OK, found the problem!
It had nothing to do with the valve adjustment.
Just before I did the adjustment I also unplugged the automatic electric choke to test it, because the idle speed was somewhat erratic. After the check I still wasn't convinced it was ok, so order a new one from
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331012363633?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 (5.28$ cheap!!!), and,of course, I forgot to plug it back in!
So I had been riding without it for a few weeks.
The scoot would start up and run fine, probably due to the temperatures here being around 30°c (86°F), but it would backfire at deceleration, and when hot, needed a bit of throttle to fire up. Also had to adjust the idle screw.
The fuel consumption went up considerably, but I still didn't understand why.
Soooo, finally the automatic choke came, and when I went to change it I saw the cable unplugged
Put in the new choke, and the scoot is now running fine, no more backfiring, starts up every time, and the fuel consumption is even a bit lower then it use to be. Had to adjust the idle screw again.