One of the main things I look for when I was buying my first motorcycle was how fuel efficient it was. Being able to go from point A to B without having to visit a gas station is one of the main reasons I chose my specific bike – the Honda CBR250R.
Now it’s a pain riding with my buddies on big cruisers or high-CC sport bikes. It seems that every other hour we’re stopping to get fuel while I can ride for hours without having to worry about a gas station.
In this post I want to talk about the most fuel efficient motorcycles you can buy. These bikes will keep you riding longer and having more fun instead of having to constantly wonder about where you’re going to fuel up.
For me, it’s all about hitting the open road and leaving everything behind. This includes gas stations!
The other benefit about riding one of the best fuel-efficient motorcycles is the amount of money you save. It’s hard to go wrong filling up for under $10 and spending the whole day on the bike.
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The Best & Most Fuel Efficient Motorcycles
Let’s take a look at my top recommendations for the most fuel efficient motorbikes currently on the market.
If you already have a bike and you’re trying to squeeze more out of it, check out my post on how to improve motorcycle fuel economy!
Honda CBR250R (70MPG | 3.5L/100KM)
It’s hard to go wrong with the Honda CBR250R whether you’re looking for the best beginner motorcycle or something impressively fuel efficient. With this little 250cc thumper riders will enjoy up to 70MPG which equates to more than 225 miles of distance on a single tank.
There’s no need to use anything but regular fuel in these Honda’s, giving you yet another area of cost savings for this bike. Of course you can redline every gear and ride hard, but for reasonable riders this bike is going to give you a lot of distance.
The great fuel economy is one of the main reasons why I chose the Honda CBR250R. Personally, I have reached more than 400KM of distance from a single tank of gas cruising along at 88KM/H.
As for the bike itself, the Honda CBR250R isn’t anything short of impressive. It’s a great choice whether you’re looking for an entry-level motorcycle or you want something easy and reliable for mid-range touring.
Underneath the fairings you’ll find a 249cc, single cylinder, liquid-cooled, and bulletproof engine. Thanks to its 6-speed transmission and top speed of 150kmh+, you’ll hardly ever be wanting more when it comes to acceleration and passing power.
Those of you looking for an inexpensive motorcycle that’s cheap on insurance and fuel will definitely want to check out the beautiful Honda CBR250R. For more information take a look at my Honda CBR250R review.
Unfortunately, the CBR250R was recently discontinued in favor of the Honda CBR300R. For additional information, there are plenty of other online reviews for you to check out.
2019 Honda Monkey (125MPG I 1.9L/100KM)
The 2019 Honda Monkey if the latest of the small, retro bikes that Honda has been releasing. First, we had the Grom, and now it’s the Monkey!
The Honda Monkey is a redesign of the original Monkey bike that was popular in the 70s. Where the Grom has a modern, contemporary look, the Monkey is a throwback to nostalgia for riders that grew up in that era.
Just like with the Grom, the new Honda Monkey delivers am impressive fuel economy of 125MPG. This is almost double the CBR250R and makes the Monkey one of the best fuel-efficient motorcycles currently on the market.
Keep in mind that a bike like this is better suited for city cruising and having fun around town. It’s not something you’d want for highway commuting or long-distance riding.
Otherwise, for local rips the Honda Monkey is a seriously cool bike with an amazing fuel economy. Great on gas, affordable to buy, and cheap on insurance – it’s hard to go wrong with the Monkey if you’ve got the money laying around!
2019 Honda CBR300R (71 MPG | 3.3L/100KMH)
The Honda CBR300R is Honda’s upgrade to the CBR250R and offers all of the same benefits. It’s a smaller, lightweight bike with an amazing fuel economy.
With the CBR300R riders will enjoy up to 71MPG per tank. With a fuel tank capacity of 3.4 gallons this means you’ll be able to ride upwards of 240 miles before running out of gas.
These smaller bikes are fun in the city and perfect for commuting. Depending on your style of riding they’re even great for longer day trips and multi-day tours. I’ve taken my CBR250R on a number of motorcycle camping trips and there’s no reason you can’t do the same with the CBR300R.
Underneath the fairings this bike is equipped with a 286cc, liquid-cooled, and reliable engine. The 6-speed transmission is smooth to shift through, with some models coming equipped with ABS.
Since they’re quite new these bikes haven’t yet made it to the local used markets. There will be options available although you’ll still be paying close to retail for a used CBR300R.
Just like with the previous recommendations, it’s hard to go wrong with any Honda motorcycle. Currently available for less than $5000USD this is a great beginner bike if you’re looking for something affordable, fuel efficient, and fun to ride.
Suzuki V-Strom 650 (54MPG | 4.4L/100KM) – Most Fuel Efficient Adventure Motorcycle
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is our recommendation for the most fuel efficient touring motorcycle. This bike is one of the kings of motorcycle touring and long distance riding, especially if you’re looking for something that boasts a reasonable fuel economy.
