Miles Per Gallon Challenge

[Diesel Dave]

Apart from my diesel Enfield, I also run a '72 Honda C90 also known as Cub 90 in certain parts of the globe.

The newer version of this classic Cub is the Honda Innova 125, it's latest iteration is this bike has fuel injection and is gaining a reputation for remarkable MPG figures.

One member of the Cub riding group has just completed his 1000 mile milestone, well 1086 miles actually for a total of 28.67 litres of fuel. That's a figure of 172.28 MPG (Imperial), not far away from my 180 MPG on Sluggy.

As the cost of diesel has now reached GBP 1.29 against an unleaded price of 1.12; therefore the difference in cost of the fuel at todays pumps is just GBP 1.40 (about 2 bucks). The Innova also has a full chainguard so saved most of the lube that I've used.

I just wish Honda would use some of their extensive R&D into diesels on a bike!

Regards
Dave

[chevy43]

I have a CT Trail 90 here in Santa Cruz Ca. It gets about a 100 miles to a US gallon at 45mph.

Theas guys did 200 to 470 mpg at 60 mph back in the early '80s. I'm going to try to build a fairing for myself.

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG ... 0Main.html

[Dan J]

Dave... I agree that the Innova MPG is relatively impressive. However... Sluggy's engine is pulling a whole load more weight about (no offence, it is the bike I'm talking about) - a "proper" motorbike. The Innova's engine would never shift it! The Innova is a very small bike in this day and age - something that quite surprised me when I went to look at one with commuting in mind. What's worse is that the Innova isn't the hardy little bike the C and Cubs were - it is made on the cheap in countries like Thailand where identical machines are sold for half what we'd pay for them - engine apart they're certainly not built with longevity in mind. I think it's a real shame and I honestly believe although they have their place they're not an "honest" replacement for the Cub.

What some of those here might be quite amazed to know is that both the Honda C50/C90 *and* the Honda SuperCub are both still manufactured and sold in large numbers. Japan, a country obsessed with the latest technologies and the drive for technical advancement still purchase C and Cub bikes for the simplicity and longevity. The rest of the world gets the Innova, Japan still has the C and Cub bikes. Although the C50/SuperCub 50 bikes are now starting to be fitted with fuel injection the carb based C90 and SuperCub 90 are *exactly* as you'd have bought them back in the 70s/80s/90s here/the US/in Europe.

When clicking on the following links, don't install the language packs and tell IE (if that's what you use) not to ask for them again.

Top bike C90, lower one SuperCub
http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/sup ... index.html

Top two bikes C50, lower one SuperCub
http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/sup ... index.html

The general master link - have a look around...
http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/

Quite surprising huh? What's sad is no-one at all imports them as I think they'd still find a good few sales amongst those who know them for what they are - honest, reliable transport that will rattle on forever.

I appreciate this is a diesel forum and I realise I am getting off topic (I'll maybe think to start an MPG thread shortly!) but just thought some would find the above of interest...

[Diesel Dave]

Hi Dan,

I'll confess to having a '72 C90 in the garage, poo coloured, so I have a soft spot for them.

I believe there is also a mini-cub in the Japaneese market with 14" wheels for those riders of limited stature.

Whilst I'd agree that they are small and light, I don't think it makes them less of a motorcycle, I'm pretty sure they have carried more weight, and travelled more miles them any other design.

Have a squiz at You Tube for Cub 90 stuff and theres guys who have toured Europe, crossed the Mellau Viaduct, Toured Norway etc.

Anyhoo I'm off to the Rhayader show in Wales mid July so that's 205 miles each way plus the rideout of 70 miles.....with camping gear all on the 90.