BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I tend to use the Higher Octane stuff if it's available, but not too fussed if it isn't.

RT's have sophisticated Engine Management Systems which adapt themselves to the Octane Rating of the fuel being used.

In Germany (2007) Normal 91 RON fuel was available, one of the Guys in our Group who had had several GS's, commented upon the Higher Octane stuff I was going to put in my Bike & said, "It'll run on anything", he also liked the cheaper price at the pump.

If you want to clean your Engine, using an Engine Flush before/with an oil change could be more beneficial, than relying on the fuel to just clean the cylinders.
(A fuel additive could be used occasionally in the tank to do the same job as the fancy fuel.)

I can remember being on tour in Southern Germany/Austria in about 2007 when we were all buying 98 or even 99 octane fuel in the belief the bikes would work better at altitude.  If it did nobody noticed.  We just ended up with a bit less beer money.   
Not a problem these days of course, the LC only demands 95 or less..

DaygloDavid wrote: I tend to use the Higher Octane stuff if it's available, but not too fussed if it isn't.
RT's have sophisticated Engine Management Systems which adapt themselves to the Octane Rating of the fuel being used.

+1 on DaygloDavid comments.

When they originally launched higher octane fuels the view was it had to be "high performance" engine to make any difference.  The R1200 is good however I am not sure it is high enough to make any real difference...  That said:-) I use it if is there, these days with lower £ per Litre it seems like no brainer! 

Peter 

When I used to race cars, we would dyno and map the car to use higher octane fuel. if your engine has been dyno to run on 95 RON, then use it. Higher octane just empties your pocket quicker 

I have discussed this subject on FJR and Golf R forums, there are differing schools of thought. When 97 RON became available many years ago, I used it in my wifes car, that would sometimes suffer 'pre-ignition' under load  when using 95RON, tried 97 RON and no pre-ignition. Also calculated MPG using both fuels (not at same time lol) and I personally found  slightly better MPG. My Golf R which has 300BHP as standard is designed to run on 98RON, but will run on lower RON fuel with a slight drop in performance if no 98RON available. I use V Power 99RON whenever possible, I spent a lot of money on car & bike and don't want to save a few pence on cheaper fuels, preferring the detergent properties of premium fuel, but each to their own.                  

Speak to guys who dyno performance engines they will tell you the score. Use whatever the recommended fuel is - end of