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The Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests - 1980 thru 1985
"Doing More with Less Energy"
The most wonderful motorcycle project I was ever involved with
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How to get 470 miles per gallon... at real highway speeds!
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I had read that Shell Oil sponsored contests wherein contestants got 1200 miles per gallon! Wow! Turns out that that was "Silly Mileage" achieved under silly conditions... on little go kart things at walking speeds in a parking lot. Not anything like real highway conditions. Not at all useful. What was the point?
What mileage is possible at real highway conditions?
Nobody knew. I thought it was time to find out. Between 1980 and 1985, I sponsored the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests. We learned how to get over 470 miles per gallon! On real highways - in real conditions. Read on.
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A summary of the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests:
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The first contest was held at the Vetter Rally in Colorado Springs. It moved to the West Coast and eventually became a part of the Laguna Seca Raceway. |
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Ms. Lammy Johnstone 1000cc HD 98 mpg
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Charly Perethian Yam 185 372 mpg
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Mike Hishiki Honda XL80 189 mpg
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Matzu Matsuzawa Honda XL125 377 mpg
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1982 New page 5-24-06
More
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Charly Perethian Yam 185 282 mpg
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Matzu Matsuzawa Honda XL125 470 mpg
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How did they do it?
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In 1984, I realized that nobody really rides all bent over like this. I decided that we needed another contest category that would include "sit up, two-up" riding. This new class was to stimulate effeciency in the way we really ride.
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1984-5 Two - Up Class
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1985 Kiyoshi Aizawa & Helen Kanda
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1984 Charly Perethian & Susan Gage
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Vetter Streamliner Fairing superimposed over Yamaha Serow
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Updated May 24, 2006
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