The Pulse Motorcycle

[Mighty Mira]

Originally Posted by The Toecutter

Anyone know the Cd of the Bede car?

If you read up on it (the car, not the pulse), you will find that it used a fan that blew out the back.

I suspect why they never tested it on the road is that it threw up everything lying on the road at cars behind them, and realized that it was never going to work. The problems with sucking from the top were that there was a need for a rear view mirror and also the associated lift problem, and it was quietly shelved.

Not sure what the Cd of the thing was, but it solved the rear turbulence thing that the boattail solves by blowing air out the back.

It was also very, very loud.

[GasSavers_civicminded]

I remember that Pulse "autocycle" ! That thing is an awesome concept, I really find it discouraging that there wasn't more of a public reception of it as a practical commuter than there was.

[kickflipjr]

I saw a pulse on ebay before. I think to was $6,000 or $10,000. What a crazy car/bike/spaceship.

[Mighty Mira]

Originally Posted by civicminded

I remember that Pulse "autocycle" ! That thing is an awesome concept, I really find it discouraging that there wasn't more of a public reception of it as a practical commuter than there was.

Well, over 300 sold, which is not bad considering that he was a private outfit and not a huge corporate behemoth that can afford to have dealerships in every town and saturation TV, magazine and newspaper advertising. I'm surprised he sold that many, to be honest.

[GasSavers_civicminded]

Good point Mighty Mira, I do see what you are saying. And yes, for a private and very small organization, 300 is actually pretty good.

What I guess I'm more surprised at is that there was no response from the large-scale automotive manufacturers to provide a similar concept to the public. Politics and profits ruin many grand ideas I suppose.

[WisJim]

Have you seen the page about the old Vetter mileage contest for motorcycles?
470mpg on a road loop, intended to mimic "real" driving conditions. And that was back in 1985.
http://www.craigvetter.com

I think that the fairing used on the cycle is still available, but would require a bit of work to adapt to a cycle.

[ZugyNA]

Just saw 2 of the Pulse cars(?) today...guy was rebuilding them for a show this year.

[Sludgy]

Originally Posted by theclencher

Anyone remember GMs "Lean Machine"?

Here's a link:

http://www.3wheelers.com/gmlean.html

The good mileage formula is simple:

Low mass body + small engine + aerodynamic design = high mileage. It's been known since early in the history of the automobile.