Most economical motorway speed? - Page 2 - SV650.org

20-01-06, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyrdness

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carsick

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyrdness

bikes are more aerodynamic than cars

Not true.

Really? I'd have thought that a faired bike with the rider tucked in would be. Though it's probable that modern wind-tunnel designed cars might be very aerodynamically efficient.

Tucked in is better than not, but the front wheel is an enormous drag and because everything else is above the wheel another hole has to effectively be punched. It all adds up to alot of drag.

20-01-06, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloggsy

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyrdness

I think that the 55mph figure that's often quoted is for cars

Think you'll find its 62mph that is quoted as optimum for cars... Like Grinch says, keep the revs low & you'll get better returns on your fuel...

But...

Where's the fun in that?

Agreed, but conking out on the hard shoulder can't be much fun either...

northwind · 20-01-06, 12:03 PM

Bikes are shockign erodynamically, because of the huge hole they make in the air behind them- lots of drag and turbulence. There's more to aerodynamics than making things pointy

As for optimum speed, that'll vary from bike to bike or car to car. If I ever bother to set up the Veypor fuel consumption mode I'll see what I can find...

Viney · 20-01-06, 01:39 PM

constant throttle, not to many gear changes and coast down hill!!

I managed to get 48 miles from flashing light once, total 186 miles and there was still a little bit in there.

20-01-06, 01:46 PM

Keeping a consistent pace is one of the most important ways of maintaining high MPG. Often there is very little difference in fuel consumption between, say 70mph and 80mph. The consumption is affected adversely when you're constantly speeding up / slowing down.

Biker Biggles · 20-01-06, 01:57 PM

You need to keep the bike in it's optimum rev range(5000-6000)in top gear.IIRC that would be about 65MPH?

20-01-06, 02:02 PM

That's a good point - a constant 70 will be more efficient for most engines compared to varying between 50-70 with lots of speeding up and braking.

If you get low on fuel best option is to cut down on overtakes, keep as constant a speed as possible in as high a gear as possible.

Or get one of those 1-2 litre motorbike petrol cans that go under the seat/in your backpack if you're really worried.

20-01-06, 02:47 PM

Depends are you going up hill or down hill?

20-01-06, 02:57 PM

Headwind or Tailwind?

20-01-06, 04:08 PM

I think it's more important not the thrash it than to worry about the speed. If you're accelerating more slowly you'll get better gas mileage. I've gotten 49 MPG going 80 MPH down the highway.

20-01-06, 12:03 PM	#13
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	Bikes are shockign erodynamically, because of the huge hole they make in the air behind them- lots of drag and turbulence. There's more to aerodynamics than making things pointy As for optimum speed, that'll vary from bike to bike or car to car. If I ever bother to set up the Veypor fuel consumption mode I'll see what I can find... __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

20-01-06, 01:57 PM	#16
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	You need to keep the bike in it's optimum rev range(5000-6000)in top gear.IIRC that would be about 65MPH? __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

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20-01-06, 01:39 PM	#14
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	constant throttle, not to many gear changes and coast down hill!! I managed to get 48 miles from flashing light once, total 186 miles and there was still a little bit in there.

20-01-06, 01:46 PM	#15
Cronos Guest Posts: n/a	Keeping a consistent pace is one of the most important ways of maintaining high MPG. Often there is very little difference in fuel consumption between, say 70mph and 80mph. The consumption is affected adversely when you're constantly speeding up / slowing down.

20-01-06, 02:02 PM	#17
SVeeedy Gonzales Guest Posts: n/a	That's a good point - a constant 70 will be more efficient for most engines compared to varying between 50-70 with lots of speeding up and braking. If you get low on fuel best option is to cut down on overtakes, keep as constant a speed as possible in as high a gear as possible. Or get one of those 1-2 litre motorbike petrol cans that go under the seat/in your backpack if you're really worried.

20-01-06, 02:47 PM	#18
Moo Guest Posts: n/a	Depends are you going up hill or down hill?

20-01-06, 02:57 PM	#19
Moo Guest Posts: n/a	Headwind or Tailwind?

20-01-06, 04:08 PM	#20
neuone Guest Posts: n/a	I think it's more important not the thrash it than to worry about the speed. If you're accelerating more slowly you'll get better gas mileage. I've gotten 49 MPG going 80 MPH down the highway.