HONDA DCT ADV-X, Forza and NC750X 745CC / 750CC Bike

 

Shopping for highway worthy adventure bikes,  and Honda makes several similar bikes for this market.  Which one should I get?

 

Honda ADV-X (745cc) -  NT$ 498,000

Honda Forza (745cc)  - NT$ 475,000

Honda NC750X (745cc) - NT$ 398,000

 

All these models are equipped with automatic dual clutch transmission. The engine is great with low end torque and excellent fuel efficiency. They are not designed for high revving, racing applications, which is OK with me.

 

Honda NC750X offers the most traditional styling, with the exception of the fuel tank location. With a lockable front storage space large enough for a full face mask is a very nice feature.  The side saddle and rear seat storage box can be added while maintaining the traditional look.  The shortcoming includes the access to the fuel cap when the rear seat is strapped with luggage.   The foot rest is fixed as a pedestal only.  The instrument panel is a mono-chrome LCD display.   TFT color display on Forza is much nicer.  

As the model name implies, it should offer average off-road capability.

Honda Forza has the typical big-big scooter.  Its design is more suitable for paved road, urban riding only. The color TFT instrument panel, and the very comfortable seating are two biggest advantages.  Straddling with saddlebags makes the bike look weird.  Without them, Forza looks very comfortable for two people on highway cruising.

 

Honda ADV-X seems to strike the balance of NC off-road capability and functionality comfort of Forza. Could it be a bike that neither excels in urban nor adventure use?

COVID Booster Shot - is it necessary

 What are significant differences between COVID-19 virus and the seasonal influenza virus? 

We were told to get flu shot every year, because the influenza virus mutates, or “drift” over time.  The scientists are developing yearly formulated vaccine to counter projected on the “mutated” virus. 

So far, the major COVID-19 vaccine development was designed for the original virus out of Wuhan China.  18 months since the vaccine development, and 12 months since FDA approval on the emergency use authorization, COVID-19 has evolved, mutated, and drifted into significant variants.   

 

We were told flu shot vaccine from last year don’t work well with this year influenza virus.  It is not surprised that the original COVID-19 vaccine isn’t working as well against covid 19 beta gamma delta with each of mutation; and the first-generation vaccine showing decline efficacy over each mutation. 

 

So, when does the original vaccine become irrelevant against 4th, 5th mutated virus? When does getting booster shoot will have an advantage from contracting virus over simply maintaining social distancing and good hand washing and broad acceptance of masking? 

We have more people died this year than the time when we don’t have vaccine. Why CDC and scientist won’t publish or conduct any study in this regard? Why 60-70% of vaccinated population don’t slow down the spread? 

 

Why? 

Why CDC don’t talk about covid therapeutics drugs on treating COVID-19? 

When CDC don’t talk about young adult experience more serious side effect and death from vaccination, while voted to vaccinate young children for pharma company profit  

Why FDA is allowing Pfizer to withhold vaccinated data for 50 years? Is there something we shouldn’t know? 

Why don’t we have updated vaccine like we have on the influenza? Why FDA isn’t approving anymore new drug? 

Many people have reservation on this new type of vaccination - I.e. m-RNA.  I don’t want to inject myself more of this type of vaccine while Pfizer hides the medical results for 50 years.  Maybe we could be off with continuation of social distancing, masking, hand washing and topping off the flight with early therapeutic drugs.  

