The MPG of Motorcycles

Thought you were gonna save some coin on gas? Maybe! But prob not.

Author

Arthur F
August 07, 2023

The MPG ⛽️ of it all

I’ve seen riders keep literal spreadsheets of every fill-up on their bikes to measure MPG over time. WTF do they do with all that data? I feel like they retain data for the same reason that riders retain terabytes of Insta360 footage (you know who you are). Cut the cord bros.

Anyway…

Motor bikes are all over the damn place when it comes to fuel efficiency and just like some cars & SUV’s barely squeeze out 15 mpg while other vehicles push 40, bikes are no different.

And maybe I have a bit more of a reason to dig into this than you do. My bike gets around 28 mpg and has a fuel tank the size of my coffee cup. I’ve run out of gas on the FDR 2 weeks into owning the bike.

So I did some digging. Keep in mind that there are huge caveats when it comes to measuring MPG:

  1. The motorcycle style (moto cross vs naked bike vs sport bike vs cruiser, etc) has a lot to do with how much fuel you burn per gallon. My 203hp (to the wheel) Streetfighter V4S will burn about 30 mpg but a Honda will push damn near 60.

  2. Twisting the throttle obviously has an impact on MPG. While my bike will get me 32 mpg on the highway (figuring about 20% throttle on average in 6th gear), that number would plummet to around 20 mpg on the track, where the throttle will be cracked open to 80-100% more often

  3. Not all sport bikes are created equal. The BMW M1000R has next-level aero and all that tech makes it a thrill machine, but it'll still give you around 37 MPG. Maybe those wings aren't so silly after all. Just kidding; they’re silly.

The MPG Game: Different Bikes, Different Appetites

  • Ducati Streetfighter V4S: As ridiculous as 208hp might seem, this beast manages to pull off something like 32 MPG. For a bike that screams performance, that's not awful. Oh, and no fuel gauge. Thx, Ducati

  • Honda Shadow: On the cruiser side, a bike like the Honda Shadow can easily nail 56 MPG. It's a laid-back ride, and it sips fuel like a fine wine.

  • BMW M1000R: Next-level aero and all that tech make it a thrill machine, but it'll still give you around 37 MPG. Maybe those wings aren't so silly after all. Nope, they’re silly

  • Kawasaki H2: A monster like the Kawasaki H2, with its supercharged engine, you're looking at something closer to 28 MPG. It's glorious, but your wallet & riding group might not think so.

  • Touring Bikes like the Honda Goldwing: Now we're talking 42 MPG with a 7-gallon tank. That's range, comfort, and efficiency all rolled into one.

  • MotoGP bikes: 13 MPG. THIRTEEN. Yeah, it hurts to even think about it, but hey, they're practically flying!

  • Motocross bikes: Somewhere around 20 MPG, depending on the course, the conditions, and how merciless you are with the throttle.

Gas Tanks: How Much Can They Carry?

  • Sports Bikes: Around 4 gallons. They're not here to waste time; they're here to burn fuel.

  • Touring Bikes: 6-7 gallons. They're in it for the long haul.

  • Adventure Bikes: Often 5-6 gallons, made to bridge the gap between pure speed and long-range comfort.

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