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Old 01-08-2008, 03:38 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
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Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

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90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

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Motorcycle fuel economy champ's advice for efficient cross-country touring...

I've been going through Craig Vetter's site again. For those who aren't familiar, this guy pretty much revolutionized motorcycle touring with his frame-mounted aerodynamic fairings which he put in commercial production and are a common sight on the roads today.

His interest in motorcycle fuel efficiency lead him to hold annual competitions in the early 80's, the goal being results in "real", on-road driving. Each year the machines got more and more extreme.

One multiple winner, Japanese participant Matsu Matsuzawa, achieved 470 mpg in the last year of the competition, hunched over on a small, almost fully faired 185cc Honda called "SPUD".



Years after the '85 competition, Vetter asked the champ:


"Today, if you wanted to build a usable, high mileage machine for real, solo, cross country riding (coast to coast) please describe what kind of machine you would start with and what you would do to it"

Matsuzawa answered:

"Buy Honda Insight, drive easy with air conditioner."

Ba-dum, dum!

(source)

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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Old 01-08-2008, 03:43 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Vegan Powa! - '91 Honda CRX DX
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Matsu matsuzawa, that's a funny name...crazy looking bike though...

I hope the cr-z can fill the boots of the insight well, :/
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Old 01-08-2008, 03:46 PM   #3 (permalink)
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CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
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Haha, I know what he means. I have an 83 CM400. No fairing, just hold on tight at 70 mph.


Quote:
Originally Posted by SVOboy View Post
I hope the cr-z can fill the boots of the insight well, :/
Ditto. I'm eagerly awaiting this car.
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Old 01-16-2008, 06:54 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Please come and help us populate this very much needed open fuel consumption guide!

http://www.motorcyclefuelconsumption.com/
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Old 01-31-2008, 12:47 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SVOboy View Post
I hope the cr-z can fill the boots of the insight well, :/
Good god that car is 'purdy. If that makes it into production with half the good looks it has now (and a good helping of the Insights FE) then I may well renege on my vow to never buy another car...
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Old 01-31-2008, 01:23 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Camryaro - '92 Toyota Camry LE V6
90 day: 31.12 mpg (US)

Red - '00 Honda Insight

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Quote:
t what you are doing today?

*Creating Honda’s Global Corporate Advertisement.

*Trying to make Honda as the most crazy company.
An Insight eh?
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Old 01-31-2008, 01:38 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
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Blackfly - '98 Geo Metro
Team Metro
Last 3: 70.09 mpg (US)

MPGiata - '90 Mazda Miata
90 day: 54.46 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

Appliance car - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage ES (base)
90 day: 65.39 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,976 Times in 3,612 Posts
Yeah, you caught that too, huh?

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



EcoModder
has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
www.ForkenSwift.com - electric car conversion on a beer budget
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