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beatr911 · 08-09-2012, 01:10 PM

Good discussion on larger bikes. Seems that the smaller displacement bikes are also ergonomically smaller in most cases. Not all riders that want a 250 are smaller in size.

For a high speed, fuel efficient, long distance commuter about 20hp is pretty much the bottom end for a stock bike because of the wind drag. 20hp would be WOT 90% of the time. Remember that this is for a 70-80mph high speed commute. That makes the 250 scooters and cruisers marginal at best.

I've listed the bikes that come to mind that fit the bill (more or less) with an MPG guess and a short descriptor of a salient feature.

The cheaper larger-ergo bikes:
Kawasaki Ninja/Versys/CFMoto-clone 650 family 65-70mpg. EFI, Sport-tour-ish.
Kawasaki Ninja/Vulcan 500 60-65mpg. Cruiser.
Suzuki GS500F 60-65mpg. Old tech in new Sport-tour-ish package.
Suzuki Sv/Vstrom 650 55mpg. Verified at 70 mph.

More expensive bikes:
BMW 650 65-70mpg. Top shelf.
Honda 700 70-75mpg. New efficiency tech.
Kymco 300i.

Anyone care to adjust/add/subtract to this list?

08-09-2012, 01:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
beatr911 Master EcoModder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 516 B2300 - '96 Mazda B2300 SE Focus - '05 Ford Focus ST The red car - '00 Honda Insight Thanks: 6 Thanked 77 Times in 56 Posts	Good discussion on larger bikes. Seems that the smaller displacement bikes are also ergonomically smaller in most cases. Not all riders that want a 250 are smaller in size. For a high speed, fuel efficient, long distance commuter about 20hp is pretty much the bottom end for a stock bike because of the wind drag. 20hp would be WOT 90% of the time. Remember that this is for a 70-80mph high speed commute. That makes the 250 scooters and cruisers marginal at best. I've listed the bikes that come to mind that fit the bill (more or less) with an MPG guess and a short descriptor of a salient feature. The cheaper larger-ergo bikes: Kawasaki Ninja/Versys/CFMoto-clone 650 family 65-70mpg. EFI, Sport-tour-ish. Kawasaki Ninja/Vulcan 500 60-65mpg. Cruiser. Suzuki GS500F 60-65mpg. Old tech in new Sport-tour-ish package. Suzuki Sv/Vstrom 650 55mpg. Verified at 70 mph. More expensive bikes: BMW 650 65-70mpg. Top shelf. Honda 700 70-75mpg. New efficiency tech. Kymco 300i. Anyone care to adjust/add/subtract to this list? __________________ Good design is simple. Getting there isn't. Last edited by beatr911; 08-10-2012 at 03:11 PM..