Actually 87 octane (north america) should burn OK up to about 9.5:1 compression and the Bonnie is only 9.2:1, so technically it should work but it's close enough that you might as well use 89.
The only other factor to consider around here (I can only speak for Ontario) is ethanol content. Generally, 87 octane has up to 10%, 89 has up to 5%, and 91 and above is usually ethanol free. At least at the major suppliers that is.
All I know is that ethanol is not supposed to be good for motorcycles but I still don't know exactly why that is. Perhaps someone can enlighten us (or at least me anyway
) why ethanol is bad and then there will be an actual reason to use the higher grades of gas.
