1980 Motorcycle Fuel Economy Guide

Year	Make	Model	Engine (cc)	MPG (US)	L/100km	Horsepower	Seat Height	Weight
1980	Benelli	254 Quattro	231	60	3.9	22 hp	31.5 in	320 lb
1980	Benelli	354 Sport	345	58	4.0	30 hp	31.5 in	380 lb
1980	Benelli	654	604	57	4.1	50 hp	31.5 in	405 lb
1980	Benelli	900 Sei	905	38	6.2	80 hp	31.9 in	485 lb
1980	Bimota	KB2 Laser	550	44	5.3	63 hp	31.1 in	360 lb
1980	Bimota	SB5	997	39	6.0	120 hp	31.5 in	430 lb
1980	BMW	R45	473	58	4.0	35 hp	31.1 in	390 lb
1980	BMW	R65	649	51.5	4.6	45 hp	31.5 in	460 lb
1980	BMW	R80/7	797	47	5.0	50 hp	31.5 in	480 lb
1980	BMW	R80G/S	797	47	5.0	50 hp	33.1 in	480 lb
1980	BMW	R100CS	979	42	5.6	70 hp	31.5 in	520 lb
1980	BMW	R100RS	979	42	5.6	60–70 hp	31.5 in	525 lb
1980	BMW	R100RT	979	42	5.6	70 hp	31.5 in	545 lb
1980	Cagiva	SST 125	125	72	3.3	12 hp	32.3 in	250 lb
1980	Cagiva	SST 250	243	65	3.6	22 hp	32.7 in	310 lb
1980	Cagiva	SST 350	342	58	4.0	30 hp	32.9 in	380 lb
1980	Cagiva	SST 350 (sidecar)	342	54	4.4	30 hp	32.9 in	460 lb
1980	Dnepr	MT‑10 (sidecar)	650	48	4.9	30 hp	31.5 in	520 lb
1980	Dnepr	MT‑10‑36 (sidecar)	649	48	4.9	30 hp	31.5 in	525 lb
1980	Ducati	500 SL Pantah	497	58	4.1	45 hp	31.1 in	385 lb
1980	Ducati	600 SL Pantah	581	55	4.3	50 hp	31.1 in	395 lb
1980	Ducati	900 SS Hailwood Replica	864	43	5.5	68 hp	31.3 in	455 lb
1980	Ducati	900 SD Darmah	864	45	5.2	67 hp	31.3 in	465 lb
1980	Enfield	Bullet 350	346	90	2.6	18 hp	31.5 in	360 lb
1980	Fantic	TX150 Caballero	124	70	3.4	20 hp	32.3 in	255 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	FLH Electra Glide	1337	41.5	5.7	67 hp	28.0 in	785 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	FLHC Electra Glide Classic	1337	41.5	5.7	67 hp	28.0 in	795 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	FLHS Electra Glide Sport	1337	42.5	5.5	67 hp	28.0 in	780 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	FLT Tour Glide	1337	43	5.5	67 hp	28.0 in	785 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	FXB Sturgis	1337	44	5.3	67 hp	27.8 in	640 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	FXEF Fat Bob	1337	44	5.3	67 hp	27.8 in	640 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	FXWG Wide Glide	1337	42.5	5.5	67 hp	27.8 in	650 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	XLH 1000 Sportster	997	49.5	4.7	61 hp	28.0 in	520 lb
1980	Harley‑Davidson	XLS 1000 Roadster	997	51.5	4.6	55 hp	28.0 in	525 lb
1980	Honda	C70	72	93	2.5	6 hp	30.1 in	170 lb
1980	Honda	CB125S	124	80	2.9	13 hp	31.1 in	275 lb
1980	Honda	CB400T Hawk	395	51.5–57	4.6–4.1	40–43 hp	31.0 in	401 lb