 

 

  

 

 

Bought a used 2011 MDX, - the process of $5,000 to "zero out" the maintenance hours

 

For typical DIY, starter, there is a list of  check list items

FLUIDS  M-210 ; L-000  (T-210)
▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ 

☼ Oil change  and oil filter change  (M-25)

☼ Transmission drain and refill  3 times.  Use compatible on first drain and refill, and Honda fluid on 2nd and 3rd refill (M-20, M-35, M-35)

☼ Transfer case, the gear oil (M-10)

☼ Rear Differential fluid (M-30)

☼ Brake fluid change (M-25)

☼ Power Steering fluid change (M-30)

ENGINES   M-525 ; PL-625 (T-1,150)
▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ 

☼ Spark plugs change (M-50)

☼ Engine Coolant Change (M-25)

☼ Timing service, including water pump, and serpentine belt changes (M-450,  Pro-Labor -625)

OTHER SERVICABLE ITEMS  (T-170)
▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ 

☼ Engine Air filter (M-15)

☼ Cabin Air filter (M-15)

☼ Front, driver/passenger windshield wipers (M-25)

☼ Rear windshield wipers  (M-15)

☼ Battery, new/Maybe (M-100)

WHEELS AND SUSPENSION  (T=3,250)
▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ ▀▀ 

☼ Spare tires, 10 years old - dry rots (M-140)

☼ New sets of tires, 255/R55-19, and new pressure sensors (M-1260)

☼ Sway bar - links and bushings (M-100 ;  Pro-Labor ; 150)

☼ Front brakes serving (Rotor, and brake pads) - (M120 ; Pro-Labor 130)

☼ Rear brake == assuming it is in good condition  (M-0, Pro-Labor 0)

☼ Rear suspension = shocks (M-150; Pro-Labor 100)

☼ Front suspension = structs/spring combo (M-700 ; Pro-Labor -300)

☼ Wheel alignment = Pro-Labor 100

2011 ACURA MDX MPG - Real life fuel efficiency after 150,000 miles

The published MDX MPG has a rating of 16 MPG in the City and 21 MPG.  What is real life fuel efficiency after 150,000 miles?

Here are some MPG data with various driving conditions:

1. Lots of stop and go urban driving.  (16 MPG)

2. Going through hills, up and down at 75-80 mph (16 MPG); at 70 MPH improves efficiency (18 MPG)

3. Urban mix driving, 50% highway, 50% stop-n-go driving achieves 17 MPG

4. Excessive highway speed, 80 MPH or with impeding traffic flow. (18 MPG)

5.  Urban highway speed at 65-75 mph; heavy traffic flow, lots of speed changes (20 MPG)

6. Constant "relaxed" flat highway speed at 75 mph; light traffic flow  (22 MPG)

7. Constant "relaxed" flat highway speed at 65-70 mph; without heavy traffic flow  (24 MPG)

BLM

 There is a white house at the end of road.

The White house is located on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC.

We believe black live matter, all lives matter.

Do you support the Back Live Matter? 

Do you support all (black) live matter movement.

Do we, media, politician CARE  to make a distinction between Black Live Matte (organization) and black live matter (cause)?

Walking, Jogging at the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy

This is my walking trail map at the Phil Hardberger Park.  Usually there is more foot traffic at the East side of the park, but the West side offers  more natural paths (non-paved, or prepped surfaces).   I like the West side a bit more than the East side because of small elevation changes and longer trail.

Harbor Freight Tools - Free stuff with purchase

Expires on 5/04/19 Free with any purchase 3 1 0 5 8 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 ▬ 20% 5/04/19 3 1 0 5 8 4 8 6 0 1 0 1 ▬ Flash light, round - black 3 1 0 7 2 6 6 2 0 1 0 1 ▬ AA/AAA Heavy Duty Battery 3 1 0 7 1 5 8 3 0 1 0 1 ▬ 4 in 1 Screw Driver 4/20/19 4 7 5 3 0 5 3 0 0 1 1 2 ▬ 4" magnetic parts holder 3/31/19 1 9 5 0 8 1 2 6 ▬ Microfiber Cleaning cloth 12"x12" 

Robert Reich and Popular Vote System

Robert Reich posted a new video.

While we resist Donald Trump, we also need to make sure our democracy doesn't ever again elect a candidate who loses the popular vote. We must make the electoral college irrelevant. And we can. This week Connecticut became the latest state to push for a popular vote system. More states must join. Please help spread the word.