Riders will enjoy up to 54MPG fuel consumption with the Suzuki V-Strom 650. Thanks to the fuel tank capacity of 4.8 gallons you’re able to ride up to nearly 260 miles before needing to refuel.
This bike is perfectly suited for long-distance touring and motorcycle camping – two activities where a fuel efficient bike is important. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is also known for its reliability and bulletproof design making it a great choice for a wide range of riding styles.
Underneath the fairings, this bike is equipped with a 645 cc, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, V-twin engine. It has a 6-speed transmission with more than enough gearing and power for highway cruising.
Whether you’re looking for something comfortable for a long commute or you need a reliable bike for long distance touring, the V-Strom 650 is another option that we confidently recommend.
Honda Rebel 300 (70MPG | 3.4L/100KM) – Most Fuel Efficient Cruiser Motorcycle
The Honda Rebel 300 is a small, but mighty cruiser that happens to be insanely fuel efficient. With the “little” Rebel 300 you’ll get almost twice the fuel economy of its bigger brothers in the Rebel range of bikes.
As a cruiser, it’s got that unique styling that many riders have fallen in love with. Thanks to its smaller size, it’s easier to ride in urban settings and is a great choice for commuting.
The Rebel 300 was launched to appease the growing number of riders looking for a nimble, entry-level cruiser. It just also happens to be incredibly fuel efficient and fun to ride.
Underneath the fairings is an ever-reliable single cylinder, 286cc, liquid cooled engine. The four-stroke motor purrs along with plenty of power for keeping up with traffic, thanks to the user-friendly power band.
As one of the Honda’s newer releases, there aren’t too many Honda Rebel 300’s available in the used markets. However, you could easily pick one of these up for less than $4,500 from Honda themselves.
Also worth mentioning is the LED lighting package, new instrument cluster, and a slipper/assist clutch that lightens clutch pull. Riders will be able to upgrade with a wide range of accessories if purchased from Honda.
Those of you looking for a lightweight, nimble, and fuel efficient cruiser are bound to be impressed by the Honda Rebel 300. It’s a great looking bike that amazing on gas, fun to ride, and still an eye-catching beauty despite its smaller size.
Yamaha V-Star 1100 (40MPG | 5.8L/100KM)
Most people don’t buy a cruiser because they’re looking for something fuel efficient. However, it’s the Yamaha V-Star 1100 that’s one of the options we recommend as a cruiser that’s good on gas.
Yamaha claims that this bike gets close to 40MPG. This is a better efficiency than most cars while still being 100x times more fun to ride.
Not only do you look cool when you’re cruising on the V-Star 1100, you’re still able to enjoy some savings in mileage compared to other heavier, more cumbersome cruisers.
Just like with Honda, it’s hard to go wrong with any Yamaha motorcycle and the same holds true for the V-Star 1100. This is a reliable bike that’s fun to ride and suitable for a range of different riding conditions.
The V-Star 1100 is equipped with a 1063cc, 4-stroke engine. It comes with a 5-speed transmission, although some riders have complained that it could use an extra gear.
There are plenty of these bikes available in local secondhand markets for amazing prices. The reliability, decent fuel efficiency, and cool factor makes the Yamaha V-Star 1100 another one of our top recommendations.
2019 Zero S | Electric Motorcycle
The Zero S and Zero SR are the latest and greatest when it comes to electric motorcycles on the market. There is no need to worry about fuel economy at all when your bike needs to be plugged in and charged for you to ride.
With the rise in popularity of electric cars, it’s only a matter of time until electric motorcycles start to become more popular. At the moment they’re pretty expensive but will be coming down in price each year.
Wondering about their range? The base model Zero S ZF7.2 has a total range of 44 miles on the highway and 88 miles in the city. For most people this is more than enough for a work commute or local city ride.
The better model Zero S ZF14.4 has an even more impressive range. This bike will get up to 90 miles on the highway and 178 miles in the city. A range like this is comparable to some of the Lesser fuel efficient motorbikes!
Both models are light, nimble, and economical if you’re looking to avoid paying already high and rising fuel costs. Prices for the bike start at around $11,000 USD for the base model.
These are seriously impressive bikes with a unique look, stunning acceleration, and a “fuel” range that’s suitable for most riders. Those of you looking to break into the electric motorcycle market are definitely going to want to check these bikes out.
Honda CBR600RR (41MPG | 5.7L/100KM) Most Fuel Efficient Supersport
It’s even surprising to me how many Honda motorcycles have made it on this list. Look no further than the Honda CBR600RR as one of the most fuel efficient sport bikes currently available.
You don’t always need to look at the lower powered, smaller displacement motorbikes for something that’s fuel efficient. This 600cc demon will get you from point A to B with an impressive fuel economy of 44MPG.
