Craig Vetter Quote...

[Frank Lee]

Anyone feels strongly enough about the "wrongness" of it ought to organize another competition!

[PeterS]

Not that I'll ever compete but I agree Frank .

[beatr911]

The bellyaching of the fairness of the rules is a point lost on me. The requirements set forth by Craig applies to his event only and doesn't necessarily apply to everyones daily riding cycle. Take it as it is, because that is what it is.

Just because a Caddy CTS-V can circulate the Nurburgring in a hurry doesn't mean that you are going to do that, but it sells. Just because that SUV can go off-road doesn't mean that you are going to do that, but it sells. Just because Craigs requirements call for 4 or 5 bags of groceries doesn't mean you do it, but you'll be glad if you find a great sale on cheetos or TP or whatever.

The point is that motorcycle development has stagnated in the area of efficiency and usefulness. I did a comparison on a forum that compared a 1994 Nissan Altima and a 2012 Hyundai Elantra. These cars are really close in horsepower, weight and utility. Turns out that in town mileage increased over 50% and freeway was like 78% better. Aerodynamics played a big role in this as well as significant drivetrain improvements. Other technological improvements relating to safety, comfort and features stomp the old Atima in every way.

Geez! Imagine if we could apply these same improvements to our bikes! We could have smaller tanks or longer range or both, increased safety, comfort and features. The technology is already there, it just needs to be applied to motorcycles. Craig is pushing the limit of the extremely conservative motorcycle buying public. Motorcycling really really needs a catalyst to change our antiquated ideas of motorcycles!! FIM has essentially dictated that sportbikes look a certain way since the '50s. Fuddy duddies still think cruisers should look like my Dads '46 Indian Chief. Enough already!

A fully modern motorcycle is none of these, it is something we haven't seen before. It is something that does more than your bike does now, and also does what your bike already does - better. Let this event help shape the future. It is still too early to tell what the future of motorcycling will be looking like but I think Craig has an idea that is just too good to kill.

[Frank Lee]

Bikes have been and are toys to many; it's time to increase their utility for everyday use. I think Craig's competition is a great catalyst for that.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Bikes have been and are toys to many; it's time to increase their utility for everyday use.

With their inherent lack of stability and (depending on country and source) approximately 15 - 25 times the fatality rate of cars, it ain't going to happen anytime soon.

It'll be a transport for some, as it already is today, but it won't become a transport for all / a majority.



By coincidence, yesterday a traffic study group pointed to serious reductions in traffic jams on a motorway when they substituted 10% of the vehicles with motorcycles.

With 25% MCs , the traffic jam was gone in their simulations - which is probably a tad optimistic as MCs start being held up and getting stuck between traffic when there are lots of them seeking their way in between the cars (been there, done that).

[Frank Lee]

Every bike that displaces an oversized SUV on the road is a step forward. I agree they won't ever be in the majority- on two wheels anyway.

[Clev]

Originally Posted by euromodder

With their inherent lack of stability and (depending on country and source) approximately 15 - 25 times the fatality rate of cars, it ain't going to happen anytime soon.

In the U.S., the motorcycle death rate is 20.5x that of cars. However, here are the statistics on motorcycle fatalities:

In 37% of fatal crashes, the motorcyclist was speeding.
25% of them crashed into fixed objects.
25% of them were never licensed (and thus, probably not trained.)
33% of them involved alcohol on the rider's part.
37% of motorcycle deaths would have been avoided had the rider worn a helmet.
"Sport" and "Supersport" bikes have a death rate of 2-5x higher than cruising and touring bikes.

In other words, if I'm not a drunk unlicensed squid doing 120 mph without a helmet and running off the side of the road, I'm probably okay.

[PeterS]

Originally Posted by Clev

In the U.S., the motorcycle death rate is 20.5x that of cars. However, here are the statistics on motorcycle fatalities:

In 37% of fatal crashes, the motorcyclist was speeding.
25% of them crashed into fixed objects.
25% of them were never licensed (and thus, probably not trained.)
33% of them involved alcohol on the rider's part.
37% of motorcycle deaths would have been avoided had the rider worn a helmet.
"Sport" and "Supersport" bikes have a death rate of 2-5x higher than cruising and touring bikes.

In other words, if I'm not a drunk unlicensed squid doing 120 mph without a helmet and running off the side of the road, I'm probably okay.

Reassuring ! I've managed for 40 years so far and I reckon your stats are about right for here as well, although we have mandatory helmet use. That in itself saved thousands of lives.

[user removed]

Picked up a rare bike last week. A 1987 Yamaha SRX 250 that needed some tlc but was in decent shape (only sold in the US for one year). Single cylinder twin cam cross flow hemi with two intakes and two exhausts. Six speed transmission with alloy wheels and fairings. It would probably make a decent competitor in Craigs contest, supposedly good for about 85 MPH and 70-80 MPG. Progressive two barrel carb. Super lightweight at something like 126 kilos.

I can fabricate just about anything out of sheet metal. I might try some aero work since the frame has many attachment points for aero work and the headlight is stationary in relation to the frame. Air cooled engine will require some airflow.

Sadly I am about 2700 miles from the contest.

Second pic is what it looked like new.

regards
Mech

[jkv357]

Sounds like the SRX could be a fun project.

I remember looking at one on the showroom floor when they came out in '87.

Another cool small bike, besides your new CBR250R, that should produce some great numbers is the 2012 Aprilia RS4 125 4-stroke single.

I could see it -




Jay