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Top 5 most fuel efficient big bikes
Looking to make the shift to two wheels because of rising gas prices? Here are a few expressway-legal options that are incredibly frugal with gas.
With gasoline prices rising nearly every week, and with no end in sight, it may be tempting to make the switch to two wheels. While getting a fuel-sipping scooter, or better yet, an electric bicycle is a surefire way to refill your piggy bank from fuel savings, a city-slicker simply isn’t the right choice for everyone. For those who rely on the expressways for their daily commute to and from school or work, it may be worth considering shifting to a big bike.
It’s an undeniable truth: big bikes are a lot more fuel inefficient than scooters. Of course, with more than four times the displacement, and sometimes even ten times the power output, big bikes can be gas guzzlers, especially when ridden hard all the time. That being said, there are a few big bikes out there that are surprisingly frugal when it comes to fuel, especially when ridden calmly and with efficiency in mind. Yes, they’re significantly more efficient than even the smallest compact hatchback. Read on to learn more.
Honda CB500X - 26 to 28 kilometers per liter
The Honda CB500X is Honda’s entry-level adventure-touring motorcycle. It’s equipped with a 471cc parallel-twin engine that returns a healthy 44 horsepower. While it certainly isn't the fastest or most exhilarating bike, it is one of the most fuel-efficient big bikes out there. We were able to test Honda’s entry-level ADV, and we found that it returned a rather impressive 26 to 28 kilometers per liter, depending on how greedy we were with the throttle. This figure was achieved on a route which included a combination of city and highway riding. We reckon that this can even be higher, assuming you really lay off the gas and use momentum to your advantage.
Kymco Xciting 400i - 25 to 28 kilometers per liter
While we haven’t tested the Kymco Xciting 400i for ourselves, several real-world tests report that its fuel consumption ranges from around 25 to 28 kilometers per liter. Naturally, a maxi-scooter makes perfect sense for the utility-focused commuter, as it comes with all the creature comforts you’d expect to find on a long distance tourer—features that also fit perfectly into the busy everyday commuter’s checklist. Really, with how much storage space the Xciting 400 boasts—plus the possibility of an aftermarket top case, you’re practically driving a tiny car.
KTM 390 Duke - 24 to 26 kilometers per liter
The KTM 390 Duke is a bike that we at MotoDeal.com.ph are extremely well acquainted with. In fact, all of our writers, at one point or another, owned the second generation 390 Duke. As such, we know just how much fun this bike can be—be it in the city or on provincial twisty roads. It’s also surprisingly fuel efficient, with our real world tests returning around 25 kilometers per liter. Mind you, we’d ride this thing without even thinking about fuel efficiency figures, so don’t be surprised if this bike can return upwards of 30 kilometers per liter. It packs a punch 373cc single capable of churning out 42 horsepower.
Kawasaki Ninja 400 - 24 to 25 kilometers per liter
Yes, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is a sportbike, but it’s one that’s been built to suit the needs of commuters. As such, it packs a rather docile 399cc parallel-twin engine that pumps out around 45 horsepower. It’s a high-revving engine, so that means it makes all of its power at the top of the rev range. When ridden gently, and revs kept low, the Ninja 400 can indeed be a very fuel-efficient motorcycle, with efficiency figures ranging anywhere from 24 to 25 kilometers per liter. Its sporty styling and unmistakable silhouette, however, can have onlookers easily mistake it for a much more powerful motorcycle.
Yamaha MT-07 - 23 to 25 kilometers per liter
The last bike on our list is the biggest in terms of displacement, and naturally, the least fuel efficient of the lot. However, considering the fun factor this bike brings to the table, it’s undoubtedly a strong contender. The Yamaha MT-07, with its 689cc crossplane parallel-twin engine, produces around 70 horsepower, and can return 23 to 25 kilometers per liter when ridden in the city and on the highway. Based on our real world tests, we’ve seen efficiency figures as high as 27 kilometers per liter when the bike is ridden calmly.
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