Best Fuel-Efficient Motorcycles in Every Category

No matter how technically advanced and monstrously powerful motorcycles are becoming with every passing year, most riders still aspire for a bike with a practical fuel economy. At the time you are in the market looking for a brand new modern bike, you will probably be fascinated by the incredible horsepower, torque figures, streamlined aggressive design, and countless tech features. However, once you start riding it, the things that matter the most are the fuel economy and performance.

To enjoy riding more on your motorcycle without being worried by the increasing gas prices and getting distracted by fuel consumption, your bike must be fuel efficient. Do you want to know about the most fuel-effective motorcycles you can purchase without getting hard on your pockets and still enjoying a modern riding experience? This article informs you about the best fuel-efficient motorcycles in every category.

Most modern-world motorcycles with tremendous fuel economy figures are low-powered small-displacement bikes. It is derived from the basic rule that the bigger the engine is, the more fuel it will consume. This is why you should not only compare the fuel mileage stats while deciding which motorcycle to buy. You should compare everything including the power, size, value, and fuel mileage.

In addition, it must be duly noted that the claimed or estimated fuel economy figures can vary even if you are riding the same model. The way you keep and maintain your bike, riding conditions, how you ride, and your riding style are all significant factors in deciding where you will end up with a full gas tank.

Another important factor that controls the fuel economy of your motorcycle is how you play with the throttle. Riding fast and opening the full throttle draws more fuel into the system and hence, more fuel is consumed. Also, if you have to ride through stop-and-go traffic, more fuel goes to waste, and less distance is covered. You have to maintain a balance in your riding style and stay under a speed limit to ensure better fuel mileage.

The other factors that influence a motorcycle’s fuel economy are the weight you are carrying on your motorcycle. The more load you carry, the more fuel your bike will consume. In the same sense, the rider’s weight also matters. If you prefer riding with a passenger, this will eventually cause more fuel to burn as the engine needs to work harder to push the bike.

It may not sound practical, but the tire pressure can also have an impact on how much fuel is consumed by a motorcycle. If your motorcycle tire is not properly inflated, it will increase the rolling resistance, i.e., the friction between the tire and the road as the contact area increases. Similarly, bigger tires are heavier and wider, resulting in more fuel consumption.

Along with the throttle and speed, the gear-shifting patterns can also impact your motorcycle’s fuel economy. Riding the motorcycle in the perfect gear during the ride matters a lot and for that, the rider must shift gears at the appropriate point. If you ride your motorcycle at a slow speed and in high gear, it will put an extra load on the engine, causing it to consume more fuel. Similarly, if you are riding at high speeds, your motorcycle must be in high gear as it will put less pressure on the engine to keep the bike running smoothly, enhancing the fuel economy.

Modifications and performance upgrades can also result in more fuel consumption.

Starting with the most popular motorcycle category in most parts of the world, particularly the U.S., cruisers are some of the heaviest bikes with large-displacement engines. They are usually not considered the most viable fuel-efficient options for everyday riding. However, there are only a few exceptions, like the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec which can impress both intermediate and skilled riders with its exceptional performance abilities and over-the-top average fuel mileage of 51 mpg (Claimed).

If you don’t know much about this masterpiece, you may think of the Bolt R-Spec as a small bike. Despite being a smart-looking cruiser with a stripped-down bobber styling, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec features a 942 cc V-Twin engine, making it a top-of-the-line midsize cruiser. Along with the extraordinary fuel mileage, the impressive power figures make it a perfect package for riders with different skill levels.

The Honda Rebel 300 only counts if you consider it a cruiser as for most seasoned riders, it is not a perfect cruiser due to its sportier stance. If you keep this debate aside, the Rebel 300 is a perfect learning platform for beginners. You are getting a highly fuel-efficient bike with a claimed fuel economy of 78 mpg and a highly affordable, reliable, low maintenance, and adequately powered motorcycle for daily commutes.

