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Hybrid Motorcycles

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Creatrixx

Creatrixx

Jedi Hopeful
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Why is it that most motorcycles get about the fuel economy of a station wagon? yes, I know the answer, they're designed to be fast and loud, not efficient.

I figured there had to be someone out there designing something that broke 100mpg that wasn't a 50cc scooter... And... there is! There are a couple of hybrids out there, but none in production, only concept, such as eCycle. I found a diesel bike that gets 103 mpg that's made in the Netherlands that cost about... $23,000. And it isn't even pretty. Heck, for that I can get a fully electric car even if it does look like a clown shoe.

So... does anyone know of a really efficient motorcycle out there? Or even a scooter that's highway legal? My Jedi internet research skills seem to be failing me.

Thanks!
Melissa
 
Creatrixx said:
So... does anyone know of a really efficient motorcycle out there? Or even a scooter that's highway legal?
Click to expand...

I'll sell you my 1984 Honda Aero 80 scooter. It's road legal. Supposed to get 80 miles per gallon and top out at 45MPH. Electric start and automatic transmission. $700. Cool little scooter.

It's Ted Schumacher's old pit scooter. Does that give it provenance? Maybe if it was Michael Schumacher's!

I bought it because I'm disabled and I thought that I could get around the track paddock or car shows on it, but even riding a scooter gets me out of breath! So there it sits.
 
Good as that sounds, I want something that I can take on the highway.

Are you going to Carlisle this weekend?

~Melissa
 
A Honda Helix has a 250cc engine and gets up to 70mpg...I don't know how fast it goes, but with 250ccs on board, it should move along fine. It goes new for around $6,000.

But this machine has won my heart. It's a motorcycle powered by a modified Briggs and Statton engine. They claim a top speed of 80 mph and fuel economy of 70 to 80 mpg. It uses a CVT transmission.

https://www.bertaut.com/classics.html.

bertson1.jpg
 
Motorcycles are not particularly aerodynamic, and that hurts them quite a bit in the economy game. My 650 V-Strom gets about 50 most of the time, less on fast freeway jaunt with the side hard cases installed.

Many of the small bore Hondas from the late 60s/early 70s got excellent MPG (100+) but of course aren't very fast.
 
MMM... CVT, now you're speaking my language. That's the language of a girl who can't drive stick, in case you were wondering.

Thanks for the link!
 
Fast is not what I need. Just fast enough to be allowed on the highway. I want to be the envy of every SUV driver at the gas station when gas breaks $4 this summer. :p
 
Creatrixx said:
Good as that sounds, I want something that I can take on the highway.

Are you going to Carlisle this weekend?

~Melissa
Click to expand...

Yes, on Friday. I'll take the truck, though, in case I want to buy something. Even though I'm broke.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Why is it that most motorcycles get about the fuel economy of a station wagon? yes, I know the answer, they're designed to be fast and loud, not efficient.
[/QUOTE]
I consider 40-50 MPG to be pretty efficient. My Superhawk had a 1,000cc V-Twin engine and a top speed of around 130MPH in stock form. It still gave me 40MPG average. Much better than most station wagons I've driven!

superhawk.jpg
 
Check out the Ecomobile... They claim almost 60 mpg with seating for two. And, it's fast. Good for about 160 mph. Watch the videos, they are short...actually too short. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif
 
Lookey...training wheels

and for the record my old 76 750 bonneville used to get an easy 50+ mpg, and it didnt cost 80k..


mark
 
40-50 mpg isn't bad, but my mini gets that... I'm just being greedy. ;-) I'm holding out for my 100 mpg motorcycle.
 
Creatrixx said:
Fast is not what I need. Just fast enough to be allowed on the highway. I want to be the envy of every SUV driver at the gas station when gas breaks $4 this summer. :p
Click to expand...
Um, you may want to log a few miles riding a normal bike on the highway before you make a big commitment to something based purely on mileage.

My own experience has been that you never want to be “Just fast enough to be allowed.” You want to be fast enough to get out of the way.

At the gas station you may be envied for your fuel economy, but I can personally guarantee that while you’re actually rolling you’re never the envy of any SUV driver. You are always a target.


PC.
 
I have a 1987 Honda VT1000 Shadow. I got 50+ MPG on a trip to DC on the Rolling Thunder ride last year. About 700 miles round trip.

Pete
 
PC said:
You are always a target.
Click to expand...

... and seemingly worth more 'points' the more vulnerable you appear. I'd be lookin' to a true crotch-rocket if I were to go hunting a two-wheeler today.
 
Personally, I have always leaned towards the sport-touring category. I had a Kawasaki Concours, 1000cc of Ninja sportbike engine in a larger frame, full fairing and saddlebags. About 35-40mpg, enormous fuel tank......downside was, when full that tank made it rather top-heavy.

Steve S's Superhawk would be my kind of sportbike......

Ideally, if I could find an older BMW airhead boxer, R80RT or R100RT, I would be a happy camper.

Why not look for an older BMW? Decent mileage, reliable, easy to fix, shaft drive.
 
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