[MingThe Merciless]

Actually, it pays to remember that Ducati's octane recommendation is for the
worst case scenario. Whether it's octane, oil change intervals, air filter replacement
or anything else, Ducati has no idea how their poor bikes with be used (or abused)
once released into this cruel world, so they set their recommendation accordingly.
The higher octane is to stave off detonation, a certified piston killer. But you may
not need it. How do you ride? Do you constantly lug the engine, or pull top gear
full throttle banzai attacks? Then high octane is for you. Do you cruise across
Death Valley in August, or climb Pikes Peak with a 300 pound girl friend on back?
Then ditto the octane. But if you ride like a normal, sane person, then try 87
octane. I use it in both my ST2 and M750 without complaint. But a cautionary note:
stay away for the volatile swill down at the local Kwik-e-mart. Stick to the major
brands. Resist the temptation to save a few cents. Your Ducati will appreciate your
consideration, and so will, I presume, the specter of Dr. Taglioni.

[Ninja007]

Originally Posted by MingThe Merciless

Actually, it pays to remember that Ducati's octane recommendation is for the
worst case scenario. Whether it's octane, oil change intervals, air filter replacement
or anything else, Ducati has no idea how their poor bikes with be used (or abused)
once released into this cruel world, so they set their recommendation accordingly.
The higher octane is to stave off detonation, a certified piston killer. But you may
not need it. How do you ride? Do you constantly lug the engine, or pull top gear
full throttle banzai attacks? Then high octane is for you. Do you cruise across
Death Valley in August, or climb Pikes Peak with a 300 pound girl friend on back?
Then ditto the octane. But if you ride like a normal, sane person, then try 87
octane. I use it in both my ST2 and M750 without complaint. But a cautionary note:
stay away for the volatile swill down at the local Kwik-e-mart. Stick to the major
brands. Resist the temptation to save a few cents. Your Ducati will appreciate your
consideration, and so will, I presume, the specter of Dr. Taglioni.

What you say makes a lot of sense... My bike is in the shop right now, because the CTS sensor broke, and this happened two days after I put in some 87 octane. Not sure if the low octane or my riding in low RPM or both caused the problem. But, I learned a few things about my Duc in the past week. I think I'm going to stick to the highest octane I can find, just to be on the safe side, and keep the RPM around 3500 to 6500 when I ride. Who knows how much this repair is going to cost me... I'm hoping it will be an arm and a leg. I guess that is a part of having a Ducati though.
Thanks again for all of your good info!