Chinese-Built 60 mpg Wildfire Puts a New Face on Motorcycles

Appears in Print As: A motorcycle in disguise gets 60 mpg

June 2, 2009

The Chinese-built Wildfire is actually a three-wheeled motorcycle with some added coachwork. Perhaps its most noteworthy feature is its 60-mpg rating. There are two versions, a sedan for $7,781 and a delivery truck for $7,160. Each is powered by a 26-hp, 650-cc, water-cooled four-stroke twin engine. A four-speed manual transmission includes reverse. Front and rear drum brakes provide stopping power. Cruising speed is 45 mph, and top speed is 65 mph. The delivery version, which has collapsible bed sides, can carry a 1,000-lb load. The vehicles are street legal in every state except California, a state in which the company has yet to get the vehicles approved and certified.

Comments

Actually, they are street

On June 18th, 2009 powerman (not verified) says:

This is not so great. Back in the 80's we had a little 4 wheeler car called the Chevy Sprint. It was built by Suzuki and had an EPA 49 city and 58 hwy. It actially got 51 city and 65 hwy.
On long trips it could get up to 68mpg. The Honda R600 model that I had in college would get 72mpg hwy but was increadibly small and acceleration was really weak at best. I can not imagine at 26HP this thing can actually climb a hill with that 1000# payload at anything better than maybe first gear. The only car that I remember with a motorcycle sized engine was the Centurion 3 wheel kit car from the 80's and even it could not be registered due to the overwhealming govenment regulations and restriction. It could even accelerate well though it got 125mpg on diesel

reply

That Suburu became the

On June 18th, 2009 Anonymous (not verified) says:

That Suburu became the Chevy Metro in 1990-91, and they quit in 93 because of low sales. My Convertible lived up to your claims, and is the best car I ever owned, still have but has not seen salt. I can't get less than 45 MPG, even with air conditioner going, or at 66 MPH. It got 70 MPG drafting 2 seconds behind a 70 MPH truck, rides smooth, and I cannot see why cars now are far from any better from a cost, mileage, comfort balance.

I just added a Wildfire three weeks ago. It needed to have the air bleed from the brakes, and then a clutch and brakes adjustment , and they are now almost as good as the old Izetta (1960). Both are MOTORCYCLES by law, and the tax man and insurance, AND by noise, ruff ride.
My Wildfire can hit 62 MPH, using GPS as the speedometer is
6 Mph fast. It seems ok at a real 50 to 55 on the expressway,
barely enough to not be a total drag on the market, (I avoid busy times).
It's again in the garage again for a new gas gauge, as I'm either getting 22 mpg, or the tank is undersized; but it came busted.

SO It is not a Honda, nor a Harley, but a fancy motorcycle that is great in the rain, and has a heater and radio..