[Ducati] 900 gas mileage test, and gardeners with attitudes.

[kevink38 at comcast.net]

Don't say bad things about bikers (see below)

Just tried a little experiment with the 900
After averaging 33-34 mpg with standard riding (not too aggressive, but enjoying the engine's capabilities), I tried running a tankful always with gentle throttle (except when avoiding dangerous cagers), and staying in higher gears.
With higher gear more sedate riding, I got 3 mpg. Of course, as with all good science, I'll have to repeat this (a nice ABAB design). If this is real, throttle and gearing can bring more than 10% increase in gas mileage.

Don't say bad things about bikers.
When I visited my girlfriend at the community garden yesterday, she told me that others there made disparaging remarks about motorcycles as I approached (before they knew it was her boyfriend). I asked her how they got to the garden? Bicycles? Okay, then. Volvos, or trucks, or SUVs? Shut up.

PPS Okay, the next experiment is to try to get the Alazzurra up to 50 mpg while keeping decent performance (for a hobnail 22 year old 650, that is, and I'm not talking about handling)