High mileage recommendation

[jack]

Looking to add a scooter or high mpg bike. Looking at the Kymco 250 and Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Both are the current object of price gouging by dealers and individuals seeking to capitalize on the high fuel costs. Any alternative bikes or scooters that get 50+ mpg and have not gotten 'popular'?

Thanks,

Jack.

 

[dhalen32]

Jack:

You might want to take a look at a Buell Blast. They return almost 70 mpg and are very low maintenance: belt drive, hydralulic valve lash adjustment, air cooled. Bodywork is plastic like a dirt bike so it doesn't rust or dent.

We use them as training bikes. Fleets are replaced on or about September 1 and there are two or three Rider's Edge programs in Kansas City. You may want to start asking about buying one when they come out of service. Mileage will be low but they are hard miles as the bikes spend a lot of time lying on their sides, jumping curbs, etc. Replacement parts are very cheap and plentiful and Rider's Edge dealers stock a lot of turn signals, levers and footpegs as a result.

They do require premium fuel, they vibrate as they are a big single (492 cc) and if the shift drum feels like it is binding DO NOT BUY that one.

Dave

 

[Fred W]

Jack:You might want to take a look at a Buell Blast. They return almost 70 mpg and are very low maintenance: belt drive, hydralulic valve lash adjustment, air cooled. Bodywork is plastic like a dirt bike so it doesn't rust or dent.

We use them as training bikes. Fleets are replaced on or about September 1 and there are two or three Rider's Edge programs in Kansas City. You may want to start asking about buying one when they come out of service. Mileage will be low but they are hard miles as the bikes spend a lot of time lying on their sides, jumping curbs, etc. Replacement parts are very cheap and plentiful and Rider's Edge dealers stock a lot of turn signals, levers and footpegs as a result.

They do require premium fuel, they vibrate as they are a big single (492 cc) and if the shift drum feels like it is binding DO NOT BUY that one.

Dave

If you peruse any classified adverts, Buell Blasts are readily available that have not been thrashed at a school setting. People buy them for what they are, beginners bikes. Most get very few miles and a lot of pampering until the owner moves up or loses interest in motorcycling altogether.

Oh, and they are usually dirt cheap.

Buell Blasts on Craigs List

 

[colin]

Do you have Aprilia Scarebo's around? They look pretty cool, I like them. Dunno about mileage, you can get 250s here, which are probably pretty good.

The one thing with some of these scooters vs. smaller ones like mine, is that the place where you put your feet is not always flat. I think that is the most useful feature of my scooter, you can put your bag there or some groceries and get home with that.

from a street cred point of view, the ninja 250 is probably a good way to go.....

 

[FJRMGM]

Any alternative bikes or scooters that get 50+ mpg and have not gotten 'popular'?

I have an '04 Suzuki SV-650s and get mid to upper 50's mpg all the time.

Its a hoot to ride and there are lots of them out there and they can be modded.

 

[Colin24]

Looking to add a scooter or high mpg bike. Looking at the Kymco 250 and Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Both are the current object of price gouging by dealers and individuals seeking to capitalize on the high fuel costs. Any alternative bikes or scooters that get 50+ mpg and have not gotten 'popular'? Thanks,

Jack.

When I was in University in the early 90's my main ride was a KLR250. Street Legal Dual Purpose bike. Perfect city assault bike!

- It was under 300cc so insurance was dirt cheap.

- I went to largest sprocket I could fit on the front and the smallest on the back. This gave the bike enough of a top end that I could sneak out onto the highway and maintain 65 mph for short jaunts across town.

- Even running around town treating the throttle as an on-off switch I would still see 60 mpg plus. And if I took it even a little bit easy on the throttle the milage would climb even higher.

- Long travel suspension would soak up even the largest of potholes with no effort.

- "Abuser Friendly" If you happen to drop the bike or knock it over, who cares, just pick it up and keep going. No expensive bodywork on the thing. I had brush-guards on the handlebars and a rack out back that did a good job of protecting the turnsignals and such in tipovers.