This is one of the greats when it comes to sport bikes. The CBR600RR is well-suited for commuting, weekend rides, and for having a whole lot of fun at high speeds.
As for the specs, the CBR600RR comes with a 599cc, inline-four, liquid-cooled engine. The 6-speed transmission is capable of reaching speeds of up to 160mph+.
With the Honda name behind it, you can count on the reliability of this sport bike. Given its popularity riders should be able to find plenty of affordable options available in local used markets.
Honda Grom (125MPG | 1.9L/100KM)
The Honda Grom, much like the Monkey mentioned above, is one of the most fun motorcycles to own. It’s a blast to ride, amazingly fuel efficient, easy to maintain, and essentially bulletproof to own.
As Honda has stopped making these bikes I expect the Grom to eventually become something of a collector’s item for motorcycle enthusiasts. It definitely serves a niche purpose in the motorbike market but everybody falls in love after giving it a ride.
For fuel efficiency the Honda Grom is seriously impressive. With its little 125CC dirt bike engine riders can enjoy more than 100MPG from a single tank. This is definitely one of the best 125cc motorcycles out there!
This means you can have more fun riding without having to worry about where the next gas station is. Due to its smaller size, both physical and in the engine, the Grom isn’t a bike most people would find suitable for commuting or daily use.
While you could use the Grom for shorter commutes and local rides, it’s more of a toy than something you would ride everyday. With that said, there’s a serious community around these bikes and they’re more fun to ride than almost anything else on the road.
Not only is it fuel efficient but the Grom is reliable, cheap for insurance, and a great second bike if you’re looking for something fun.
BMW R1200 GS (45MPG | 5.2L/100KM)
The BMW R1200 GS is one of the best adventure motorcycles currently available. It’s also one of the most fuel-efficient motorbikes designed for the widest range of riding styles.
Whether you’re looking for something comfortable for commuting or you’re hoping to hit some local off-road tracks, the BMW R1200 GS serves up an impressive fuel efficiency of 42MPG. Despite its higher bace cost, this is a seemingly indestructible motorcycle that’s per for just about any purpose.
For commuting and off-road use the 42MPG range makes the BMW R1200 GS a great choice for those riders looking for something that can take them anywhere they want to go. You would be hard-pressed to find an 1100CC bike with a better fuel range that’s more reliable and fun to ride.
While you might pay more for maintenance, insurance, and parts, these BMWs are built to go hundreds of thousands of miles. You won’t be worried about the cost when you spend a lifetime riding with a huge smile on your face.
The BMW R1200 GS is one of the most top tier adventure motorcycles on the market. Any rider it’s bound to find this to be an impressive bike that makes a lasting impression.
2024 Update: Even More Fuel-Sipping Options
The world of motorcycles keeps evolving, and fuel efficiency remains a priority for many riders. This update to our list brings in some exciting new options that are sure to impress with their ability to stretch a gallon of gas further than ever before.
Sportbikes:
Kawasaki Ninja 400 (53 mpg)
This isn’t just a beginner-friendly sportbike; it’s also a fuel-sipping champion. With 53 miles per gallon, the Ninja 400 lets you enjoy the thrill of riding without breaking the bank at the pump.
Plus, its lightweight design and comfortable ergonomics make it a joy to ride all day long.
New riders will appreciate the Ninja 400’s forgiving nature and confidence-inspiring handling. The 399cc engine provides enough power for exciting adventures, while remaining manageable for those new to the world of sportbikes.
Experienced riders seeking a fuel-efficient and nimble option for commuting or weekend getaways will also find the Ninja 400 to be a compelling choice.
Check out Kawasaki’s website for more information: https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/ninja/sport/ninja-400
Yamaha YZF-R3 (52 mpg)
Another fantastic choice for new riders and experienced riders alike, the YZF-R3 boasts impressive fuel efficiency alongside its sharp looks and agile handling.
You can carve corners and explore the open road while keeping fuel costs low.
The YZF-R3 strikes a perfect balance between performance and practicality. Its 321cc engine delivers enough power for exhilarating rides, while remaining fuel-efficient for everyday use.
The lightweight chassis and comfortable riding position make it ideal for navigating city streets and enjoying longer journeys. The YZF-R3 is also known for its user-friendly features, making it a great option for riders of all skill levels.
Learn more about the YZF-R3 on Yamaha’s website: https://yamahamotorsports.com/models/23_yzf-r3
Adventure Bikes:
Kawasaki Versys-X 300 (60 mpg)
Combining the spirit of adventure with incredible fuel economy, the Versys-X 300 is perfect for exploring both paved and unpaved roads. Its lightweight design and comfortable riding position make it ideal for conquering any terrain, all while keeping fuel costs minimal.
