Drafting on your Tenere

[adventorider76]

I've been experimenting on how to get the best gas mileage on the bike. Not to get to NASCAR on everyone, but I've noticed that while drafting a semi I get around 59 mpg in sport mode. If I draft a car it drops to around 50 mpg, and with no wind assist around 44 mpg. I thought this was interesting and I would share my observations.

 

[xcsp]

I'd rather give up some mpg's and stay a fair distance behind, or in front of a semi, or any other vehicle, just my thoughts.

Never liked the possibility of a semi tossing a tire or other debris back at me - as that would leave a mark.

 

[Kevhunts]

I know of two individuals who died as a direct result from interacting with tractor-trailers.
First guy crashed after he was struck by a piece of re-tread.
Second guy was struck by a rock which witnesses say flew out from between the dual tires of a big rig.

Granted anything can happen to anyone but I make it a point to steer well away from trucks, busses, etc.
We have enough problems with cars & cellphones.

 

[markjenn]

Yes, I think any drafting that is close enough to significantly improves mileage is also drafting that puts you at significant safety risk. I've done it a few times when I've been worried about making it to the next gas station or as a lark, but to do it regularly would be taking a huge safety risk to save pennies, hardly a good tradeoff.

I think the OP was just making an observation, not purporting this to be a good idea. As 80% of vehicle drag at 60mph is aero drag, not surprising that drafting works so effectively.

- Mark

 

[elizilla]

If you are worried about getting to the next fuel stop before running out of gas, it's safer to reduce your aerodynamic drag by slowing down...

 

[yukondood]

I am certain if you use this as a regular method to improve your gas consumption that you will be successful. I actually think your consumption will be reduced to zero, other than the cost of emergency services racing to the scene and then to the hospital.
I try to always ride in a position that I am visible by at least line of sight or one mirror. If you are that close the driver has no idea you are there, let alone the debris that may come from a blown tire, or on the road and not seen in time to avoid it.

 

[tomatocity]

As referenced earlier, only if I thought I was going to runn out of gas before the next gas station. I try to never follow anything I can not see through or around and I stay away from trucks where other vehicles collect. Less vehicles, less chance of an accident. I am not trying to set a record with gas mileage though riding to enjoy life a little more.

 

[bloke]

if MPGs are your thing the suzuki TU250X gets pretty astounding mileage

 

[bloke]

and why does my car get more MPG than bike

 

[Bill310]

Welcome to the KLR Forum )

Sorry couldn't resist. On a safety note, I was at a MC event where a highway rig had been brought in to show us how their mirrors worked, other words when a MC or car became invisible to them. They set it up with MCs at different distances and positions around the truck.

The first visible MC placed line of bikes directly behind the truck was pretty far out before being visible. Trucks, their tires and the stuff they throw up at you is all potentially fatal.

We won't even discuss the issues that occur when the truck hits and kills a moose, bear or deer and the radiator lets go and dumps offal and anti freeze all over the road.

Those big brown marks on the road are from radiators letting go after an animal strike.

Trucks and retreads concern me I always keep away.

One night crossing the border a truck didn't know I was behind them and I had a car right behind me so I was jammed in as he kept backing up. I got off my MC and ran up the side of his Truck banging on the side, he stopped less than a foot from my bike and the rear overhang was over my front tire. That was a big lesson

I've been experimenting on how to get the best gas mileage on the bike. Not to get to NASCAR on everyone, but I've noticed that while drafting a semi I get around 59 mpg in sport mode. If I draft a car it drops to around 50 mpg, and with no wind assist around 44 mpg. I thought this was interesting and I would share my observations.

 

[adventorider76]

Perhaps I should be more clear, as to avoid trolls. When I observed the previous I was following @ the prescribed safe foloowing distances. As much as I would like to have the road to myself @ all times it just isn't always the case. Ijust found these observations interesting because I've never had a bike that gave instant mpg.

 

[JHKolb]

Mythbusters did a cool drafting episode . . .

Drafting Semi

I always figure if I can't see the driver in his side view mirror I am too close. Even in my car if I don't have at least clear sight under the car in front of me (to see any road hazards) I am too close.

 

[20valves]

and why does my car get more MPG than bike

Because your car, if it gets the same mileage as your bike, cannot hope to match the performance of the bike.

 

[markjenn]

Because your car, if it gets the same mileage as your bike, cannot hope to match the performance of the bike.

This reason and also because cars have much MUCH better aero. And let's be real here - to achieve mpg figures in a car that approach that of a bike like the S10 (say 42 mpg in an overall mix of driving) requires more than your average run of the mill car powertrain - typically either hybrids or diesel.

If bike mfgs did prioritize mileage, it would be fairly easy to build a 60 mpg Super Tenere or a 80 mpg 650cc bike that would still be entertaining to ride. (The new V-Strom should somewhat routinely get in the 60's if the initial press is to be believed.) If they went with diesels or hybrids, 100 mpg would be easily achievable. But the market for bikes in which significant tradeoffs have been made in performance for high mileage isn't very big, at least at the moment.

- Mark

 

[GrahamD]

. But the market for bikes in which significant tradeoffs have been made in performance for high mileage isn't very big, at least at the moment.

- Mark

It seems every year that the press have to be WOWED by more specific power than the previous model had. The S10 was bagged by the POMS (who else) because it didn't go any faster than a TDM (With TC1). So given the fact that a huge number of people think more is better and many magazines are still rating things using super sports criteria it seems most of the market wants to see bigger numbers on their screens whatever that may be. The 800cc class is now just the 650cc class grown up, and the 1200cc (soon to be 1300cc) class is the 1000cc pushed up.

I am glad Suzuki stayed with 650 actually. It's plenty enough power for an General Purpose bike.

The S10 is saved by the fact it is efficient, tractable and they have hidden the weight really well and because of that you get a really relaxing motor. (Whether that is your thing or not), but where I some from there can be some long days if you want to see much of the country.

Cheers
Graham