[xbolloxx]

I just watched top gear episode 45 on "ondemand" and I was a bit fustrated that hammond and captain slow didn't use any bit of drafting in their driving techniques.... also, I read in an article on Howstuffworks.com that nascars use hypermiling during caution flags by accelerating to fullest potential and then shutting down their engines to coast as far as possible before starting thier engine again. (this explains why lead drivers in cautions seemingly disobey the pace car) now on to my motorcycling point, for those of us cheappesy, would this form of hypermiling work for us as we coast our bikes to a red light, turn it off and start it again when we see the opposing traffic get their yellow, or is it not worth it due to the over usage of the starter and battery- also does it burn a lot of gas when starting a bike assuming this is a fuel injected bike. and if the starter and battery thing is a viable argument, the counter argument could be the use of a "manual momentum start" to restart the bike right before you come to a complete stop at a light. God I love Top Gear. It makes me think....


discuss

 

[tcl]

pulling the clutch to stop engine breaking when slowing/ coasting seems to help in my hands.

 

[xnoahx]

Waste of time, I dont ride bikes to be a cheapskate

 

[tcl]

not a waste of time when it lets you go 220 miles without putting a boot down for gas.

 

[doxiedog]

Now subtract the price of brake pads,from gas saved = ?

 

[tcl]

Now subtract the price of brake pads,from gas saved = ?

eh? you would use less brake pads trying to conserve gas.

 

[doxiedog]

You pull in the clutch and drag your feet?

 

[tcl]

You pull in the clutch and drag your feet?

hah. you pull the clutch way before hand and coast as much as you can. the idea is to time things with traffic so you break as little as possible.
Also, engine breaking uses rear tire faster then breaking uses pads.

 

[broke not]

I think battery and starter "wear" would be negligible if your machinery is properly in tune and starts the way it ought to.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I want people on the road spending all that much time thinking about their "hypermiling" techniques and/or wondering if the machine will fire up instantly at the next light, etc.

I've been a "coaster" for years myself. So much so, that I do it without thinking.....in the car or on the bike. If you're used to doing it, that's one thing. But if you find yourself being distracted by refining/modifying your riding habits, I'd say forget about getting a few more miles per tank....and focus more on not becoming embedded in someone's grill.

 

[WV_SV]

I definitely don't turn the bike off as I prefer the "coaster" method myself. It's more of a safety issue for me as I had a friend who was rear ended at a red light. By coasting in I still have the ability of getting out of the way if need be.

 

[mojOH]

coasting = ok. Shutting bike down = bad idea. They don't have the hazards we have to deal with (no one is driving below the yellow line in the opposite direction on the pace laps).

 

[BossMan]

coasting = ok. Shutting bike down = bad idea. They don't have the hazards we have to deal with (no one is driving below the yellow line in the opposite direction on the pace laps).

+1

I try to coast as much as possible to save gas and motorcycles just don't coast as well as cars. I'm not really sure why, maybe because of the less aerodynamic shape?

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you shift into neutral while you're coasting then you may have a hard time getting it back into a gear depending on how fast you're going.

 

[xbolloxx]

thanks for all the responses, I only had one person actually answer a part of the question. thanks anyway.

 

[leaftye]

I can get a 25% improvement in my car with mild hypermiling, but I don't notice any difference on my bike. I also think it's because the lack of aerodynamics on the bike limits the ability to coast. There's a section of freeway before the exit to my neighborhood where I can coast in my car for nearly 1/3rd mi (not counting ramp which is also coasted) while keeping pace with traffic, but I can't even coast the ramp on my bike because drag slows me down too much.

 

[leaftye]

thanks for all the responses, I only had one person actually answer a part of the question. thanks anyway.

Oh, you did have a question. Try using a "?" next time to show readers that you have a question.

As to that question, I often kill my engine at the light before my school. Like I said in my last post, it makes no discernible difference in my fuel economy.

 

[jbswear]

thanks for all the responses, I only had one person actually answer a part of the question. thanks anyway.

Interesting. You commanded that we discuss it; so many did. You didn't ask a question, yet you b!tch that nobody answered it.

WTF, Chuck?

 

[nyc rugby]

thanks for all the responses, I only had one person actually answer a part of the question. thanks anyway.

What was the question?

 

[jeff721]

Now subtract the price of brake pads,from gas saved = ?

If you are engine braking, you've got to subtract the price of clutch plates, so pick your poison.

 

[xbolloxx]

Interesting. You commanded that we discuss it; so many did. You didn't ask a question, yet you b!tch that nobody answered it.

WTF, Chuck?

lol ok so I forgot a question mark. my bad.

 

[xbolloxx]

I just watched top gear episode 45 on "ondemand" and I was a bit fustrated that hammond and captain slow didn't use any bit of drafting in their driving techniques.... also, I read in an article on Howstuffworks.com that nascars use hypermiling during caution flags by accelerating to fullest potential and then shutting down their engines to coast as far as possible before starting thier engine again. (this explains why lead drivers in cautions seemingly disobey the pace car) now on to my motorcycling point, for those of us cheappesy, would this form of hypermiling work for us as we coast our bikes to a red light, turn it off and start it again when we see the opposing traffic get their yellow, or is it not worth it due to the over usage of the starter and battery- also does it burn a lot of gas when starting a bike assuming this is a fuel injected bike. and if the starter and battery thing is a viable argument, the counter argument could be the use of a "manual momentum start" to restart the bike right before you come to a complete stop at a light. God I love Top Gear. It makes me think....


discuss

I forgot the question mark right there...... I should have known that the wording would be too confusing for some.