1980	Honda	CB650 / CB650C	627	51.5–53	4.6–4.4	50–70 hp	31.5 in	495 lb
1980	Honda	CB750F / K / C	748	48–50.5	4.9–4.7	77 hp	31.5 in	495 lb
1980	Honda	CB900C / CB900F	901	44	5.3	95 hp	31.5 in	520 lb
1980	Honda	CBX1050	1047	40.5	5.8	100 hp	31.5 in	600 lb
1980	Honda	CM200T	194	72.5	3.2	17 hp	27.6 in	280 lb
1980	Honda	CM400A / CM400T	395	50.5–57	4.7–4.1	27–43 hp	30.7 in	390 lb
1980	Honda	CT70	72	88.5	2.7	5 hp	28.0 in	140 lb
1980	Honda	CT110	105	79	3.0	7 hp	31.1 in	200 lb
1980	Honda	CX500 / CX500C	497	50–55	4.7–4.3	50–60 hp	31.1 in	450 lb
1980	Honda	GL1100 Gold Wing	1085	42.5	5.5	81 hp	30.7 in	690 lb
1980	Honda	XL80S / XL100S / XL125S	80–124	73.5–76.5	3.2–3.1	7–10 hp	31.1 in	200–240 lb
1980	Honda	XL185S / XL250S	185–249	69–73.5	3.4–3.2	15–22 hp	34.1 in	260–280 lb
1980	Honda	XL500S	498	49.5	4.7	33–40 hp	35.0 in	290 lb
1980	Honda	XR80 / XR200 / XR500	80–498	67–74.5	3.5–3.2	10–36 hp	33.0 in	220–290 lb
1980	Honda	Z50R	49	77.5	3.0	4 hp	22.0 in	110 lb
1980	Jawa	350/634	348	54.1	4.4	23 hp	31.1 in	330 lb
1980	Kawasaki	EN450 454 LTD	454	61.5	3.8	50 hp	27.6 in	390 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KD80	80	75.5	3.1	9 hp	28.7 in	160 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KE100 / KE125 / KE175	99–173	63.5–73.5	3.7–3.2	11–16 hp	32.0 in	240–260 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KM100	99	72.5	3.2	11 hp	31.1 in	211 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KX400	398	53.5	4.4	40 hp	36.0 in	240 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ440 / KZ500 / KZ550	443–553	55–57	4.3–4.1	38–65 hp	31.5 in	420–461 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ650	652	51.5	4.6	66 hp	31.7 in	465 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ750 / KZ750E	738–750	45–55	5.2–4.3	67 hp	31.7 in	480 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ900 / Z900	908	47	5.0	90 hp	31.7 in	520 lb
1980	Kawasaki	Z440 / Z750	443–738	55–57	4.3–4.1	38–67 hp	31.5 in	415–480 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ1000 (A/J/B/K)	1015	35–46	6.7–5.1	90–100 hp	31.7 in	535 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ1100 Spectre	1090	45	5.2	108 hp	31.7 in	560 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ1300	1286	39	6.0	120 hp	29.9 in	820 lb
1980	Kawasaki	ZX550	553	55	4.3	65 hp	31.6 in	461 lb
1980	Laverda	Jota 1000	981	42	5.6	90 hp	31.5 in	515 lb
1980	Moto Guzzi	1000 SP	948	41.6	5.6	70–80 hp	31.1 in	540 lb
1980	Peugeot	XP50	49	95	2.5	4 hp	31.1 in	190 lb
