We asked our workshop technicians for their top tips to reduce fuel usage and naturally lower emissions. Everyone seemed to have some good ideas and some I had never thought of before.
Check them out and see how you can save fuel and further help decarbonise planet earth.
We all agreed that following the service intervals that is set out by the manufacturer of the scooter is key. Pay particular attention to spark plug and air filter rotation as they have the greatest effect on power production.
Keep your tyre pressures at the correct levels. Correct pressures create the minimum rolling resistance, hence require less power to rotate.  Plus it also gives you the longest life and shortest braking distances as a bonus.
Check that your wheels both rotate smoothly and don’t have any brake drag. You can do this on your centre stand with the help of a friend.  If they don’t freewheel, give our tech team a call.
If you fit a tall windscreen in the winter, as many do to give a warmer ride, make sure to remove the screen ( and the windage it creates) in the warmer months. This can reduce your fuel bill considerably.
Respecting the speed limit is an obvious way to keep fuel usage at a minimum.
Also, moderate your acceleration where appropriate. Fast take offs are fun, but burn more fuel.
Plan your route before you leave to ensure the shortest route and minimise fuel usage. We hear that soon Google Maps will offer the greenest route, (the one that consumes less petrol), instead of the fastest trip. This is worth considering if it becomes a thing.Â
Definitely avoid holding the scooter stationary on a hill by riding the throttle. This is terrible for fuel consumption and will eventually overheat and ruin your clutch.
Practice fluid riding, without hard on and off the throttle moments. This reduces fuel consumption big time.
If the next traffic light is red, cut the gas and coast to a stop rather than racing there and jumping on the brakes.
Empty your glovebox, under saddle storage and top box of all unnecessary weight. Extra Kgs = extra throttle required.
One relatively new scooter feature is the start/stop technology found on some scooters like the Piaggio Medley 150. This technology will stop the engine while you wait for the traffic lights to change and save fuel and reduce emissions. This could be a consideration the next time you trade up.
Euro 5 emissions are a clear sign of a scooter right up to date with the latest emission laws. This rule came in for European scooters like Vespa a couple of years ago and ensures less fuel consumption from the latest model scooters. A sure fire way to produce minimal emissions.
And finally, electric scooters. Â Electric is coming and there will come a time between now and 2035 when you will consider it as after 2035 it is unlikely petrol engines will be available as a new product.
Well, that’s all we could think of. Let us know if you can think of any more ways of saving fuel and protecting the planet and we’ll post them.