"Honda claims new mark in fuel efficient bike"

[cbsnbiker]

I hope this isn't old news, but it sounds intriguing.

http://news.yahoo.com/honda-claims-mark-fuel-efficient-bike-054101144.html

Japan's Honda Motor unveiled a new motorbike engine that it claims is 40 percent more efficient than those currently available.
The 700cc, four-stroke, two-cylinder engine, a size popular in Europe, can do around 27 kilometres per litre (63 miles per gallon) of fuel, the company said on Monday, making it the best in the 500-750cc mid-range class.

[Cablebandit]

I'll assume that's highway mileage.  If that's the case They are nuts with the 40% number.  I wonder if it will be as much of a dog as the 700 in the Dullville and DN-01.

[alarue]

I just bought a Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500. They claim 85 mpg on their website, which I doubt, but owners on fuelly.com seem to be getting in the low 70s. But it's such a small manufacturer, perhaps Honda isn't counting them!

I'll let you know my actual mileage after I run through a full tank.

Cablebandit, I would guess this to be a new engine for the NT700 and DN01, and the Transalp, as well.

I've been wanting a "Dullville" for quite awhile now, but I'm too cheap. Almost bought a used one for under $7000 but it got snapped up too quickly.

[ConPilot1]

My buddy's wife's BMW F800ST is averaging 57 miles a gallon.  

[Cricket1]

I hope this isn't old news, but it sounds intriguing.

http://news.yahoo.com/honda-claims-mark-fuel-efficient-bike-054101144.html

So that's 63 mpg imperial?  Or about 50mpg US? I get that with my 955cc Sprint on the highway.

[Grainbelt]

That press release is a disaster.

offering outstanding fuel efficiency in the mid-class while delivering powerful, throbbing torque

which also delivers a pleasant, throbbing feel during sporty rides

realize an engine with a pleasant throbbing feel that also reduces vibration.

subtle combustion changes can be generated to give the engine a delightful, pulsating feel.

Is it a motorcycle or a dildo, for chrissakes?

[veefer800canuck]

 

[cbsnbiker]

Is it a motorcycle or a dildo vibrator, for chrissakes?

No, it's a Honda, not a Harley.

 

[sammyseaman]

Whenever I read the words Honda and claims in the same sentence (that isn't of a litigious nature) I grab my salt shaker.

[Papa Lazarou]

My Thunderbird does 52 (imperial)

[tdeboeser]

Honda's ST1300 replacement  



http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/09/honda-integra-hybrid-first-model-featuring-new-700cc-twin-with-dct/

[phoenix]

I suspect my bike would do a lot better on fuel if there was a different person managing the throttle.

[mxvet57]

I suspect my bike would do a lot better on fuel if there was a different person managing the throttle.

 

[sammyseaman]

Honda's ST1300 replacement  



http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/09/honda-integra-hybrid-first-model-featuring-new-700cc-twin-with-dct/

  +  

[Rincewind]

I'm more interested in the naked and adventure models than the scooter one that looks like an inflated NT700V.  

77mpg british is something like 64mpg US, which is still really good for a 700cc bike.  



Honda's kicking the ball into the biggest open goal it can find launching a 77mpg 700cc parallel twin super scooter at the height of fuel price paranoia. But it's not the version that will attract most interest among existing motorcyclists, for whom getting on any kind of step-thru is like volunteering for puberty reversal – either way foregoing both their balls and ability to attract a mate. But they'll definitely be given pause by the next two 700s Honda will serve up in November – a naked do-it-all (pictured) and an adventure-bike-lite.

We're yet to see the adventure bike, but the roadster has been accidentally-on-purpose spied testing, and two things occur to us. One, it's a surprise to see how good a job Honda have made of disguising the fact it shares all the important bits with a scooter (however super), and two, this is a bike that is only going to get more relevant as the months and years go by.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2011/September/sep2611-hondas-new-700cc-naked-how-good-is-it-going-to-be/

[sammyseaman]

Clutches? We don't need no stinkin' clutches.

[bikerfish1100]

Honda's ST1300 replacement  



http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/09/honda-integra-hybrid-first-model-featuring-new-700cc-twin-with-dct/

Ya know, I did not believe that anyone could ever out-ugly Honda's Pacific Coast- but somehow, they managed the impossible!

btw- i avg 54-60 mpg on my F800GS , and have seen as high as 71mpg (across multiple tanks) running 75mph on interstate.

[See red]

I kind of like it. I really think the Aprilia is a better looking and they didn't make a scooter. However, if it ends up being closer to an Atlantic it may b a nice bike to own. Problem is honda makes a bland, boring bike. I will say, if you want a bike to run reliably, and do its job with straight unfettering disopline, then get a honda. I think a bike should feel and act more than the sum of it's parts. Call it character, my Atlantic never faultered, but had a lt of character.


