I will first post this answer in Layman's terms from my own perspective then I will post an expert from a more scientific source. The higher Octane will burn slower resulting in a cooler running engine, using 87 Octane if an emergency as in your out of gas on the side of the road and someone brings you a gallon of 87 yes it will run in your Roketa Scooter. But I would personally mix it with a higher Octane as soon as possible to prevent any over heating of the little GY6 engine! It was designed to run air cooled aka no radiator and run at a certain temperature running cheaper 87 Octane gas will cause the engine to run hotter less efficient and possibly over time cause serious damage to the internal components of your engine!!
Now for a more detailed version of what I have written above for anyone wanting a more advanced read on the subject.
Fuel octane requirements for gasoline engines vary with the compression
ratio of the engine; Engine compression ratio is the relative volume of a
cylinder from the bottom most position of the piston's stroke to the
top most position of the piston's stroke. The higher an engine's
compression ratio, the greater the amount of heat generated in the
cylinder during the compression stroke. Posted octane numbers on
gasoline pumps are a result of testing fuel performance under laboratory
and actual operating conditions. The higher the octane rating on fuel
the less volatile (evaporative qualities) and the slower the fuel burns.
Higher octane fuel contains more POTENTIAL energy but requires the higher heat generated by higher compression ratio engines to properly condition the fuel to RELEASE
that higher potential energy. In the refining process, fewer gallons of
higher octane fuels are yielded from a barrel of raw crude, thus the
higher cost. If fuel octane is too low for a given compression ratio,
the fuel prematurely and spontaneously ignites too early and the fuel
charge EXPLODES rather than BURNS resulting in incomplete
combustion. The net effect is a loss in power and possible engine
damage. The operator hears an audible "knock" or "ping", referred to as
detonation. Detonation may vary from a faint noise on light acceleration
to a constant, deep hammering noise while driving at a constant speed.
Improper timing adjustments, vacuum leaks, or excessively lean fuel
mixtures may also cause detonation. Many vehicle owners believe that
higher octane fuels are better for their vehicles since they are labeled
"PREMIUM." The logic is that since it is a premium fuel it must
be better. In reality, the premium label originates from the higher cost
to refine and the resultant higher retail cost. Some refiners label
their high octane fuels "SUPER." Some owners think that these fuels will make their vehicles more powerful. This is a MYTH!
Only engines with high compression ratios can deliver all the potential
energy from higher octane fuels! Always consult the manufacturer's
octane recommendation to determine the proper octane requirements for
any given vehicle. Generally, engines with compression ratios of 9.3 : 1
or less will safely operate with unleaded 87 octane fuel. Engines with
higher compression ratios usually require higher octane fuels. But many
modern engines will safely burn 87 octane even with a higher compression
ratio. This is accomplished by way to the engine fuel/air management
system. Many owners who operate vehicles designed to operate on 87
octane fuel experience ping and knock. They usually "fix" this problem
by purchasing the higher priced, higher octane fuels. Most owner's
manuals indicate that some light and intermittent ping is normal but
that heavy or sustained ping or knock should be attended to by either
purchasing the correct octane fuel or servicing the engine. Most fuel
refiners blend fuels for geographic areas and adjust their blends
seasonally. These blending techniques compensate for the decrease in
oxygen content with an increase in altitude and compensate for
volatility during the warmer or cooler seasons. Significant ambient
temperature changes (40 degrees Fahrenheit) or altitude changes (4,000
feet) may cause some serious engine detonation. This problem is usually
corrected by filling the tank with "local" fuel that has been properly
blended for season and altitude. Bottom line is do not waste your money
on a fuel with a higher octane than your engine requires. You reap no
benefits, and are just wasting money.
Peace out there in Scooterville!
Roketa Scooter Man
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