GuzziMoto
-
Posts
2,720 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
48
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Community Map
Posts posted by GuzziMoto
-
-
Edit: Here's the wiki story (fwiw), if interested http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Intrepid_ESX
They never sold or leased those cars to the public. Shame. The first concept seemed the best. Stop trying to make the internal combustion motor directly propel the vehicule. They work best at one speed, so hook them to a generator. Use electric motors to drive the vehicule.
-
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
I selected 2009, 2008 and earlier could be different.
I have a 2003 Matrix and I can sometimes meet the Combined, but I can't get anywhere near the Highway EPA ratings, maybe at a steady 50mph in the high desert.
From surfing hybrid forums, and talking to car owners, it seems pretty common to fall well below the EPA ratings with all cars, but especially hybrids.
Even on our forum, I think we get claims anywhere from 30 to 45MPG (US) for our bikes. (and I recall some claims outside that range)
Oh, a .gov site. That would explain it. I usually get close to the EPA highway mileage. But hybrids are notorious for getting less then rated, which is why I told my mother she would not get the 34 mpg Ford claimed for the Escape. Last I heard she gets around 28. But I thought it interesting that atleast some people say the Malibu hybrid gets HIGHER then EPA rated.
As I said niether the Malibu or the Escape impresses me. Their technology is almost the same. The Malibu has a slight edge, mostly due to GM having better combustion effiecency. What I am most interested is a real hybrid along the lines of a diesel/electric locomotive. That is what the Volt may be.
-
I find it hard to believe they lost money on production of the EV1. Yah the R&D killed the profits, but that is expected.
Toyota's electric Rav4 was another hit that was shut down because of alleged lack of sales, but people pay more than $20,000 second hand for them, because of their value.
As for comparison of Escape, Malibu and Prius, here are the "combined" 2009 US EPA MPG numbers:
Escape 23
Escape Hybrid 32
Malibu 26
Malibu Hybrid 29
Toyota Matrix 28
Toyota Prius 46
The Malibu, Matrix, and Prius are all about the same cubic area, with the Escape being significantly bigger.
Without actually doing the math, I'd guess the time required to break even on the hybrid investment, a typical driver might take 5-10 years in the Escape, 20-40 years in the Malibu, and 10-15 years in the Prius, compared to if they had bought like models from same car maker.
The Escape pays off the fastest because the non-brid burns alot more fuel.
The Toyota would pay off faster if the Matrix was not so cheap to begin with.
The Malibu Hybrid is a pathetic failure....IMHO, based on the numbers.
Add in the cost of replacement batteries, reliability, etc. and all bets are off.
In GM's defense, I'd even bet the Malibu has the smallest cheapest battery, so the cost for the 100,000 mile battery replacement might not hit the pocket book like the hybrids that really work.
Not sure where you got your numbers for the Escape hybrid, but they are wrong. The EPA combined number you listed for it is actually the EPA highway number I believe (I have not checked to confirm this, but I do not have time at the moment so if I'm wrong I'm sorry). My mother has one and it struggles to get 28 mpg in mostly highway driving with little real "city driving, she lives and works in the burbs. There is little difference between the Escape hybrid technology and the Malibu hybrid technology. And the differences there are lean mostly in the favor of the Malibu.
Edit: After some quick checking, I see why you think the way you do. The Escape hybrid is somehow rated at 34 city/31 highway(2WD). But my mothers experience with hers is it cannot get out of the 20's, with 28 being typical. The Malibu hybrid, on the other hand, is rated at 24 city/ 34 highway. Yet the first test I pulled up on it said that it easily got 36.5 highway and 28.4 city average with 40 mpg on the highway being hit on occassion. So, EPA numbers are in Fords favor, real world numbers may be in Chevys favor.
For clarification, I hate GM and have never bought one. I have drove other peoples on a number of occassions and that was enough. I will consider buying a GM when the Chevy Volt hits the market. That is a real Hybrid, the only one so far that is worth the name (and money).
-
Oh yeah, comparing a Prius to a Malibu hybrid is not fair. The Malibu is bigger. Bigger hurts mileage.
-
So correct me if I'm wrong but did they not send all but one of their EV1 fleet to the crusher? Did the one car left that was in a museum have all its batteries, control systems and motor running gear destroyed? Did GM not have customers for every one of EV1s produced? Seems a strange way to make an electric car profitable but I've only seem the film and have no other source on the subject. <_>
If anyone knows different please contribute, enquiring minds and all that.
GM lost money on every one of those EV1's that it was leasing. How long should a company continue to lose money on a car before it ends the program. It cost more to build the EV1 then they could lease or sell them for. They knew going in that it was just a test. The technology was not yet cheap enough to be viable. But, atleast they tried. Nobody else has stepped up to the plate.
