Best fuel-efficient motorcycles in every category

Nearly any motorcycle can do better than 25.3 mpg, which is the average passenger vehicle’s fuel consumption in the United States, according to the most recent EPA figures. The best-performing category, sedans and wagons, averaged 31.7 miles per gallon; pickups placed last with an average of 19.4 mpg.

In contrast, it’s easy to find a motorcycle that’ll return 40 to 50 miles to the gallon. Quite a few models get 60 to 70 mpg, while some small motorcycles can reach over 100 mpg. Let’s take a look at a variety of motorcycles that stand out for their fuel economy.

Note: All fuel economy numbers are as claimed by the manufacturer. These claims were compared against user-submitted data from Fuelly as well as our own notes from motorcycle reviews. And to keep things simple, the motorcycles featured here are current production models from major manufacturers. Yes, it is possible to buy a mil-surp diesel KLR that gets 99 miles per gallon, but we chose to stick to motorcycles that are currently in production and available through your local dealer. 

Don’t electric powertrains have the best fuel economy in motorcycling?

To compare electric vehicles against their ICE counterparts, manufacturers list mpg-e ratings. A Zero SR/F, for example, is advertised as 430 city/219 highway and a combined 313 mpg-e. Mark Gardiner’s excellent article on the environmental impact of electric motorcycles is worth a read, but what you need to know in the context of this article is that mpg-e doesn't really explain a vehicle's fuel cost. Let's consider a real-life comparison.

The Honda NC750X, a motorcycle known for its efficiency, has a 3.7-gallon tank and a conservative fuel economy of 65 mpg. An average gallon of gas in RevZilla's home city of Philadelphia is $4.37 at the time of writing, so each mile of riding the NC750X takes $0.07 in fuel. Using that Zero SR/F as an example again, the standard battery’s nominal capacity is 12.6 kWh. With Philly’s average price of $0.17/kWh, it’s about $2.14 to fully charge an SR/F. Zero’s chart claims the standard SR/F has a combined city/55mph highway range of 118 miles, which works out to about $0.02 per mile for our Philadelphian Zero rider. In other words, the Zero’s fuel costs are like owning an ICE motorcycle that gets over 215 mpg! This is only a rough example, not a scientific study, but it demonstrates the gap between ICE and electric fuel costs. Try adapting these numbers to your area's prices if you're considering an electric motorcycle. 

Choosing a motorcycle for best fuel economy

Before looking at specific models, here are a few general considerations to think about when looking for better fuel economy.

• Smaller, lighter motorcycles tend to use less fuel. Almost all the top choices are between 300 and 750 cc and have one-cylinder or two-cylinder engines.
• Look for motorcycles with six-speed gearboxes or “overdrive” gearing.
• Motorcycles with chain final drive can be modified with different sprockets for improved fuel economy.
• Throttle control is key. A heavy-wristed rider can sink fuel economy numbers on any machine.
• Fuel economy is highly variable due to factors like tire pressure, rider weight, cargo, modifications, and the motorcycle’s overall state of tune.
• The Japanese manufacturers, especially Honda and Yamaha, are exceptionally good at building efficient motorcycles. 

Best beginner/small motorcycle for fuel economy: Honda Grom/Monkey 125

Looking for something small, fun, and incredibly fuel-efficient? Honda’s miniMOTO line leads the way in bang-for-buck. There are several options in this lineup, all little air-cooled singles priced from $1,807 for the Navi to $4,199 for the Monkey. All of them can return over 100 miles per gallon. Their small size, affordable price tags, and endless customizability makes them perfect for a beginner’s first motorcycle, or an experienced rider’s secondary machine for zipping around town.

Of all the miniMOTOs, the Grom is the best choice for most riders. It has more power than the Navi, it costs $700 less than the retro Monkey, and it has a standard four-speed manual transmission unlike the semi-auto found on the Super Cub or Trail 125. Honda says the Grom gets 166 mpg, but real-world experience puts that number closer to 110 mpg. Still, that’s an impressive figure and the best overall in this article. If you've never owned a motorcycle before, and you want to ride specifically so you can save money on gas, get a Grom. Choose a larger motorcycle if you need to travel on highways.

Best street/standard motorcycle for fuel economy: Honda NC750X

Wind-deflecting bodywork? Check. Efficient, low-maintenance twin? Check. Outrageously practical, even for a Honda? Check, check, and check. Meet the NC750X, the motorcycling equivalent of vanilla bean ice cream. Honda says this commuter-oriented standard can deliver 80 miles per gallon. If you spring for an NC, expect your fuel economy to average around 65 miles per gallon, or lower if you strafe canyons all weekend. However, light throttle application during everyday use can swing the pendulum in the other direction to 80 miles per gallon or more. A handy segment of the NC’s dash displays real-time fuel economy while you ride. You’d be surprised at what a slight adjustment in throttle position can do.

Another Honda scoops an honorable mention: the wallflower CB500F, which hasn’t had an update in ages but holds its own against today’s middleweight field. Fuelly data trends closer to 65 mpg than Honda’s claimed 76 mpg, which is still extremely competitive for the CB’s class. It’s not uncommon for CB500F riders to get 70 to 80 mpg from their thrifty twins. If the CB500F is a little bland for your tastes, Yamaha’s MT-07 gets a claimed 58 miles per gallon. Real-world performance will probably be in the low- to mid-50s, although careful throttle use can push the MT-07 over the 60 mpg mark. 

