View Single Post
Old 09-25-2013, 12:23 PM   #9 (permalink)
beatr911
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: West Coast, USA
Posts: 516

B2300 - '96 Mazda B2300 SE

Focus - '05 Ford Focus ST

The red car - '00 Honda Insight
Thanks: 6
Thanked 77 Times in 56 Posts
Making some apparent reductions in drag from the mirrors, turn signals, etc. will be minimal at best. Probably not measurable. Don't fair in the front wheel only, it will negatively affect the stability of the steering in cross winds and will give only small gains by itsself. If you try it anyway, just make sure the wheel fairing is rock solid, you don't want it coming loose!

By far, the largest contributor to aero drag is you. You are also the easiest to change.

Wear riding gear that fits well and doesn't flap in the wind or create a larger than necessary obstacle for the wind. Tuck down when you can reasonably do so. Place any baggage you have inline with your body like a tank bag or rear trunk, panniers are awful and increase drag alot.

Kawasakis of that era sometimes have overly large main jets to compensate for overly lean primaries and needles for emissions reasons. If you want to play with jetting don't guess, please use an O2 sensor and a gauge to get it right. Best fuel efficiency is right about stochiometric 14.7:1 or just slightly lean like 15:1, an inexpensive narrow band O2 sensor will work fine to target this area.

+1 for using only the RPMs required to produce the power you need.
+1 for taller gearing, it also doesn't affect daily riding performance much if at all, most who try it prefer it.
Keep the chain well lubed, use a non o-ring racing (good quality) chain for the lowest drivetrain friction when you need to replace the chain next time.

Dress appropriately and ride as much of year as possible. Enjoy it, motorcycles are one of the most resource efficient means of transportation we have.
__________________
Good design is simple. Getting there isn't.

Last edited by beatr911; 09-25-2013 at 12:31 PM..
  Reply With Quote