GS 1150 unleaded/leaded
 

Hi guys just wondered if anyone has had any problems running their GS1150 on leaded fuel? I used mine on leaded for 4 days in Oman, off road climbig hills up to 2000meters and when she got hot, she started pinking under heavy loads, sudden hard throttle openings if I wound her on slowley she was ok? The other thing is, is there a company out there that makes a foam filter element, it would be nice to be able to remove the filter and wash it out for the next days riding, under high dust conditions.
Last question for now promise!!! If I install a after marked exhaust system, with out the cat do I need to adjust the fuel injection system or re-chip to fuel management at all???? Sorry if these questions seem a bit daft but I asked my local BMW dealer and I got about 3 different answers which left me a bit comfused, thanks for any help, and merry christmas and a happy new year to everyone. Regards Richard.

Richard
Can't help you with a definitive answer on the fuel question except to say that it should run no problem on leaded fuel. You might find that problems with the fuel in Oman were due to it being very low quality (ie Iranian). We've just been through Turkey, Syria & Jordan and the fuel quality was definitely mixed and my R100GS suffered from pinking from time to time, especially with unleaded, so we tended to use 'Super' leaded fuel rather than 'Normal'.
As for fitting an after market exhaust, my understanding is that the GS and S models are fitted with intelligent chips that re-map themselves when you change the exhaust set up (I've just got rid of my cherished R1100S). A good friend of mine fitted a Remus exhaust to his S and replaced the cat with a Y section and did not have to do anything else. I believe that it takes about 100 miles to re-map and then your sorted.
Hope this is helpful.
Harvey
PS Don't blame me if your bike goes pop!!

Thanks Harvey this makes me feel a lot better(I think) as long as she goes pop before the 16 of Oct 2002 that's when the warranty runs out. Are you heading this way? Dubai in the U.A.E?? If so give me a call on 009714-2844617 or E-mail me on rdgts69@hotmail.com Thanks for the helf regards Richard.

I was always under the impression that leaded fuel killed O2 sensors. Does your 1150 have an O2 sensor?

There is two aftermarket airfilters for the R1150GS. Unifilter makes a double layer foam one that is very effective in extreme dusty conditions and K&N has a oil gauze unit. Have used both. K&N can clog under extreme dust but shake it off and it will work again. Both reusable after cleaning. Subjective: but I think the K&N flows a little better but isn't as good in filtration qualities.Both around 35$ US. Wunderlich makes an aftermarket chip that works well with free flowing pipes with out CATs and with a wire jumper is supposed have several programs for lower octane fuel(I assume mainly alter ignition advance curve) I haven't tried the lower octane programs but the chips works well with a noticable increase in torque and driveability. About 400$US. Leaded fuel shouldn't harm the o2 sensor but can quickly clog the CAT so the aftrmarket exhaust is required. I've heard about 1000 miles of leaded could effect the CAT sigificantly.

Leaded fuel WILL harm the o2 sensor - but it takes a fairly long time. They are only good for 100,000 miles at best on unleaded, and should be replaced as a service part at that point anyway.

How long will they go on leaded? We don't know yet, and are looking for documented evidence on this. For now, we recommend if you are planning a lot of miles in unleaded countries, think about carrying a spare. Failure is evidenced by poor running, stumbling, and general rich symptoms. Replacement is not difficult.

Re the filters, K&N insist you use their filter oil and cleaner - so you have to carry both, and lots of it. The foam filters can be cleaned in fuel/gas/petrol, and washed finally in soap and water, dried, and oiled with preferably foam filter oil, but motor oil will do fine. It takes very little - a film can full will easily do a wash.
I use a foam filter myself on our G/S around the world and have been very happy with it. It's still perfectly good.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Richard,

I fitted my GS1150 with a Sebring (same co as Remus)aftermarket can and a Y piece. You just have to take off the collector box, slap on the Y piece and can and thats it! The Lambda sensor automatically re-maps.

regards

Hi George,

I am planning to also swop exhaust as you have, may I ask you the following questions:
Have you measured the noise level or what is you opinon about this?
Do you notice a great difference on power and torque?

regards
Skonte

(Replied to Skonte directly nearly a year ago but just rediscovered thread and thought I'd post for others interested!)

Noise level increases dramatically, you might have to drop a gear or two when boys in blue around! I found it useful to be heard though in India etc.! There is a noticeable pick up in mid-range too, but as bike has more than sufficient torque anyway you don't really need it. Unless taking on a sportsbike down London's embankment heh heh http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Regards

George


[This message has been edited by GS George (edited 28 February 2003).]

[This message has been edited by GS George (edited 28 February 2003).]

Grant, are you advising against K&N for a washable filter on long, dusty trip? Do people use non-K&N cleaner/lube on them?

Rickx,

yes. K&N themselves recommend a foam sock over their filter for desert races. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Not recommended to use non K&N oil.

Go for a foamie for long trips and all off-road imho.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Thanks. Can anyone recommend the 'best' foamie to buy in the UK for my GS before I go RTW next week (..after the Rugby World Cup final)