Craig Vetter Challenge, 5/13/2011, ridealong

[low&slow]

Hi, I'm going to ride my motorcycle down to Carmel ( from SF Bay Area ) on the morning of 5/13/2011 to observe and ride along with the competitors of the Craig Vetter Challenge fuel economy competition. I thought about entering but I wasn't able to put together a competitive package for my motorcycle. So instead I'll go observe and learn from the masters. It should be a lot of fun. If you want to join me , please let me know either here or send me a PM. I'll be sure to take pictures and report back.
all the best , L&S

[redyaris]

Unfortunatly Carmel Ca is just to far away for this year. I went to the Lacey Wa. mpg challenge and got 82.7mpg on a 82.7 mile run through the country side at speeds ranging from 30mph to 55mph probably averaging 40mph +/- the speeds are much lower than Vetter challenge and the Suzuki GS500 got 68mpg on the interstate at 70mph + on the trip to and from Lacey in weather conditions that where not always biking friendly [torential rain, cold and wind]. So until I can get 80mpg + at over 70mph on the interstate, its not wearth going 2500km to find out that its not even close. I am looking forward to what others get, and will keep working toward the Vetter Challenge...

[low&slow]

Redyaris, great job on the Lacey MPG challenge! I started doing some aero mods for my Vision but haven't had the time to test it much yet. The ride down to Carmel will be the first long run with saddlebags and a high tailsection/kammback installed . I plan on riding the same course to see what my results are . Hopefully I can ride with or follow closely the competing group.
L&S

[Bruce]

Cant wait to see and hear about the Challenge.

[low&slow]

It was awesome! I actually got to compete and while my performance was underwhelming I had a great time meeting Craig Vetter, Alan Smith, Fred Hayes, Treven and Josh. The Quail Run had so many great classic bikes like Vincents, Brough Superior, older Ducatis, Laverdas, Triumphs and Norton it was amazing. Check out my report in the Events section.

[redyaris]

Thanks for the report, I just looked at the Vetter sit and was impressed at the diesles, 133.5 miles on 1 gallon of fuel . When I compair my 68.4mpg on the interstate at 70 mph + [close to the vetter standard] I am hopeful that with more development I can show up and not do too bad next year. I will be ordering a 35T rear sprocket to replace the 33T sprocket that is to low for the power curv of the GS500 in 6th gear. The body work is being worked on; 'improved', and with any luck I will be into the 70mpg - 80mpg range this year and maybe 80mpg - 90mpg next year for the 2012 Vetter Challenge.
What do you have in mind for next year for modifications? I may be able to help, in that I have made many of the mistakes already and you can avoid mine and go on to some of your own. The Lacey people may have pic's of my bike and I will be putting some on emgarage when the current mods are done in the next week or two.

[Frank Lee]

No, 133.5 was how many miles it was.

But, I don't see where the 4 bags of groceries go on the winner?

[redyaris]

I'm guesing that he had some form of saddle bags that are stored under the tail peace, that he can hang/attatch to the bike when needed. ??

[Frank Lee]

Well then any bike with essentially no built-in storage could qualify right?

[redyaris]

If my guess is correct then it does seem like that. We will have to wait for the pictures to see how it was done. The picture of the bike on the Vetter web sit suggests that he may have been laying on top of the tank 'a la roadracer' to reduce frontal area, because without that the aero is not all that good. There is no rear taper section behind the rider to reduce "base area", so the seating position is at odds with the "confortable" riding position condition. Which if I am correct returns us to the 1980 - 1985 delema... 470mpg on a bike that nobody would ride under normal conditions!