Octane rating & oil ?

[bluesman]

I've been using mid grade 89 octane - all I can get here where I live. book says min 90 - am I looking for trouble. Also anyone using Rotella T6 full synthetic? On the shell website they state that both the convention dino t 15/40 and the T6 syn are JASO MA designated. I am concerned with the 5w 40 any thoughts
Thanks
ps going over to the states Saturday to get some super tech st7317 filters and some oil - based on your input.

[caper]

I am no expert but I think 5w 40 is too thin, I would use 10w 40 of a brand you decide on :) When I go to the Lake George rally I too am going to get enough filters to do me awhile :)

[cnc]

On the octane subject, if the bike is not knocking, I would think you should be OK on 89. It is my understanding that these bikes are set up lean and kawa has us run high test to prevent knocking. when the guys put in fuel processors they set them up a little richer and run regular 87 with no problems. There is also octane booster additives that you might try, but I have never tried them.
I have never used rottella, but know others who swear by it. I'm running Kawasaki full synthetic 10w 40 oil, It's costing me about $38 for a 4 LT jug if I remember correctly.

[bluesman]

Thanks for the input. Seems a lot of guys are using the T6 5w/40 synthetic and actually the 5w rating is better for colder weather so it's not too thin. At about 80 degrees it is a 40 which is good enough for where I ride. Maybe in the summer where in the extreme heat areas I would run 20/50 but 20/50 is too thin for colder spring and fall riding. If anyone is interested I posted the ? on the regular forum and got some interesting replys. One has a link to Oil 101 which is a long read but very very educational as it is directed at motorcycles.
Cheers,
PS: up here in the Soo it's been in the high teens mid 20's and sunny all week. Been riding everyday except today as the cold front has moved in but I managed to put on about 500 kms on the clock this week sweet but the next week is not looking good. It is afterall only mid march in the great white north.

[ringadingh]

Ive pretty well always used reguar 87 octane with no knocking, mind you I have a Power Commander installed as well.But I did disconnect the Power Commander once for a while and it didn't make a difference as far as knocking. Id try to run your bike on regular and see what happens. If it doesn't knock your all set. Using a fuel with a higher octane rating than neccessary for that motor doesn't make it run any better. Your just wasting your money every fillup.
As far as the oil goes Ive never used synthetic oil in the bike, I like Rotella T 15W40, it seems to do the job and I like the smooth shifting it provides. I can usually find it on sale around $15.00 a jug. I use it year round now. Nothing wrong with the synthetics but I just don't use them yet myself.