If I could afford a second bike at the moment, I would seriously look at any small displacement street legal dirt bike. 250cc would be the min size if you need to jump out on the highway on occasion. And even 350-400 cc would still give you pretty good gas milage. If you dont need highway then there are some neet little 200cc bikes with electric start.

They dont make the KLR250 any more, but even the KLR650 gets pretty darn good gas consumption figures and with its 650cc displacement will keep up with any traffic. The older 650's also have a larger tank which would make it easier to buy gas on the cheap days and stretch through to the next price drop.

- Colin

PS. Remember, even if your on a scooter you can still suffer alot of damage if you go down. ATGATT applies no matter what the displacement or style.

 

[Pjturbo]

Geez, I don't want to be considered an old fart, (actually, I am an old fart), but I can get 70 mpg out of my FJR. It's all in the wrist. I went 96 miles after the reserve light came on when I miscalculated, (brain fart). And many times I've got more than 50 mpg on a ride when I wasn't trying to be Hayden.

Phil

 

[JRO]

Exactly what you're looking for:

https://www.whizzermotorbike.com

 

[rickysnickers]

Looking to add a scooter or high mpg bike. Looking at the Kymco 250 and Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Both are the current object of price gouging by dealers and individuals seeking to capitalize on the high fuel costs. Any alternative bikes or scooters that get 50+ mpg and have not gotten 'popular'? Thanks,

Jack.

Depending on how tall you are a KLR 650 is a great commuter bike. I would suggest the pre '08 model though. I have an '02 and it gets around 45mpg.

Rick

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>Looking to add a scooter or high mpg bike. Any alternative bikes or scooters that get 50+ mpg and have not gotten 'popular'?

Street legal trail bikes (dual-sport) usually get good fuel mileage. Although most are still carburated -- fuel injection often gives more mpg (usually more precise). I've found that the older California approved trail bikes get better mpg -- but, may have starting(if kickstarted)/driveability issues at lower elevations. Smaller displacement engines usually equal more mpg -- 75 mpg can be common for a 250.

A friend's BMW F650 "Dakar' has gotten 70 mpg when ridden casually -- fuel injection just doesn't see a need for any more gas...?. But, the purchase cost threshold (of that bike) may obviate any fuel consumption economies? :huh:

An old saying: "He's gonna have economy -- no matter what it costs!"

 

[yowser]

gunny on the blast.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Geez, I don't want to be considered an old fart, (actually, I am an old fart), but I can get 70 mpg out of my FJR. It's all in the wrist. I went 96 miles after the reserve light came on when I miscalculated, (brain fart). And many times I've got more than 50 mpg on a ride when I wasn't trying to be Hayden.
Phil

70 mpg on a feejer? Jeeez, this guy's my hero. But you're confused. Des Moines isn't in Washington, silly.

 

[sgoat]

I've got an 07' DR650 that I've recently started commuting on. It's getting 50+ mpg in town and has plenty of hit for highway use. Don't think the dealerships have started gouging them yet. Fun for weekend off-road adventures as well! It's the "Jeep Wrangler" of the stable.

 

[Bustanut joker]

The kids 250 rebel gets 75 plus mpg, however if you're a six footer or more, you'll look like a monkey fukin a football on it.

:jester:

 

[FJReady]

70mpg on a feejer?? You must have a problem with:

a. your math

b. your right wrist

c. your age. oh wait you did say old fart, right?

OK seriously though, I read somewhere that the weeStrom delivers 50+ mpg and is fun to ride. Is that the same as a DL650?

 

[Ed_Grant]

A stock klx250s will get 70+ mpg. Used ones are normally souped up a bit (exhaust, rejetting, etc.) My 06 gets 54 mpg with a Muzzy full exhaust and all that entails.

 

[El Toro]

70mpg on a feejer?? You must have a problem with:
a. your math

b. your right wrist

c. your age. oh wait you did say old fart, right?

OK seriously though, I read somewhere that the weeStrom delivers 50+ mpg and is fun to ride. Is that the same as a DL650?

Yes, the DL650 is the small V-Strom, or Wee-Strom as it is sometimes called.

I used to get 50-54 with my ST1100.

I just got rid of a Burgman 650. Best mileage that I got with that was 59.2, but mostly got 53-55.