New Member, motorcyclist from Maryland

DucatiRider · #1 03-22-2012, 01:22 PM

Hello all,

I'm a 23 year old nuclear systems engineer in Carroll County, Maryland.

I ride a motorcycle nearly all of the time with the exception of days that I'm going to the shotgun range.

My primary motorcycle is a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650R -- it gets me about 50-60 MPG with mindful riding. I am in the process of gearing it up such that my engine speed will be 80% of stock. I predict (based on knowledge of the engine map and break specific fuel consumption) that this should boost me to 60+ all the time, maybe 70 if I keep my speed to 45.

My secondary motorcycle is a Ducati S4RS. I geared it up substantially and she gives me 40-45 MPG.

My car is an early 2000s Buick LeSabre Limited. I get about 25 MPG with mindful driving. This is limited by the short drives I take (engine doesn't get much time to get warm in 7 miles....). On a longer ride I'll get 30+ MPG really watching how I drive.

I usually drive about 100 miles a week (down from 100 miles a day for the past 4 years...).

Politically I am a libertarian. Very pro-gun. I'm also a hardline environmentalist (but my solutions don't tend to align with other environmentalists). After 4 years in college I got my bachelor's in mechanical engineering with a minor in nuclear engineering. My focus was in power generation. After another year and a half I got a master's in nuclear engineering. Power generation is my life, so I've seen the dark underbelly of every power production method.

I really want to buy an electric motorcycle. Once I get my house I'm going to try to go grid-independent.

Anywho, that's me.

JusBringIt · #2 03-22-2012, 04:18 PM

Welcome To CleanMPG. There are plenty of ways to improve your mileage and many motorcyclists on here who can help. Though different parts of the industry, it's nice to have another young mechanical engineer on the forum.

alvaro84 · #3 03-22-2012, 04:59 PM

Welcome here. I'm a nearly all time rider too (I skipped this February because of the cold around -15C / 5F and because our 'street' was buried in snow).

And I'm quite sure that 70mpgUS (and more) is doable with that Ninja 650R (called ER6f here), especially with a gearing better fit for cruising.

I forgot to mention in the other topic, this re-gearing is what I can't do with my Teresa (BMW F650CS) because of the belt drive (I'd need custom made parts) - but it wouldn't even be too practical, her 5th is now perfect for 45-50mph and making the 1st gear longer could be inconvenient on trail. I actually use this 1st to climb the hill on dirt roads up to our house.

But most bikes have quite a headroom for a taller gearing.