Catalytic Converter South of the USA Border?
 

Hope this hasn't been covered before. It seems like only in the last few years has this become an issue. Has anyone run a catalytic converter equiped BMW GS south of the border and in South America for any length of time? I'm trying to balance the cost/necessity of replacing it with a "Y" pipe for a ride to Panama. I've met one person who has ridden to Peru and back on a bone stock GS Adventure and said he's never had a problem running any grade of gas thru it, with the CAT. Any thoughts on the need to replace it prior to the trip?
Thanks.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know your bike won't run any differently on leaded with the cat in there, but it will destroy the cat eventually. You'll know the cat is destroyed when it comes time to do an emmissions test. Of course, most US States don't require emissions tests for motorcycles, so you may not have to worry about this.

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Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake

hello,
I rode from Los Angeles to Ushuaia in 6 months on a stock 1100GS.
no problems with fuel or cat.
sometimes I expirienced a little lack of power due to low grade fuel in nicaragua and costa rica.
I would save the money for a bike conversion, and spent it in central-america.
have a great trip,
Mark.