Vetter streamliner body kit

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by sendler

Better get your odo checked. Nobody but you gets even close to that at any speed. The best I have actually SEEN was a really excellent diesel engine swap Insight with fully functional hybrid system who got 92 mpgUS at 45 mph over the road at the Green Grand Prix. Verified. No amount of body work will add 50-60% to the already slippery Insight.

(Laughing)

You should check over at InsightCentral.

There are plenty of people who get that.

DiamondLarry usually gets more than me!!

Jiml.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by sendler

Are you using a MIMA and plugin charging every night?.... .

Sendler,

If it's hot out like summer, and no wind, and flat roads, AND using the HV battery via MIMA, then I typically average about 130 mpg. This is at an average speed of 35 mph or so.

Again, it is common knowledge at IC to get 95 mpg on the highway at 55 mph. I typically get 105 mpg in the same conditions.

Jim

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Weather Spotter

do not give up, some people might want one.

I agree.

Gas is "too cheap" right now. It's simply not high enough to warrant concern from consumers.

As it gets higher, I think the market will swing.

I also think that "refitters" will come into fashion. You take your motorcycle to someone else and have them fit the fairing to it with all available hardware, and drive it home the next day with the new fairing installed.

I don't think most motorcycle owners would want to monkey with this themselves.

I wonder if you might have better luck finding out who would want to make some money installing these for riders?

People might get more interested if they see a fairing on someone elses rig.

Jim.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

Sendler,

If it's hot out like summer, and no wind, and flat roads, AND using the HV battery via MIMA, then I typically average about 130 mpg.

Does this include the energy that is needed to recharge the battery you are draining via MIMA? Or are you just talking about a once in a while short duration average on your computer. Your numbers are way off somewhere. Or 99% of the rest of our Insights have been broken from the factory. The highest verified in competition fuel economy I have ever read about is a MIMA Insight with twin batteries where he got 98 mpg at 50 mph for 200 miles. Draining the batteries at the end with MIMA for a free .06 gallons worth of energy.
.
Maybe you can compete with us at the next Vetter style challenge next July at Mid Ohio.

[cvetter]

Mark the date: Friday, July 19, 2013. Early in the morning. We will have more time and try for, say, 150 miles. I wonder if, in addition, we should have an electric loop? X miles out... x miles back. We could pick a distance that the electric vehicles would think they could do to help the emerging electric Challengers.

Of course, we are back to streamlining. Do you really think you can build a shape like this from scratch, easier and cheaper than from my proposed kit?

[sheepdog 44]

I don't think people understand that the Vetter challenge is to ALWAYS average 100mpg or higher no matter what. And the challenge if i'm correct has been described as FAST, never going under 65mph and maybe even far far faster. This is a fuel economy standard for the average person without hypermiling, or Eoc'ing, that any speed demon, late to work, left lane novice will average 100mpg everytime at posted freeway speeds.

A lot of us car owners can get by with pulse and gliding 15-40mph, keeping in leanburn 10mph below the speed limit, dawdling around on public roads, or extremely modifying a car with a nose cone and a several foot long boat tail. That is besides the point really, not every person is capable (Willing) of doing that. Your'e really comparing apples and oranges when the average persons car gets far below 35mpg, and the national average is in the high 20's. It's also counterproductive to argue in that way.

It's as much about freeing our dependence on -foreign- oil, as it is getting great mileage, in a way that everyone can easily adopt for the greatest cumulative effect! I think a motorcycle is a great second vehicle for those who are willing.

[Weather Spotter]

thanks for the in site into the goal. it helps me understand the concept a bit better.

I had a chance to test my car that way last month. I was riding in my car and a friend drove as I was too tired to drive. Over 2 hours and 150+ miles latter we got home and the trip MPG for that section was 42.5 MPG at 75MPH steady state. Zero hypermiling.

If I drove that way all the time a bike like this would pay for itself in time and be a fun project.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by cvetter

Mark the date: Friday, July 19, 2013. Early in the morning.

Vintage days at Mid Ohio is a blast for gear heads like us. I went for the first time last year and will plan to make it my summer camping trip every year from now on. $60 to enter and $50 to camp for the long week end with shower trucks and plenty of spotless porta potties. The drunken teenagers have all come and gone the week before for superbike week. Plenty of families with young kids riding around on mopeds and scooters keep it civil. All kinds of stuff for sale and interesting demos and speakers and displays.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by sendler

Or are you just talking about a once in a while short duration average on your computer?

The 130 mpg is over a 35 mile trip home from work, in the summer time, over rolling hills and flat roads mixed in. I use EOC wherever possible too.

Originally Posted by sendler

.... Your numbers are way off somewhere.

Check my "tank" averages. Over 1000 miles on a 10 gallon tank. Over multiple ocassions during the warmer months. This is verified by the pump at fill-up.

Originally Posted by sendler

.... The highest verified in competition fuel economy I have ever read about is a MIMA Insight with twin batteries where he got 98 mpg at 50 mph for 200 miles....

Sounds like an echo in here, as this is exactly what multiple other Insight drivers get at a constant speed on the highway at 55 mph.

It makes a huge difference on what the terrain is like, how familiar the driver is with it, air temperature, and so on.

Remember, each of us knows our work route like the back of our hand and can maximize the fuel economy over this distance if we really want to.

It takes me a little over an hour to drive 35 miles. I get up early to arrive at work on time.

Jim.

[cvetter]

The Vetter Fuel Challenges involve riding the way we really ride. This means brisk acceleration up to the posted speed limits. No pulse and gliding. No drafting. No change from normal riding. I host these Challenges all over the US... California, Nevada, Ohio which is why the results vary so much.

I don't want to change the way we drive.

I want to develop the best equipment that allows us to live better with less energy THE WAY WE REALLY RIDE.

The best equipment is real streamlining and somewhere around 20 horsepower.

I am here to ask how many of you want the real streamlining I am prepared to produce.
I am also here to challenge you to come show your stuff in real driving conditions.