Quote:
Originally Posted by jkv357
You can still participate in the Challenge if you don't carry the groceries, but won't be scored - as far as I understand.
The impression I got was that everyone started with a full tank, and filled-up at the end to get the amount of fuel used on the trip. Running ethanol-free (at the start) would certainly be an advantage.
Jay
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Yeah there is a detailed rant addressing previous complaints about the grocery bag test on Craig's website, which addresses some of the arguments some have made against the strict regulations, which have gotten more strictly enforced since 2011, even though, as far as I know, the rules have not changed; only the enforcement of the spirit of the rules.
Alot of traditional motorcyclist want to compete for a score, but think that not being able to rearrange the groceries to fit anyway they can is sort of an unnecessary and unusual requirement put in there just to favor the rounded shapes of the streamlined vehicles. From what little I know, I have to agree, since many top cases and saddle bags are actually more conveniently removed and ported into our houses (as in groceries) than it would be to remove the grocery bags and carry them in, and so, to me, it doesn't make sense that groceries must stay in bags and in all cases why the bags should have to remain upright as long as everyone can carry them without damaging the goods and they can be totally zipped up.
The best I can understand his reasoning is that he wants everyone to streamline, because there is nothing else that can be learned without streamlining. I'm not very physics minded, but I don't see how that's possible considering the automobile manufacturers keep making more horsepower-capable machines with equal or better fuel economy with heavier curb weight, and in some cases, no less drag, even after lots and lots more engineering work has been done with automobiles than we've seen with PTWheelers. If it were true that all we need do is keep reducing the required hp to run the course due to reduced drag and that nothing else effect fuel economy, then how come the bike winning the races has a 670 cc engine, is not fully streamlined like his scooter, and has a peak output of at or about 31.
Sorry to go on a little rant; I'm not really that upset or anything and will be glad to participate in any context, but do wish that Craig would give up this idea that everyone will one day see the advantages of his style of streamlining and that, although other bike and scooter types may not have all the efficiency advantages as his image of the future of bikes, and many riders will still want to ride their styles of bikes even if they are far less efficient. If the rules weren't so restrictive, maybe there would be more contestants and we could compare different styles and different makes from different manufacturers, modified or not.
As for pure gas, yes it would give me advantage mpg wise, but would hurt me in the contest, because the contest winners are ranked in dollars and cents, and while I can get 3% better fuel economy, I'd be paying 10% or more for the ethanol-free gas, and I would write what I paid on the receipt at the end point. In other words, I would be honest and not just let them calculate the E10 price when I actually paid a higher price; whatever that might be.
Thanks for the advice. I thinking about a Rubbermaid Action Packer, which was a finalist back when I was shopping for a cheap top case, but at the time, I thought it a bit too big. But for this event, it may be the cheapest and easiest way to go, if I decide to try to meet the grocery bag test.