The Ford Escape hybrid is no better then any of GM's hybrid. My mother has one. It gets about 4 mpg better mileage then a reg Escape.
Yes, the Toyota and Honda hybrids are leading the way at the moment. But if they don't watch it, GM will leapfrog over them with the Volt. A true hybrid.
-
There's all kinds of aspects to the current situation. For one, GM is the most progressive of the big three US car makers. It is laughable that they get slammed as the one that killed the electric car when they are the only ones that have even tried to make an electric car profitable. They have yet to succed, but the Chevy Volt holds lots of promise. It overcomes the main problems (and reason why EV's have failed so far) of electric cars and puts Toyota and Honda to shame.
As for should we "bail out" the big 3? as I understand it they want the Gov. to lend them money. Didn't they just shove a huge bail out of the financial industry down our throats under the guise of maintaining the flow of credit being crucial to the well being of the economy? More people would lose their jobs if the big 3 go bust then if the poorly run financial institutions were to go under. I don't support the gov. bailing out poorly run companies, but if your gonna do it for some,.....
As far as the price of oil, I'm sure there are many factors involved in why the price was so high and why it is now much lower. One is surely supply and demand, but there are others like people speculating on the price of oil. This, coupled with the instability in the mid-east (we did that, our bad) can artificially inflate the price of oil. Hopefully the people doing that lost enough money when the market fell that they will stay away for a while at least.
We in the US have also been helped by the global crunch, which brought the rest of the world closer to our level. Our economy has been in a decline for a few years now and this latest crash, while hurting us, has also helped us because we did not fall as far as much of the rest (we did not have as far to fall?).
The thing that cracks me up is when someone says "we need to reduce our dependance on foreign oil so we will not have this problem (the problem being the instability of the oil market). They don't seem to understand that oil is a global commodity and it doesn't matter where it came from. Oil does not know where it comes from and does not care. If the price of oil on the world market goes up, the price of all oil goes up. It does not matter where it came from. The only way to reduce our oil dependancy is to reduce our oil usage. It's such a no brainer, but it is amazing how many people do not understand that basic concept.
Rant over now, please resume your normally scheduled broadcast.
-
Ram mounts seem popular, but I find them hokey.
These people sell both RAM mounts and their own brand which are sweet.
They don't cater to Guzzi but are big with BMW and other adventure touring types.
-
Yes, the US uses an average of RON and MON, whereas much of the world uses just one of the two.
Atleast a few bikes have reported issues with pinging to varying degrees. Most are closer to the 3-5k rpm range, but anything is possible. Before adding a PowerCommander I would either find a qualified Guzzi mechanic to go over your bike and set things like TPS and throttle body sync or read up on the info here at the site and do those things yourself. You may find you don't need the PC after all. But typically after freeing up the exhaust these bikes end up being a bit lean and a PC is the easiest way to richen it back up.
-
Don't know anything about the Centauro's except that I think they're way cool. On V11's they use micro relays to turn on and off all the major components like F.I., lights, etc. When a relay sticks(as they are prone to do) that circuit does not work. It is common to upgrade to a higher quality relay. Having said that, someting tells me older bikes like the Centauro do not use the same set up. But I could be wrong.
-
I found a Wix filter for my Jackal in some parts a guy gave me.
They're made in the USA!!
This one has a price tag of $3.99.
Made in the USA!
GM, where do you buy yours?
ADVthanksANCE
-Jack
NAPA Gold filters are made by WIX and are the same high quality. I had a local private parts store around me that sold them but they went bust. Shame. So lately I've been buying the NAPA version. WIX has a web site with a store locator, though.
-
Just signed and am No.1534. Checked the list and found the name Michael Myers under mine
. Good job Halloweens been and gone 
That's okay, in just over 11 months it will be Halloween again. My favorite time of the year.
-
The new batch of UFI filter have 14 flutes.
I use Wix/Napa filters anyway.
-
Haven't had to get parts under warrenty or otherwise in a while, but in my experience that sounds like a dealer issue. Some dealers are better at working the system then others. I have not had any parts supply issues with either my Griso or my wifes V11, which just got some clutch work this summer.
-
I'm a Mesa Boogie man myself.
-
Good logic..Save one Ducati for wheelies,stoppies,burnouts,etc.. All the things you are too old to do.
Which reminds me of a joke my aunt told me... What are the last four words you hear every redneck say?
"Hey y'all watch this!"
I thought it was "Hold my beer, watch this".
-
It's the classic "New and improved, now with shiney bits" syndrome.
I do like the new Guzzi's. I wish my Griso could have come with wire wheels, though.
-
I live in Tampa, Florida USA. Gainesville is where the Vespa dealer is. Now I went to University of Florida and always LOVE going back to Gainesville - so if they could just do service everything would be sweet. The nearest service center is in Ft Lauderdale. A truely horrendous ride from Tampa.
