Vetter had been creating his Vetter "Windjammer" fairings for some years before the Streamliner was designed, and created the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge to heighten interest in aerodynamic-conscious design. Vetter's objective was to surpass the economy of the 1980 mileage contest winner, a conventional Harley-Davidson with tall gearing.[1][2]
The Streamliner was built around a Kawasaki KZ250 custom touring bike,[1][3] with foot controls moved to the front. In contest conditions the machine achieved 108 miles per US gallon (46km/L)[1] (125 mpg in best-case conditions[4]), versus the manufacturer's claimed 80 miles per US gallon (34km/L) for the original, unfaired model.[5]
Vetter now considers more than 8–10hp overpowered, and has said that selecting an engine with the appropriate power output is "critical" for mileage contests.[6][7]
Influence on industry and legacy
Vetter's streamliner is credited with "inspiring others to push the limits of motorcycle fuel economy",[1] with many other entrants in his mileage challenge and one electric motorcycle modeled after Vetter's original.[8]
Vetter also created a fairing for a downhill skateboard speed contest in 1978 which bore the name "Vetter Streamliner".[9] It was featured in a 1978 CBS Sports Spectacular broadcast from Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.[10]
↑Nick Goddard (February 15, 2013), Craig Vetter on Living Better on Less Energy, Hell for Leather online magazine, archived from the original on February 18, 2013, retrieved April 11, 2013
