Some modern motorcycles are equipped with a knock sensor that adjusts timing to compensate for low-octane gasoline and eliminate engine knock. Unfortunately, when timing is adjusted, you may experience…
- Rough idle
- Lack of throttle response
Many bikers don’t even know this is occurring. Understanding engine knock, also known as detonation or pre-ignition, requires an understanding of octane, which is a standard measure of gasoline performance.
The three most common octane ratings include:
- Anti-Knock Index (AKI)
- Research Octane Number (RON)
- Motor Octane Number (MON)
AKI is the rating most bikers are familiar with. It’s typically displayed on gas pumps as the average of the fuel’s RON and MON. RON, however, is the most common industry rating.
Engine knock can cause piston damage
Gasoline’s RON is generally a few numbers higher than the AKI posted on the gas pump (e.g. 87 octane fuel, or regular pump gas, has a RON of about 91-92). The higher the octane, the more compression the fuel can withstand before igniting. Low-octane gas is susceptible to uncontrolled and early ignition in the combustion chamber. It causes a knocking or pinging sound, robs the engine of power and, left unchecked, can cause catastrophic piston damage.
Engine knock may be eliminated by using a higher-octane fuel. Alternatively, you can use a fuel additive designed to raise the fuel’s octane number.
Boost octane and maximize power and efficiency
AMSOIL Motorcycle Octane Boost increases octane up to three numbers, which eliminates knock or ping and maximizes power and efficiency.
An easy solution for engine detuning
Motorcycle Octane Boost offers a low-cost solution to engine detuning and helps maximize bike power and performance. It offers the
added benefits of maintaining engine and fuel-system cleanliness, with active detergents that help prevent deposits for improved efficiency.
- Maximizes power and efficiency
- Improves startup performance
- Eliminates engine ping or knock
