Modern Vespa

Enthusiast

Vespa GTS300 Super, Ducati Monster 696+

Joined: UTC
Posts: 51
Location: Honolulu

rz3r0

Enthusiast

Vespa GTS300 Super, Ducati Monster 696+

Joined: UTC
Posts: 51
Location: Honolulu

UTC quote

My friend insists that he put Shell V-Power in his scooter and it made it "Ffllllllllyyyyyyyy", but that was his opinion. I personally could not experience this "flying" sensation or any damage to my scooter. I doubt any fuel additives that Shell puts in their gasoline could be harmful in anyway. The 3-valve engines are relatively new, so maybe its still in the process of working out the kinks.

old as dirt UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti 2007 GTS Joined: UTC Posts: 22904 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
old as dirt Veni, Vidi, Posti 2007 GTS Joined: UTC Posts: 22904 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn	UTC quote Re: Shell V-Power not good for your 3V engine? United4sure wrote: Is it true? There's a rumour that Shell V-Power Gasoline is bad for your 3V engine... Shell gas makes an explosion inside the engine Positive

T5bitza69 UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti T5s Joined: UTC Posts: 17005 Location: The West Of Yorkshire ... Gods Country
RIP T5bitza69 Veni, Vidi, Posti T5s Joined: UTC Posts: 17005 Location: The West Of Yorkshire ... Gods Country	UTC quote mo power maybe i was before my time then .....

Bklyn_Quattro UTC details Addicted '15 GTS 300 SS Joined: UTC Posts: 609 Location: Brooklyn, USA
Bklyn_Quattro Addicted '15 GTS 300 SS Joined: UTC Posts: 609 Location: Brooklyn, USA	UTC quote Shell is all i run in my Audi and Vespa http://www.toptiergas.com/

DoorBuster UTC details Molto Verboso 2007 Piaggio BV 250 Joined: UTC Posts: 1870 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
DoorBuster Molto Verboso 2007 Piaggio BV 250 Joined: UTC Posts: 1870 Location: Baton Rouge, LA	UTC quote Shell is all I use, except when I have to rent a cage then it's the cheapest I can find.

DoorBuster UTC details Molto Verboso 2007 Piaggio BV 250 Joined: UTC Posts: 1870 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
DoorBuster Molto Verboso 2007 Piaggio BV 250 Joined: UTC Posts: 1870 Location: Baton Rouge, LA	UTC quote Re: Shell V-Power not good for your 3V engine? old as dirt wrote: United4sure wrote: Is it true? There's a rumour that Shell V-Power Gasoline is bad for your 3V engine... Shell gas makes an explosion inside the engine So that's what I feel at stop lights. I guess it only happens when stopped. I don't feel it when I'm going down the road.

jimc UTC details Moderaptor The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300 Joined: UTC Posts: 44803 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
jimc Moderaptor The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300 Joined: UTC Posts: 44803 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA	UTC quote It's fine for your engine - not so much for your wallet.

Fogie UTC details Addicted Joined: UTC Posts: 798 Location: Toronto
Fogie Addicted Joined: UTC Posts: 798 Location: Toronto	UTC quote In Canada (at least around Toronto), the highest octane V-Power is one of the few gasolines that is ethanol-free.

old as dirt UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti 2007 GTS Joined: UTC Posts: 22904 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
old as dirt Veni, Vidi, Posti 2007 GTS Joined: UTC Posts: 22904 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn	UTC quote jimc wrote: It's fine for your engine - not so much for your wallet. oh thats right I can save 2.378934 cents per tank full, by buying the cheap stuff at the no name gas station

DoorBuster UTC details Molto Verboso 2007 Piaggio BV 250 Joined: UTC Posts: 1870 Location: Baton Rouge, LA
DoorBuster Molto Verboso 2007 Piaggio BV 250 Joined: UTC Posts: 1870 Location: Baton Rouge, LA	UTC quote old as dirt wrote: jimc wrote: It's fine for your engine - not so much for your wallet. oh thats right I can save 2.378934 cents per tank full, by buying the cheap stuff at the no name gas station Wow that's not much difference. Around here it's anywhere from 10 to 20 cents per gallon difference.

