Another motorcycle nut! - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

motocyco · 11-23-2011, 01:00 AM

Before I found the ecomodder site I had never heard the term hypermiler, but after reading about it I found that I have employed most of the techniques for about 20 years (since I was in college and broke).

My primary ride is my Harley Davidson Sportster XL883. I have always had a fascination with motorcycles, way back to when I still pronounced it "motodytoo." (maybe age 2 or 3). My Sporty is my #1 choice for 99% of my travels; but add the wife, hunting, and certain chores into the mix and I wind up driving the truck more often than I would like.

One of the lesser attractions of the motorcycle is the reduce fuel consumption. I can sport around town and blast down twisty roads and still get further on a gallon of gasoline than all but a handful of cars. And then, cruise down the highway on less fuel than any factory car I know at 60+ mpg for a tank average (and I've been in the habit of checking every tankful for years). Oh, by lesser attraction I mean less than things like being in the elements instead of watching from inside a cage, the natural movement of leaning into a turn instead of away from it, the sportyness of a motorcycle, and of course the lower overall cost (part of which is the lower fuel cost).

I will admit that I've been lurking for a couple of months, but I decided to join becuase I believe that my next projects will be in the arena of ecomodding. First, I have to complete the strip-plank canoe I've been working on. Next, I am looking to see if I can easily eek a few extra mpgs out of the truck since my wife prefers it to the bike for trips. Then, inspired by Craig Vetter's challenge, I'd like to see if I could beat 100 mpg at 70 mph while being able to haul stuff (four grocery bags? Maybe, maybe only two or three). I'm still trying to define my goals for that project, but two seem to be at odds (cheap and 150+ mpg). Oh well, I've got time.

alvaro84 · 02-21-2012, 11:31 PM

I'd just like to say a belated hi to a fellow rider. Hi there!

Now I say you're lucky with the climate you live in. But just wait a few weeks and I'll go counting my miles (kilometers, to be more exact) again. This cold wave in Europe is over, now I just have to get my Teresa back from the workshop.

beatr911 · 02-22-2012, 11:53 AM

Welcome motocyco! Nice handle by the way.

The combo of a bike and a truck seems to be a good one. I've defaulted to it for several years now as it has the flexibility to do just about anything while allowing your personal MPG average to be rather high. The 4x4 full size kinda hurts but it sounds like it doesn't see many miles though.

I've liked the 883 sporty and have heard good mileage figures. Do you have 1200 gearing on yours? If not, I understand it's good for about 5mpg and cheap, as you can just swap with a 1200 rider that wants shorter gearing.

For the Vetter challenge, the first thing that came to mind is to pair your boat building skills with a bike. A resin impregnated fabric shell could be both cool looking and sleek if done well.

Welcome and be safe. You are invisible on a motorcycle.

larrybuck · 02-22-2012, 10:43 PM

Welcome! We can always use more biker's on here.

I have heard of several Harley's that have broken the 100mpg barrier in
econo competitions. It certainly can be done.

Though my current stable (down to 2 now) is Japanese; I still have fond memories
of 2 different '75 FX Superglide 1200's I had during the AMF years.

Glad you are no longer a lurker! Just jump right in!

low&slow · 02-22-2012, 11:33 PM

Welcome Motocyco! Keep us posted on your project and let us know if you need any help or have any questions.
all the best, L&S

alvaro84 · 02-23-2012, 12:25 AM

Huh. I had a look at your log and saw that you've changed the gearing ratio. But a Sportster is belt driven (just like my Teresa), isn't it? Are there (easily available) different sprockets for them? Or this might be the mentioned '1200 gearing'...?

motocyco · 03-07-2012, 10:55 PM

Sorry, I just realized that anybody had responded. Let me see if I can provide an update and answer a few questions.

First off, I've had to change the 4x4. My wife's Jeep Liberty broke a connecting rod, and since we can't afford two car payments (I was making payments on my F150), and I couldn't let her drive a beater, I traded my F150 to get her a Ford Edge. Nice little SUV, and gets over 22 mpg in her mixed, every day driving. EPA says 24 mpg on the highway; let's see if I can beat that. Anyway, I am now driving a 1987 Ford Bronco II, which gets better gas mileage than the F150 and since it is also a 4x4 it makes a great hunting truck. Also, it has a 5 speed manual tranny, so hypermiling will be easier. I still haven't run the first tank of fuel through it, but I will be adding my "buggy" to my garage shortly.

The high mileage bike project is on hold for now. Since the Jeep basically became worthless overnight, my money went to getting myself a truck.

I love our weather, the coldest morning was only 27 degrees F. I never had to park the bike for cold weather. My seven mile commute to work means that I rarely miss a day for cold weather. Now, cold and wet is another story.

I have only once been able to touch the 60mpg since that trip. Maybe part of that has to do with not getting a highway exclusive trip, and part may have to do with the colder weather. The gearing change I made was to use a smaller rear final drive pulley from another Harley. The next step would be to go with a larger front pulley. But, I have also added a slightly larger fairing than the flyscreen used to get 60 mpg, and I have added saddlebags. Maybe I need to post a pic of the bike. Pics help.