Biker X-Prize? Do 100mpg @ 70mph

[Chuck]

It's looking like Craig's goal can't be met sitting up.

Craig Vetter - CRAIGVETTER - July 4, 2010

Wind resistance is definitely the main adversary in this quest. --Ed.

We met in Gilroy, CA and planned our route. We needed headwinds. Strong headwinds. The winds were pretty strong from the west and south. We decided to head south on Highway 101 with the speedo indicating 70-72 mph. Alan said that he could get 100 mpg. Yeah... lots of people say that. But in the "Vetter conditions"?

"70 mph, into a 30 mph headwind with 4 bags of groceries, sitting up, comfortable"

First, we needed to do a little equipment check:

I had just made a new windshield with an air intake at the front. Alan had just bolted a piece of plywood on as his first windshield. Both machines are a work in process.

The new air intake is intended to let air in to fill the inside where I sit. This allows the wind to slip around me easier. It also gives me some fresh air on my face which I like.... [Read More]

[Chuck]

Actually, I saw a motorized reclining bike that could achieve "Vetter Conditions" - a LiteStar.

LiteStar has a Cd of 0.193, which tells me Craig's motorcycles do have more frontal area than he likes.