My dad wanted me to get back into riding, my wife wanted to learn, and so we bought scooters, a majesty 400 for the wife, a silverwing for my dad, and an Atlantic 500 for myself. Of all three mine sold with the highest miles, highest trade in, and was sold before I had picked my new bike. I also had my wife trying to jump on it as well as my dad, any chance they could during trips more than a week.


Scooters can actually be better than a motorcycle in some instances, wait to see how they play this one out.

[DaisyCutter]

[diminishing returns:]


The actual dollar savings per mpg diminish as vehicles become more efficient.

For instance, driving a truck that gets 12 mpg instead one that gets 9 mph (net difference of 3mpg) will save you more money than driving a bike which gets 60 mpg in favor of one which gets 40 (a difference of 20mpg).


12,000 miles @ 9mpg requires ~1333 gallons of fuel, which at $4/gal = ~$5333
12,000 miles @ 12mpg requires 1000 gallons of fuel, which at $4/gal =  $1000

At the "low end", an increase of 3mpg nets ~$1333 in fuel savings.



12000 miles @ 40mpg requires 300 gallons of fuel, which at  $4/gal =  $1200
12000 miles @ 60mpg requires 200 gallons of fuel, which at $4/gal =  $800

At the "high end", an increase of 20mpg nets $400 in fuel savings.


[/diminishing returns]




Better fuel economy in a motorcycle is a solution for a non-problem.  A 1/2-ton truck with a small I-6 diesel that gets 30mpg would be an actual solution to a legitimate problem.

Let's start with the low hanging fruit, Honda.

[cbsnbiker]

Honda's ST1300 replacement  



http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/09/honda-integra-hybrid-first-model-featuring-new-700cc-twin-with-dct/

That could be a good commuter, or a good tourer for someone who can't (or doesn't want to) handle the size and weight of a 'Wing.

I bet that the dual clutch version would be great for returning servicemen and others who have diminished use of their left hands.

I was momentarily confused by the "hybrid" monicker. At first I thought it was a motorcycle answer to a Toyota Prius. Oh, well.

[diminishing returns:]


The actual dollar savings per mpg diminish as vehicles become more efficient.

[snip]



Better fuel economy in a motorcycle is a solution for a non-problem.  A 1/2-ton truck with a small I-6 diesel that gets 30mpg would be an actual solution to a legitimate problem.

Let's start with the low hanging fruit, Honda.

I agree that the savings are less dramatic, but I disagree that it's a "non-problem."

Your analysis didn't take into account the difference in cost between the truck and the motorcycle. The fuel savings with the motorcycle may be less money in your pocket than from the truck, but the percentage of money saved as a function of the cost of the motorcycle could be more favorable than for the truck.

In addition, there are ancillary benefits for the motorcycle, such as increased range (for the same amount of fuel capacity) or reduced weight and size (for the same amount of cruising range).

Plus, motorcycles are more often used as basic transportation in other countries than in the U.S. For them, the improvement in gas mileage would be important.

[ConPilot1]

Honda's ST1300 replacement  

I think all suburbia soccer moms should have their mini-vans, cell phones, and make-up compacts stripped of them and replaced with this.  

If a VFR1200 boned a Burgman this would be the result.

For a large scooter-class bike, it's pretty nice actually in a strangely ugly way.

[sammyseaman]

I think all suburbia soccer moms should have their mini-vans, cell phones, and make-up compacts stripped of them and replaced with this.  

If a VFR1200 boned a Burgman this would be the result.

For a large scooter-class bike, it's pretty nice actually in a strangely ugly way.

 

[See red]

To be honest.... I don't mind the Burgman, my dad has a 650 and it actually not a bad small tourer. But the VFR1200???? THAT is a specail peice of crap! Honda could not figure out how to make a sport tourer, so they made the fly couch.... then they tried again, and almost had a good one minus the sport part in the st, now that thing???  



At least the Burgman is what it is... a scooter. Just more capable than all of the above for the purpose it was built. I have gone with my dad on tours over several states with it, camped off it, it is pretty fun around town, light and quick for what it is.


I would like to see the gp800 from gilera come here.. that would be a fun thing to watch.

[onedollarjuana]

So that's 63 mpg imperial?  Or about 50mpg US? I get that with my 955cc Sprint on the highway.

Me, too, and that's at 70-80 mph.

[sammyseaman]

To be honest.... I don't mind the Burgman, my dad has a 650 and it actually not a bad small tourer. But the VFR1200???? THAT is a specail peice of crap! Honda could not figure out how to make a sport tourer, so they made the fly couch.... then they tried again, and almost had a good one minus the sport part in the st, now that thing???  

Oh no you di'int! Honda guys are gonna be pissed