Dumb move; 

Democrats will loose even more electoral college. Trump will start to camping big Blue like California and New York NJ, He can easily get 5% ( 2 millions) more votes and still loosing big in these states. Then those 10-15 already BLUE states passing this popular votes law will be required to vote "RED" in electoral college because Trump wins the national popular vote. RED States respect State rights, they are not going to buy in the proposed "popular vote" scheme.

Do Democrats want to guarantee Republican White House for a few more decade?

2002 MDX Towing MPG

The testedvehicle has 252,500 to 263,500 miles during the test period.  The vehicle does not have extra equipment added to improve towing performance.

The 3 test configurations were:
 (1) No trailer; loaded with estimated 500 lb cargo
 (2) 4x8 enclosed U-Haul trailer.  The basic empty weight of the trailer is about 850 lbs, and it was loaded with estimated 900 lbs cargo. The total weight 1,750 lbs
(3) 5x9 open utility U-Haul trailer.  The basic empty weight of the trailer is about 1,200 lbs, and it was loaded with estimated 700 lbs cargo.  The total weight 1,900 lbs


There are 3 types of resistance forces acting on  a moving vehicle, i.e. aerodynamic drag, rolling drag, and hill/grading drag.  For a given vehicle traveling at the same speed, flat terrain with no wind or little wind conditions, the only variable will be the rolling resistance.  From many of  Caterpillar RV/Truck design handbooks; the rolling resistance is typically proportion to the total vehicle weight.   One (1) HP can overcome. about 650 lbs of rolling drag. So, the difference in these test configuration would only had contributed approximately 3 HP difference. Therefore -the majority of  HP requirement differences will be attributed by aerodynamic drag, and grading drag.

In this first test data set:at 70 mph, flat and no wind condition.
  (1) No trailer configuration - 21 mpg
  (2) With enclosed trailer - 17 mpg
  (3) with open trailer - 12.5 mpg

At 70 mph - 21 mpg =  3.33 gallon / hr;
17 mpg =  4.11 gallon /hr and
12.5 mpg = 5.6 gallon /hr

At 70 mph, 21 mpg, the engine generates 57 HP, assuming  1 gallon of gas/hour produces 17 HP.
For the enclosed 4x8 trailer, it saw an increase of  0.78 gallon/hr fuel consumption.It translates into a 13 HP of trailer drag. For the 5x9 open trailer, the fuel consumption increased to about 2.27 gallon /hour.  That translates into a 39 HP of  open trailer drag.

The rolling resistance of 4,700 lb vehicle and a 1,900 lb trailer is about 6,600 lbs.  The rolling drag will be around 9 to 10 HP.  The calculated aerodynamic drag for the vehicle was about 47 to 50 HP.

The significance of this set of data reveals that the open 5x9 trailer generates 80% more drag. Even enclosed 4x8 trailer with long tow bar (big gap between trailer and tow vehicle),  this configuration only generates 26% more drag.


From the second test data set, traveling:at 70 mph
  (1) With enclosed trailer - 15 mpg  at flat and 5 (0 to 10) mph wind condition. 4.66 gallon/hr
  (2) With enclosed trailer - 17 mpg  at flat and no wind condition.  4.11 gallon /hr

The difference of 0.55 gallon/hr fuel burn due to head wind  will require additional 9 to 10 HP. Theoretically, the drag force is proportional to the 3rd power.  Traveling at 70 mph with 5 mph wind vs  traveling at 70 mph no wind would translate  into 23% more drag.   The theoretical HP requirement calls for 47-50 HP * 123% =  60 HP.  The test result and theoretical calculation of fuel efficiency were the same.


Conclusion:
The rolling resistance, or vehicle weight isn't a big issue, the aerodynamics is.  Having heavier vehicle due to added aerodynamic treatment is a better solution than focusing on the weight only.  If a vehicle is constantly traveling in 3% graded plus area, then the priority should be on reducing the vehicle weight.