fuel economy?

[BanaBanuFerry]

I'm looking a suzuki gs500F (along with some other bikes), and I know that bikes are supposed to be fuel efficient vehicles, but I cant seem to find HOW fuel efficient. I'm curious as to what the gs500F gets in MPG. Does anyone know? Also, what's good fuel efficiently for a motorbike? Thanks.

[Telesque]

Well, from what I've heard..

A heavyweight bike will get around 40 MPG, midsizers get around 60 MPG, and scooters/lightweights can get 80 MPG or better.

Those are pretty ballpark though, and it all depends on the type of bike, gearing, engine, etc.

If I had to take a stab at it, I'd say you're probably get around 60 MPG on a 500?

[honda599]

Don't worry about fuel consumption it's still better than a car and a lot more fun. If I was to guess I would say between 50-60mpg, depends on heavy your throttle is.

[Aquaduct]

I'd agree with the others. Bikes don't have a mandated fuel economy test like cars do and there's no standard cycle for evaluating fuel economy. That's why you don't see numbers. The best you can hope for is Google a motorcycle magazine evaluation that includes what they got.

That's as close to a real number as you'll find.

[Mag7C]

honda599's estimate sounds about right, based on the two bikes I've had (440cc and 700cc). The 440 got 60-70, and the 700 holds a steady 42.

The problem is that even if the bike has great fuel economy, it's so much fun to ride that you'll probably buy more gas per month than you would with a car.

[TheReaper]

Speaking of fuel economy, are bikes less fuel efficient during the break in period? I've got about 150 miles on my FZ6 and have already filled up twice. I know part of it is me being a new rider however it stills doesn't seem very good to me.

[allawybiker]

Speaking of fuel economy, are bikes less fuel efficient during the break in period? I've got about 150 miles on my FZ6 and have already filled up twice. I know part of it is me being a new rider however it stills doesn't seem very good to me.

Thanks for this question TheReaper, I too have a new Suzuki M50 (820cc) and getting around 140-150 miles on about 3.6 gallons, that's about 39mpg. I only have 340 miles on the bike and wondering if I will get better mileage after the break-in period!

[BuzZz]

Generally, very generally, engines will have less internal friction after break-in and milage will go up. It won't double or anything, but should improve.

[Toyuzu]

Echoing what BuzZz said - fuel economy generally increases a bit after the break-in period. I read a report specifically about the FZ6 that stated fuel economy was close to 50 MPG after break-in. Now, keep in mind that figure comes from a brain that would rather ride than store figures.

Seriously though, My 21 year-old carbureted 600 CC Yamaha four-banger gets 40 MPG if I'm pacing a Ducati 996, or 49 MPG if I'm riding under the speed limit on my way from San Fransisco to home, waiting for my wife in the cage behind me.

If you ride hard, don't expect to see 50+ mpg. but then, you're having fun, and even the hardest ride will use less fuel than the vast majority of cages.

[Itzamna]

My SV1000 varies a lot in gas mileage. It really depends on how hard I hit the throttle. It's been down 23 mpg before. Usually I average about 30-33 mpg. I have gotten up to 44 mpg, cruising in 6th gear for 2 hours, but I rarely do that. But, I also have a power commander which definitely lowers the economy, but does help a lot in the horsepower.

My old '82 Nighthawk 750 got 40 mpg no matter what. You could go 50 and get 40 mpg and ride 120 for an hour and get 40 mpg exactly.