Vetter Fuel Challenges

[bschloop]

I've posted on the Facebook page, so they should all know I'm coming, but I don't really think I'm going to pull some crazy upset this year. So far my best test tank came to 118 mpg, and I am at the limit on gearing. I'm looking into a taller 6th gear for next year. Just getting to ride with these guys is awesome. I feel lucky to be included in the conversation at all.
That little Yamaha could have done so much more if it hadn't been over 30 years old. The next year after my 4th place finish, the engine gave up the ghost. I really wish I could find a liquid cooled 150 with a 5speed to build around. That might finally put me in the winners circle.

[bschloop]

Originally Posted by Grant-53

We are all glad to see Craig back in Ohio. I hope that crash protection and avoidance will be part of our thinking as we design and build.

I tend to work more on the side of avoidance. One reason for the choice of the CBR is it's robust braking, and good stability.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by bschloop

I'm looking into a taller 6th gear for next year.

+1 front, -2 rear for the CBR250R is easy. One person made a custom +2 front sprocket but you have to eliminate the chain keeper to use that and could end up with the chain touching the cases if it got loose. And of course first gear would start to get pretty long.

[gregsfc]

Originally Posted by bschloop

I've posted on the Facebook page, so they should all know I'm coming, but I don't really think I'm going to pull some crazy upset this year. So far my best test tank came to 118 mpg, and I am at the limit on gearing. I'm looking into a taller 6th gear for next year. Just getting to ride with these guys is awesome. I feel lucky to be included in the conversation at all.
That little Yamaha could have done so much more if it hadn't been over 30 years old. The next year after my 4th place finish, the engine gave up the ghost. I really wish I could find a liquid cooled 150 with a 5speed to build around. That might finally put me in the winners circle.

You don't have to beat Fred, Vic, and Alan to win. What you've already done in prior events is amazing. How many Americans who ride motorcycles have done what you've done? In my mind, winning is doing work / trying different things, and then coming to the event(s) to let anyone who cares see what you've done and what you can do in the "race". One thing is for sure, barring any mishaps, you will obliterate what the average motorcycle rider does with respect to mpg in a similar-model stock bike, even when he or she is trying for his/her best. I'm very stoked that you're coming to this one. You've won already by doing the work you've done and then coming to show us what you've done and how well you can do. The year you came in and achieved 108 or so, the winner was at only in the 140ies, and the gas powered guys were right in where you were. So except for Fred, you were right there. Kraig said you were doing very well in a 2011 event but had a flat tire.

Maybe Sendler could confirm, but I believe that he averages about what you do back home commuting. I believe his commute is pretty fast though just for survival, and I don't know about your rides back home, but maybe you could shoot for 10 to 15 higher mpg at the event and that puts you squarely in the middle between the top guys and the more stock-like CBR250Rs, and you and Sendler would battle it out for whatever place that might be. Last year, he came in at or about 144 mpg, and I see that as a huge win for a CBR250R with only a tail as major body work modification.

I found some of your photos that have been posted and looks like you're a smaller framed guy like myself (I saw a photo with your helmet on), and so I'm expecting a pretty good run for you. One question...Is the bodywork pretty much like you built the SR185? it looks similar, but wondering if there are some major differences from last time?

For me, I'm only on a stock bike, but I was still very excited to have come and achieved what I achieved last time and considered myself a winner; considering that I was averaging 82 on long charity rides back home and had never achieved above 83.5, but then came to the 2014 event; did a lot of tucking and finished at or about 100. That made me a winner regardless of what anyone else thought about it. One thing it did for sure was that it avenged a poor showing for my power train the year prior when someone brought in a stock NC700X in an automatic, came in with those drag-inducing OEMs side cases and top case and finished at or about 70 mpg. I remember thinking to myself..."this power train can do much better than that if someone actually thinks about what they're doing and tries to do better". All that OEM crap; they still couldn't carry the groceries; and the bike under achieved at that ride. That was my main motivation, because Craig had highlighted this new Honda concept in a power train, and then it performed average. I couldn't let that stand knowing what I knew about what my bike could do.

I don't know if it would help you and your bike, because you'll likely be fully tucked in, but for me, I found a very low-profile helmet; a Bell Custom 500, and that move alone I think has helped me at least one mpg for highway riding. I didn't really get the helmet for improving mpg. I got it because I have a very small head (6 3/4 hat size). So even if I get an XS in any particular helmet, the shell engulfs my head and really hurts my ability to ride in comfort and have good periphial vision, etc. So I went about looking for something that would offer a lot more active safety at the expense of a little passive safety, and found the Bell. I can see around me much better and as a bonus, I'm more efficient riding on the highway. But like I stated, I can't get fully tucked in w/i my bodywork anyway, so a smaller shell helps with me on my bike.

Sorry about another long post. No one to talk about these things at home...See everyone in Ohio.

[jkv357]

Best of luck to everyone competing!

Have fun, ride safe, and report back.

[Michael Moore]

A comment about "winning": you are likely to have more fun over a longer term if you remember to "ride your own race" by setting your own goals and not letting other people set your goals for you. There can be only one "first place/winner" per race and most of us are not going to be in that spot, we just can't compete against the really good people/teams because it isn't a level playing field.

Sure, it is fun to come in first and get the trophy, but I've known fast racers who quit a sport it seemed they liked because they no longer felt they had a good chance of winning.

So set YOUR goal that can probably be achieved with some work and a reasonable budget (because being frustrated by trying to make goals that are impossible is a good way to end up quitting in disgust) and have fun working towards that. Most of us will never finish at the front so we've got to work for a personal best, though it certainly is fun to have a pal that is about your speed/level to compete against for bragging rights in the post-event bench-racing session.

cheers,
Michael

[oil pan 4]

Boy are we going to look dumb when the 100 to 300mpg HHO guys show up.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

HHO guys show up.

The contest is won by $.01/ mile.

[oil pan 4]

According to the HHO people they can do 1 cent per mile in stop and go traffic.

[sendler]

Links?