[veloman]

So what do we think about the recent results of the last two Vetter Challenges?

Regarding the electrics, I am surprised that Mr Schultz was so close to the economy of Mr Goff. I guess the parameters weren't the same for those figures. I still would think the excellent front fairings of Schultz's bike would make a bigger difference.

It's funny how Terry was hugging his unfaired Zero trying to get as aero as possible. That didn't look comfortable or reasonable. Personally, I feel fine with tucking my left arm in and rest my elbows on my knees. Back is probably at 45 degree angle.

It looked like another Zero rider had a Zzipper front windshield, but it was very blunt.

I understand Alan is working on a new low boy Ninja. I also wonder if the width could be reduced. I am working on a fairing that is about 20" wide, vs the 24-26" of the Vetter ones.

Is anything from these events translating into a product that a manufacturer might offer? Or are we just going to be that odd group of fuel efficiency nerds, even 20 years from now?

I think the mainstream would accept something inbetween the full Vetter fairing, and your regular sport bike 'fairing'.

I just wonder where this is all heading. Gas is cheap and looks like it's not going to change. Electric severely needs aero work to get realistic highway range for many people. Zero won't say anything about the subject. They seem content playing the naked bike trend.

I guess I'm just put off by the consumers. They say they want good highway range, but then they buy a naked bike.

There is another member on here or facebook who has suggested that a well faired emoto could get the same highway range with a substainally smaller battery - which would lower the cost significantly. I think that has a lot of merit. That's the basis of my emoto. I only have a 4kwh Leaf pack, but with a fairing I could potentially get the range of a 8kwh bike.

Are we that much of a bunch of oddballs?