Modern Vespa

I'll be picking up my new LX 150 on Saturday. I know the manufacturer info says to use 91 octane or higher, but the salesgirl in the Vespa dealership said everyone she knows uses regular and has no problems.
I just wanted to get a bunch of opinions on the type of fuel from those of you who have had your Vespa for a while.

I'm brand new in every sense-new to scootering and Vespas. Will be taking the MSF course next week and plan on doing a lot of parking lot practice.

Also, I'm thinking of trying to install the rear "crash bar" myself. I see there is a tutorial here on the installation. There is a Faco one on the scooterworks website (LXCP1) and it looks like that is the one I should get? Any advice?

Many thanks!

Welcome and good on you starting out with the MSF class & parking lot practice. I always use 91, I figure I'm putting in less than 2 gallons so it's not that much of a price savings over 87, might as well have the good stuff.

Welcome! You are supposed to use a minimum 91 octane, so that limits us to premium. I put in lower octane once... didn't kill me but the engine definitely didn't run as well. Some have posted frightening possibilities on here if you don't use the high octane...

It's worth it though, the gas prices are so minimal for us

You will get a split here on that question. I, for one, run only 91 or higher in my LX150. That's what the book said. There will be others posting here that say they run on regular without any problems. I can say I have had no problems too.

My concern is that the Leader engine is fairly high compression which normally calls for a higher octane. The danger isn't immediate or apparent. The danger is that detonation can occur under certain conditions, operating temperature, load, RPM. The exhaust sound on a Vespa is a bit loud and could very well mask any audible sounds of detonation occurring within the cylinder.

A fuel capacity of 2.3 gallons and an average fill up of 1.5 gallons, the difference in cost between 87 and 91 octane fuel will probably be a quarter every time you fill the tank.

Remember that the salesgirl in the dealership is not a service tech or a spokesperson for Piaggio. She is there to sell scooters and often times, a salesperson will tell the customer what they want to hear in order to make the sale.

At this point, you don't even have the scooter and, already, you are ignoring the words of the manufacturer. I would run only 91 or higher.

I don't expect to read too many posts supporting my position based on previous discussions on this board. It is a hot topic.

Welcome to MV. Good choice on going for the MSF class! Best "upgrade" you'll ever do in your scootering career.

Be good to your Vespa.. and I'll be good to you!

I feed mine the good stuff.. and then I have one less thing to wonder/worry about. You'll find many posts here that say the regular stuff is fine.. but it's just a few cent's more per tank in the end.

If my GT is happy, then I'm happy!

Yes I should add that while i saw noticably worse performance when I used a lower octane, I have a 2-stroke engine which I imagine is more finicky than the 4-strokes

If you aren't confident in your facts, use 91(RON+MON)/2. Otherwise use the cheapest you can get.

+1

My logic as well the manufacturer manufactured them so they have a little more insight to the inner workings of their design and what it needs to operate at peak performance.

Although the $170 you'd save over 50,000 miles might buy something cool.

Thanks, I guess it is worth it then to use premium. I wanted to get the facts from the people who are riding them so I'm glad I did before I go to fill up.

On the other question, I installed my own Faco crash bar on my LX-150. If you are at all handy with tools, and have a little patience, it will come out perfect, as mine did. Masala's instructions are great. Be willing to take it apart and adjust it, if necessary. That's the patience part.

The brochure for my 2007 LX150 as well as the Vespa USA website say 91 octane required.

I just use the good stuff. There's so little difference in price, and our mpg obviously are great, so I don't sweat it.

I love mine so much, I only feed her the good stuff!

Sorry, I meant 91 ~ typo. Same message though, premium!

I was told by my scooter nerd that this was based on EU standards for gasoline and that 87 was just fine. Something about our gas here was more refined. Because I have belief issues, I put in 89. So far, so good.

He also told me that I needed to turn the throttle when I started it, but I've found that I have better luck when I don't. The manual says that I have a self adjusting choke or something like that. I don't always listen to what the scooter nerd says. But I always remember it.

"Although the $170 you'd save over 50,000 miles might buy something cool."

Like maybe a new cylinder head, piston, valves, etc., because the originals burned from detonation!

Cary

My issue with this is that my car mechanic told me when I had a Neon that I shouldn't use higher octane because it would burn up the rings or something. When I got my Passat, he told me to use the highest octane that I could get for it, because it required it. So for the extra ten cents a gallon, I do as he says.

I am afraid to use the high octane gas. I need to call other scooter places and ask them, too.

Also? When I have a question about something and my scooter place is closed I go to the Vespa website and find one on the west coast! I do the same thing with the Apple Store.

What are you afraid of? Why don't you believe the people who BUILT your Vespa, who must guarantee it for at least a year?

High octane fuel is not jet fuel. Your scooter won't burn up. To the contrary, high octane fuel has a slower burn time and can tolerate higher compression to resist detonating on its own. That is what you want, fuel that will only ignite with a spark. Premature ignition from high compression/low octane can be deadly to the insides of the engine. You may not hear it, you probably won't feel it and the scooter will seem to run well, but the damage may be occurring.

Detonation is the high blood pressure of the internal combustion engine. It is a silent killer.

Because my scooter place told me not to. They said it was based on EU octane. I have no idea why it would be different, but the Imperial Gallon is different, too. I just wanted someone else to tell me that it was crazy. It's why I put in mid-grade.

post deleted by Salima

Two questions: Did you buy your Vespa new? Is your "scooter place" an authorized Vespa Dealer?

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Two questions: Did you buy your Vespa new? Is your "scooter place" an authorized Vespa Dealer?[/quote]

I did buy my scooter new and they are an authorized Vespa dealer. It is a 2008 GT200 and I still have the paper plate on it. I bought it from Speed City Scooters in Indianapolis.

Maybe they're crazy, I don't know. I know they charge more to do stuff, but they're the only place around.

Indy is my home town. I bought my first Vespa, a new 1965 150 in Indianapolis, although that name isn't familiar. Probably not the same dealer. It was on an East/West road, maybe Washington Street. I lived outside of Lawrence at the time and remember driving home scared to death.

As far as the gas, that is your choice. 89 is better than 87, that's for sure. I think the dealer is wrong to be giving advice contrary to the manual. I would like to know what their exact reason is.

I think your dealer may have been blowing a little smoke up your culo... Don't be cheap when it comes to taking care of your scoot. You just spent how much on it? Put good gas in it. You can fill up with premium all the time and you will still be laughing at the cagers spending hundreds a month to fill up. Spend the extra change for premium.

As for the Faco bars, you can probably do it yourself no problem. I have had mine for a year or so and I guess I would recommend them. They came straight, no weird bends, and they have yet to show any rust--and yes they do see the rain here in Seattle. Go for it!