"The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating."
"Octane ratings are not indicators of the energy content of fuels. It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn in a controlled manner, rather than exploding in an uncontrolled manner."
So it makes sense to put high octane fuel in any engine that has a very high compression. That will reduce the number (percentage) of premature detonations, before spark plugs do their job and pistons get into their final lowest position. That's how fuel consumption can be reduced (with a gain in power): by fuel not detonating too soon to slow the pistons down, but at the right time, to push them.
In a FZS600 engine it is a waste of money. I put the theory to the test for a few tanks and didn't measure any difference in consumption.
"Octane ratings are not indicators of the energy content of fuels. It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn in a controlled manner, rather than exploding in an uncontrolled manner."
So it makes sense to put high octane fuel in any engine that has a very high compression. That will reduce the number (percentage) of premature detonations, before spark plugs do their job and pistons get into their final lowest position. That's how fuel consumption can be reduced (with a gain in power): by fuel not detonating too soon to slow the pistons down, but at the right time, to push them.
In a FZS600 engine it is a waste of money. I put the theory to the test for a few tanks and didn't measure any difference in consumption.
Most things done in a hurry need to be done again - patiently.