Is premium fuel required for a scooter?

by Anonymous
(Somewhere)

What type of fuel should be used in a 50 cc Sunny gas scooter? A friend suggested premium -- is that necessary?


Answer: There may be other opinions on this issue, but when I bought my scooter, I was told that its small engine functions much better on premium fuel. Even so, I've never had to pay more than $4 a fill up and my fill ups last for weeks!



Comments for Is premium fuel required for a scooter?

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Nov 01, 2017
 Octane ratings for Scooters NEW
by: Oldhummer

Most motor scooter engines are under 10.5 to 1 compression ratio which means they could burn low octane fuel or what ever your Mfg manual recommends. Burning hi octane gas in low compression ratio engines is ok but costs you more money for no power gain. Because hi octane rated gas is more difficult to burn it tends to exhaust unburned fuel that might cause problems in the emissions system if you have one. I have traveled thousands of miles on 50cc to 650 cc scooters using low octane fuel with no problems. Take Care and safe riding....the ol geezer Oldhummer
Sep 30, 2017
 go by octane rating NEW
by: elliot

Use at least the octane rating recommended by manufacturer. Using more is a waste. Generally all gas is the same. Except for octane rating, no difference in grades. Ethanol free is best if you find it. Yeah, I know this thread is 5 years old.

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Oct 30, 2015
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Oct 20, 2015
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Aug 13, 2014
 Premiun or Regular... what does the manual say? NEW
by: J Cross

Use whatever is recommended in the manual.
If it says Premium then use Premium.
By using Regular what are you saving? Like 20 cents a gallon? What could you be losing? Perhaps your motor!
Apr 11, 2012
 Maybe NEW
by: John

An octane rating is nothing more than the point at which fuel begins to burn.Contrary to belief,lower octane fuels are easier to ignite (needing less compression to ignite)than higher octane ones.Choosing high octane fuel alone will not give you "more power" than regular,it only allows your engine to run at greater levels (and higher rpms) potentianlly preventing it from blowing up.Higher octane fuels require engines with higher compression ratios to ignite easier.If your engine has for instance has a lower 8:1 compression ratio, there is no need for high octane fuel.This high octane fuel many times has higher amounts of ethanol in it which is bad for any small engine.If you had work done to your engine to "soup it up" using a higher compression cylinder head or piston, then yes, you should use premium.Most scooters I've seen run best on mid grade fuels from 89 oct. to 91 oct.It is also important to know that in many of these asian countries where most of these scooters are built,87 to 90oct is considered "premium" fuel.If you are idling your engine for long periods of time or running wide open in 90 degree heat,it is a good idea to use 93 or 94oct to prevent piston knocking and preignition.However in the winter at a moderate throttle you could probably get away with an 87oct fuel on most scoots.My Eton sport 50 with a gy6 motor says to use 91oct or higher.I've used everything from 87-94oct and noticed no difference in performance.However,believe it or not,I consistently get 107mpg on 87oct fuel and 102mpg on 93oct fuel driving the same rural "highway" route at a steady 30mph.High octane fuels are sort of an insurance policy: you may not need them always, but if you don't have it when you need it,then there goes your engine.Best advice: use mid grade.
Apr 10, 2012
 If this is any help... NEW
by: Chandra

I have a 150 cc Zhen (Lance) with a rebuilt motor and I use regular gas, not seeing any difference. A friend who rides bigger bikes says he uses different gas types on different bikes in accordance to the bikes' manufacturer. ? I'm going to read my owners manual now... I never really thought about this before. I'm glad you posted this. Thanks
Apr 10, 2012
 I Don't Know NEW
by: Jim Zeiser

I've used both in everything I own. I never noticed any difference in performance or mileage.
Apr 10, 2012
 I Don't Know NEW
by: Jim Zeiser

I've used both in everything I own. I never noticed any difference in performance or mileage.
Apr 10, 2012
 Prem Gas NEW
by: Bubbi57

When my husband first began to put gas in my scooter, he forgot that I told him Premium. He put regular. IT RAN TERRIBLE! It also can clog up the line and other parts; though they be few. Make the sacrifice or you will sacrifice your scooter eventually. :)

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