My Car MPG VS. My Motorcycle MPG

[worthywads]

Originally Posted by Christofoo

Gas motorcycles produce a ton more smog-related pollutants, even while getting slightly better MPG than comparable cars. The reason is that motorcycles have little-to-no emission controls, due to space and cost constraints.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gree...emissions.html
... so personally I wouldn't drive one in my area.

OUCH!

The Air Resources Board estimates there are 600,000 motorcycles in active use in California, which account for less than 1% of vehicle miles traveled in the state. Those 600,000 motorcycles, however, account for 13% of the state's hydrocarbon emissions from passenger vehicles, Swanton said.

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by southerncannuck

In my opinion motorcycles are so powerful that for most of the time the throttle is barely cracked. This makes the pumping losses high. With the throttle closed, the engine has to struggle to pull in air. It uses lots of power trying to pull air through a closed throttle. A 350 cc bike, or such is pretty easy on gas. My 150 gets 96 mpg.

This is why I Pulse&Glide pretty much with my 650. This way I can easily do 80+ US mpg (under good conditions, of course, cold and strong wind is always a challenge) - though it's not a huge improvement from low rpm cruising which can still do 70+. It must help a lot at slower speeds where I couldn't use the higher gears, though. And high speed P&G doesn't seem too effective with our 250.

On emissions: I really don't know how strict EU regulations are on modern bikes, but I often meet motorcycles that smell unburnt gasoline when running. Especially older ones.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

It would be nice to see a mtorcycle designed for P & G. When Vetter had his economy runs in the early 80's (yes,I know he is still actively doing so) some of the bikes involved had a neutral BETWEEN 4th and top gear. Let me back up a bit. Some of us who need four wheels under them don't realise that motorcycles have a sequential-type transmission. You can start in 1st or 2nd, but you cannot "skip" gears or jump into neutral anytime you wish. Therefore, when you want to glide, you need to pull in the clutch and hold it in for a good amount of time. This can get a bit tiring, am I correct, Alvaro ?
Why not a trans with neutral between every gear ? Or a (dare I say this ) more automotive-type shifter with easy access to neutral ?

[alvaro84]

It can be, definitely. It is, especially when it's cold and the clutch lever becomes much harder to pull (I don't know if it's a common thing, but it's the case with Teresa, especially with the new clutch cable). Pretty good workout that makes your grip stronger

Having a neutral between the tallest gears could be very nice. Especially if the transmission could be popped out of there at higher speeds too. It's VERY hard to shift our bikes out of neutral above ~40km/h (25mph) and can give nasty grinding noises from the gearbox - it definitely doesn't encourage me to do so... if the neighboring gears were taller, it would be healthier, perhaps.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

My last motorcycle (93 VFR750) had a hydraulic clutch , so I imagine one could hold it in easily for long-ish periods. I wouldn't know ; P & G was not in my vocabulary at that time.
But even than , I wished for a wider-ratio five-speed instead of the close-ratio six-speed.
It was WAY over-powered for any sane transportation purpose.

[08EscapeHybrid]

My bike has what Harley calls the "Easy pull" clutch. I can sit at a light for quite a while and not get tired holding the clutch in. I have nothing else to compare it to though, as I've never ridden a street bike that didn't have this type of clutch.

[shadescape]

08Escape- not a performance bike/clutch- easy pull had dubious meanings back in the 70's- usually meant- the clutch lever was easy to pull- the friction plate springs were soft- much slipping- 60' you'd be lucky to get out there without others laughing

I bought a new 1972 750 Honda- within 8 months I pulled the engine- 811 CC-
many trips to the mountains and to N Minn I could cruise at 70 mph and get 57 mpg- stock- the modified was better- untill you twisted the right throttle

I also turned a 76 750 Honda into a Kawasaki eating beast
bored and stroked to 915cc's- I made quite a bit of small time cash playing the sleeper role

I'd lay a bit of money a properly set up old 750 Honda would beat every vehicle here in this forum on gas mileage on a long trip- in short- I could hug the gas tank and keep withion 100' of you- you would be expected to do the same- you would loose

I used to carry 3 front sprockets- just in case there was someone that needed to learn- be it bike or car

you- should really think about something- you never want to be able to find neutral anytime anywhere from 2nd on up- mistake you could destroy your transmission- you haven't been arround someone on a motorcycle who expected neutral to coast- let the clutch lever out- to find out it was jammed between 2 gears- instant crash and burn-
besides- pull in the clutch lever for crying out loud

I have pictures of me, brother, cousin, on a 890 mile round trip to the mountains- we each had 750 Honda's- and we each had Vetter Fairings on
you wouldn't match either of these in gas consumed- if you figured to keep within 1/4 mile

btw- I cruised 750 Honda's for many years- I also raced them
like- there was a racetrack in Brainerd, Minn-

and KCIR had a track most anyone coul;d race at a small fee

topdays HP bikes are way different- and not easily changed- BUT

[shadescape]

mistake- double post