Price of gas
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 176
From: Chandler, AZ
Biggest thing driving up the price is people buying oil futures, they see it as the safe investment just like they saw real estate being a safe investment and poured all their $$ in to that. There exists enough oil on the planet to last another 500 years or so (not that it'd be a good idea to keep burning it) so the illusion of running out of oil in our lifetime is just that, an illusion. 5-10 yrs from now we will be looking back on the oil bubble just like we did the real estate bubble.
As long as interest rates stay low the dollar is going to get weaker and weaker. Since oil is priced in dollars, it's just going to go up and up. It's not that the value of the oil is going up (or that house values were or gold, etc...) it's the dollar going down that is driving it. Welcome to our third world economy...
If they raised interest rates it would certainly put the hurt on a lot of people, but it would encourage saving, financial responsibility and foreign investments in the U.S. That would bring the dollar's strength back.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
It is true that the dollar has been sinking like a stone, but there's a lot more behind that than interest rates.
It is also true that crude is priced in dollars, but that only explains a fraction of the price hike. Australian dollars are worth twice as many U.S. ones as they were in 2001, yet Reb, who started this thread is paying over $6/gallon for gasoline.
It is also true that crude is priced in dollars, but that only explains a fraction of the price hike. Australian dollars are worth twice as many U.S. ones as they were in 2001, yet Reb, who started this thread is paying over $6/gallon for gasoline.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,455
From: Williamsburg, VA
They have also been asking for years to be allowed to fix the problem. They can't drill anywhere, they can't build refineries, they get shot down every time they try and make gas prices lower.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 204
From: Garden Grove, Ca.
I see these rant threads about gas all over the place. Everyone has a view or idea to the problem but it all boils down to the individuals. The answer is just use less gas. We here on this thread are doing our parts by riding motorcycles. I use mine 4 days a week and my car on Fridays. When I used my car 5 days it used 1 tank. Anywhere from 55.00 to 65.00 ( depending on traffic that week ) per week. With using the bike now it is like 40.00 or under. People who have Pick Ups, SUV's, Hummers etc etc that do not need them directly for work need to stop using these so often. Lower the demand and you will at least save on personal usage. Until we do not need oil altogether we are stuck taking it in the cooly. BTW, In my opinion, To ask the gov to step in and control gas prices is asking them to change the constitution. To me that is opening Pandora's Box. Today gas prices, Tomorrow...Who knows. Just my .02's worth.
JAMES
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 274
From: Toledo, OHIO
Regular hit $4.19 in North West Ohio (we have refineries all over the dam.n place!!)
what realy pisses me off is how EXON pulled in 11.7 BILLION in profiets in ONE QUARTER!! Thats ****.IN $1300 a second!!!!!!!!
what realy pisses me off is how EXON pulled in 11.7 BILLION in profiets in ONE QUARTER!! Thats ****.IN $1300 a second!!!!!!!!
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Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 153
From: Vancouver, WA
I smell an Enron coming up
On Thursday or Friday, I noted the price of gasoline at the Shell station near my work, and on the way home - took note that it had gone up eight cents within eight hours. So it's like $4.17 (Think it was $4.33 or something at the other Shell I passed yesterday) or something for 92 octane fuel when I wanna tank up. I admit, I've skimped a little and put cheap Arco gas in my bird a very small percentage of my flight time in the last several months. However to compensate I've given myself the excuse that now is a good time to run internal combustion cleaner in the fuel as well (Chemtool B12); so whatever.
Back to the point, MSNBC noted the other week that gas has gone up 22% since this time last year. ......I smell an Enron coming up - there's no ******* way. People are going to tell me there's (Lets throw out a very wild idea here...) 22% more demand/value in the market for this stuff this year compared to last and it's cost value is justified? Lets just say there are 22% more drivers on the road this year/22% more in miles Americans are putting down on the road compared to last year? 22% of usage/value is made up by the teenagers who just got their licences and one could say "yes, there are that many more teens on the road driving around this year - and that's considering the percentage of elderly who don't drive anymore". Don't know if that all came out right, but you should get the idea.
I admit that I've drastically cut back on my riding and it's a ***** deal. Since doing my minor mods, I get ~36.5mpg to and from work (~10.5 miles one way - 9+ miles of it is straight shot highway) and only done one highway test run and that came in at ~43mpg something.
I've even done the unthinkable and browsed around online at what a <100cc scooter could do for me as a commuter to and from work on nice days - cause I just don't give a damn about handing over a bunch of my hard earned' to a bunch of people who are already rich.
Back to the point, MSNBC noted the other week that gas has gone up 22% since this time last year. ......I smell an Enron coming up - there's no ******* way. People are going to tell me there's (Lets throw out a very wild idea here...) 22% more demand/value in the market for this stuff this year compared to last and it's cost value is justified? Lets just say there are 22% more drivers on the road this year/22% more in miles Americans are putting down on the road compared to last year? 22% of usage/value is made up by the teenagers who just got their licences and one could say "yes, there are that many more teens on the road driving around this year - and that's considering the percentage of elderly who don't drive anymore". Don't know if that all came out right, but you should get the idea.
I admit that I've drastically cut back on my riding and it's a ***** deal. Since doing my minor mods, I get ~36.5mpg to and from work (~10.5 miles one way - 9+ miles of it is straight shot highway) and only done one highway test run and that came in at ~43mpg something.
