What's your best motorcycle MPG?

[ghnj12]

I've been thinking about getting one of those can-am spyder motorcycles because of gas prices. Ok, maybe it just gives me an excuse to get a bike! Although, I will say that you definitely see a lot more people riding to and from work than you did when gas was cheaper! With that said, I don't think I will be able to ride my bike year round. I am looking at making my car more fuel efficient as well. Has anyone used angies list to find a mechanic?

[MetroMPG]

You mean the 3-wheel thingers? I have a feeling they don't get very good mileage! Could be wrong though - any ideas on how they do?

[jkv357]

My '06 SV650n (F.I.) with a +1T countershaft sprocket and a slip-on muffler gets about 55 MPG in town or on the hwy, but most hwy cruising is between 65 and 75 MPH. I haven't had a chance to get any numbers at lower speeds, but I think it would do a lot better around 60 MPH - probably 60 MPG or more.



Jay

[jkv357]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

You mean the 3-wheel thingers? I have a feeling they don't get very good mileage! Could be wrong though - any ideas on how they do?

I haven't heard what mileage the CanAm Spyder gets, but I don't think it's that great. Pretty sure it's a 1000cc V-Twin, and the aerodynamics can't be very good, even compared to a cycle.


Jay

[rm12577]

I believe the can-ams are somewhere in the 30-40 mpg range, they do have quite large rotax engines plus the downfall to something like that is it is much easier to clip a curb with those wheels way out there, and they are ultra heavy...

[cactus jon]

My friends and I have Honda Elite 150's. We took a ride to the summit of Mt. Evans (14,264) on our scooters. My MPG is usually in the low 90's without regard for conservation. The top speed has been 65 MPH indicated, but the scooter is most comfortable up to about 50. Above that, the scoot seems to be working pretty hard. My friend Janet has over 35,000 miles on her red Elite with only oil, air filter, and tire changes. She did roast one drive belt at about 20K. My Elite has 15,000 with no issues except needing a new battery. It's hard to believe, but this scooter qualifies for "vintage" license plates next year!

[aporigine]

I just sold the bike, but I had a 2003 Harley Electra Glide Standard, model FLHT. I was in the mkt for a touring bike, and the Hawg appealed to me because I'd owned a Big twin previously, and it was the lightest, simplest, most mpg'y tourer available then or now.

I left the engine "as is" but, once break-in was officially done, added a "performance" air filter and exhaust on the premise that freer breathing = better economy. Bad idea! I lost ~3mpg.
I also trimmed the fairing's windshield down to a vestigial 2 inches.
My other major mod was to install a Baker 6-speed gearbox with "stock" ratios 1-5 and a .88 sixth gear (fifth is unity). In summer '09 I was riding from LA area to CA's Gold Country and spent a few hot slow hours on hwy 99 going effectively 60mph, usually at a respectful distance behind a big rig. That is the one and only tank (cap. 5 gallons nominal, 5.05 gallons "my best fill") on which I broke 60mpg and 300 miles between fills.
cheers apo

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by aporigine

I just sold the bike, but I had a 2003 Harley I also trimmed the fairing's windshield down to a vestigial 2 inches.

How did this affect FE?

[PaulB2]

When I was young I had a geared-up Norton N15 (750cc) that routinely got 55 MPG (US) on the highway and once got 60mpg (this is the same bike with a Matchless badge: http://www.realclassic.co.uk/match03082900.html). Also had a Norton Commando (750cc) that was almost as good. I was not riding to save gas either.

I haven't bothered watching the mileage of later bikes because I don't take them out that often or on long trips.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

You mean the 3-wheel thingers? I have a feeling they don't get very good mileage! Could be wrong though - any ideas on how they do?

FWIW one thread's posters say 30-35mpg with 40 possible if kept below 50mph (many of our cars beat that).

Here's a blurb about a hybrid version being researched... of course they may be undertaking it mainly for the publicity benefits and the money grab for govt research dollars: Can-Am Spyder roadster hybrid to make public debut