HoneyBadger

UTC

Molto Verboso

MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA

RIP

HoneyBadger

Molto Verboso

MP3 500 (2) MotoGuzzi California 1400

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1675
Location: SF Bay/Roseville CA

UTC quote

20 cents per gallon more than the cheap rotgut gas with leaves and twigs and crap in it is still worth it.

My MP3 gets around 50 MPG. 20 cents more per 50 miles = .4 cent/mile to get the better fuel. I'll do that.

I have noticed, however, that the Nitrogen Enriched Shell Premium fuel is the most foul smelling gas I've ever used. I will not fuel up and then go park inside my garage. I will always make sure I have 20 miles or so run on a new tank of Shell prior to parking it indoors... gnarly stink...

znomit UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes Joined: UTC Posts: 10941 Location: Hermit Kingdom
znomit Veni, Vidi, Posti LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes Joined: UTC Posts: 10941 Location: Hermit Kingdom	UTC quote old as dirt wrote: jimc wrote: It's fine for your engine - not so much for your wallet. oh thats right I can save 2.378934 cents per tank full, by buying the cheap stuff at the no name gas station ... That's two miles out of your way.

stickyfrog UTC details Moderatus Rana MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s Joined: UTC Posts: 22664 Location: Nashville, Indiana
stickyfrog Moderatus Rana MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s Joined: UTC Posts: 22664 Location: Nashville, Indiana	UTC quote I use Raceway because it is the only non ethanol choice I have. Scoot seems to like it as evidenced by all of the purring at fill up time.

UTC

Molto Verboso

2007 Piaggio BV 250

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Molto Verboso

2007 Piaggio BV 250

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

UTC quote

HoneyBadger wrote:

Sorry if I confused some with my remark. It was just meant for a comparison of the differences between the price at the discount station in TN and in LA. I use Shell and don't purchase at the discount stations except when I have to rent a cage for some reason then I go for the discount gas, at least on the last fill up before I turn the car back in.

The big difference in the price of gas that I saw this past winter was in Portage, MI. Depending on what day of the week it was the price was anywhere from 20 to 60 cents more per gallon for 87 octane when comparing it to 93 octane that I put in my scooter. Now that's a big price difference.

UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti

2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 5339
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Veni, Vidi, Posti

2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 5339
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

UTC quote

stickyfrog wrote:

I use Raceway because it is the only non ethanol choice I have. Scoot seems to like it as evidenced by all of the purring at fill up time.

The available non ethanol fuel in Jacksonville is all regular grade octane. It brings up the question, what is more important, octane or non ethanol. Vespa recommends 91, I believe, and that is premium, but what I always use.

I am quite certain that ethanol was fouling the carburetor of my Malaguti for years so I began using non ethanol a couple of years ago. I don't ride it much but it always starts now and runs great.

old as dirt

UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti

2007 GTS

Joined: UTC
Posts: 22904
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn

old as dirt

Veni, Vidi, Posti

2007 GTS

Joined: UTC
Posts: 22904
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn

UTC quote

DoorBuster wrote:

old as dirt wrote:

jimc wrote:

It's fine for your engine - not so much for your wallet. Razz emoticon

oh thats right I can save 2.378934 cents per tank full, by buying the cheap stuff at the no name gas station

Wow that's not much difference. Around here it's anywhere from 10 to 20 cents per gallon difference.

And this point flew right past you.

I am not comparing fuel prices between 87 and 92/93 octanes.
Just the same octane at different stations.
To me its not worth buying cheap gas to save a fricking penny, especially when your only buying 2 gallons at a time riding your scoot.

The better branded gas is by far worth an extra penny or 2 per gallon IMO.

stickyfrog

UTC

Moderatus Rana

MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s

Joined: UTC
Posts: 22664
Location: Nashville, Indiana

stickyfrog

Moderatus Rana

MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s

Joined: UTC
Posts: 22664
Location: Nashville, Indiana

UTC quote

WLeuthold wrote:

stickyfrog wrote:

I use Raceway because it is the only non ethanol choice I have. Scoot seems to like it as evidenced by all of the purring at fill up time.