Tampa has an Aprillia / Vespa dealer (who also carries Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki) but no Moto Guzzi.
How often do Guzzi's really need valves checked? Could I handle it myself?
Checking and adjusting the valves on a Guzzi is about as easy as it gets. If you can change your own oil I think you can handle it. I have a dealer two blocks away, but I do everything I can do myself (sometimes time is more of a limit then difficulty) and if i need a dealer I drive an hour and a half to a dealer I trust. Having a dealer who knows what they're doing is more important then having one who is close.
-
No, that's Mike Myers. Michael Myers is the killer in the Halloween movies.
-
For an air-cooled, push-rod, 2 valve single plug head engine, a V-11 that get's over 35 mpg is doing very good. My 2004 LeMans has the Dynojet, K&N, head-pipe and cross-over modification but none of the money spent improved gas mileage. Improved throttle response, yes.
My Harleys also get about 35-40 mpg (also air-cooled, push-rod, 2 valve single plug head engines).
I have found that simple things like checking the air in the tires and tucking in behind the fairing will improve the fuel economy. Riding the speed limit is also a big improvement in fuel economy.
I have a friend with a hybrid car (Toyota Prius). He likes to brag that he gets 50 mph+ (that's on the freeway doing 55 mph). I commute everyday a travel at 80-120 mph and still get 35 mpg. There's no hybrid car getting 35 mpg when it traveling at 100 mph.
We make our choices.
Thanks
A modern F.I. Harley Sportster gets over 50 mpg. While 40 mpg out of a Guzzi is doing pretty good for a Guzzi, it is not good for its size. I do agree that riding style, air pressure in the tires, and state of tune/condition of the bike make a difference. But I doubt you're likely to get over 50 mpg out of a Guzzi. They are just to primative for that. But that primative nature is part of their charm.
-
On average, I get 40-45mpg consistantly and I generally don't hang about. That's with the ti' kit ecu and cans.
Fortunately, my employer is a wizard at setting-up fuel injection systems - unfortunately it's voodoo to me so all I can say is take it to someone who knows what they're doing.
Hang-on, there may be a difference in US gallons and Imperial which would make the figures different??
I believe an Imperial gallon is bigger then a US gallon.
-
Hey all, '04 V11 with pipes and K&N is getting 38 mpg.
1) Adjusted valves, changed oil and filter.
2) Setup TPS (did not use 150mv (with cables and levers slacked) as bike wouldn't run there)).
3) Installed Dynojet.
4) Custom map by John (much Guzzi experience) at Cliff's BMW in Connecticut. 38 mpg average.
5) Leaned custom map first by 5%, then by another 5%. 37 mpg average.
Any suggestions? Should I try playing with the TPS again? Hotter plugs?
Thanks,
John
While I would agree that 38 mpg is pathetic for a 1100cc twin, it is normal for a Guzzi. It may be due to the lack of proper squish in the head or just bad head design period, but they are not efficent at burning fuel and thus have mediocre power outputs and mileage stock.
-
I talked to the guys at Europa Macchina in PA, its a bit of a drive but they seem to think they can get it running correctly. The mechanic seemed to be extremely knowledgable and has a lot of experience both riding and wrenching on Guzzis, next step, sort out potential budget for one more lap through fixing this bike while I try and buy a house in this current market.....ouch. will keep you guys posted on the experience and result with this shop. Thanks for the recommendation!
I prefer fixing bikes myself, but I had a very good experience with Europa Macchina in Harrisburg. They seem very detail oriented and genuinely care about doing things right.
Tell them Michael Myers sent you.
-
Sorry for the slow response. Fell off my SuperMoto and broke four ribs (among other things). Yes we have gangs of dirt bikes in our fair city. It's an old problem. Atleast a couple years now. The cops can't catch them, and are even afraid to chase them most times for fear of someone getting hurt. I avoid those parts of town as a rule, so it doesn't affect me. But they have proposed solutions as extreme and far ranging as banning dirt bikes in the city (not sure how that would help) to building a dirt bike riding area (nice idea, but I don't see how that would help either).
I think it's pretty funny as well.
-
Another possible issue is the spring for the fast idle lever may be too stiff. This does not allow it to fully open and may be an issue. Many people swap the spring from the seat release with the fast idle spring, saying it fixes two issues at one time.
What to do about the vehicle manufacturing industry
in Special place for banter and conversation
Posted
True, profit drives corperations. Not idealism, not conspiracies. There is no great conspiracy to kill the electric car. No, oil companies aren't for them but they can't stop them. What will stop them (atleast for a while) is the market. It is hard to sell someone an electric car that can only go 40 miles on a charge. Or an electric gas hybrid that gets 20% better mileage but costs 40% more money. When they become economically feasable they will happen. The cost of the technology will come down and the cost of oil will go up. Eventually it will be cheaper to be green.