1988 Motorcycle Fuel Economy Guide

Year	Make	Model	Engine (cc)	MPG (US)	L/100km	Horsepower	Seat Height	Weight
1988	Aprilia	AF1 125 Replica	124	68	3.5	28 hp	31.1 in	300 lb
1988	Aprilia	Tuareg 4.35	349	60	3.9	30 hp	33.5 in	320 lb
1988	Aprilia	Tuareg 6.35 Wind	562	55	4.3	46 hp	33.9 in	380 lb
1988	Benelli	900 Sei	905	38	6.2	80 hp	31.9 in	485 lb
1988	Beta	TR34 125	124	70	3.4	20 hp	33.1 in	210 lb
1988	Beta	TR34 260	261	65	3.6	22 hp	33.1 in	220 lb
1988	Bimota	YB6	1003	36	6.5	145 hp	32.1 in	420 lb
1988	Bimota	DB1 SR	748	40	5.9	95 hp	31.9 in	380 lb
1988	BMW	K100LT	987	47	5.0	90 hp	30.3 in	650 lb
1988	BMW	K100RS	987	47	5.0	90 hp	31.5 in	540 lb
1988	BMW	K100RT	987	47	5.0	90 hp	31.5 in	540 lb
1988	BMW	K75C	740	49.5	4.7	68 hp	31.1 in	474 lb
1988	BMW	K75S	740	49.5	4.7	68 hp	31.1 in	474 lb
1988	BMW	R100GS	979	42	5.6	60 hp	33.1 in	540 lb
1988	BMW	R100RS	979	42	5.6	60 hp	31.5 in	525 lb
1988	BMW	R100RT	979	42	5.6	60 hp	31.5 in	525 lb
1988	BMW	R65	649	50	4.7	45 hp	31.5 in	460 lb
1988	BMW	R65GS	649	50	4.7	45 hp	33.1 in	470 lb
1988	BMW	R80	797	47	5.0	50 hp	31.5 in	480 lb
1988	BMW	R80GS	797	47	5.0	50 hp	33.1 in	480 lb
1988	BMW	R80RT	797	47	5.0	50 hp	31.5 in	500 lb
1988	Buell	RR1000	1000	40	5.9	78 hp	31.9 in	460 lb
1988	Cagiva	Freccia 125 C9	125	68	3.5	28 hp	30.7 in	285 lb
1988	Cagiva	T4 350 E	343	60	3.9	30 hp	33.9 in	320 lb
1988	Cagiva	T4 500 E	451	58	4.0	34 hp	34.3 in	320 lb
1988	Cagiva	Elefant 750	748	48	4.9	50 hp	33.9 in	430 lb
1988	Chang‑Jiang	750 BG (sidecar)	745	45	5.2	24 hp	31.5 in	500 lb
1988	Chang‑Jiang	750 FY (sidecar)	745	45	5.2	24 hp	31.5 in	500 lb
1988	Chang‑Jiang	750 J‑1 (sidecar)	745	45	5.2	24 hp	31.5 in	500 lb
1988	Donghai	SM 750 (sidecar)	745	44	5.4	24 hp	31.5 in	500 lb
1988	Dnepr	MT‑11 (sidecar)	650	48	4.9	32 hp	31.5 in	520 lb
1988	Dnepr	MT‑16 (sidecar)	650	47	5.0	32 hp	31.5 in	520 lb
1988	Ducati	750 F1	748	44	5.3	76 hp	31.5 in	400 lb
1988	Ducati	750 Santa Monica	748	42	5.6	76 hp	31.5 in	400 lb
1988	Ducati	750 Paso	748	42	5.6	73 hp	31.5 in	430 lb
1988	Enfield	Bullet 350	346	90	2.6	18 hp	31.5 in	360 lb
1988	Enfield	Bullet 350 De Luxe	346	90	2.6	18 hp	31.5 in	360 lb
1988	Enfield	Bullet 350 Superstar	346	90	2.6	18 hp	31.5 in	360 lb
1988	Fantic	125 Sport HP1	124	70	3.4	25 hp	32.3 in	260 lb
1988	GasGas	Enducross 125	125	70	3.6	22 hp	34.3 in	235 lb
1988	GasGas	Enducross 250	249	62	3.8	28 hp	35.0 in	250 lb
1988	Gilera	350 Dakota	349	60	3.9	30 hp	34.3 in	320 lb
