fuel efficiency, cost of fuel, etc

[ultracyclist]

There are many motorcycle models that are available in non US markets that are fuel efficient, fun, and powerful (relatively speaking). Examples are Ducati Monster 400 in Japan, the Suz Bandit 600 and the Honda Transalp 600.

I suppose one could call these bikes "commuters" or "fun on a shoestring budget".

Now that it looks like the price of fuel will remain higher than what we are used to, do you think the bike manufacturers will produce updated models of bikes that left the market years ago because they were lower HP?

Inquiring minds want to know!

By the way, regular gas here in Milwaukee, WI (US) is about $4.06/gal and premium fuel is about $4.26/gal. I know that in some European countries the price has gone to about $15.00/gallon! YIKES!

[mad]

All I can say is that my 02 ST4S has gobs of power and absolutely amazes me by getting around 48+ mpg no matter how I seem to ride. I guess it could be because I have it tuned to run on only 2 cylinders. Right?

It doesn't seem like anything but small scooters break the 60mpg barrier, right?

[Upstate]

Originally Posted by mad

All I can say is that my 02 ST4S has gobs of power and absolutely amazes me by getting around 48+ mpg no matter how I seem to ride. I guess it could be because I have it tuned to run on only 2 cylinders. Right?

It doesn't seem like anything but small scooters break the 60mpg barrier, right?

Actually, I have a Yamaha WR250X. It tops out around mid 90's mph and depending on how much head wind ( I live near the Lake Ontario~its not Chicago, but always seems windy lately) I will get as low as 72 mpg and so far a best of 81 mpg. Fun little bike, but no ST4S.
Joe

[flynfink]

Originally Posted by mad

All I can say is that my 02 ST4S has gobs of power and absolutely amazes me by getting around 48+ mpg no matter how I seem to ride. I guess it could be because I have it tuned to run on only 2 cylinders. Right?

Yup, me too,

Let me know when you get the third cylinder working.

but my $ per mile when including tires/chains and other maint. is too freaking high. Been looking at a the DR400 SM, but by the time I buy one, I can do lots of maint. on my ST..

[st2lemans]

Originally Posted by ultracyclist

I know that in some European countries the price has gone to about $15.00/gallon!

Really, where?

It's only $6.50 here (at least it was on Sunday).

Tom

[madmortimer]

standard fuel here in Australia at the moment is $1.60 per litre (say $6.40 a gallon) premium higher!

[mad]

Originally Posted by flynfink

Yup, me too,

Let me know when you get the third cylinder working.

but my $ per mile when including tires/chains and other maint. is too freaking high. Been looking at a the DR400 SM, but by the time I buy one, I can do lots of maint. on my ST..

Totally agree on $ per mile. I've calculated that its cheaper for me to drive my 28mph car...mainly due to tire costs over 50,000 miles but belts, etc add up big too compared to a generic cage with descent mileage.

[scodill]

Originally Posted by mad

Totally agree on $ per mile. I've calculated that its cheaper for me to drive my 28mph car...<snip>

Man...that is one slow car, no wonder it's cheaper

[butch]

I don't think that the US/ North American market will buy smaller, lower HP bikes in the volume that a mfg needs to make real profits.

I have run the numbers and my ST2 is not a very cost effective commuter- tires, chains, belts and 40ish mpg-
BUT I also have a Suzuki DRZ400s - tires are cheaper (but still don't last), no belts, no valve adjustment and 65mpg.

[ridelaleonessarossa]

I was doing sloppy math the other day and discovered that even at 45mpg, my st4s is getting me around now at about the same "cost per mile" as my explorer was back in 2001! makes me wish I had it back then too!