What is the best motorcycle/scooter for commuting?
 

I have a 17 mile drive on a country road (mostly paved), in Michigan. Looking for something that can go about 50 mph and gets super gas mileage. Any suggestions?

I would check out any of the 250 bikes out there. Unfortunately honda doesn't sell the cb2 125 in the US :(

Kawasaki Eliminator at a steady 50 MPH should get you about 90 MPG.
125 CC andf it will do about 62 max on level ground without a draft.

regards
Mech

Use the search feature, the topic has been discussed few times.

One of the discussion is here http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ers-13784.html

Another (lengthy) discussion, plenty of inspiration here: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...e-mpg-594.html

I used to have a Honda Reflex 250cc. It was a 2006 and 2007 was the last year for them. Got 65mpg mixed freeway and city. 75 mph and 75 mpg with a tail wind!

I second this. An 80-150cc scooter or motorcycle should get you to 50-55 mph and 90-110 mpg. Most 250cc bikes will get in the upper 70's, tops. My Honda Helix got about 65 mpg under similar conditions with an overweight me and slipping drive belt.

Tim

681 miles on my 2006 Eliminator now. Last tank was 90.8 MPG. In most cases I am driving at speeds of 45-50 MPH, unless traffic demands I go faster.

I can feel it getting better as far as power. On the second tank which averaged 86 MPG. I was driving it harder, getting used to the limited power.

If there is no one behind me I drive slower than the speed limit and my shifting is getting much smoother as I learn which gear to use in the turns.

It does take some different strategy driving here since the left turn signals will not usually activate if I am alone at the light. Trying to turn sideways to present a larger image to the cameras to see if it helps with the light activation.

Having lived her for most of my 42 years driving, I know all the back roads and alternate routes through neighborhoods that I rode through 4 decades ago on a bicycle when a teenager could actually pedal a 30 mile round trip without fear of being attacked or abducted.

regards
Mech

LOL, had the same problem with the Helix. I found that staying slightly in the left or right part of the lane improves the chances of tripping the loop. I've heard of also tapping the ground with the centerstand, but I think that's an old wives' tale.

In the end, I just learned which lights on my commute were the most problematic, and found a way to avoid them. (Go straight through and make a U-turn followed by a right turn, or otherwise come at the intersection from a different direction so I could avoid the problem.)

I put 15,000 miles on my Reflex in just over a year before I sold it. I would have kept it till about 50k but my wife told me it was too dangerous to ride all those miles so now I am trying to get more out of my pickup.

The Suzuki DR200 is a very good bike for what you have in mind. I still regret selling mine. It has a 3.3 gal tank and had a range of 200 miles on 2.7 gal, 74mpg [before switching to reserve] and more than enough power to cruise all day at 55mph with a top speed of over 70mph. With some aeromods and sprocket change, this could be a 100mpg bike!