How to get 100 miles per gallon riding an off-road motorcycle
We love getting off the beaten path, whether that means hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking or dirtbiking. Off-road motorcycles, though, are often horrible polluters which guzzle gas at an alarming rate. There are some companies creating electric dirtbikes, but they're still rather expensive. One possible solution to this problem would be to consider a used Honda Trail 90. Honda made these bikes available in the U.S. for many years, and some of our readers undoubtedly have memories of riding them as kids. The same fun you had back then can still be found today, and here's a story to prove that point.
According to the article, the Trail 90 was able to make it up the mountains of California and returned a stellar 100 miles per gallon along the way. Of course, there is more to being green than just sipping gas. If you're concerned with emissions, we would recommend looking for something newer that's EPA-approved for the road. Interestingly, though, many manufacturers use the same exact engine design from Honda in their bikes. Consider the MadAss, which is street-legal and emissions tested. The 50cc version of the bike will likely return gas mileage well over 100 miles per gallon. The 125 should do quite well on gas too, and will offer quite a bit more power if you plan to do any high-speed riding. Commute to work, enjoy the outdoors and save gas money all at the same time. Not a bad deal.
Gallery: Sachs Madass
[Source: Cycle World, Pierspeed]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ryan 6:45PM (2/25/2008)
This looks like it could be a decent deal. I see bikes like this zipping around Japan. If the price is right, I might add one of these to the stable, for some fun summer riding!
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ryan 7:42AM (2/26/2008)
I have been searching the web to find a price on this...seems almost impossible!!! any one have an idea on price?
Furthermore, I currently drive a honda ruckus for my daily commuter and that as well gets 100mpg and looks similar in its Mad Max Ruggedness!!!
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Bman 8:35AM (2/26/2008)
http://www.1977mopeds.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_46&products_id=50
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Ian7 8:41AM (2/26/2008)
They sell these here in Quebec renamed as "Nitro"s for about 2 grand. Still has Sachs on the engine casing. Guy told me they bring in engine and frame, and locally source wheels etc to meet import laws or some nonsense.
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MarkR 10:49AM (2/26/2008)
I'm considering buying one of the bike conversion kits for day's I don't feel like peddling. Much cheaper than the scooter. And I'm not sold on the Idea that the 2 cycle 50cc pollutes more than my truck. I'd have to see a side by side emissions test to believe that. especially after reading this site spooky tooth cycles http://tinyurl.com/2xuunz and how they passed the Arizona emissions test with their 2 cycle engine.
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Whopper 2:16PM (2/26/2008)
When the temp is above 40 and not raining I commute on my Sportster (50 mpg). The quality of driving education in the US is so bad you take your life in your hands on two wheels. Between cell phone talking and texting many car drivers are as bad as if they were drinking. I observed a guy with a newspaper draped over his steering wheel catching glimpses of the paper as he drove on the interstate. By bike is large enough and loud; I wonder if they will "see" you on a little MadAss.
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