If you think it is too small for you, the Honda Rebel 500 is always there to suit your needs. It feels much better in terms of power and you also get a 67 mpg of claimed gas mileage thanks to the Honda’s remarkable programmed fuel injection (PGM-FI) technology. The lightweight design, agile performance, low seat height, and highly economical performance make the Rebel 300 and the Rebel 500 ideal for daily use. Out of these two, the Rebel 500 will also keep you satisfied if you choose to go long miles and cruise on highways.

The reason behind featuring the Yamaha Ténéré 700 on the list of best fuel-efficient motorcycles in the adventure bike category is its pure dual nature. If you want an exceptional rating of 53 mpg on a motorcycle that knows no bounds when it comes to versatile performance, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 has to be on your priority list. You can smoothly shift to an off-road terrain while riding on a smooth paved road without being worried about making any adjustments or slowing down. The transition is as smooth as you never changed the course.

The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is light and tall enough to make it a perfect maneuver, providing confidence to riders to take on any challenge that comes their way. Its simplicity, usability, ruggedness, reliable engine technology, and admirable fuel economy are what keep the Ténéré 700 alive in the competition.

Another champion in the Honda’s dual sports category which gives the best of both worlds’ performances, either its on-roading or off-roading, is the Honda CRF300L . Regardless of its true dual nature, the CRF300L is widely used as a versatile and practical everyday commuter. What makes it a prominent beginner-friendly bike is the ease of rideability it offers.

Meanwhile, the Honda CRF300L’s off-road capability is no joke. You can have a whole day of fun on country-side off-road tracks and can anytime switch to the paved terrains without being worried about running out of gas thanks to the amazing claimed fuel economy of 75 mpg it offers. It keeps the same level of authentic performance and incredible fuel consumption doesn’t matter where you ride this bike.

Although it may look like an adventure tourer, which it is to only a certain extent, the Honda NC750X is a substantially versatile standard bike. Honda may not produce the fanciest motorcycles that attract Gen-Z riders, but it has undoubtedly the most practical motorbikes in its lineups to serve as a perfect daily commuter.

With its top-end adventure bike-style silhouette and standard bike ergonomics, the Honda NC750X can deliver an average claimed fuel economy of 80 mpg. Even if you ride in different riding conditions, this bike is still expected to make you happy at the end of a long riding day with a 65 mpg fuel mileage.

On top of its splendid economical performance, the Honda NC750X carries a noteworthy tech package, including the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) technology, throttle-by-wire, four ride modes, and torque control, enhancing its modern capabilities.

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is the most unorthodox modern-day bike which doesn’t seem to fit any particular class or category. The company classifies it as a naked bike roadster but it also seems to fit the cafe racer category due to its minimalist styling and compact look. On top of its look and performance, the reason why the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is included in the list is due to the astounding fuel mileage it offers. According to most reviews and riders’ opinions, this minimalist bike can help you go 73 miles while consuming a gallon of gas.

The 500 cc Platform by Honda has so far proved to be an enormously valuable powerplant as it promises longevity, class performance, and above all remarkable fuel economy. If you want to start getting into serious motorcycling, the Honda CB500R serves as a mature sports bike capable enough to guarantee a thrilling performance. Though it is a 500 cc bike, it carries a distinctive supersports-style persona. You can make the Honda CB500R your everyday ride partner thanks to its esteemed fuel mileage of 80 mpg as claimed by Honda. Most riders have reported its fuel economy to be around 70 mpg in versatile riding conditions which is still top-notch.

There are many low-powered beginner-friendly sports bikes available in the market designed and built by recognized and newly established manufacturers. These sports bikes are capable of riding aggressively while maintaining a reasonable fuel mileage. However, the one that shines in the 700 cc sports bike category due to its agile performance capabilities and remarkable fuel economy is the Yamaha YZF-R7, making it one of the most practical sports bikes.