Best cruiser motorcycle for fuel economy: Yamaha Bolt R-Spec

The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec is a Japanese interpretation of a Sportster-class cruiser. The R-Spec is the only Bolt model available in North America for 2022. R-Spec means cast wheels and piggyback rear suspension over the retired base version. A Bolt R-Spec should return Yamaha’s claimed 51 mpg without too much variation thanks to an understressed, air-cooled V-twin that’s remarkably economical for its size. The R-Spec also weighs about 40 pounds less than a Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200, making it one of the lighter cruisers in its class.

Speaking of the Sporty, both the Indian Scout and Harley-Davidson Sportster lines are good for 40 to 45 mpg in stock trim. That’s not terribly far behind the Bolt for riders committed to buying a motorcycle made in the United States. As for small cruisers, Honda Rebel 300 will meet or exceed Honda’s claimed 71 mpg. Or, if you squint enough, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 sorta looks like a cruiser. Would a claimed 101 mpg affect your decision? Based on tests, reviews, and owner reports, that figure is fairly attainable.

Best sport motorcycle for fuel economy: Yamaha YZF-R7

Of all the specs on a sport motorcycle’s spec sheet, fuel economy gets the fewest glances. Who buys a sport bike based on how much gas it uses? Then again, most sport riders spend a lot more time on the street than the race track, so good fuel economy might be worth a second look. 

Unfortunately, large inline-four engines with 200 horsepower and racy redlines guzzle gas. None of the current four-cylinder liter bikes are much better on gas than a Toyota RAV4. If you simply must have something spicy, get a Panigale V2. Both Ducati and independent testers say it’s good for 40 mpg. On the highway, it can be pushed even higher. 

If you don’t need liter-class performance, the smarter sport choice is Yamaha’s new R7. This motorcycle has the same CP2 engine found in the MT-07, but in the aerodynamic R7, it’ll provide a claimed 58 miles per gallon. Mid-50s mpg should be no issue for most street riding. The R7 is a phenomenal choice because it still provides sport geometry and handling that impressed three of our reviewers. 

And for those who would accept even less power for class-leading fuel economy, the CBR300R should approach or meet Honda’s claimed 71 mpg. Rider weight and riding style seem to affect those numbers more than most other machines, due to the Honda’s lack of horsepower.

Best retro/café motorcycle for fuel economy: Royal Enfield Classic 350

Want a motorcycle that combines throwback styling with modern efficiency? Visit your local Royal Enfield dealer. Their newest single-cylinder engines will satisfy riders who prioritize fuel economy. Plus, they’re simple enough to maintain at home or on the road to keep them performing their best.

The Classic 350, spiritual successor to the Bullet, is rated for 95 miles per gallon. 85 to 90 gallons is closer to actual performance. The Himalayan and Scram 411 offer retro adventure and scrambler alternatives, respectively, with around 80 mpg each from their slightly larger engines. Step up to Royal Enfield’s 650 twins, and fuel economy only drops to 65 mpg. 

Best ADV bike for fuel economy: Yamaha Ténéré 700

Yamaha’s site doesn’t list fuel consumption for the Ténéré 700, but it has the same CP2 engine as the R7 (see Sport section above) and the MT-07. According to owner reports, the T7 should squeeze 52 to 57 miles from each gallon of gas.

The 4.2-gallon tank gives the T7 respectable range for adventuring, making the T7 a compelling choice for riders seeking efficiency and respectable ADV performance. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 (Wee-Strom) isn’t far behind at 50 mpg. For an open-class ADV machine, check out the Harley-Davidson Pan America’s 46 claimed mpg. Actual performance is very close to H-D’s claim. At the other end of the spectrum, BMW’s G 310 GS wrings 70 miles out of a gallon. Those who prefer spokes to the Beemer’s cast wheels should consider a Kawasaki Versys-X 300, which is only a little worse on gas.

Best dirt bike for fuel economy: Honda CRF300L

Dirt riders don’t focus on fuel economy as much as other numbers on spec charts, like horsepower, weight, ground clearance, and suspension travel. Still, it’s not a bad idea to have a dirt bike that doesn’t use much gas. Better efficiency means better range, fewer fuel stops, and cheaper off-road fun. The Honda CRF300L strikes the right balance of performance and economy with a claimed 75 miles per gallon.

Real-world figures are very close to Honda’s claim, and some riders have pushed the CRF’s efficient engine to nearly 80 mpg. It’s probably smart to buy the street-legal CRF300L over the dirt-only CRF250R to maximize those fuel savings with short trips around town. Plus, the 250R is much thirstier. Dirt riders seeking more power should try a KTM 690 Enduro R. The Austrian superthumper is surprisingly easy on fuel, offering 50 to 60 mpg in mild conditions, or a little better than 40 mpg in hard riding. 

Your mileage may vary

As much as the Common Tread team would like to line up every single production motorcycle for a super fuel economy shootout, that’s just not going to happen. Instead, this article is meant to highlight motorcycles that return class-leading fuel economy while also being excellent examples of their respective classes. Some were obvious, others were surprises, and Common Tread readers will probably suggest even more options in the comments section below.

Best fuel-efficient motorcycles by category
Category	Model	Estimated miles per gallon
Small/beginner motorcycle	Honda Grom or Monkey	166
Cruiser	Yamaha Bolt R-Spec	51
Street/standard motorcycle	Honda NC750X	80
Sport motorcycle	Yamaha YZF-R7	58
Retro motorcycle	Royal Enfield Classic 350	95
Adventure motorcycle	Yamaha Ténéré 700	55
Dirt bike or dual-sport motorcycle	Honda CRF300L	75