Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Other Bikes Tech
Motorcycle MPG Motorcycle MPG
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Other Bikes Tech For Technical Questions on bikes not listed in the other forums.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By markharf
  • 1 Post By jono parish

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Aug 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
Motorcycle MPG
I can find the MPG on normal vehicles but often on Motorbike production websites the MPG is missing. It this because of bad mileage from expensive machines?

A Fiat Panda 4x4 diesel will do 80 MPG so bikes should do at least the same/much more?

As an instance Suzuki GB said could not tell us the new 125cc Van Van MPG.

With small tanks and living in rural areas it's vital to know fuel usage and mileages.

So which as the best on fuel usage and which are the worse?
Last edited by WOODSMAN; 3 Aug 2012 at 07:52. Reason: more info
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Google Fuelly, real world figures for most bikes.

If you are new to this you will be appalled by some bikes. You can get over 150 mpg from a 125 but the tanks are designed for the city. Buy something old, big and cruisery and 30 mpg with a 3 gallon tank will be great if you like petrol station sandwiches! Best combinations are modern 500-800 cc big traillie type bikes which can combine biggish tanks and 60-70 mpg or some older style bikes (Enfields are surprisingly good) that were about before biking was a weekend fashion.

For cheap transport the Fiat Panda will win, look at the price of bike tyres and insurance too.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 119
The truth is, noone in the Western world has really asked for fuel-efficient bikes until quite recently, judging bikes by bhp/cc rather than miles/gallon. So there isn't much published information from manufacturers, and when you look at real world data, a lot of bikes are surprisingly bad.

The new Honda NC700 is probably the first bike designed with efficiency high up the list of priorities.

That said, there are plenty of efficient bikes out there, even if their manufacturers aren't making a song and dance about it. Most small capacity (sub-250cc) bikes will be pretty good, as will modern soft-tuned big singles - think Yamaha XT or the BMW singles, rather than KTM 690. Enfields are renowned for being efficient, despite being an ancient engine design. If you don't like singles, the Kawasaki ER-6 is a pretty efficient lump, and you can have it in a choice of naked, sporty, or 'adventure' chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Aug 2012
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
First of all, confusion reigns when people start comparing fuel consumption while mixing references to American and Imperial gallons, then salting liberally with kilometers and liters. I'm just trying to get ahead of the curve by pointing that out.

I get 50 miles per US gallon (4 quarts, 5% under 4 liters) with my large, carburated single (KLR 650). That's about 80 km per gallon, about 20 km per liter. I've had as low as 25-30 miles per gallon in ferocious headwinds with bad gas and full luggage (Patagonia). I've had as high as 75 miles per gallon riding steadily with no load on a level road at 40 miles per hour. Big differences.

I get 5-10 miles per gallon better under all circumstances with a fuel injected v-twin (DL 650).

I've had the experience of riding along in misery (gusty winds, driving rain and hail, temps just above freezing).....and looking over at the folks in the Smartcar in the next lane, who're warm, dry, listening to pleasant music and carrying on a genteel conversation while getting better mileage than I.

On the other hand, there are advantages to doing what we do. Sometimes it's hard to remember just what and when.

Mark
Last edited by markharf; 2 Aug 2012 at 02:08. Reason: edit to correct humiliating math error
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
Since I had my Enfield Electra I have averaged about 95-96 MPg ( Brit Imperial gallons), But these are designed for teh Indian market where running costs are a big factor. All my old Brit bike did in excess of 65Mpg. the Bmw 800 ridden gently would do 50mpg.

for two up travelling you really can't beat a diesel Panda
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Aug 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cork,Ireland
Posts: 150
For cheap motoring you can't beat the small diesel cars, that is until something goes wrong with the dualmass flywheel, diesel particulate filter or Exhaust gas recirculation system. Then you are in for a nasty shock.
Hard to filter through traffic in a 4 wheeler as well.
Big FI singles are pretty good these days for fuel economy, have a look at Chris Scotts XTZ660Z Tenere fuel data
And his F650GS Fuel data
His GSR500 project bike to date
The thing is that bike MPG can vary wildly depending on lots of factors, weight of rider(gut size) headwind/tailwind/ luggage.
Honda's Innova 125 claims up to 120mpg which is pretty good if you want economy.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Aug 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 10
MPG
I have seen that a woman rode around Europe on a new Suzuki Van Van 125 and laden and was getting 2.2Ltrs/100kms which is around 130MPG (UK). Staggering considering such a little engine and all the load.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Aug 2012
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
This does around 2-2.5 litres to 100km...

Sommer - Motorradmanufaktur - Startseite

John
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Aug 2012
sparco's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 80
travel light have nice throttle control, if a modern bike, chnage map for some of restricted power, play with sprockets , my aprilia caponord with 3 cases on it and me with 100kg, do some average on 3.5 liters on 100kilometers (sorry eu citizen dont know mpg on that) which is ok on some rough riding faster one never under 90 or 100 it goes on 4.5l/100km, and and highway well thats the different story , but everything must be properly maintained , and work perfectly, electrics, engine transmission, carbs synced if any and stuff,

in eu all vehicles have consumption, in usa they dont, you had cheap gallons, and didnt cvare about consumption, now times have changed and it is important to everyone to calcutae costs, for that there is plenty of really good mpg calculators on google to find, where you can find data from someone, and manually enter to find all the possible solutions for mpg
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 29 Jan 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 27
have just taken the suzuki vanvan to mongolia and back. 140mpg on the open road, 100mpg daily commuting to work.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Jan 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by jono parish View Post
have just taken the suzuki vanvan to mongolia and back. 140mpg on the open road, 100mpg daily commuting to work.
I find this encouraging, not just the mpg but the fact that you did it, I hope to soon be headed off that way on a Honda XR125, the later one with the CG engine. At home it does 105-115 mpg (imp) and the 12 litre tank should take me well over 200 miles, it also has a seat that is as comfy as the one on my R80GS.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 26 Mar 2013
TDMalcolm's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2007
Location: norfolk uk
Posts: 140
Quote:
Originally Posted by jono parish View Post
have just taken the suzuki vanvan to mongolia and back. 140mpg on the open road, 100mpg daily commuting to work.
Hi Guy's. I wonder if this would be the same for a "Skyteam V-rapter 125?:confused1:
TDMalcolm
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 27 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by jono parish View Post
have just taken the suzuki vanvan to mongolia and back. 140mpg on the open road, 100mpg daily commuting to work.
That just goes to show how things have improved - in some areas at least. I did 2000 miles to the Elephant rally this year on a mid 70's Suzuki commuter 125 and got 60mpg out of it averaged over that distance. My father in law's Fiat Multipla gets just about the same.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: the Netherlands
Posts: 138
Best Motorcycle MPG Under 500cc Guide in MPG and L/100km
__________________
I’m not afraid to go fast, it’s the crash and burn part that sucks.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2 Apr 2013
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
Post
If you want to know what sort of mileage people are getting out of vehicles (including motorcycles) in the real world, check out www.fuelly.com

It's a site for tracking your mileage and fuel usage. You can search for a particular model of vehicle, and see what folks with that vehicle are recording for their mileage results.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cheap motorcycle insurance for Argentina (and other MercoSur countries) everson65 Trip Paperwork 13 21 May 2023 18:10
Buying a motorcycle in Peru madmarco Trip Paperwork 15 30 Nov 2019 13:36
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 19:55
Motorcycle Trip From Iran to France amman77 The HUBB PUB 12 25 Jun 2012 17:02
Tsunami Motorcycle Owner Located in Japan MountainMan The HUBB PUB 2 2 May 2012 20:54

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top