1980	Piaggio	Vespa PX125E	124	85	2.8	10 hp	31.1 in	240 lb
1980	Piaggio	Vespa PX200E	198	75	3.1	12 hp	31.1 in	250 lb
1980	Suzuki	DR400	397	60	3.9	30–35 hp	35.8 in	310 lb
1980	Suzuki	GS250T	249	96	2.5	23 hp	30.7 in	290 lb
1980	Suzuki	GS400 / GS425 / GS450	399–448	56–57	4.2–4.1	36–38 hp	31.1 in	385–390 lb
1980	Suzuki	GS550 / GS550L	549	52–59	4.5–4.0	49–67 hp	31.5 in	420–435 lb
1980	Suzuki	GS750 / GS750L	749	40.5–50.5	5.8–4.7	70–80 hp	31.7 in	510 lb
1980	Suzuki	GS850G	843	53.5	4.4	80 hp	31.7 in	510 lb
1980	Suzuki	GS1000 / GS1100G	997–1067	43–45	5.5–5.2	90–95 hp	31.7 in	535–540 lb
1980	Suzuki	GL1100L (LTD)	1067	37.5	6.3	95 hp	31.7 in	560 lb
1980	Triumph	Bonneville T140	744	48	4.9	55 hp	31.5 in	430 lb
1980	Yamaha	DT100 / DT125 / DT175	97–171	70–85	3.4–2.8	7–17 hp	31.1 in	220–250 lb
1980	Yamaha	IT125 / IT175 / IT250 / IT425	125–423	55–75	4.3–3.1	15–40 hp	34.0 in	230–280 lb
1980	Yamaha	LB50 Chappy / LC50 Champ / QT50	49–50	80–95	2.9–2.5	4–6 hp	30.1 in	150–170 lb
1980	Yamaha	SR250 / SR500	249–499	58–62	4.1–3.8	20–33 hp	31.3 in	380–395 lb
1980	Yamaha	TT250 / TT500	249–498	57	4.1	28–36 hp	35.0 in	285–290 lb
1980	Yamaha	XS650 Heritage Special	653	50.5	4.7	50 hp	31.5 in	450 lb
1980	Yamaha	XS750 / XS850 (Special/Midnight)	747–850	35–42.5	6.7–5.5	68–73 hp	31.5 in	550–603 lb
1980	Yamaha	XS1100	1101	47	5.0	95 hp	32.3 in	603 lb
1980	Yamaha	XT500	498	57	4.1	32–36 hp	35.0 in	285 lb
1980	BMW	R60/7	599	52	4.5	40 hp	31.5 in	480 lb
1980	BMW	R100T	979	42	5.6	70 hp	31.5 in	525 lb
1980	BMW	R100S	979	42	5.6	70 hp	31.5 in	520 lb
1980	Bultaco	Streaker 125	119	75	3.1	16 hp	31.1 in	240 lb
1980	Cagiva	250 RX	249	62	3.8	22 hp	34.0 in	300 lb
1980	Cagiva	SX350	342	58	4.0	30 hp	34.0 in	330 lb
1980	Can‑Am	MX‑6 125	123	68	3.5	22 hp	35.0 in	230 lb
1980	Can‑Am	MX‑6 250	246	60	3.9	29 hp	36.0 in	250 lb
1980	Can‑Am	MX‑6 400	406	53	4.4	38 hp	36.5 in	270 lb
1980	CZ	350 Twin (Typ 472)	343	59	4.0	22 hp	31.1 in	310 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KZ250 LTD	246	70	3.4	23 hp	30.7 in	300 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KL250	246	62	3.8	22 hp	34.0 in	285 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KLX250	246	60	3.9	28 hp	35.0 in	288 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KDX175	173	66	3.6	19 hp	34.0 in	240 lb
1980	Kawasaki	KH125	124	78	3.0	12 hp	31.1 in	255 lb
1980	Yamaha	SR250	239	70	3.4	21 hp	29.0 in	287 lb
1980	Yamaha	LB50 Chappy	49	90	2.6	5 hp	30.1 in	150 lb
1980	Yamaha	LC50 Champ	50	90	2.6	5 hp	30.1 in	155 lb
1980	Yamaha	QT50	50	82	2.9	4 hp	30.1 in	170 lb

