What's your best motorcycle MPG?

[dcb]

Originally Posted by beatr911

The point here is that it is a commonly held belief that big engines=bad mpg.

It isn't like a religion or anything, there are basic physics involved here. More pistons and greater bore and stroke (and larger gears to handle the extra power) are strikes against mpg. Yah a busa can get 50mpg, but that engine is a loong way from 400mpg.

[Frank]

The 'Busa has a remarkable engine IMO. 150hp at the rear wheel, 50 mpg in light-cruise mode and burns regular gas.

True there's more friction in a larger engine but revs are lower. The aerodynamics are relatively good and all that adds up to a pretty efficient package. Of course, as soon as you start using more throttle/revs things change quickly. No choice about that! It takes fuel to make power.

[Christ]

I, as yet, don't have a bike.. though I REALLY really REALLY really want to get one... I want a Ninja 250, but it doesn't necessarily have to have the engine on it... I'd be just fine with the frame, as a starting point for some nice mods.

The reason I want a bike: I drive alone alot... There's really no point in getting nearly 30 MPG in my ~3500 lb van when I can get 60+ on a ~600lb bike... and have a good ride doing it.

[The Atomic Ass]

Originally Posted by Christ

I, as yet, don't have a bike.. though I REALLY really REALLY really want to get one... I want a Ninja 250, but it doesn't necessarily have to have the engine on it... I'd be just fine with the frame, as a starting point for some nice mods.

The reason I want a bike: I drive alone alot... There's really no point in getting nearly 30 MPG in my ~3500 lb van when I can get 60+ on a ~600lb bike... and have a good ride doing it.

Sell the van, (assuming you don't otherwise have need of it occasionally), and buy a Ninja outright. They were $3k NEW when I bought mine, and I think the new updated version is selling for $3,500 now.

Even factoring a poor price for your van, and the needed gear for motorcycle riding, (I recommend the Roadcrafter suit, BTW), you'd still come out ahead in that deal not only monetarily, but economically.

[Christ]

I can't sell the Van, actually... two reasons - I love her, and she's better than my wife's car... we need a "spare" in case her car dies, which is more likely "imminent" than "just in case". It's not dangerously broken or anything, just old and fussy. (I can't believe I just called it old.. it's a '94... I'm used to driving '70/'80's cars.)

What I'll probably end up doing is waiting until I get another job, probably in a couple weeks or so, then I may just finance one... I'll pay a bit more for it that way, but I'll gain credit as well, and that way, if I don't "fit" that particular bike, I can just return it and get a different one, like a Suzy Katana or something.

So, while I appreciate the suggestion, unfortunately, I can't justify it right now. I doubt I'll ever get rid of Cara... she's just too good, and I can't beat the cost/benefit ratio on her... I've got less than $500 into her, not counting paperwork and what-not, and I'm already over 7k miles, including "utility" miles... during which, she paid for herself by saving me from renting a truck/U-haul.

[jpoole]

I was getting right at 72mpg with my fuel injected single cylinder wr250x until I made a sprocket swap for some low end grunt(it dropped to about 57mpg). I am going back to stock!

[jonathan150cc]

2006 Suzuki GZ250
74.45 MPG on 5/12/2008


2008 ChuanL Adventure 150cc
72.95 MPG on 7/20/2009 (updated)

[j1432]

I have a 2005 Honda Shadow Aero 750.

With about 50% city 50% highway miles I was getting 67MPG. Before I started trying to conserve gas, I was getting about 50MPG.

[Froggypwns]

My best tank ever was 75MPG (US) on my 06 Buell XB12. It was cruising on the Blue Ridge Parkway when it happened. I ended up stopping to get gas early because I though the gas light wasn't working right, but it took only 2.8 gallons to fill up after 210 miles. This was before I found this site and started learning how to get better fuel economy. I currently am getting low 60's with it, vs low 50s before. Perhaps next time I'm on the BRP I will get 90.

[wanna bECO]

Originally Posted by The Atomic Ass

Even factoring a poor price for your van, and the needed gear for motorcycle riding, (I recommend the Roadcrafter suit, BTW), you'd still come out ahead in that deal not only monetarily, but economically.

I must say, that I almost disagree, but I am willing to hear others chime in on this.

I have 3 motorcycles. The maintenance is much more important safety wise than my car. Tires are the part of the deal that kill it for me. Tire for my car were $210. I have had them on the car for 45k and they are still going strong. I never rotate them. I rarely check the air and when I do i am always 8-10 pounds lite. So I am not running them efficiently. On my bikes I am very strict. tires for my harley...= $375... no road hazard and you know you shouldn't plug them and ride them. And I am very lucky if I get 10k out of them. I don't do my own maintenance on any of my vehicles. So I have to pay for it all. Even if I DID my own work, you still have to factor in what your time is worth and the time spent working on a vehicle. My 93 ford escort is kinda plug and play. I turn the key and go. I have not had any "repairs" I have done some maintenance. My motorcycles cost more annually for wayyyyy less miles... cept for gas (fuel). My honda passport gets 92 mpg. but the tires cost 22 bux a piece. tubes and slime.. about 15 bux. THEY have to be changed every 1000 miles. I could go on and on, but I'm lazy.

I would like others to input on this too... what do you think ?