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Gas in south america ??? Gas in south america ???
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  #1  
Old 20 Oct 2007
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Just basic travel stuff.

Bon chance!
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 08:05.
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Old 21 Oct 2007
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Frank,
Your BMW is fuel injected, which means the knock sensors connected to the bike's ECM (computer) can tell the octane of the fuel you are using and make timing adjustments to suit the octane of the fuel.<snip>
Incorrect - the 650GS doesn't have knock sensors, can't adjust to suit the octane. The 650 engine management system is much simpler than on the twins.

Except for gas in Brazil (high alcohol content), there's no problem with the gas in South America. Buy whenever you can from the major brands, fill often, not when you are nearly out and the only gas around is from the barrel on the side the shed.

As to the octane ratings, they are calculated different in SA than in the US - same system as Euro zone I believe. Here in Argentina now, the octane ratings are 95 for super, 97 for highest, and 91 I believe is lowest octane.

When you are in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, you'll have a hard time finding anything other than the lowest octane fuel - which is just fine at high altitude.

There are a couple spots you need to carry extra liters, but they are few (Atacama desert I believe, Salar de Uyuni if you do the distance between Uyuni and San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, possibly a spot along Ruta 40 in Patagonia.)
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Old 21 Oct 2007
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Originally Posted by quastdog View Post
Incorrect - the 650GS doesn't have knock sensors, can't adjust to suit the octane. The 650 engine management system is much simpler than on the twins.
I thought newer F650's would have had some sort of knock sensor or other system to retard timing, especially since its running CAT convertor.
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 08:06.
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Old 21 Oct 2007
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Update on Ruta 5 in Chile: if you stick to the Ruta 5, the furthest between gas stations is 300km, and that´s on the stretch south of Arica, but just north of Antofagasta. The stretch is from a gas station 50km south of Pozo Almonte and runs to the junction at Carmen Alto. I´m told you can detour a few km off the 5 to get gas in Maria Elena. But, as I found out, if you thought ahead and equipped yourself witha Buell Ulysses you wouldn´t need to .

Fuel in Chile is good quality. Copec always seems to have 97 octane. With a bit of hunting, decent stuff can be found in Peru and Ecuador, too.

Good luck

Al

PS - Edit: should have mentioned, that it´s a run of close to 250km south of Antafagasta, too. Copec sell nice fuel cans that strap nicely to a rear seat!
Last edited by raiderfan; 22 Oct 2007 at 00:45. Reason: More info
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Old 21 Oct 2007
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Your F650 does have a low-octane switch - ask your dealer and he'll hit the appropriate laptop button. Low-octane fuel isn't a big deal, as long as it's not forever - you'll get some knocking, a soggy throttle and on the plus side, ridiculously good mileage.

Suerte, Dan
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Old 22 Oct 2007
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Always good to learn these things from people who have done it. Can't wait until it is my turn to share. 55 days left of work. a bit of planning, equipping and waiting for weather so we can cross the mountains. scooters with highway tires don't get along well with ice, snow, or pitted roads in the ice from tire chains. figure about march.Should be in Argentina for Christmas, then head for Georgetown-prayerfully, hopefully, missing the rainy season.
thanks for the good stuff

joe
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Old 3 Nov 2007
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Fuel cat
I fitted a Fuel Cat (catalyser) into the tank. I have had one on the Divi600 for years and it worked well in Russia and the Stans where fuel can be a bit suspect.
I've just fitted on to the VStrom and notice an improvement in range.
At about US$70 I consider it worth the invertment.
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