1980 Best & Worst Fuel Economy Performers

Top 10 Best MPG (1980)
Honda C70 / CT70	~88–93 MPG
Honda CT110	~79 MPG
Kawasaki KD80	~75–76 MPG
Honda XL80S/XL125S	~74–77 MPG
Kawasaki KE100	~73–74 MPG
Suzuki GS250T	~96 MPG
Yamaha LB50/LC50/QT50	~80–95 MPG
Honda CM200T	~72–73 MPG
BMW R65	~51–52 MPG
Honda CX500 family	~50–55 MPG

 

Bottom 10 Worst MPG (1980)
Kawasaki KZ1300	~39 MPG
Suzuki GL1100L (LTD)	~37–38 MPG
Yamaha XS850 triples	~35–43 MPG
Honda CBX1050	~40–41 MPG
Kawasaki KZ1000 big fours	~35–46 MPG
BMW R100RS/RT class	~42 MPG
Moto Guzzi 1000 SP	~41–42 MPG
Harley‑Davidson FL touring	~41–43 MPG
Suzuki GS1100G/GS1000	~43–45 MPG
Yamaha XS1100	~47 MPG

 

1980 Fuel Economy Myth‑Busters

• Small commuters punch above weight: 50–250cc singles and mopeds (C70/CT/GS250T/LB50/QT50) routinely return 70–100+ MPG; jetting and pace dominate more than displacement.
• Tourers can sip: GL1100, BMW airheads, and early ADV (R80G/S) hold mid‑30s to ~50 MPG with smooth throttle and tidy aero; rider setup drives the spread.
• Pace is king: Interceptor/GPz/DOHC fours can stay mid‑40s to low‑50s when short‑shifting and cruising below high RPM; carb balance matters.
• ADV drag hurts economy: Boxes, tall screens, and knobbies on GS/XL/XR reduce MPG; trimming drag and tire choice recovers several MPG.
• Carb health matters: Balanced carbs, correct jetting, clean filters, and fresh plugs often recover 3–8 MPG on carb‑era machines.

 

 

1980 Fuel Economy Strategies

• Commute class: 50–300cc singles/scooters (C70/CT/XL, GS250T, Vespa PX) sustain 70–100+ MPG with tire pressure discipline, chain care, and clean intake.
• Touring discipline: GL1100, BMW RS/RT, and R80G/S hold mid‑30s to ~50 MPG at 60–70 mph cruise, light luggage, and tidy aero; carb sync/timing checks pay off.
• ADV setup: GS/XL/XR recover MPG by reducing aero drag, keeping luggage narrow, and selecting less aggressive treads for long pavement stints.
• Performance pacing: GPz/DOHC fours respond to short‑shifting and smooth throttle; expect mid‑40s to low‑50s MPG in real‑world cruising.
• Maintenance multipliers: Wheel bearings, chain alignment, plug heat range, and carb balance reduce parasitic losses on carb‑era bikes.

 

 

What Was New and Popular in 1980 Motorcycles

1980 marked the rise of modern ADV with BMW’s R80 G/S, sustained the DOHC big‑four arms race across Japan, and matured full‑dress touring with GL1100 while triples like Yamaha’s XS850 carved a distinct cultural niche. Owner MPG spreads reflected setup and pacing more than badge or displacement.

• ADV pivot: BMW R80 G/S normalized “ride‑anywhere” utility and seeded the adventure segment.
• Sport‑tour momentum: DOHC fours (CB/GPz/GS/XS) balanced pace and range for daily riders and long trips.
• Luxo‑tour maturity: GL1100, RS/RT refined comfort, aero, and long‑haul reliability with consistent MPG baselines.
• Triple culture: Yamaha XS750/850 family offered smooth shaft‑drive touring with a distinctive character and owner MPG variability.
• Global breadth: Benelli/Cagiva/Ducati/Moto Guzzi plus Vespa and Peugeot rounded out accessible, fuel‑savvy choices alongside Japanese ubiquity.

Overall, 1980 blended speed, distance, and everyday economy—often in the same garage—thanks to broad model availability and aggressive innovation, with Europe and the USA sustaining iconic niches.