RX3 Fuel Octane Requirements

[Pbro63]

Assumed since the get go this budget bike would use budget gas, Doh!
So I've been running regular unleaded (87 octane) with seemingly no ill effects.
Just watched the Zongshen EFI video posted here and it calls for running premium (93 octane). On the RX3's spec label located next to the steering stem, it specifies fuel rated at (91 octane)
My questions are thus:
Will running regular unleaded 87 octane cause long term problems?
What octane ratings are other RX3 owners running ?
Is there discernable power or mileage advantages to running unleaded plus or premium (91 or 93) ?

[willy dog]

my owners man. says 87 or higher i use 89 no reason just because i can.

[Pbro63]

Originally Posted by willy dog

my owners man. says 87 or higher i use 89 no reason just because i can.

"The brand of oil allowed is 93#. Do not using other type of oil." This is from the PDF owners manual in the fuel section page 11. Chinese typically refer to fuel as oil.
http://www.chinariders.net/files/Zon...ers_manual.pdf

I lost my cd dopy of the owners manual could you refer me to where it says 87 octane or higher on this link if it is indeed the same file?

[Mudflap]

There are several ways to measure octane. The Chinese owners manuals for my bikes all say to use 93 octane which works out to 87 octane here in the US.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

[willy dog]

page six 87 or higher could not down load man. forum would not let me to busy right now for one page

[Pbro63]

Originally Posted by Mudflap

There are several ways to measure octane. The Chinese owners manuals for my bikes all say to use 93 octane which works out to 87 octane here in the US.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

Thank you sir for that clarification. Case closed.

[SpudRider]

I have been using regular unleaded gasoline, which is 85 octane at Great Basin/Rocky Mountain elevations. However, I might experiment with the next higher, octane fuel.

[willy dog]

the cd they send you with the paperwork states 87 or higher the little book that comes with the bike lists 89 as the grade to use that might be why it is being questioned

[SpudRider]

I did not get a little book with my Zongshen RX3. I got the Owner's Manual on CD, but I didn't get anything else.

[Lee R]

I didn't get the little book either. The sticker on the tank says 91 so I've been using non-ethanol 91 which we have all over the place in Upstate NY, Its good for winter storage too!

As long as the bike isn't experiencing pre-ignition (knocking) 87 should be fine.

[willy dog]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I did not get a little book with my Zongshen RX3. I got the Owner's Manual on CD, but I didn't get anything else.

Mine was in the top case a little book that is handy too carry with bike now i feel like i have the new and improved Zong i bet Ryan would send you one if you just asked

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by willy dog

Mine was in the top case a little book that is handy too carry with bike now i feel like i have the new and improved Zong i bet Ryan would send you one if you just asked

jb

[SpudRider]

Thank you, gentlemen. Indeed, I did not get the CSC RX3 Owner's Manual. That little white booklet was not inside my luggage. I will give Ryan a call; I'm sure he will send me a booklet.

[FLorangeRX3]

Glad to hear that people are using 87 successfully. I read 89 in the little book also and Costco only has 87 or 93, so I was using premium. Also, the fuel gauge was down to 1 bar but the tank only took 1.89 gallons.

Will

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by FLorangeRX3

... the fuel gauge was down to 1 bar but the tank only took 1.89 gallons.
Will

I've been alternating between 87 and 89, and I can't tell any difference in performance.

As far as the gas gauge, mine starts flashing at about 150 miles on the trip odometer.

I have gone as far as 210 odometer miles before refilling...didn't want to push my luck on running to empty.

The greatest amount of fuel I put in was 3.6 gallons.

The average gas miles per gallon has been in the low 60's, except for the afternoon I tested the upper limits of the speedometer. Running at 8,000 rpm in 6th gear for extended times yielded 56 mpg.

Usually I start looking for gas as I near +/- 200 miles.



jb