I use the highest octane I can get at service stations I believe it is 91 and my engine still pings. What's going on? It's a 2006 Nomad 1600.

I HAVE A 06 VULCAN DONT SEEM TO HAVE A PING BUT I DO HAVE A SLIGHT SOUND IN THE MOTOR. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE VALVES. IF YOU ARE HEARING IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I HAVE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS. I DONT THINK YOU ARE ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

You are not alone Amigo. Kaw didnt do us any favors by setting up these machines to require high octane. You must live at high altitude if you cannot find higher than 91 octane. My Vulcan 2000 did the same thing and it did not make me happy to say the least. Two suggestions...dont ever lug the engine, keep the revs up. 2. you can go to a Harley dealer and pick up a bottle of "stuff" (i forgot the name of it) that HD owners use when they go out west and higher elevations. I have used it and it works. 4 oz in a tank full of 91/93 octane and you're good to go. Its not expensive, and that pinging is not doing your engine any good. good luck.

My 2006 nomad 1600 used to ping but doesn't now.

First I added a power commander with a standard map - this helped a little. But it was still pinging, particularly at lower altitudes (I live at 800 metres ASL and a trip to the coast brought it on).

So I asked the dealer to replace the altitude sensor, which he did. In doing so he also noticed that a fuel line was kinked. Additionally, at that time, I cut a small semicircle in some chaps I had installed as I read that one guy noticed that his nomad pinged in urban traffic on hot days so air intake temp might have been too high with the chaps. The hole now sent a stream of fresh air past the air filter.

Anyway, my next ride to the coast was fine. So one of the above 3 fixes (altitude sensor / fuel line kink or air intake temp) did the trick. Some things to look at, anyway.

I have since fitted a K&N air filter, removed the pre-muffler and had the bike dyno'd, which showed that the stock map was generally too rich (!), so the power commander was leaned back to a constant 13:1 air fuel mix (it was more like 12:1 mid range before, dipping to 11:1 up high). This leaning improved flexibility and zip a little. So far, no pinging but I have yet to do another coast run. I think it will be fine as I've done a few roll-ons in lowish areas and no probs (and these induced pinging before).

Good luck.