The Yamaha YZF-R7 is a dream bike for those riders who love to own a sports bike for regular use thanks to the incredible claimed fuel economy of 58 mpg it offers. It may not be a super-fast sports bike to participate in the race circuits, but a more useful midsize high-performance bike with remarkable engine durability. However, the fuel economy can marginally drop if you are a bit aggressive on the throttle.

The above 100 mpg motorcycle may sound unrealistic in the modern world but looks like there is nothing impossible for Honda. The one very popular small bike, commonly recognized as the best training bike is the Honda Grom . Despite being a minimoto, it is not a small kids’ bike with restricted ergonomics. The Honda Grom is capable of accommodating average-sized riders easily. The company claims an astonishing fuel economy of 166 mpg that can vary depending on the type of adventure and conditions.

The other minimotos in the Honda lineups, particularly the Honda Cub and the Honda Monkey ensure a more incredible gas mileage but they are not included in the list due to not being comparable to normal-sized motorbikes. Whereas, the Honda Grom seems to fit all new riders perfectly.

Most motorcyclists in the U.S. may not have this bike on their preference list or some of them may not even know about this classic masterpiece from the post-World War era. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 boasts the most traditional styling and elements from the late 1940s. This bike does not only look old and classic, it is a pure retro motorcycle with a bare minimum of safety equipment to make riders cherish this antique masterpiece.

Above all, if you want fuel efficiency on top of throwback styling, there is no better option than the Royal Enfield Classic 350. It is claimed to provide a fuel mileage of 95 mpg and amazingly, the RE Classic 350 gets close to this figure when it comes to real-world performance. Suppose you want more horsepower and a bit of modern flavor. In that case, the other stunning options in the Royal Enfield lineup include the Royal Enfield Himalayan, Interceptor 650, and Continental GT 650, without compromising much on the fuel economy.

If you prefer to go long miles, the fuel tank capacity of your motorcycle matters a lot besides fuel economy to avoid stopping at every fuel station for refueling. Sometimes, you may not even find a gas station where your bike runs out of fuel. It is a distraction if you have to keep looking at the fuel warning light while riding long distances and it is not a safe option to carry a separate gas container on your bike for emergency cases. A good fuel economy alone is not always the best choice to look for in a motorcycle if you are a true rider with a passion for visiting and conquering different scenic parts of land that you have never been to. Make sure you find a bike that also has a large fuel storage capacity to enjoy the adventures more.

Securing better fuel mileage is a dream of every motorcyclist regardless of what motorcycle he/she rides. Even if you are riding a hi-tech super-expensive, Supersports bike, you will still expect your bike to consume less fuel. Doesn’t matter how big a millionaire you are, if your bike drinks too much fuel, it still gets hectic and irritating for you to see your fuel level needle or bar indicating ‘Low’ every time you have a glimpse of the dashboard.

If you want to achieve the best fuel efficiency, pick a lightweight and small-displacement bike to ride. You will also have to change your riding habits if you are a rash or aggressive rider. It is always better and safer to ride at a moderate pace without going hard on the throttle to get better fuel economy out of your motorcycle.

Consider the factors mentioned in the article if you want to know what not to do to ensure better fuel mileage. We have also listed the best fuel-efficient motorcycles in every category so you can choose to buy the best bike if you prefer better fuel efficiency over other things depending on your taste and riding style.

Modifications can negatively impact your motorcycle’s fuel economy. Therefore, you must carefully consider before making any changes to your bike. It should not involve tweaking your engine and other essential parts. Here at Viking Bags , we offer motorcycle parts that only improve your comfort level and make your bike capable of taking you long miles with ease.

By visiting our online store, you can find all types of luggage bag options specially designed to suit your particular make and model, including saddlebags , tank bags , tour packs , backpacks , sissy bar bags , and much more.

In the aftermarket parts category, the company makes sissy bars , crash bars , handlebars , backrests , fairings , and seats . The luggage bags and parts Viking Bags offers ensure ease of installation and you can also easily take them off if you want a stripped-down feel.