Modern Vespa

I posted on the "Hundred Mile Hamburger" thread about making a "preview" ride to Sturgis (in the Black Hills). Most of the ride today was in the 40 to 50 mph range. That seems to be a sweet spot for miles per gallon.

At home, in south Texas, I generally get in the low 70s for mpg. There are no gas stations near us that have non-ethanol gas. Sea level. Generally riding at 30 mph or 55 mph. Short trips.

Here in the Black Hills we are able to find non-ethanol premium gas (passed by two stations today that only had ethanol in all grades). Elevations vary between 3,500 and 5,000'. Very little stop and go riding, but we are enthusiastically cruising through curves and hills. My mileage with the 250 GTS has been in the low 80s here. Yeah, 10 mpg better, on average.

Today, I hit an all-time high mpg: 92 mpg! Yeah, that seems incredible to me, too. I do understand that a click or two on the fuel pump handle can make a difference with these small amounts. I have gotten pretty good at getting the tank full without (too much) overflow.

Elevation? Non-ethanol? The scoot likes being pushed through the curves? Low humidity? Tailwinds that change with the curves to stay with us? The scoot is as happy to be cruising as I am??

For some perspective, my wife is getting better than average her on her PCX (153cc): 120 mpg.

Yeah, I'm just calling it a sweet spot.

Anyone else want to share what they generally get for MPG on their 250 or 300 GTS?

I find your posts very interesting but as you will know they are not of your area and I lack some notions...
Can i ask you a question? What do you mean by MPG? I am ignorant in this matter ...

Atillio, it's Miles Per Gallon. To make things more complicated for you, there is the US gallon and UK (Imperial) gallon!! - 1 US gallon = 0.833 Imperial gallon.

Andrew

Thanks... (sometimes i forget these things so "steam punk").
Think then that i am fascinated by Victorian-era machinery, end OT.

Glad you have an answer. I do appreciate the international feel to this forum.

Miles per gallon was not a consideration when we first switched from motorcycles to scooters. And then, having the Honda PCXes, it became "a thing"... usually getting around 100 miles per gallon. I was amazed, considering how peppy they feel. I expected considerably less fuel mileage with the GTS, but I have been pleased with it.

We brought the scoots to the Black Hills last summer and were surprised that we both experienced a noticeable increase in mileage, even though the riding for us is more spirited here, compared to the flat terrain at our home on the Gulf Coast. But, 92 mpg, yesterday? I just have to chuckle that you can have so much fun... economically.

I’m always astonished by the high miles per gallon many people get with their GTSs. I’m always around 50mpg, but I don’t track it too closely. I usually fill up when the electronic gas gauge hits two bars. At this point, a fill up takes about 1.5 gallons. Then, after 75 to 80 miles, I’m back at two bars. What am I doing wrong? My services have all been done on time. All gas in Connecticut is 10% ethanol, so I’m sure this doesn’t help. Maybe I accelerate and drive too quickly? I dunno. What do others get?

Riding Rocket for the past 13 years, I have averaged 64.6 mpg in the 560 fill-ups that I recorded.

It is a 2006 Vespa GT.

The best mileage was over 87 mph during a ride in the North Carolina mountains back in 2011.

Just this year, I had my Yamaha Xmax on a ride in the same mountains. On one tankful I got 293 miles, averaging over 98 mpg.

I think it is the relatively slow pace with few stops that makes the mountain rides more efficient than others.

Bill

Here in VT we have been getting around 80mpg on the GTS250s using 91 octane no ethanol. The scooters are stock with the original OEM rollers

2020 GTS 300 HPE I just got a month ago. 920 miles as of this mornings cruise through the rolling terrain N of Nashville. Filled up on the way home, got 82 mpg. Worst tank has been 72, several around 75 MPG.

I use "up to 10%" ethanol 93 octane gas. Nearly all miles have been 35 to 50 mph country roads.

My new old stock 2018 GTS300 consistently provides 75 MPG.
On the pump there's a sticker that states Fuel may contain up to 10% ethanol. I asked inside it the premium octane has ethanol and they didn't know what the stuff is. In last Sundays paper our local Marathon station ran an add and I spied it saying "we don't add ethanol to any of our blends"
Is ethanol [corn] fuel harmful to our little engines? I'm beginning to see pumps bearing a sign saying their high test is suitable for small motors with icons of motorcycles, ATV, lawn mower etc.

The question is: and the engines with an internal chrome cylinder?
Are they tested for ethanol as an additive?

Well to be sold in the US, they have to be able to run on 10% ethanol, so assume testing is done.

And ethanol is a very good cleaner. Not sure how it would harm any metals. It's rubber and plastics that can be a problem.

