Top Box and MPG
 

I read on another forum that someone was getting an 2-3mpg increaces in fuel effenency with a top box on their bike so thought I'd try it on my Ten.

Well I'm pleased to say that I seem to be getting similar gains when I have the top box fitted compared to when it's not fitted for the same cruising speed. That works out at about a 5% gain, or reduction in fuel bill on the motorway. It also gives me somewhere to put my helmet if I go to the shops and an option to taking my Kreiga R35 rucksack with me (which I use on the motorway to hold my laptop) :coolsmiley:

At that rate the top box should literally pay for itself in 2 years (50k miles) for me.

Interestingly thats about the same gains as a 14 to 15 tooth change on the front sprocket (which would take about a year/25k miles to cover costs after you include speedo healer in the cost) but without the decreace in acceleration.

The free option of course is to just ride 5mph slower :seasaw:

Interesting result, I would have expected it to do the opposite, given the shape of the thing but I guess that's why I don't work for British Aerospace!

:YellowCrazy_J8GDC6:

The reason I think this happens as it does is the upright seating position creates a lot of drag behind the rider (look at my avatar). The top box fills in an area of this drag where a vacume is created so makes the bike as a whole more aerodynamic.

The box by itself is not aerodynamic but that is not relevant in this situation.

Give McLaren a call and tell em you've found a diffuser for them to rival Brawn and Red Bull!

:icon_thumleft:

glad i read that I had been putting off fitting my box for that very reason now time to put it too the test, although my box is not the s****y Yam one but a cheaper bigger one thats been in my shed for a few years so will hope it also improves my mpg:sbike: i didnt realise sw anky needed to be starred out ! ?