Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Motorcycle aerodynamics, a slippery and windy, slope?

TedV · 01-03-2012, 02:31 AM

I bugged Fred at the Mid Ohio fuel economy run last year where I was on my 07 Dakar. Fred, if you read this, hope I wasn’t too much of a pain. After I was able to get them back to the track from us getting separated from the guys who knew how to get back to the track – my bike was the only one with a tank bag able to hold the directions back to the track. Oh, and my bike was the only one in the run carrying 4 to 5 days’ worth of camping gear and food. I point blank asked Fred with the rumors of the diesel bikes possibly being produced in India, will we be able to get them for civilian use? He replied he is more a consultant now so it is not his call to make if they will be available so can’t answer that. Maybe someone could ask him, who can we ask for that decision?

During the run we were behind a semi going around 45mph in a construction zone. The streamlined land speed bike was getting slapped side to side pretty bad. I had that in mind when I got hit by severe cross winds from a thunderstorm leaving the event. I thought I was going to low side trying to go straight down the interstate. Cars scattered away from me too.

I bugged Craig via email several years ago about the HDT diesel engine as it would make for a nice faired or Alligator style bike. He showed via Photoshop it would fit nicely. As the saying goes, “want in one hand (do something) in the other, see what fills up first” As much as I would love to get one, I wouldn’t hold my breath on the HDT engine being available. Most diesel bike folks are HIGHLY PISSED it is not available. Who knows the real reason why they are not available. I keep hearing the excuse, “everyone says they want one, but no one would buy one”. If it was priced right, like a KLR or slightly more I think it would sell. But then, I might hang in the wrong crowds.

In the meantime, short of making a motor yourself, we can only play with what we can buy. There are a few places selling the Chinese air cooled industrial diesel motors. Or go with a small water cooled gas engine with 6 speed trans and preferably fuel injection.

01-03-2012, 02:31 AM	#83 (permalink)
TedV EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 96 Thanks: 1 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts	I bugged Fred at the Mid Ohio fuel economy run last year where I was on my 07 Dakar. Fred, if you read this, hope I wasn’t too much of a pain. After I was able to get them back to the track from us getting separated from the guys who knew how to get back to the track – my bike was the only one with a tank bag able to hold the directions back to the track. Oh, and my bike was the only one in the run carrying 4 to 5 days’ worth of camping gear and food. I point blank asked Fred with the rumors of the diesel bikes possibly being produced in India, will we be able to get them for civilian use? He replied he is more a consultant now so it is not his call to make if they will be available so can’t answer that. Maybe someone could ask him, who can we ask for that decision? During the run we were behind a semi going around 45mph in a construction zone. The streamlined land speed bike was getting slapped side to side pretty bad. I had that in mind when I got hit by severe cross winds from a thunderstorm leaving the event. I thought I was going to low side trying to go straight down the interstate. Cars scattered away from me too. I bugged Craig via email several years ago about the HDT diesel engine as it would make for a nice faired or Alligator style bike. He showed via Photoshop it would fit nicely. As the saying goes, “want in one hand (do something) in the other, see what fills up first” As much as I would love to get one, I wouldn’t hold my breath on the HDT engine being available. Most diesel bike folks are HIGHLY PISSED it is not available. Who knows the real reason why they are not available. I keep hearing the excuse, “everyone says they want one, but no one would buy one”. If it was priced right, like a KLR or slightly more I think it would sell. But then, I might hang in the wrong crowds. In the meantime, short of making a motor yourself, we can only play with what we can buy. There are a few places selling the Chinese air cooled industrial diesel motors. Or go with a small water cooled gas engine with 6 speed trans and preferably fuel injection.