Ride Maxi scoot / Fuel Economy test

[MrGrumpy]

There was a test of the TMax/C600/Integra & Burgman 650 in a recent edition of Ride magazine, but its the usual bike mag utter garbage - containing complaints about 'small wheels' and the feet forward riding position was too weird and meant that they 'couldn't feel the front wheel'.

However, of slightly more interest is a series of economy tests they've been running, on a consistent 40 mile road loop covering a Dual Carriageways, towns, A & B roads, using the same rider. The latest one to be tested was the BMW C650GT, which achieved a surprisingly high 71.4mpg, which is only a bit fewer than the Honda N700X at 75.7mpg - presumably the manual version. This compares with the TMax mk4 with 63.4mpg - not a bad figure itself. Most tests I've read have found the BMWs very slightly thirstier than the TMax. Interestingly, the Integra only got 65.5mpg - only a couple more than the Tmax but 10 less than its sister N700X. This suggests that maybe the Honda DCT transmission isn't as efficient as we thought!

[poldark]

Which is also consistent with reports on the NC Forum (DCT poorer MPG).

[Deleted User 796]

I'd be interested to see a test with the DCT bikes - one test using DCT fully auto and one using only manual paddle shift. It might show if it's the ecu making poor choices or an inherent "feature" of DCT bikes.

There was a test of the TMax/C600/Integra & Burgman 650 in a recent edition of Ride magazine, but its the usual bike mag utter garbage - containing complaints about 'small wheels' and the feet forward riding position was too weird and meant that they 'couldn't feel the front wheel'

Twats. Not everyone wants an uncomfortable crotch rocket to be used for two weeks in the summer with matching race leathers (with additional pouch for middle age spread). It says a lot about their riding skill if they weren't comfortable riding a relatively low power bike that's incredibly easy to balance.

[MrGrumpy]

I

Twats. Not everyone wants an uncomfortable crotch rocket to be used for two weeks in the summer with matching race leathers (with additional pouch for middle age spread). It says a lot about their riding skill if they weren't comfortable riding a relatively low power bike that's incredibly easy to balance.

I think that basically it wasn't uncomfortable enough for them....

[MrGrumpy]

I'd be interested to see a test with the DCT bikes - one test using DCT fully auto and one using only manual paddle shift. It might show if it's the ecu making poor choices or an inherent "feature" of DCT bikes.

I'd be surprised if the ECU would make that much difference - the computers are normally quite good at making decisions - better than humans some times! Also, the DCT standard Drive mode is (I've read) quite conservative, being very keen to get into top gear ASAP, which sounds like it ought to be economical. A back to back test of a 700X with manual manual transmission vs DCT manual vs DCT Drive mode vs DCT Sport mode should cover all the bases!!!

[kayz1]

I'd be interested to see a test with the DCT bikes - one test using DCT fully auto and one using only manual paddle shift. It might show if it's the ecu making poor choices or an inherent "feature" of DCT bikes.

There was a test of the TMax/C600/Integra & Burgman 650 in a recent edition of Ride magazine, but its the usual bike mag utter garbage - containing complaints about 'small wheels' and the feet forward riding position was too weird and meant that they 'couldn't feel the front wheel'

Twats. Not everyone wants an uncomfortable crotch rocket to be used for two weeks in the summer with matching race leathers (with additional pouch for middle age spread). It says a lot about their riding skill if they weren't comfortable riding a relatively low power bike that's incredibly easy to balance.

From my use of my ugly scoot NC700d Integra,, if i stick to all speed limits and ride in auto mode i get 81mpg..
if i ride in sport mode that drops to arounf 64mpg if i ride in manual mode i get around 70 mpg..
hope that helps..ps: on 3 thou miles now.

[MrGrumpy]

From my use of my ugly scoot NC700d Integra,, if i stick to all speed limits and ride in auto mode i get 81mpg..
if i ride in sport mode that drops to arounf 64mpg if i ride in manual mode i get around 70 mpg..
hope that helps..ps: on 3 thou miles now.

Interesting....one suspects the Ride rider used Sport mode! Even 64 is pretty good. I was getting 56 out of the Tmax mk3 during the summer, and the mk4 is allegedly more efficient than the mk3, so the mk4 might get to 60mpg - but not to 70 or 80, unless you ride very carefully....

[Jedburgh]

I'm on 60mpg on my Mk 4 at the moment - running in.

[Data]

The DCT transmission and ECU are most likely in learning mode for the first 2-3k miles. Same as auto cars. The ECU tries to learn how you ride and adjusts a software baseline accordingly. This process controls not just the gear changes but the engine fuel and ignition mapping. It can make a noticeable difference on cars and I suspect bikes that have auto boxes (DCT type) too. Ultimately, if some one isn't that good at economy riding in the early days of the bikes life, it won't give best mpg's later either. Just like the new auto cars. It can be reset by the dealer to start the learning process over again however. Remember too that you need to take these figures being published with a pinch of salt. They are only an indication of what each bike is doing with that rider onboard. With YOU onboard it might be completely different, riding styles being different, weight and weather conditions etc. I don't know when the tests were conducted but remember we are on winter petrol now and it knocks off about 5%-7% in fuel economy as winter petrol has a very slightly lower calorific value and "starting sniffers" added which alters the way the fuel burns. This equals lower mpg's. I always find scooter tests in a Motorcycle magazines such fun! They have no idea what scooters are about have they? It won't hit 140mph, so it's no good!! They just don't get it! One things for sure, if more motorcycle riders tried a maxi of whatever breed, I'm sure scooter sales would soar even more.

[MrGrumpy]

. Ultimately, if some one isn't that good at economy riding in the early days of the bikes life, it won't give best mpg's later either. Just like the new auto cars.
I don't know when the tests were conducted but remember we are on winter petrol now and it knocks off about 5%-7% in fuel economy as winter petrol has a very slightly lower calorific value and "starting sniffers" added which alters the way the fuel burns.

Riding style? Well, thats me screwed....
The economy tests were carried out all through 2012, so some will have been in winter, some in 'summer'. The C650GT test was one of the last, so must have been in colder weather, so an even more surprising figure. I thought that the drop off in fuel economy in the winter was that since the air was cooler, more fuel was needed to maintain the exact required fuel / air proportions. Of course, only FI systems can monitor this very carefully, in the old days of carbs, presumably one setting was it for all time!