That's a myth, and a damn sad one at that.

-Stoic Joker (August 02, 2013, 09:49 PM)

  Sorry, you can't argue with physics.  It's a scientific known that you can only get X amount of power out of a gallon of gasoline.  Most of the energy in a car is wasted in the form of heat, then there's friction and other factors (a bunch of factors).  Sure you can use a lot of technology and get superb power and economy, but just look at the price of those Mustangs and you'll figure out why they cost so damned much.  (BTW, I just sold a 70 Boss 351 Mustang).  So most car manufacturors either go for fuel economy or power.  Then they put out one or two that has both but at one hell of an expensive price tag, the tech cost money.

  Take a look at the cage that surrounds the Elio, your not going to get crunched unless someone hits you at an extremely high speed.  Even a tank will come apart if something hits it fast enough.  I've been hit on my bike too, in fact, that's why I no longer have my GSXR 1100, some 15 year old teeny-bopper gal ran over me, and I do mean OVER ME.  I had the tire imprints on my ass to prove it.  Sorry, but I'll take the cage over nothing any day.

  My GSXR was geared low, I think first gear had the highest ratio of all the gears, up to 60 mph.  Seconds gear only got me up to 90.

  I've had performance cars all my life, mostly 70 Mustangs.  I also have a heavy foot, I don't take five minutes to get up to 60 like most grandpa's.  lol  In fact, I hate getting behind those slow ass grandpa's, which is why I bought a turbocharged performance car, very little patience.   8)

  The only reason the Elio is classified as a motorcycle is because it only has 3 wheels.  It's actually a motorcycle/car hybrid, which makes it that much more unusual, and good looking at the same time.  If you read Elio's biography, you'll see the idea behind the Elio is a car that gets ultimate gas mileage and can be afforded by all, can even be bought with a credit card.  I can afford just about anything I want, but I fell in love with the Elio for it's style and super gas mileage to top it off.  If I should decide that I want more umph out of it, I'll just slap on a turbocharger.....   :P

Sorry, I can't let this one slip by...jet engines are by definition rotory engines, are they not?

Ok, serious now. Diesel develops small 'clouds' of substance when it is really cold. On high altitudes it is actually really really cold. Diesel in liquid form is a good fuel, solid not so much. I had once a subaru car with rotary engine. That car was neither fast or fuel efficient. A rotary engine is a piece of technology where theory never meets practice, i'm afraid.

-Shades (August 02, 2013, 06:26 PM)

  No no, jet engines and rotary engines are two different animals.  Rotary engines are more closely related to piston engines, but instead of pistons it has chambers, 3 to be exact, and are ignited with spark plugs just like a piston engine.  They're pretty neat engines that put out a lot of torque.  Back in the 70's when they first appeared in Mazda's they were a hit, but apparently there was too many problems with them, they wore out too fast.  I never knew they came out in Subaru's.

  Jet engines put out contrails at high altitude, so I don't know how diesel would be any different.  Diesel and JP5 jet fuel are pretty closely related.  With modifications you can run JP5 in a diesel engine and visa-versa, but jet fuel has a little more bang to it than diesel.  I have never heard of solid diesel, you'll have to clue me in on that one.  :tellme:

Um... I hate to be harsh, but... a 1970 Dodge Challenger would do 0-60 in 7.0. So for something that is classified as a motorcycle ... That is slow.

-Stoic Joker (August 02, 2013, 06:09 PM)

  Physics being what they are, you have a choice between economy or speed.  The Elio is built for super economy, safety and reliability.  Even then, a 2010 Harley Sportster 883 Iron, which is a performance bike, does 0 -60 in 6.6 seconds.  The Elio is only 3 seconds slower and get's about 33 more MPG.
Now lets add some more facts:
  Inside an Elio on a 105 degree day the temp will be, well...how cold do you want it to be?  Just set the dial on the temp knob.  On a motorcycle, 105 degrees + ever how much engine heat your getting.
  In an Elio, get hit from the side or back.  Front and/or side airbags deploy and the steel cage protects you.  Motorcycle..... you go "Crunch".
  An Elio in the winter, say 17 degrees F.  How warm do you want it inside the Elio?  Just set the heat dial.  Motorcycle......17 degrees F.  Your privates are now turning blue.
  In an Elio, pouring down rain outside.  Inside the Elio, nice dry and warm.  Motorcycle.... wet and cold, even with wet weather gear.
  The list could go on and on, not to mention not having to wear a helmet, but I think you get the picture.....

  I've been on bikes all my life.  My last motorcycle was a Suzuki GSXR1100G with a Vance & Hines Stage 3 Kit and V&H Competition Only exhaust.  It did 0 - 60 in 1.9 seconds in first gear and had a top end of 160 mph.  I've wanted another bike and came close to buying a Harley several times.  But because of my disability I would probably dump the bike as soon as I came to a stop.  Then I was going to buy a Can-Am 3 wheeler, don't have to worry about dropping it, but then have to put up with the weather conditions, and with the drugs I'm on I don't do heat very well, to the point of throwing up and going in shock.
  Then my step-dad, that lives close to the Elio factory, called and told me about the Elio.  I started digging into all the info and fell in love.  Now I'm just waiting for mine to roll out of the factory, FULLY LOADED!