CRF1000L on low octane fuel (80RON)
 

Hi everyone!

I haven't found any info after several searches, so I'll start a thread. Sorry if this has already been posted elsewhere!

I am planning a trip to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan this summer and I'm worried about the low octane fuel, particularly in Uzbekistan, where it is common to find only 80RON (usually sold out of some rusty barrel in someone's backyard).
A friend who's coming on a KTM 1190 Adventure R bought an "offroad dongle" from KTM which among other things activates a different engine mapping to allow the bike to run on low octane fuel, and I've heard of a similar device available for BMWs.
I asked about this at the Honda dealer where I bought my AT in 2016 and the guy there had no idea what I was talking about. So far I have not found anything online from third party manufacturers either...

Does anybody have info about this? Is it possible to adapt to the AT to accept low octane fuel? Is the compression ratio low enough that this would not be an issue, even as low as 80RON?

I know I can add octane boosters to the fuel, but they only raise the octane rating by two or three units, and 82-83RON is still quite low compared to the 91RON minimum recommended in the owner's manual (Europe)

Thanks!

I know you can do the same mapping on BMW's too. It's a 2 min job on the computer.

You're best off asking your Honda dealer.

Even though Honda will recommend 91 Octane, their engines will likely be designed to run on less. Although what the limit is , I don't know.

Hi Kilian,

I have asked that very question on some AT forums (I'm CRF1000L owner as well). And the responses were that bike was fine although felt a bit weaker. That was without any remapping.

We drove through these countries last year and only had to use 80 octane fuel in Uzbekistan. In all the other Stans we got at least 91 octane, but we haven't been to Turkmenistan. Our CRF250Ls had no problem with that low quality fuel, so your CRF1000L should be fine, as well.

We rode the "Stans" on our 16 Africa Twin in 2017. The only country you will experience difficulties in is Uzbekistan as you noted.

The Africa Twin was not happy on the local 80 RON, i tried octane booster but found it useless and it made no difference, so I would suggest don't bother.

So, just take it easy on the throttle and you will manage as we did. Honda made a point of designing the new generation AT to run on low octane fuel, just not this low.

Your second problem is simply finding fuel. In the larger city's there will be a petrol station somewhere with fuel available, ask the locals and you'll track it down. Absolutely do not pass a petrol station without topping up if it is available. Keep an eye out along the road side for one or more plastic bottles. These are locals, often kids re-selling petrol. It won't be out of a rusty drum, it will be clean, but low octane as noted.

Carry an emergency supply of 4 litres or so if you think you need it. We didn't and we managed.

The border regions with both Tajikistan and Khazikstan will see more petrol available as it is imported from these countries.

With a bit of care you will manage without too much dramas.

Cheers Graeme.

KTM sells off-road dongle with bad fuel mapping for their adventure bikes, wonder if honda also has something like that.