That my experience as well with my 2020 300HPE...right around 78 mpg. It's much better than I expected!

I believe all autos manufactured after 2001 can run on E15, which is 15% ethanol. It's cheaper than E10 gas (widely available), and I have been told the only downside to E15 is slightly lower fuel economy. I've run a few tanks in my 2006/2007 cars with no real noticeable difference. The car's ECU compensates for the fuel. I've only seen E15 at Sheetz in Pennsylvania.

10% ethanol is the max for Piaggio/Vespa if you read the paperwork that comes with new scooters. And more than than can and will void the warranty. Very few places near me have 15%, but headed down river I can find a pump with 95 octane and no ethanol....and it’s almost gold priced!
But my scoots like the stuff on the rare occasions I fill up there.

We filled up at the end of a fun riding day - looking at the fuel gauge, I thought it would be a new "world record"... close, but no cigar... 91.5 mpg. And, again, I felt I was riding in a rather sporting manner. Seems this scoot likes that.

Therefore if the intake manifold were made of unsuitable synthetic material it could be damaged... ... oh ... finally someone who expresses satisfaction, my heart fills me with joy.
Thanks Captain Jim!

I apologize for starting this thread. It clearly states in my GTS300ie owners manual that E10 is approved.
My local Marathon has 90 octane, zero ethanol for about 0.30 ¢ more per Gallon than the high test.Would it be good to fill her up with it occasionally or always?

Huh? Pretty sure I started this thread. That said, I use non-ethanol gas whenever it is available. Here in the Black Hills, it isn't hard to find. At our home in south Texas, it is just the opposite.

You will see better fuel mileage with the non-ethanol gas... plus, my scoot just likes that better! The ethanol is hard on older rubber hoses and seals.

We rode to Sturgis today, to take in the roar of the crowd at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The curvy roads to get there from where we are staying are generally 45 to 55 mph, with a nice downhill twisty stretch right before getting to Sturgis.

A new world record (well, personal record) for me when we gassed up in Sturgis: 94.5 miles per gallon! Again, it isn't just me - my wife got 125 miles per gallon on her Honda PCX.

I hope she enjoys that mileage... she has a BMW C400X on order that should be in sometime next week. BMW is claiming 80 miles per gallon on that scoot.

91.4 today... so this great mileage while riding in the Black Hills isn't a fluke. It was down a bit from the last fill, due to some highway miles at 55 to 65. Still, plenty of 35 to 45 mph curvy stuff... and that's the way I like it!

Hmmm... I don't normally pay too much attention to the consumption of my 2-wheelers, but inspired by this thread I did a bit of follow-up.

The bike in question being my 900cc Triumph, a naked bike with the drag coefficient of a brick.

The result after mixed riding - about 70 miles per gallon (US)... well, still better than my car

Mileage seems to be largely a function of how hard you twist the throttle, and how fast you are going (usually interrelated). Probably depends on how large/heavy the rider is too. I never get anything nearly that good for mileage, but I shop in the big/tall section, and the throttle is often nearly pinned.

Skipping over the various ecological disasters related to raising corn for fuel, the ethanol is somewhat corrosive, especially if given the opportunity to absorb water, which it loves to do. Since ethanol has very high octane, it is blended with low-octane gas to reach the specified standard. Most vehicles can tolerate it, but some small engines, especially older ones, can be ruined by it. I've resurrected a number of (free) lawnmowers, weed-whps, etc. that quit running after sitting over the winter with ethanol-blends in them.

Ethanol-blended fuel seems to have a fairly short shelf-life, which can also be a problem for vehicles that see intermittant use. I'd use one of the commercial fuel stabilizers if I had a vehicle that was going to sit for a month or two, and make sure the tank was full to minimize absorbing water into the fuel.

Of course, I buy ethanol-free whenever possible, which is nearly all of the time.

Two fill-ups today... 94.1 mpg that was mostly curves and hills, with the majority in 45 mph speed limit area. With a mix of highway (50 to 60 mph) and some fun curves this afternoon, a new record: 94.6 mpg. On a couple of the steeper hills, I had the throttle pegged.

Yes, I know this is mostly silly record-keeping; it is such an improvement over what I get in our home area, that is just makes me smile: cruising through the hills and curves AND getting better mileage.

My last 2 fill ups were ethanol free and I don't notice a difference from the E10 but I feel better knowing my 300 ie is drinking better.

On my many cross states adventures I have found that I get between 7 & 10% better MPG with non ethanol premium and subjectively bettercmental performance. That has been across the Vespa Piaggio Aprilia-Piaggio family. With the Vespa's I average mid 70s MPG. The bigger 500s mid 60/s unless I'm traveling at excessive speeds.

