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Starting with a scooter gives the advantage of an open frame to build a recumbent seating position but doesn't come with large enough wheels and wheelbase for good cross wind manners at highway speed. And, gearing changes are all but impossible with a V-Matic transmission so getting a 75mph top speed is tough. They do tend to design with a longer stroke and less valve overlap for better fuel economy at lower revs. Too bad the Honda SH150i is so expensive. The PCX would do even better on gas but is just a little too small for the highway. PCX riders are breaking 105mpg on stock machines at 35mph. What is the efficiency of a V-Matic trans? How much loss is in a constant mesh trans of a motorcycle? Most cars are now getting better economy out of their modern automatic trans than they are from a manual.
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