Has anyone turned a V-Strom in a streamline hypermiling bike? They're good at everything else, I bet they would be awesome at this too.

595 Views 3 Replies 4 Participants Last post by cpd419, 7 d ago

Solarguy

Discussion Starter · 7 d ago

There is an super interesting segment within the hypermiling community that converts scooters and motorcycles into streamlined hypermiling machines.

Here are a few cool links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Vetter_Fuel_Economy_Challenge

Here is the best hypermiling forum: Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

Here is the motorcycle section: Motorcycles / Scooters - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

Here is a popular thread where he converts a honda 125 into a streamliner and gets well over 200 mpg and a dramatically better top speed:

Velomobiel: 214 mpg Recumbent Motorcycle (Honda 125cc with DIY aerodynamic fairings) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com

Do It Yourself 214 MPG Motorcycle Project EDIT (by metrompg): link to builder's site, with more photos & info And because this is such an awesome

ecomodder.com

Motorcycles have notoriously bad aerodynamics. About the same as a brick.....dragging a parachute. With a full aero fairing and substantial gearing changes, it is suddenly reasonable and easy for a 250cc (or less) motorcycle to go 70-80 miles an hour all day long, comfortably, and with spectacular fuel economy.

And here is the Henderson from........1930:

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richlandrick

· #2 · 7 d ago

I have never heard of a V-Strom being involved in the effort, but Craig Vetter has a challange that is or was dominated by Harleys. If the cylinder isn't firing, you are not burning fuel. The relatively long stroke of Harleys work very well at riduculesly low RPM.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Vetter_Fuel_Economy_Challenge

I don't remember why, but many years ago I got interested in it. I think it was when gasoline went above $2.00 a gallon back around the turn of the century. It was a just passing interest for me.

Craig was selling stream line bodies back then that could be adapted to most any normal size motorcycle.