 Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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OP
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Due to the advice of a few here I moved my MS lowers to the bottom of the lower fork tree and it eliminated about 95% of the buffeting I had coming up the sides of the tank. Made all the difference in the world in ride comfort and noise too. And it got me thinking that maybe this has been partially to blame for my low MPG. Do you guys think that buffeting and wind resistance can have an adverse affect on MPG?
Last edited by nologic; 08/05/2007 11:02 AM.
I wondered why the frisbee was getting bigger......and then it hit me.
'05 BA - Mulberry/Graphite,128 mains,42 pilots,TBS needles,drilled slides,debaffled stock pipes,Uni,no snorkel
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Re: Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Is it possible that it can drop the MPG say 8-10 miles to the gallon?
I wondered why the frisbee was getting bigger......and then it hit me.
'05 BA - Mulberry/Graphite,128 mains,42 pilots,TBS needles,drilled slides,debaffled stock pipes,Uni,no snorkel
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Re: Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
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Depends on how much "sail" you offer to the wind. If you create enough drag you can achieve a substantial loss in mpg.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Where were the lowers mounted before?
I have noticed a 3 to 4 mpg difference with and without a windshield. I don't have the lowers. A lot of the wind resistance is with the higher speeds, as there is not much below 55 mph. Yes, turbulant airflow does produce a lot of "drag" force, but this would mostly be at the higher speeds.
EDIT: "I have noticed a 3 to 4 mpg difference with and without a windshield" MEANS better mpg without the windshield.
Last edited by tomv; 08/06/2007 7:16 PM.
--Tom
02 TBA; 130 mains; TBS; Nology Coils&Wires;Unifilter/opened Airbox; -AI/snorkels; -2 baffles;Progressive 440s & Springs
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Re: Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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For some reason I settled on about 6 inches below the lower edge of the windshield. This was less than ideal. I'm sure it will have an affect on MPG. I just don't know how much. I had lots of turbulance where they were. Now there is very little.
I wondered why the frisbee was getting bigger......and then it hit me.
'05 BA - Mulberry/Graphite,128 mains,42 pilots,TBS needles,drilled slides,debaffled stock pipes,Uni,no snorkel
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Re: Can buffeting affect MPG?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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i am not a fluid dynamics guru but my brother-in-law is. i know that the power needed to push something through the air is a factor of te square of the speed, the frontal area, and the coefficient of friction. the first two don't change if you move the lowers but the coefficient might. it's defined to be 1.0 for a flat plate. for a slippery car the coefficient can be like .3, for a naked bike it can be 2-plus so there's a big range. i would tink smoothing out airflow could improve mileage a bit but not 25%.
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