The Versys-X 300 is a versatile machine that can handle anything you throw at it. Its 296cc engine provides enough power for tackling challenging terrain, while remaining fuel-efficient for extended journeys.
The upright riding position and comfortable seat offer excellent comfort for long rides, while the wind protection helps keep you comfortable on the highway.
Whether you’re exploring dirt roads or cruising down the freeway, the Versys-X 300 is a capable and fuel-efficient companion.
Visit Kawasaki’s website to see more: https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/versys/adventure-touring/versys-x-300
Suzuki V-Strom 250 (74 mpg)
This fuel-injected wonder tops the charts when it comes to fuel efficiency in the adventure bike category. With a staggering 74 mpg, the V-Strom 250 lets you rack up serious miles on a single tank, making it the perfect companion for long-distance adventures.
Despite its impressive fuel economy, the V-Strom 250 doesn’t compromise on capability. Its 248cc engine offers enough power for exploring backroads and light off-road trails.
The comfortable ergonomics and wind protection make it ideal for long rides, while the lightweight chassis ensures nimble handling. The V-Strom 250 is a budget-friendly option for adventure-minded riders who prioritize fuel efficiency and practicality.
Explore the V-Strom 250 on Suzuki’s website: https://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/smgs/products/2023v-strom250/
Electric Motorcycles:
Harley-Davidson LiveWire One
Ditch the gas station altogether with the LiveWire One, an electric motorcycle offering an exhilarating riding experience with zero emissions. It boasts a range of 176 miles on a single charge, making it perfect for commutes and weekend adventures alike.
The LiveWire One is equipped with a powerful electric motor that delivers instant torque for a thrilling acceleration, and its lightweight chassis provides agile handling for navigating city streets and curvy roads.
However, it’s important to note that charging infrastructure for electric motorcycles is still developing in many areas. While the LiveWire One offers a decent range, it might not be suitable for long-distance touring compared to gasoline-powered motorcycles.
The upfront cost of electric motorcycles can be higher than their gasoline counterparts.
Join the electric revolution and learn more about the LiveWire One on Harley-Davidson’s website: https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/products/bikes/electric-bikes.html
Zero FXS
If you’re looking for an electric adventure bike that can handle anything you throw at it, look no further than the Zero FXS. This capable machine offers a range of up to 140 miles on a single charge, allowing you to explore both on and off-road with confidence.
The Zero FXS is built for adventure, with a powerful electric motor that delivers impressive performance both on pavement and dirt trails.
Its lightweight construction and long-travel suspension provide exceptional handling and maneuverability, while the aggressive tires offer excellent grip in various terrains.
The FXS also comes equipped with several features specifically designed for off-road riding, such as hand guards and a skid plate.
While the Zero FXS boasts impressive capabilities, it’s essential to consider the limitations of electric motorcycles when venturing off-road.
Charging options might be scarce in remote areas, and the range might be limited compared to gasoline-powered adventure bikes.
See the FXS in action on Zero Motorcycles’ website: https://zeromotorcycles.com/
These additions to our list showcase the continuous advancements in motorcycle technology, offering riders even more fuel-efficient options without compromising on performance or style.
So, whether you’re a seasoned rider seeking adventure or a new rider just starting out, there’s sure to be a fuel-efficient motorcycle on this list that perfectly suits your needs and riding style.
Your Fuel Efficient Motorcycle Questions, Answered
How Fuel Efficient is a 125cc Motorcycle?
A 125cc motorcycle is generally considered to be fuel efficient, with average fuel consumption rates ranging from 70-100 miles per gallon (mpg).
However, fuel efficiency can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the specific make and model of the motorcycle, riding conditions, and the rider’s habits.
You’ll find that newer models with advanced fuel injection systems tend to be more fuel efficient than older models.
Riders who practice fuel-efficient habits such as maintaining a steady speed and avoiding hard acceleration can improve their motorcycle’s fuel efficiency.
Overall, a 125cc motorcycle can be a good choice for those looking for a fuel-efficient and affordable mode of transportation.
What’s the Most Fuel Efficient 1000cc Motorcycle?
To be honest, 1000cc bikes are generally not known for their fuel efficiency.
They tend to be high-performance machines that prioritize power over fuel economy.
There are some models like the Suzuki GSX-R1000R and the Yamaha YZF-R1M that have been praised for their relatively good fuel efficiency compared to other bikes in their class.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a bike that’s fuel efficient, you may want to consider a smaller displacement model, as those tend to be much more economical in terms of fuel consumption.
Why are High CC Bikes Poor in Mileage?
High cc bikes are poor in mileage because they have larger engines, which require more fuel to operate.
The larger engine size means more power and speed, but also more fuel consumption.
Keep in mind that high cc bikes are often designed for performance, which means they prioritize power and speed over fuel economy.
As a result, these bikes tend to have lower fuel efficiency compared to smaller displacement models.
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