SF Bay Area Earth Day Ride and Fuel Economy Challenge 4/21/13

[low&slow]

Fellow Vetter Challenger Alan Smith and I be hosting an Earth Day motorcycle ride and fuel economy challenge starting and ending in Livermore CA :


Earth Day Motorcycle Fun Ride & Fuel Economy Competition, Sunday, April 21, 2013

No Entry Fee, No Prizes, Just a fun ride, Bragging Rights



Motorcyclists, Let’s do our part to demonstrate how motorcycles can help reduce fuel usage, reduce roadway crowding, use less natural resources and help save our planet.



Motorcycle Classes:

Electric- electric motorcycles (may turn back at “The Junction”)

Unlimited Streamliner

Under 700 cc

Over 701 cc

Worst Gas Mileage?



We’ll depart at 10:30 AM from Unlimited Motorsports, 7899 South Front Road, Livermore, CA 94551. There is a 76 gas station across the street to top off your fuel tank.



We’ll ride as a group to “The Junction” for a something to eat and drink. Then we’ll ride to Patterson. At Patterson we will take the I-5 freeway back to our starting point at Unlimited Motorsports. Freeway speeds will be at least 70 MPH. Total miles traveled are approximately 114 miles.



At the end of the ride we fill up our fuel tanks and calculate our MPG to find out who used the least amount of fuel.

[low&slow]

2013 SF Bay Area Earth Day Ride & Fuel Economy Challenge


It was a beautiful day for our first Bay Area fuel economy competition. It was warm and windy in spots but all in all, an awesome day for some great motorcycle riding. Alan and I didn’t know what to expect for a turnout but we had a great response; 16 motorcycles with 17 riders.
We embarked from the Union 76 Gas Station on South Front Rd and rode out in formation to Mines Rd for our first stop at the Junction. There we had lunch, bench raced and visited with the other motorcyclists out enjoying the Livermore back roads. We had a couple of mishaps while there; the wind blew Alan’s streamliner over and one of competitors slipped and tipped over. Fortunately no one was hurt and the damage was minor and repairable. We left on the next leg down Del Puerto Canyon Rd to Patterson, and then on to Westley.
At Wesley we stopped for a shop tour of noted vintage race car restorer Butch? who showed us some of his incredible machines. After a great visit we regrouped and rode Hwy 5 to Patterson Pass Rd and then proceeded back to our starting point. On the run down HWY 5 part of the skin on my tailsection blew off. At the 76 Station, we topped off our fuel tanks and calculated our fuel economy. The route was approximately 119.6 miles.
The preliminary results are:

1.Alan Smith, Kaw. Ninja 250cc Streamliner, 95.7 mpg, 1st Streamliner
2.Vic Valdes, Kaw. Ninja 250cc Streamliner , 86 mpg, 2nd Streamliner
3.Jacqueline Etter, Yam. XT225cc, 79.7 mpg , 1st < 700 cc
4.Bart Beeman, KTM 450cc, 50 mpg, 2nd <700cc
5.David Bright, Suz. DR 650cc, 49.8mpg, 3rd <700cc
6.Matthew Shiroma, Suz. V-Strom 1000cc, 47.8 mpg, 1st >700cc
7.Rick Silverman, Suz. DR 650cc, 44.8 mpg, 4th <700cc
8.John McAllister, BMW 1000cc, 42.7 mpg, 2nd >700cc

Incomplete Results
9. Ken Visbeck, Honda CFR250cc
10. Eric Lunn, Yamaha RZ350cc
11. Chris Huntze, Honda 750cc CB Hondamatic
12. Terry Seaver, MV Agusta Brutale 910cc
13. John Bushman, Yamaha V-Max 1200 cc
14. Kathy Bushman, HD Dynaglide 1340cc
15. Thomas Bushman, HD V-Rod, 1130 cc
16. Frank Howe, Honda ST1300cc ( with passenger)

Congratulations to all our competitors, when we all participate and work toward a goal together, everyone wins. It was great to ride with some friends and demonstrate the fun and efficiency of motorcycles. Fellow competitors please accept my sincere appreciation; hopefully we can do this again soon.

[Frank Lee]

Too bad I wasn't there for the winter this year; could have gotten the trophy for worst fe with the GoldWing.

[low&slow]

Updated results, we hope to get a few more:

1.Alan Smith, Kaw. Ninja 250cc Streamliner, 95.7 mpg, 1st Streamliner
2.Vic Valdes, Kaw. Ninja 250cc Streamliner , 86 mpg, 2nd Streamliner
3.Jacqueline Etter, Yam. XT225cc, 79.7 mpg , 1st < 700 cc
4.Bart Beeman, KTM 450cc, 50 mpg, 2nd <700cc
5.David Bright, Suz. DR 650cc, 49.8mpg, 3rd <700cc
6.Matthew Shiroma, Suz. V-Strom 1000cc, 47.8 mpg, 1st >700cc
7.Rick Silverman, Suz. DR 650cc, 44.8 mpg, 4th <700cc
8.John McAllister, BMW 1000cc, 42.7 mpg, 2nd >700cc
9. Chris Huntze, Honda CB750cc Hondamatic, 42.1 mpg, 3rd>700cc
10. Erik Lunn, Yamaha RZ350cc, 32.3 mpg, 5th <700cc, Top Gas Hog

Frank , It would have been great to have you ride with us. Actually the RZ 350 my not have gotten the worst FE, a few of the other bikes added gas during the ride and then declined to top off at the finish. Some may have dropped into the 20mpgs. Irregardless fun was had by all.