I have a 2019 BF100 VTEC that is only on it's second tank of fuel. Per the owner's manual I'm using 91 octane unleaded that also happens to have 10% ethanol. After having some issues early on (engine sputtering and quitting at 3/4 throttle or above) and hearing about all the potential issues with methanol I'm considering using a non-ethanol fuel. I have the opportunity to use a high quality 90 octane non-ethanol. But this is one point below the minimum required octane. Thoughts?

 

welcome to the forum. the non-ethanol fuel is better fuel than the ethanol. better burning fuel. 90 octane fuel is good,

 

Knocking or pinging is caused by the air/fuel mixture detonating prematurely in the engine.
Octane rating is the measure of a fuel's ability to resist that premature burning during combustion.
The engine will not run faster or cleaner by using higher octane.
If your owners manual ask for higher octane rating then it is usually to prevent this pinging.