I've even done the unthinkable and browsed around online at what a <100cc scooter could do for me as a commuter to and from work on nice days - cause I just don't give a damn about handing over a bunch of my hard earned' to a bunch of people who are already rich.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,110
From: NW North Carolina
Well in the past year we have changed things up dramatically at my home.
Last August, I purchased my 03' Hawk and began commuing on her 99% of the time, winter-summer and all. I went from 16 MPG to 45 MPG. 60 miles commute 5-6 days a week.
This January we traded the wifes Exploder (read LEMON) in for a 08' Honda Accord. She went from 14.5 MPG to 28 MPG average.
Looks like we hit our timing about right. With gas prices were they are now I am saving $50 a week on fuel with my bike. Now I realize that the maint. upkeep is higher on the bike but the thrill of riding everyday would be enough for me to pay extra. I am still saving @ $170 month. Considering that I purchased my bike with 4K miles for $4000, I have not lost any $$ on the investment. That is real $$ to the bottom line.
The wife is saving $300 /month with her car. It got 37 MPG on the way to the beach 2 weeks ago. HURRAY... Yes, we throw the miles on her car. This is just covering her payment. So far it is working out very well for us except when I go somewhere in my truck.
Today after church, my truck was at 1/4 tank. I filled up a 5 gallon gas can for the sons dirt bike and put the remainder of $50 in my tank. Now she is sitting on 1/2 tank. OUCH.... That hurt...
Last August, I purchased my 03' Hawk and began commuing on her 99% of the time, winter-summer and all. I went from 16 MPG to 45 MPG. 60 miles commute 5-6 days a week.
This January we traded the wifes Exploder (read LEMON) in for a 08' Honda Accord. She went from 14.5 MPG to 28 MPG average.
Looks like we hit our timing about right. With gas prices were they are now I am saving $50 a week on fuel with my bike. Now I realize that the maint. upkeep is higher on the bike but the thrill of riding everyday would be enough for me to pay extra. I am still saving @ $170 month. Considering that I purchased my bike with 4K miles for $4000, I have not lost any $$ on the investment. That is real $$ to the bottom line.
The wife is saving $300 /month with her car. It got 37 MPG on the way to the beach 2 weeks ago. HURRAY... Yes, we throw the miles on her car. This is just covering her payment. So far it is working out very well for us except when I go somewhere in my truck.
Today after church, my truck was at 1/4 tank. I filled up a 5 gallon gas can for the sons dirt bike and put the remainder of $50 in my tank. Now she is sitting on 1/2 tank. OUCH.... That hurt...
Last edited by ghopki1; May 25, 2008 at 02:46 PM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
People in China and India are buying cars like crazy increasing the demand for gas. Five months ago a new car, a Tata, was introduced in India with a price of $2500.
Do you know how many people live in China and India? Not that they shouldn't be allowed to buy cars, but its simple supply and demand.
The USA may soon no longer be the number one user of petroleum.
I know its hard, but try to avoid buying products that are made in China.
Do you know how many people live in China and India? Not that they shouldn't be allowed to buy cars, but its simple supply and demand.
The USA may soon no longer be the number one user of petroleum.
I know its hard, but try to avoid buying products that are made in China.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
From: Arlington Heights, IL
Here is a guy with an idea on how to save on fuel costs. I'm not sure if it works or not, but it seems like a minimal investment. By the way I am not associated with this guy or his company. It talks about making not Hydrogen, but HHO, and using the HHO gas into your engine to boost combustion efficiancy, lowering yur actual fuel use, gaining MPG's. Like I said, it sounds interesting, but I don't know if it works or its hocus pocus..
http://www.water4gas.com/2books.htm
http://www.water4gas.com/2books.htm
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 153
From: Vancouver, WA
Here is a guy with an idea on how to save on fuel costs. I'm not sure if it works or not, but it seems like a minimal investment. By the way I am not associated with this guy or his company. It talks about making not Hydrogen, but HHO, and using the HHO gas into your engine to boost combustion efficiancy, lowering yur actual fuel use, gaining MPG's. Like I said, it sounds interesting, but I don't know if it works or its hocus pocus..
http://www.water4gas.com/2books.htm
http://www.water4gas.com/2books.htm
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
Here is a guy with an idea on how to save on fuel costs. I'm not sure if it works or not, but it seems like a minimal investment. By the way I am not associated with this guy or his company. It talks about making not Hydrogen, but HHO, and using the HHO gas into your engine to boost combustion efficiancy, lowering yur actual fuel use, gaining MPG's. Like I said, it sounds interesting, but I don't know if it works or its hocus pocus..
http://www.water4gas.com/2books.htm
http://www.water4gas.com/2books.htm
All he is doing is adding some water to the intake, in WW2 quite a few airplanes would do this on take off for additional power (as water to steam expands greatly) but you don't want to run it all the time as it will remove the oil that the rings run on from the cylinder walls and cause rust in unexpected places etc.
If you designed an engine to run with water injection in mind you would increase the efficiency however the water never burns, it just turns to steam.
There are plenty more sites dedicated to this if you do a quick search on google. eg: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_injection_(engines)
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 31
Just did some calculations and in England at the moment it works out to around $5.27 a gallon! And thats cheap, was a lot higher about a year ago. In July 2008, with the exchange rates as they were and petrol hitting around £1.20 a ltr it worked out to be $7.95 a gallon! - Pretty bad I think you'll agree.
All the best, Joe
All the best, Joe
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