The Raceway in palatka has non ethanol 90.

UTC

Ossessionato

Red Devil SH150i (11,000)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3312
Location: Orange Park Florida

Ossessionato

Red Devil SH150i (11,000)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3312
Location: Orange Park Florida

UTC quote

WLeuthold wrote:

stickyfrog wrote:

I use Raceway because it is the only non ethanol choice I have. Scoot seems to like it as evidenced by all of the purring at fill up time.

The highest octane in Jax is Atlantic Mobil 90 octane. The rest have 89 octane. Regular gas is 87 octane.

breaknwind UTC details Ossessionato Red Devil SH150i (11,000) Joined: UTC Posts: 3312 Location: Orange Park Florida
breaknwind Ossessionato Red Devil SH150i (11,000) Joined: UTC Posts: 3312 Location: Orange Park Florida	UTC quote Re: Shell V-Power not good for your 3V engine? United4sure wrote: Is it true? There's a rumour that Shell V-Power Gasoline is bad for your 3V engine... I'm thinking location, location, location. Most the reply's are from the U.S.

xmanhoe UTC details Molto Verboso Belvoir Wine Team RC (Buckfast Commando) ,Rusty Sheriff's Badge MCC, 07 ET4 ,07 Piaggio X8 Joined: UTC Posts: 1499 Location: Belfast N.Ireland
xmanhoe Molto Verboso Belvoir Wine Team RC (Buckfast Commando) ,Rusty Sheriff's Badge MCC, 07 ET4 ,07 Piaggio X8 Joined: UTC Posts: 1499 Location: Belfast N.Ireland	UTC quote I use the cheap stuff in the car and truck and use BP Ultimate in the Vespa , the few extra pence makes no difference lol As I only use the vespa evenings and weekends I would rather have higher octane fuel in the tank Ps the cheap stuff here in N.Ireland is £1.29 per ltr good stuff is £1.45

jimc UTC details Moderaptor The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300 Joined: UTC Posts: 44803 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
jimc Moderaptor The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300 Joined: UTC Posts: 44803 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA	UTC quote That price difference is about 98 cents (US) per gallon (US) - you'd have US users bitching like mad if they had the same.

breaknwind UTC details Ossessionato Red Devil SH150i (11,000) Joined: UTC Posts: 3312 Location: Orange Park Florida
breaknwind Ossessionato Red Devil SH150i (11,000) Joined: UTC Posts: 3312 Location: Orange Park Florida	UTC quote jimc wrote: That price difference is about 98 cents (US) per gallon (US) - you'd have US users bitching like mad if they had the same. It's close to ethanol VS non-ethanol. $3.60 reg. ethanol, $4.29 non-ethanol and rising

Rusty rope UTC details Addicted Vespa GTS 300 Super Joined: UTC Posts: 916 Location: London, UK
Rusty rope Addicted Vespa GTS 300 Super Joined: UTC Posts: 916 Location: London, UK	UTC quote Yesterday i noticed that the garage has a 99 ron premium. Surely that can't be good for my 3v engine?

old as dirt UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti 2007 GTS Joined: UTC Posts: 22904 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
old as dirt Veni, Vidi, Posti 2007 GTS Joined: UTC Posts: 22904 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn	UTC quote Rusty rope wrote: Yesterday i noticed that the garage has a 99 ron premium. Surely that can't be good for my 3v engine? yeah probably not good , but GREAT for it though.

UTC

Molto Verboso

2007 Piaggio BV 250

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Molto Verboso

2007 Piaggio BV 250

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

UTC quote

Quote:

I am not comparing fuel prices between 87 and 92/93 octanes.

Sorry about that OAD. I should read my remark closer before I hit the submit button.

That comparison was actually between 87 in Kalamazoo, MI and here in Baton Rouge, LA.

