Scooter Mileage?

Question

Hello all,

I was wondering how the scooter mileage claimed by the manufacturers was obtained???? The claims of 65-100 mpg seems a little high for the horsepower.

Do they use a 90lb Thai girl in Bangkok, or are they based on the weight of an actual human being? Say, something like 150lbs.

I have sent several emails to customer support but have never received an answer.

Thanks

Answer 1

That doesn't seem all the high - really

However it all depends more on the speed of the scooter, what gear it's in and WIND !!!!!!

Everytime you double your speed you triple the wind resistance. Also all energy going to the wheels above 10 or so mph is all to overcome wind resistance, the slower you go the more 'rolling resistance' is a factor in eating the energy. Air is actually fairly heavy - a normal room can contain hundreds of pounds (in mass) of air. We just don't 'feel' the weight because all the other air ways the same mass - it's sort of like having something heavy in water when it's easier to lift although it still has the same mass

10 Mph would take 10 units of energy

20 Mph would take 30 units of energy

30 Mph would take 90 units of energy

40 Mpg would take 210 units of energy

Of course allot would effect this like the shape of the scooter AND THE RIDER as well as speed it was efficiently designed for

Remember even hybrids are INSANELY ineffecient. So if a hybrid  car can get 50mpg 2-3-4 times that for a scooter seems totally reasonable

It would also depend on how well the machine is kept in tune !

PS. The weight of the rider wouldn't be a *HUGE* factor (unless the tires are really crappy, over loaded or under-inflated) unless your in the city and just using most of the gas to accelerate and then throwing that energy away everytime you stop. On the highway it's almost no difference (except a heavier rider may have a higher surface area exposed to the wind - which would then impact the Mpg)

Answer 2

I am 6'3", and 240lbs.  I have a 1978 Honda Trail 90.  If you don't know what it is, look it up, because today's scooters are strictly built for street.  This bike isn't.

That being said, I get around 100mpg.  I use it for running errands in town (under 30mph) and commuting to work on the highway (45-55mph).  If my old trail bike can do this, I don't see why the new fancy ones can't.  Most of them use a Honda clone engine, anyways.