The Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge is a motorcycle fuel efficiency contest created in 1980 by motorcycle fairing inventor Craig Vetter. The contest was cited in Vetter's Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction.
The contest initially ran from 1980 to 1985, with the inaugural run from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek, Colorado. After a 25-year break, the contest resumed from 2011 with revised Vetter Fuel Challenge rules allowing for alternative fuel categories and requiring street usability including goods-carrying capability."Vetter Fuel Challenge Goals and Rules" , Craig Vetter's official website. Retrieved 2013-05-27 This is considered a particularly important future need for electric motorcycles like the Zero,"Streamlining the Zero - conceived" , Craig Vetter's official website. Retrieved 2013-05-27."Streamlining the Zero - part 2" , Craig Vetter's official website. Retrieved 2013-05-27. where battery constraints limit usable range, and the need for lengthy recharging cycles at public electrical points punctuates journeys and necessitates careful trip planning.David Herron, "How did Terry Hershner travel 3500+ miles on an electric motorcycle in 6 days?" Torque News, 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2013-05-27
A streamlined motorcycle designed by Charly Perethian with a 185 cc Yamaha motor achieved at the 1983 challenge, and is now displayed in the Smithsonian Institution.
Results Winners by year are tabulated below. Data as published by Craig Vetter at the contest website. All vehicles are full faired streamliners unless noted. Year Location Winner Fuel economyModelNotes 1980 Colorado Springs–Cripple Creek, Colorado 1000 cc Harley-Davidson 1981 Templeton–Cambria, California Honda Passport Matt Guzzetta/Don Vesco "Project 200" streamliner entered, disqualified 1982 San Luis Obispo–Monterey, California 185 cc 1982 Yamaha Vehicle now in Smithsonian 1983 Carmel–Carmel, California 185 cc 1982 Yamaha 1984 Carmel–Carmel Honda XL 125 Record achieved by Dan Hannebrink on first stage 1985 Carmel–Big Sur–Laguna Seca 1980 Honda XL 80 Results from the 2010s can not be directly compared as there was a major rule change that required a minimum cargo capacity and minimum top speed. Additionally, winners were declared by cost spent on pump gas (or electricity), not strictly mileage, significant as there is a mix of motor types.
Craig Vetter hit a deer while riding his stream-lined Honda Helix on August 14, 2015. To help him stay focused on his recovery, volunteers helped coordinate and document the 2015 and 2016 Vetter Challenge Rides in Ohio. Year Location Winner Fuel economyModelNotesSan Luis Obispo Winner (by MPG)/Second place (by fuel cost) Hayes Diesel motorcycle (not streamlined) First public demonstration; bio-diesel Winner (by cost of fuel consumed) Custom Ninja 250-engined trike Carmel Fred Hayes Hayes MD670F2 Diesel motorcycle (semi faired) Lexington, Ohio Max Perethian 1989 Honda NX250 (semi faired) 1982–1983 winner Charly Perethian designed; son rode machineStock bike got 86 mpg on tests before streamlining Las Vegas to Barstow Fred Hayes Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Achieved second place with 143.53 mpg at prior contest Carmel Fred Hayes Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Lexington, Ohio Fred Hayes Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Electric motorcycle entrant had lower cost per mile but did not meet cargo requirement. Las Vegas to Barstow Fred Hayes Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Carmel Fred Hayes Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Lexington, Ohio Fred Hayes Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Lexington, Ohio Alan Smith Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing) Wendover to Tooele, Utah Terry Hershner (winner, cost basis)116.5 watt-hours/mile Zero Motorcycles electric customized with 20 kW-Hr of batteries, and Vetter Fairing80 mph speed limits. 171 mile ride
This was the first time an electric motorcycle was able to complete a Vetter Challenge with the liquid fuel bikes. At all other events, the electric motorcycles lacked range to complete the course with the group and were disqualified from winning the overall lowest fuel cost per mile.
Hershner $.017/mile fuel cost
Hayes $.023/mile fuel cost
Smith $.026/mile fuel cost Alan Smith (winner, pump fuel) Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing) Fred Hayes (winner, alternate fuel [biodiesel]) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) San Luis Obispo to Salinas, CaliforniaVic Valdes (winner, pump fuel and overall)187.0 mpg-USKawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing)$.0176 / mile (winner of pump fuel and overall winner of this event having lowest fuel cost per mile)Terry Hershner (winner, electric)138 watt-hours/mileZero Motorcycles electric (with Vetter fairing - missing windshield and front turret causing higher than normal fuel usage).$.0225 / mileJuly 2015Mike Corbin Appreciation Ride, CaliforniaAlan Smith (winner pump fuel and overall)177.0 mpg-USKawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing)$.0203 / mileTerry Hershner (winner electric)125.4 watt-hours/mileZero Motorcycle Electric (without fairing)$.0219 / mileJuly 2015Lexington, OhioAlan Smith (winner pump fuel)161 mpg - USKawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter Fairing)$.0174 / mileJuly 2016Lexington, OhioVic Valdes (winner pump fuel and overall)187 mpg - USKawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing)$.0110 / mileKraig Schultz (winner electric)92 watt-hours/mileCustom Built Electric with Vetter Fairing from the 1980's with Airplane Canopy$.0126 / mileJuly 2017Lexington, OhioVic Valdes (winner pump fuel and overall)236 mpg - USKawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing)$.0097 / mileVirginia Tech (winner electric)101.9 watt-hours/mileZero Motorcycles Electric (with Vetter fairing and custom tail built by Virginia Tech student team)$.0134 / mile
Pictures of Winning Vehicles:
References
External links