Hi Cheryl,

The mid to upper 70s mpg has been my average... everywhere but here in the Black Hills. Other places we've been with this Vespa have been lower elevations (I know you live in the mountains in Colorado), and more city/urban/small town riding. So, more stop & go. More accelerating away from a stop.

Here in the Black Hills, we are doing plenty of "throttle twisting"... it seems counter-intuitive that the mileage would be better. While I give some of the credit to non-ethanol premium, I really think this scoot is just happier running through the hills and the curves.

Whatever the reason, I am having fun with it!

55-60mph is the sweet spot for best gas mileage on the GTS. 65 on the BV/Scarabeo 500s.

History get worse?

in the 17th century when the religious nutters were encouraged to leave England and went to what was then North America they took with them all their units of measurement. gallons, feet, inches, etc.. There were lots of gallons. Almost one for each different liquid.

In 1824 the British decided to consolidate, if you will, their volumetiric measures toe get rid of confusion and settled the Imperial Gallon for all liquids
The then USA is still using the old wine gallon bequeathed to them by the first English settlers.

My gas mileage improved to 65+ mpg on the last tank. Not sure if it was the new ECU, fewer highway miles, or less aggressive driving (I’ve been taking it easy). Probably a combination of all three factors, but I’m happy I’m getting more comparable gas mileage.

My 2018 GTS 300 ie offers 75 Miles per Gallon whether or not E10 [10% Ethanol] is used. Varying speeds on twisties to and from work.

With the discussion relating most getting 65 to 75 mpg, you can imagine my surprise at the high mileage we get here in the Black Hills. I am fueling up every other day or so, and it has consistently been 90 mpg or above. We have been here a month now, and have another 3 weeks to go before we head for home... look at all the money I am saving!

OK, this is getting crazy... 163.5 miles on this latest fill-up (4 bars left on the fuel gauge), and used (drum roll) 1.60 gallons of gas... for a total of 102.18 miles per gallon. I could see gas near the top of the neck on the tank. I had to look at the trip odometer and the pump again. Yep.

Yes, I agree: this is almost unbelievable. My ride today was mostly around Custer State Park - the speed limit for the Wildlife Loop and Needles Highway are both 25 mph. The rest of the park is 35 mph. The fun curvy roads to get there are mostly 45 mph. On one highway stretch near Mt Rushmore, the speed limit gets up to 50 mph.

This was one of the best days of riding for me this season, and incredible mileage to go with that. Wooohooo!

The day's ride...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2019/08/shuffling-off.html

A preview...

howdy, i do know this is a scooter forum but just have to jump in where larry said e15 was ok for all cars after 2001. my 2019 mitsubishi says that using e15 will void the warranty. i do hate when the government shoves these regulations down my throat. you will use e15 in your vehicle undt you will like it yah.
ken

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says no can do if that is the DOT requirement for the year of purchase to sell in the US. Though I tend to agree about the ethanol mandates.

Let me start by saying your places visited map in incredible; you scooted the whole country including Hawaii where you probably rented.Is that what you do', rent at your destination?

Picked up my new 2018 this past Memorial day and never paid much attention to ethanol additive. That is until going to Amerivespa where several of us topped off and I was schooled on the corn product. Apparently our engines are high compression and eth may cause pre-ignition problems in the long run.Checking the owners manual said we can use up to 10% eth. But this forum recommends pure gasoline for improved mileage and no undue header problems you might have using 10% eth.
MPG before using 10% eth and several tank fulls after with 93 octane 0 ethanol proved no better. I'm at 75-76 miles per gallon. A slight improvement in pick-up from a dead stop is all I physically noticed due to the increased octane rating.

97.8 mpg when I fueled up the Vespa today. (117 mpg on the PCX). A bit more highway riding than the lower speed limit twisties.

Today's ride...

https://captnjim.blogspot.com/2019/09/life-is-highway.html

Preview...

Another day of riding, another 92 mpg.







http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2019/09/camera-complications.html

Today's ride: 94.7 miles per gallon. Even more smiles per gallon!

https://captnjim.blogspot.com/2019/09/sir-could-you-help-me.html

You were either told wrong or understood wrong. Doesn't matter if the gas has Eth or not the Octane controls pre ignition. If it is the right octane you will NOT have pre ignition problem.
And no reason in the world expect MPG is there a reason to worry about using 10% eth in a newer motor.
And in 45 years of working on cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers and boat motors have I ever heard that the gas you run can affect exhaust gaskets
Don't know who you were talking too but that weren't giving you facts, they were giving you their opinion, which is wrong.