Buying a bike for MPG/Vetter Challenge, what would be your favorite?

[sendler]

The CBR250R engine is probably about 15% better on fuel efficiency based on my experience with both bikes and still has plenty of power for cross country travel.

[Grant-53]

Kawasaki just announced a Ninja 300 twin with fuel injection. See Gizmag; apparently the Honda is taking a impressive part of the entry level motorcycle market.

[jkv357]

Originally Posted by sendler

The CBR250R engine is probably about 15% better on fuel efficiency based on my experience with both bikes and still has plenty of power for cross country travel.

+1 on the CBR being the top pick when mileage is a factor.

The new Kawi 300 is neat, but I don't think it will come close to the numbers a CBR can do. It's not really aimed at the same micro-segment of the 250 market IMO.

[alvaro84]

I've looked up @ fuelly, and it seems that the CBR 250 became very popular in mere 2 years. I'd like to try one, too

[sendler]

We have an active forum and occasionally call for/ dare CBR250R owners to sign up at Fuelly. The CBR appeals to reentering and mature riders and commuters so it is easy to get them to play along.

[sendler]

For those in the USA looking for a step through chassis to base a streamliner on, the Genuine (that is the brand name) Blur 220i should make a good starting point. They are a dynamic newish company with a growing following and active web community.
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The Genuine Scooter Company :: Blur SS220i
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[sendler]

The Genuine may not be fast enough without a re gearing though. 70 mph top speed.
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Blur2010
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Maybe better the Kymco People 250S which can hit 85 mph stock.
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People250S
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Unfortunately, none of the mid sized scooters feature very good fuel economy with the Blur at 60 and the People 250S at 65 mpgUS.

[sendler]

Maybe the SYM HD200. Carbureted though.
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SYMHD200
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To bad the PCX isn't easily geared a little bit faster.

[minimac]

Those 200-250 carbed scooters aren't rated for much more(if any)gas mileage than I get on my 400 Majesty. I am consistently over 60 mpg without trying. Maybe the 15-18 h.p. on the smaller scoots isn't enough to overcome the parasitic drag, although it's more than enough for a motorcycle based 'liner. The PCX doesn't seem to have that problem though.

[DoctorM]

A really died-in-the-wool super eco-freak would just ride a skate board or walk.

A ordinary eco-freak might opt for a bicycle with a (very) small motor, if that.

If I really wanted a serious high mpg two-wheeler, I'd buy a scooter. Around a small town, they might be even fun. But I wouldn't want one in a big city or on a freeway.

Motorcycles are for fun, and a ride from about 500cc to 1000cc is the range I would look for to be economical and still be fun. Anything larger is really overkill, and many of these large displacement engine rides get really poor mileage..

For just around town and short trips, a 500cc ride would be ok, but probably not so comfortable for long rides.

For long rides, I'd want about a 1000cc ride. I have been coast to coast on a 700cc bike, and a few 1,000 mile "iron butt" days. It is doable, and you do get bragging rights, but it really ain't much fun.