´88 R100GS and Bolivian Fuel & Altitude?

**nickc** · #1 25 Apr 2005

Hi

Am currently in Pucon Chile and shortly heading up to Bolivia.

Have heard the fuel in Bolivia has low octane levels. My manual recommends 91 and above, has anybody any experiance of the fuel in Bolivia and any advice on whether it is ok to run the bike on what they have to offer?

Similarly, re: altitude, I recall reading somewhere that things should be ok if you do not over stress the engine and don´t spend too long at high altitudes?

Any info much appreciated.

Cheers

Nick

**John Ferris** · #2 26 Apr 2005

You will not have the horse power that you have at sea level. 10,000ft (3,000m)you will have about 67% of your HP, 15,000ft (4,500m) about 55% of your HP.
Octane, the higher you go the less octane you need. With the U.S. octane at see level I use 91 oct or 89 oct as I go higher 3,000ft (1,000m) I can use 87. In Cororado around the high passes 12,000ft (3,600) I can use 85 oct.
The way octane is measured is not the same in the U.S.
You will be running rich, the easiest way to lean the carb out is to put in a smaller main jet. It only takes a couple of minutes.
The bike will not run good at low RPM but it will get better as your RPM rises.
Be sure to put your stock jets back in when you go down in altitude.

**Bill Shockley** · #3 27 Apr 2005

Nick,
I rode all over Bolivia this year and never touched the carbs on my 1983 R80ST. I was at 16,000 ft in Bolivia and Peru on and off road. No problems, good gas mileage but some vibration at 60-70mph and loss of power of course but you dont need the speed. No traffic on the altoplano. I used the low octane gas cause thats all there was. No problem from Cuzco to Lapaz to Potosi to the Solar at Uyuni.
Clean the air filter well with compressed air. I used the stock paper filter. Never changed it. After you get down to sealevel change the plugs or clean them with a wire wheel gently as they will be black. I used stock plugs. My engine is stock. Have fun and enjoy the ride, it is most beautiful. If you dont want to do dirt, ride west to Arica, Chili on the road SW of Lapaz. That road is good will make you cry with joy for its beauty. Snow capped volcanoes. Very high. Easy border with Chili. Westren civilization in Arica(hot shower). Bill