Why not a high MPG sport tourer?

[JEFF_H]

My Honda gets around 85 usually.
but its a Ruckus, so when i sport tour it takes a long time to get any where.

[ducatiz]

My Honda gets around 85 usually.
but its a Ruckus, so when i sport tour it takes a long time to get any where.

it makes a ruckus?  put a better muffler on it.

[Latinbalar]

Want a high milage Bike


Gets over 50+ mpg can do 80 mph and is fully comfortable to be a tourer.  What more could you ask?

[TAftonomos]

Want a high milage Bike


Gets over 50+ mpg can do 80 mph and is fully comfortable to be a tourer.  What more could you ask?

Something that doesn't say "Hey other bikers, come kick my ass!" 

[Moronic]

What I believe has changed the game for cars is direct petrol injection - injection of fuel at very high pressure directly into the combustion chamber, diesel style, rather than just into the intake manifold. Allows more precise fuelling, better atomisation, less waste.

Aprilia offers this in a couple of two-stroke 50cc scooters.



Details on the direct injection at this link.

They claim 50 pc cut in fuel consumption at cruising speed, and about 120mpg. (Cruising speed won't be very high, of course).

Haven't seen this in bigger bikes. As others have said, the manufacturers probably believe buyers wouldn't pay extra for it.

I think we would once people realised it meant a better fuel range as well.

[bulldogs2k]

Something that doesn't say "Hey other bikers, come kick my ass!" 

   I still want one!

[dropstharockalot]

Yeah!!  Find it.  It sounds to good to be true.  Like a $3k 1098 in craigslist with no title.  But that would be the answer if it is the real deal?  I don't mind being proved wrong in my earlier post about not enough room for two power sources on a bike.

Here: http://www.cycleworld.com/first_motorcycle_ride/special_features_articles/10q4/rotary_hybrid_superbike_-_special_feature

Dunno where I got the mpg figures from... must been speaking outta my "ignorance."

[akmnstr]

Very interesting.  The article gives no MPG figures but I can see that fuel efficiency was not a goal.  But it does show the potential to build high MPG bike with good performance.  I'm surprised about the use of a rotary engine.  My impression, based on the economy of the old Mazda rotary cars, is that these engines are not efficient.  

[zooom]

I still would have loved to see the Thunderstar get developed and this might end up being the answer...

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2005/02/25/thunder-star-1200-diesel-by-star-twin/

[Bladecutter]

If and when the liter bikes switch over to direct fuel injection, is when we will start seeing huge increases in fuel economy. The problem is, I believe DFI isn't allowed in racing, for safety concerns.

Of course, DFI might be better suited to small displacement bikes, as this will allow big increases in torque at low rpms, which 1 liter bikes just don't need any additional help in this rpm range. Small bikes, like the Ninja 250, would see huge torque gains, not to mention fuel efficiency increases, and would be much more enjoyable to ride in the low rpm range.

Give DFI to mid size bikes between 500 cc and 750 cc, and there won't be any point to having 1 liter and bigger bikes. Same low end torque output, higher fuel economy, and bigger smiles.

So, if you had to guess which company might be the first to adopt it, aside from Aprillia on their 50 cc two stroke scooter engine, who do you think would be first to market with a DFI bike? Since Ducati doesn't do anything to their bikes that isn't used on a racetrack, I doubt they would splurge on this tech anytime soon.

I would say BMW would be first.
Germans manufacturers push DFI harder than any other country's manufacturers right now.
They always play with technology long before anyone else even considers it on their bikes.

BC.

[akmnstr]

I'd say that BMW is a good bet to make a breakthrough.  They seem to have more invested in long distance tourers sport tourers and dual sports than other manufacturers.   Honda also seems like a company that might give it a try.  They have the technology from their auto manufacturing and make just about every class of bike.  They also have a history of introducing off beat bikes into production.

[zooom]

60MPG from the new CBR250R

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Mar/110302cbr250.htm

[Lars D]

Motus will have direct injection.

[Bladecutter]

60MPG from the new CBR250R

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Mar/110302cbr250.htm

That's about as far away as you can get from a touring bike as you can get, and still be "highway legal."

BC.

[zooom]

That's about as far away as you can get from a touring bike as you can get, and still be "highway legal."

BC.

not true...define touring...comfortable for a long haul, upright(generally speaking) seating position, and luggage capable....so...throw some panniers on and have at it...I have seen people tour on lots of things...hell..there was that thread on ADVrider about the guy that went cross country on a 49cc Ruckus...it isn't about what it is, but how you use it!...kinda like it not being about the bike, but more about the rider using it!