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Engine Detuning Kills Performance: How to Protect Your Motorcycle

Written by Ches Cain

Engine Knock Kills Performance: How to Protect Your Motorcycle

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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.

octane_graph

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.


Amsoil's motorcycle Octane Boost for maximum performanceAMSOIL Octane Boost

  • Maximizes power and efficiency
  • Improves startup performance
  • Eliminates engine ping or knock

 

 

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New Synthetic DCT Fluid Rounds Out AMSOIL Transmission Fluid Family.

Written by Ches Cain

New Synthetic DCT Fluid Rounds Out AMSOIL Transmission Fluid Family.

AMSOIL DCT Dual-Clutch Transmission

The concept of two transmissions working in tandem within one vehicle dates back to the 1930s. The dual-clutch transmission (DCT) made its first practical appearance decades later in several 1980s-era race cars. In 2003, Volkswagen’s Golf* Mk4 R32 was the first production vehicle to feature the technology. Today the spectrum of vehicles with DCTs has widened, from the Hyundai Sonata* to the Nissan GT-R*.

Automatic and Dual-Clutch Transmissions

Traditional automatic transmissions have a defined set of planetary gears that engage based on vehicle speed. The correct gear is selected as the vehicle accelerates and decelerates. DCTs are automatic transmissions based on the architecture of manual transmissions. They consist of two manual transmissions in the same housing.  Most rely on computer-controlled, wet multi-plate clutches and do not require torque converters. DCTs provide more efficient shifts than traditional automatics because as one clutch is engaged the other readies the next gear. Properly maintained and lubricated the system delivers smooth, split-second shifts, the perfect complement to a powerful, high-performance engine.

While DCTs are capable of seamless shifts, they can suffer from shudder at low-speeds and during sustained acceleration. A transmission fluid that allows too much or too little friction can result in shudder, slipping or clashing. DCT fluid must also maintain the proper viscosity to provide protection during the high-heat operation native to high-performance sports sedans and super cars.

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic DCT Fluid

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic DCT Fluid is specifically engineered for sophisticated dual-clutch transmissions. Its perfectly balanced frictional properties protect against shudder and clashing to consistently produce fast, smooth shifts. Synthetic DCT Fluid’s exceptional durability provides stability in stop-and-go traffic and excels under intense, high-heat conditions. It promotes stable synchronizer engagements, extending the life of the transmission.

AMSOIL 100% Synthetic DCT Fluid (DCT)

  • Outstanding wear protection
  • Excellent performance in extreme heat and cold
  • Designed to prevent shudder

*All trademarked names and images are the property of their respective owners and may be registered marks in some countries. No affiliation or endorsement claim, express or implied, is made by their use. All products advertised here are AMSOIL-engineered for use in the applications shown.

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