1996 concours Neubie Help?

[Isleman]

Need some advice....I have a new 1996 Concours, with 52,000, really enjoying it.....but do I need to heed the advice on the dashboard to use " high octane fuel only".
and , is this one of the models that would benefit from the WOT treatment I have read about on the forum?????
Also is it worth looking for a new windshield at a junk yard....I have had the crack along the bottom during an ice storm.....I wondered also if the windshield heater could cause such a thing...it was not used at the time I found the crack.....
Thanks in advance any help is appreciated....

[Ranger]

All Northstars will benefit from an occasional WOT.

It will tolerate 87 octane very well. The knock sensor will detect any detonation and retard the spark accordingly. I used it in my '97 for years and never noticed any difference. If you're going to race it, use 92, otherwise 87 is fine.

Windshield is up to you. I doubt that the defroster would cause that. I have never seen it happen.

[Isleman]

Thanks for the help!!!