Fuel economy
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008Motorcycle fuel economy benefits from the relatively small mass of the vehicle. This, of course, relates to how the motorcycle is used. One person on a small motorcycle traveling a short distance is generally very economical. However a large motorcycle generally has bad aerodynamics compared with a typical car, poor aerodynamics of exposed passengers and engines designed for goals other than fuel economy can work to reduce these benefits. Riding style has a large effect on fuel economy.
Fuel economy varies greatly with engine displacement and riding style ranging from a low of 29 mpg (US) (12 km/l/35 mpg imp) reported by a Honda VTR1000F rider, to 107 mpg (US) (45 km/l/129 mpg imp) reported for the Verucci Nitro 50 cc Scooter. A specially designed Matzu Matsuzawa Honda XL125 achieved 470 mpg (US) (200 km/l/560 mpg imp) “on real highways - in real conditions.”