Modern Vespa

Hi, does anybody just use the normal unleaded as opposed to the high performance stuff they have in BP and shell garage? I think in the shell its called ultra. I asked the dealer about this when buying the scoot as i always used the higher quality petrol in my car. He advised this could be counter productive in a scooter engine and recommended I stick with the normal unleaded..Also I got chatting to a bloke with an LX today and he uses the high performance stuff and claims there is a slight difference in performance..any pointers on this?

Always used the normal unleaded so can't comment on any performance gain but I'm quite happy with the performance of my GTS so why bother paying extra???

Maybe worth trying a couple of tank fulls now the price is plummeting ( 99.9 p a ltr in Leeds). So if you try it let us know if there's any significant differnce and if it's worth paying the extra!

my scooter runs better on the good stuff.



so does my car.

My ET4 125 has been running alot smoother since i started using BP ultimate, used to be a bit jerky a un responsive, but runs great now.

The higher priced fuel is not high performance. It is high(er) octane which means it burns a bit slower and can help prevent pre-ignition or pinging. It is usually recommended for higher compression engines, like our Vespas, to help protect against mechanical damage from detonating fuel. It will not really make your scooter perform much better except maybe going uphill or carrying a load. It isn't rocket science or jet fuel.

This argument/discussion has been beaten to death a thousand times. There are people on both sides of the fence who will swear they are right in their choice of lower octane/higher octane gas.

The manual says 91 octane minimum. The sticker on the headset says 91 octane minimum. The sales literature says 91 minimum. The choice is yours.

Oooh another octane thread.


LX150 Fuel Octane Requirement


It's so much easier when you've already penned a diatribe.

Your information was very helpful thank you

Here is your problem.
You are putting petrol in your gas tank.

Stoppit right now or you will blow up your engine.

Stick with 95 RON, the 98 etc will hurt your wallet far more than the extra mpg you might get. In the UK and EU, just use the cheapest stuff you can find, that's what these bikes are designed for.

i've read that it's not really about the octane rating but rather the case that super-plus type petrol has more detergents in it that keep your engine running well.

could all be psychosomatic though, who knows

betty will run like a little champ on anything. i swear i could pee in the tank and she'd go. wilma's much more fussy - she loves the ultra, so i give it to her most of the time.

these are two scooters with identical engines. i'm sure there's an explanation for wilma's fussiness but i've no idea what it might be.

I use Jet fuel.

91 Octane always. Putting in 1 1/2Gal hurts the bank card.

I did that. I cranked the throttle and ended up on the Moon. It's so not green cheese...

Thank you for all the tips I plan to stick with the normal stuff....

I've switched back and to from 95 to BP Ultimate more times than I can remember. Don't know about more performance but I have to conclude that it is definitely quieter - noticeable around town - easier to hear your passenger etc.

Try a tankful and hear the difference!