2011 Las vegas to Barstow Vetter Challenge report - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Varn · 11-29-2011, 05:07 PM

low and slow
I would look toward better aero. make a dust bin.

low&slow · 11-29-2011, 10:29 PM

Varn, Great minds think alike!!! I'm doing some Ninja 250 shopping right now but have a few more mods planned for the Vision so that it can break into the 70mpgs.

DR200 , yes, that would be the same Fred Hayes. There is no current deadline for the release of a civilian version of his diesel motorcycle engine but we did share with him the strong interest in it and that many motrcycycling hypermilers would like to be buyers. I know Fred recently sold his company and we did pass on the strong interest in a civilian version to one of the new owners. Time and strong lobbying will tell.

all the best, L&S

FXSTi · 11-29-2011, 11:14 PM

This thread has me eyeballing my wife's 500ex Ninja and wondering what I can do with my Harley.

Kirk

low&slow · 11-30-2011, 04:34 PM

FXSti, Craig Vetter is looking to develop kit so that anyone can easily make their own streamlining. He is currently working with Alan Smith to develop a kit for Ninja 250s.
Let me know if you need any help, it works great as you can see from our results.
all the best, L&S

FXSTi · 11-30-2011, 05:21 PM

Someone told me the 250 and the 500 sit in the same frame, and I have been looking at the Vetter site. It is my wife's bike, sticking a boat tail on it might get me cut off for a few years.

Kirk

redyaris · 11-30-2011, 08:13 PM

FXSTi
You might get your own bike and the one I would recomend is the Kawasaki Vulkin 500 because it has the same engine as the 500 Ninja in a cruiser style with a 28" seat height and a longer wheel base. unless you want ultimat mpg like a 250 cc bike. I have gotten as high as 87mpg with my Suzuki GS 500 and hope to get into the 90mpg range with one of my 500cc bikes. the present candidat for the next Vetter Challenge is my shaft drive VT500 Honda which will have a full dustbin fairing.

FXSTi · 11-30-2011, 10:45 PM

I've busted into the low 40's with my Softtail Standard without any concern for fuel economy. Next summer will see me riding with a bit more concern for mileage.

Kirk

jkv357 · 12-05-2011, 11:56 AM

So Vic, have you considered a CBR250R as a base for a new Vetter Challenge project?

I saw you mention something about a different cycle for the next challenge in another thread, and was wondering what cycles you were considering.

Jay

low&slow · 12-05-2011, 07:41 PM

Hi Jay, Yes , the CBR 250 would be an excellent choice except that they are so new that it's hard to get one for as cheap as I could find a used Ninja 250. If cost were no object it would probably be my first choice.
I've started looking at Ninja 250s and am hoping at get a good runner for $1000- $1500. I've only seen new or almost new CBR250s and the asking price is around $4000.
I have also thought about the Yamaha Virago 250 as it gets great fuel economy but I'm concerned that the I may have cooling problems after I streamline it. Also the Ninjas are much more common.

low&slow · 12-05-2011, 07:43 PM

Hi Jay, Yes , the CBR 250 would be an excellent choice except that they are so new that it's hard to get one for as cheap as I could find a used Ninja 250. If cost were no object it would probably be my first choice.
I've started looking at Ninja 250s and am hoping at get a good runner for $1000- $1500. I've only seen new or almost new CBR250s and the asking price is around $4000.
I have also thought about the Yamaha Virago 250 as it gets great fuel economy but I'm concerned that the I may have cooling problems after I streamline it. Also the Ninjas are much more common.
all the best, Vic