I was comparing 87 because I had a rental car that I use 87 in and not the 93 that I use in my scooter. Like I stated in an earlier remark in this discussion I don't use the discount station gas no matter what I'm driving except for the last fill up before turning the rental in. (the station is handy and only a few blocks from the rental office) I use mainly Shell in everything with the exception of when I have to get gas and a Shell station isn't available.

Manchild

UTC

Member

Joined: UTC
Posts: 35

Manchild

Member

Joined: UTC
Posts: 35

UTC quote

Re: Shell V-Power not good for your 3V engine?

United4sure wrote:

Is it true?
There's a rumour that Shell V-Power Gasoline is bad for your 3V engine...

Yes, if you live where they add 5-10% ethanol because ethanol combines with water and will corrode metal, including metal appliances with tight clearances like fuel injectors. Ethanol also attacks rubber, hoses, seals, pumps etc.

Quote:

For many years now, the federal government has been incrementally mandating that gas stations around the country sell E10, an up to ten percent ethanol-blended gasoline, for the purpose of supposedly reducing emissions. The theory purports that ethanol burns cleaner than pure gasoline, and requires less petroleum to produce than typical fossil fuels.

But this theory has been debunked by reality, which has shown that even ten percent ethanol-blended gasoline produces lower mileage per gallon, and gradually destroys engines over time. Ethanol-laced gasoline has also been shown to produce more pollutants than pure gasoline, which is a complete contradiction to the claims made by the pro-ethanol industry for why adding it to gasoline is supposedly beneficial.

"Ethanol is more corrosive and burns hotter than gasoline, properties that could cause some engines to stall, misfire and overheat," wrote EWG in a recent press release. "Fuel with higher ethanol blends emits more nitrous oxide and formaldehyde than gasoline, lowers mileage and damages fuel tanks and pumps."

⚠️ Last edited by Manchild on UTC; edited 3 times

WLeuthold UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost) Joined: UTC Posts: 5339 Location: Jacksonville, Florida
WLeuthold Veni, Vidi, Posti 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost) Joined: UTC Posts: 5339 Location: Jacksonville, Florida	UTC quote breaknwind wrote: The highest octane in Jax is Atlantic Mobil 90 octane. The rest have 89 octane. Regular gas is 87 octane. So the real question is, use 89 octane non-ethanol or 93 octane ethanol containing Shell V-Power.

Manchild UTC details Member Joined: UTC Posts: 35
Manchild Member Joined: UTC Posts: 35	UTC quote WLeuthold wrote: So the real question is, use 89 octane non-ethanol or 93 octane ethanol containing Shell V-Power. Use the ethanol free whenever it meets the bike's octane requirements.

WLeuthold UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost) Joined: UTC Posts: 5339 Location: Jacksonville, Florida
WLeuthold Veni, Vidi, Posti 2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost) Joined: UTC Posts: 5339 Location: Jacksonville, Florida	UTC quote Manchild wrote: WLeuthold wrote: So the real question is, use 89 octane non-ethanol or 93 octane ethanol containing Shell V-Power. Use the ethanol free whenever it meets the bike's octane requirements. No locally available ethanol free fuel gets to the required 91 octane. That is why I have stuck with the 93, or as high as the station has available. These always have ethanol.

UTC

Molto Verboso

2007 Piaggio BV 250

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Molto Verboso

2007 Piaggio BV 250

Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

UTC quote

Manchild wrote:

WLeuthold wrote:

So the real question is, use 89 octane non-ethanol or 93 octane ethanol containing Shell V-Power.

Use the ethanol free whenever it meets the bike's octane requirements.

So far the only ethanol free station I've found is about 50 miles away.

I'd have to leave to fill up with about 1/2 tank left and use about 1/2 a tank getting home.

If you live a reasonable distance, say 2 or 3 miles, from a station with ethanol free gas I say go for it. Any more than that and you have to ask yourself if it's worth it or make sure you keep Seafoam on hand.

