Question about fuel efficiency

[Kerry]

For a few weeks we had a software engineer from India visiting our office.  Yesterday I carted him to various stores on the back of my GS500.  At times I would get up to speed and then pull in the clutch and coast as I approached a stop light, or whatever.  He noticed the lack of vibration (I guess) and asked what I was doing?  Was I really holding the clutch in?  Yep.

Later, after we were off the bike, he said that in India they have a bunch of "guidelines" on how to ride a motorcycle in order to save fuel.  If I understood him right, they are encouraged to shift as little as possible.  Apparently the act of clutching/declutching the transmission uses more fuel than ... not doing so?

I said that I didn't see how I could possibly be using more fuel by coasting with the engine idling at 1200 RPM than I did by turning the engine at 5000+ RPM.

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Does any of this sound familiar to anyone out there?  Perhaps one (or BOTH) of us were missing a crucial bit of information?  Or explaining ourselves poorly?

[GRU]

it is something to think about....back in Serbia where i was born, gas prices are out of this world and basicly people ride scooters more than cars...i noticed that many people (in cars) don't put the car into neutral or press the clutch while coming to a spot or so...i always do that because there is less work for the engine to do...they don't do that and some claim it saves gas by leaving the gears engaged than to let the engine idle...

by what i learned in my life, an engine uses the least amount of fuel when ideling (or at lower rpm) unless it is under some kind of pressure....driving a car at 30 mph in 5th gear at about 1500 rpm (on a smaller car) wastes more gas than going the same speed (30 mph) in 3rd gear at about 3000 rpm because the engine is running freely

[oldsport]

My old 67 Saab 3 cyl., 2 stroke had a "free-wheel" in the transmission.  When you let off the gas, it would coast.  The purpose was to save petrol. 2 strokes don't have much compression braking anyway so I guess they figured they would let it coast to save some gas.

Other news:
I got a 2nd gas can and 4 ft of extra gas line today.  I probably won't get to "it" until tomorrow).

I bought the black Bonneville today. Pick it up on Tuesday.
2004 Jet Black Bonneville

This see, oh yes, tell your company "thanks" for hiring a programmer from India rather than a local boy. I'm sure he's a nice chap.

OS

[Gisser]

Hmm, some carbs are equipped with accelerator pumps that give a squirt everytime you get on the throttle.  Also, seems like 2-strokes are the developing world bike of choice... :dunno:  Then, there are the racer wannabes who have to run through every gear approaching a stoplight like Mat Mladlin entering a hairpin.  That would burn a few spoonfuls.

[Gisser]

I bought the black Bonneville today.  Pick it up on Tuesday.
2004 Jet Black Bonneville

Clean looking machine, OS.  Congrats.

[Kerry]

I got a 2nd gas can and 4 ft of extra gas line today.  I probably won't get to "it" until tomorrow

Cool!  I'll be watching for your results.  If you have any 2-stroke engines around (Leaf blower?  Gas trimmer?  "Classic" motorcycle?) you can always keep a stash of pre-mix in that 2nd can!  Let me know where to send the $3....

tell your company "thanks" for hiring a programmer from India rather than a local boy. I'm sure he's a nice chap.

Actually, he IS a really "nice chap".  I took him for a GS500 ride up the canyon, took him to Moab, took him to Church, and had him over for dinner.

An impressive lad.  

Unfortunately, most of our work has already gone to India.  This guy came over to learn more about an additional piece that will be moving over there fairly soon....  

[oldsport]

I took him for a GS500 ride up the canyon, took him to Moab, took him to Church, and had him over for dinner.

An impressive lad.  

Unfortunately, most of our work has already gone to India.  This guy came over to learn more about an additional piece that will be moving over there fairly soon....  

You certainly do live in God's country.

To the west: My son and I went to Bonneville for 2 days of speed week last summer. It's hard to believe that you're still on the planet earth while you're there.  We're the 2 on the left.



I'm sure the fellow from India is a fine person.  I'm almost always impressed with the educational background and strong work ethic.

[JLKasper]

I bought the black Bonneville today. Pick it up on Tuesday.
2004 Jet Black Bonneville
OS

Well done, well done!  

[Kerry]

My son and I went to Bonneville for 2 days of speed week last summer. It's hard to believe that you're still on the planet earth while you're there.

Last summer, eh?  I probably just missed you!  Not that I've ever actually been to the Bonneville Salt Flats proper, but I did ride past on the freeway last summer.  (See my Around the Great Salt Lake in 26 Hours page.)

We're the 2 on the left.

Oops!  I got the "wrong left" there for about a minute, and felt bad about pushing a white-haired guy to go buy a 2nd gas can and take his bike apart again.

Apologies to the pair on the right.  Are you all related?  That's quite a crew!  Looks like a good time all around....

And the matching umbrellas - Ooo La La!  

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net

[oldsport]

Yep, I'm the lame one on the left.  I finally got my wrist fixed this year.  The silver haired fellow is my big brother.  He's turning 70 next month. Retired school teacher in California.  He gave up auto racing dirt track 2 years ago.  Right now, he's restoring a 1970s Honda 750. The guy on his right is his life long best friend Don (all the way back to grade school.) He's also 70 and swears that he doesn't dye his hair.

Regarding the umbrella's, manlier than riding a purple motorcycle if you ask me.

I thought  that was you over there on the hiway!
Should have stopped.