Motorcycle in truck bed-carboard aero?

[cghstang]

I'm delivering my motorcycle to its new owner this weekend and will be making the 650 mile round trip with my uncle's pickup truck. I know i'm going to max out the tire pressure and keep my speed down to maximize mpg. What I'm wondering is if there would be any significant ($) increase in mpg from taping a carboard "ramp" from the roof of the truck to the handlebars of the motorcycle. My initial thought is that any improvement would be negligible.

I drew up a rough sketch in paint (they're one of my favorite parts of this forum:) ) but I think you know what I'm talking about. Like what semis have on the tractor leading up to the higher trailer.

What are your thoughts/ ideas for easy mpg increases?

[SL8Brick]

I'm going to assume that the motorcycle will sit higher than the roof of the cab once its in the bed. If so, your cardboard air deflector would have a positive angle and might buckle under the pressure of the air @ highway speeds. You could make a simple, lightweight wooden frame and staple the cardboard to it which would add some rigidity. Just make sure its fastened down securely...wouldn't want your deflector to become airbourne on the freeway.:eek:

[theclencher]

deflectors work on trailers cuz it helps promote attached airflow down the length of the trailer, NOT cuz it's nice and rampy.

deflector with nothing but aerodirty bike behind likely won't accomplish anything aero, could end up worse via increased frontal area. for 325 miles i wouldn't screw with it

[ELF]

I agree with Clench, I have been hauling dirtbikes in the back of trucks for years, The vehicle speed really makes a difference, also use no accessories like AC ect. Try to use the slow down uphill speed up down hill driving technique.