WEB-Tech UTC details Veni, Vidi, Posti 2008 MP3 500, 2013 BV350, 2020 Vespa Sei Giorni, 2008 Vespa S150 Joined: UTC Posts: 8954 Location: Ashburn, Va. Home to the Internet
WEB-Tech Veni, Vidi, Posti 2008 MP3 500, 2013 BV350, 2020 Vespa Sei Giorni, 2008 Vespa S150 Joined: UTC Posts: 8954 Location: Ashburn, Va. Home to the Internet	UTC quote Re: Shell V-Power not good for your 3V engine? old as dirt wrote: United4sure wrote: Is it true? There's a rumour that Shell V-Power Gasoline is bad for your 3V engine... Shell gas makes an explosion inside the engine That was FUNNY

UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti

2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 5339
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Veni, Vidi, Posti

2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 5339
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

UTC quote

DoorBuster wrote:

If you live a reasonable distance, say 2 or 3 miles, from a station with ethanol free gas I say go for it. Any more than that and you have to ask yourself if it's worth it or make sure you keep Seafoam on hand.

I live two miles from a Gate station that has ethanol free gasoline. I use it in my two stroke Malaguti because I was having carburetor problems due to minimal use. It, along with riding it more, cured that problem.

But my Vespa GT requires 91 octane. I have used ethanol fuel since new. I had to replace fuel lines but no other problems. But I ride a lot, never going more than a week between rides and usually on the scooter every day.

UTC

Ossessionato

Red Devil SH150i (11,000)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3312
Location: Orange Park Florida

Ossessionato

Red Devil SH150i (11,000)

Joined: UTC
Posts: 3312
Location: Orange Park Florida

UTC quote

It's been discussed before. I use non-ethanol in my SH that has a lower compression ratio than my BV. In the BV, I use StarTron and Hess Premium because It has grade dedicated pumps. Other gas stations that have only one nozzle for all grades, have leftover gas from the last grade purchased.
I haven't been informed about scooter/motorcycles having anti knock devices in them, but I bet they don't. You can find chart's that show what compression ratios require what octane. I researched octane boosting methods and concluded that the correct way of doing it is way too costly.

LC353 UTC details Addicted nope Joined: UTC Posts: 817 Location: I'm going there, but I like it here, wherever this is.
LC353 Addicted nope Joined: UTC Posts: 817 Location: I'm going there, but I like it here, wherever this is.	UTC quote Re: Shell V-Power not good for your 3V engine? WEB-Tech wrote: old as dirt wrote: United4sure wrote: Is it true? There's a rumour that Shell V-Power Gasoline is bad for your 3V engine... Shell gas makes an explosion inside the engine That was FUNNY STOP NOW! You're all using liquid exploding dinosaurs! lol

old_hippie UTC details Enthusiast Joined: UTC Posts: 71 Location: Wisconsin
old_hippie Enthusiast Joined: UTC Posts: 71 Location: Wisconsin	UTC quote what do you do if the only gas available is 87 octane with ethanol ? or even if you can get 90 but it also ethanol in it? there are places were non ethanol gas is not available and in some places the only gas available is the reformulated stuff.

tommylittlescooter UTC details Molto Verboso BV200, P200E (2),V90 and now a Big Ruckus Joined: UTC Posts: 1668 Location: Mims, Florida USA
tommylittlescooter Molto Verboso BV200, P200E (2),V90 and now a Big Ruckus Joined: UTC Posts: 1668 Location: Mims, Florida USA	UTC quote Any brand is ok, but once in awhile any station could have shit pumped into their tanks. It happened once to me. My former Honda Met, lawnmower, generator and Weedeater would not run well at all after I filled a can from a particular gas station. Had to drain and clean the carbs. No reason to hate the brand, it just happens.

breaknwind UTC details Ossessionato Red Devil SH150i (11,000) Joined: UTC Posts: 3312 Location: Orange Park Florida
breaknwind Ossessionato Red Devil SH150i (11,000) Joined: UTC Posts: 3312 Location: Orange Park Florida	UTC quote old_hippie wrote: what do you do if the only gas available is 87 octane with ethanol ? or even if you can get 90 but it also ethanol in it? there are places were non ethanol gas is not available and in some places the only gas available is the reformulated stuff. Fuel injector cleaners & stabilizers. What do you use? (Page 2)

Oldscoot

UTC