CALGARY — Some people are fuel economy junkies.
For them, keeping track of their mileage and gasoline consumption in real-world driving conditions becomes an obsession.
Glen Barreth, the semi-retired dealer principle of Big 4 Motors (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram) in Calgary isn’t quite a fanatic. But he says he’s always kept track of his fuel economy, regardless of the vehicle, just for fun.
Someone who is a fanatic about fuel economy is the legendary Craig Vetter. Anyone who is familiar with motorcycles will recall the Vetter name. In 1966, Vetter designed and constructed his first motorcycle fairing.
In 1972, Vetter launched the Windjammer fairing. Meant to be universal, the Windjammer could be added to just about any make or model of motorcycle. The entire theory behind the fairing was to make a motorcycle more aerodynamic, thereby increasing both rider comfort and fuel efficiency.
Vetter sold his fairing company in 1978, but he’s remained an enthusiast of streamlined two-wheel designs to help increase fuel economy.
To further understand the importance of streamlining, he set up the Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge. Between 1980 and 1985, Vetter and others participated in building machines that they thought could achieve the greatest fuel economy.
These creations were then driven/ridden over a set course – mostly all on public highways in the Western United States – to prove their mettle in real-world conditions.
In 1985, aboard a streamlined Honda XL 125 motorcycle, Matzu Matsuzawa achieved 470 mpg. Then, Vetter stopped holding the contests. Twenty-five years later, however, in 2011, Vetter resumed the challenge.
According to his website at craigvetter.com, of the new Vetter Challenge, he says, “The goals are a little different. Measuring the winner is a little different. (But) the goal is still to do more with less. This is racing for the right reasons.”
This year, the Vetter Challenge was held Oct. 11 in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
And fuel economy-minded Glen Barreth was there.
“I’ve always liked Vetter fairings, and I stumbled across his site three or four years ago,” Barreth says. “I started following what was going on with the Vetter Challenge, and became increasingly interested.”
Barreth decided to dip his toe in the water, and last year bought a 2011 Royal Enfield G5 motorcycle. It’s a fuel-inected, 500cc single-cylinder machine, and Barreth has added a small handlebar-mounted fairing and installed rearset footrests so he could adapt a lower fairing to fit the motorcycle.
“Vetter says the goal is to develop machines that can go 70 mph into a 30 mph headwind, carry a useful load and be the first choice of transportation of all (the cars or motorcycles) that might be parked in your garage,” Barreth explains.
Part of the challenge is to load four bags of groceries within 45 seconds, and maintain their upright position, as each fuel economy machine takes to the highway for a pre-determined distance. This year, the route went from San Luis Obispo to Salinas, and was scheduled to be between 125 and 170 miles (200 to 274 km) long.
For Barreth to carry the groceries, he hauled a single-wheel Inder brand trailer behind the bike.
To create a rather simple form of airstreaming, Barreth covered the back of the motorcycle and the trailer hitch with a flexible yet sturdy plastic shroud.
Barreth purchased the Royal Enfield with 900 km on the clock, and he’s spent the last few months putting on nearly 3,000 more.
“I’ve been averaging about 2.9 to 3.0 L/100 km, which is roughly 70 to 75 mpg (U.S.),” Barreth says. “I think I’m in for some stiff competition, and I’m not expecting to win. But, I think it will be fun to meet Vetter, go on the (Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge) ride, and see what the whole routine is about.”
At the time of writing, Barreth’s results were unknown.
“It’s just a fun thing at this point, and I’ll wait to see if I decide to take this any further. Plus,” he laughs, “this is part of my semi-retirement transition process.”
Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have an auto related item to share for the column or What’s Next? Contact him at 403-287-1067 or gregwilliams@shaw.ca. Visit his website at gregwilliams.ca