1988	Gilera	500 Dakota	492	55	4.3	45 hp	34.6 in	350 lb
1988	Gilera	NGR 250	249	52	4.5	30 hp	31.5 in	360 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FLHS Electra Glide Sport	1337	42.5	5.5	67 hp	28.0 in	780 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FLHTC Electra Glide Classic	1337	42.5	5.5	67 hp	28.0 in	791 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FLTC Tour Glide Classic	1337	43	5.5	67 hp	28.0 in	785 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FLST Heritage Softail	1337	41.5	5.7	49 hp	27.5 in	657 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic	1337	41.5	5.7	49 hp	26.9 in	657 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FXSTC Softail Custom	1337	44	5.3	67 hp	26.8 in	650 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FXSTS Springer Softail	1337	44	5.3	67 hp	26.9 in	650 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FXLR Low Rider Custom	1337	45	5.2	67 hp	27.6 in	650 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FXRT Sport Glide	1337	44	5.3	67 hp	27.6 in	650 lb
1988	Honda	CBR1000F Hurricane	998	54	4.4	135 hp	31.3 in	540 lb
1988	Honda	CBR600F Hurricane	599	48	4.9	85–100 hp	31.5 in	455 lb
1988	Honda	NT650 Hawk GT	647	50	4.7	58 hp	31.3 in	415 lb
1988	Honda	NX250	249	65	3.6	29 hp	32.0 in	293 lb
1988	Honda	NX650	644	54	4.4	44 hp	34.3 in	365 lb
1988	Honda	GL1500 Gold Wing	1520	47	5.0	100 hp	28.7 in	800 lb
1988	Honda	CMX250C Rebel	234	61.5	3.8	18 hp	26.6 in	306 lb
1988	Honda	VFR750F	748	48	4.9	100 hp	31.7 in	480 lb
1988	Honda	XR600R	591	48	4.9	43 hp	36.8 in	290 lb
1988	Honda	Z50R	49	77.5	3.0	4 hp	22.0 in	110 lb
1988	Husqvarna	TE510	503	55	4.3	44 hp	37.0 in	260 lb
1988	Kawasaki	EX250 Ninja 250R	249	77.5	3.0	29 hp	30.5 in	304 lb
1988	Kawasaki	EX500 Ninja 500R	498	56	4.2	50 hp	31.7 in	388 lb
1988	Kawasaki	ZX‑6 (600)	599	49.5	4.7	100 hp	32.1 in	401 lb
1988	Kawasaki	ZX1000 Ninja	998	39.5	5.9	135 hp	31.7 in	540 lb
1988	Kawasaki	Concours ZG1000	998	54	4.4	100 hp	31.1 in	670 lb
1988	Kawasaki	VN750 Vulcan	749	53.5	4.4	61 hp	28.6 in	485 lb
1988	Kawasaki	VN1500 Vulcan	1470	44.5	5.3	67 hp	28.0 in	675 lb
1988	Kawasaki	KLR250	249	80	2.9	23 hp	33.7 in	258 lb
1988	Kawasaki	KLR650	651	58	4.1	40 hp	35.0 in	432 lb
1988	Kawasaki	KE100	99	73.5	3.2	11 hp	31.1 in	211 lb
1988	KTM	600 Enduro	598	55	4.3	45 hp	37.0 in	280 lb
1988	Laverda	Ghost 650	668	45	5.2	70 hp	31.3 in	430 lb
1988	Moto Guzzi	California 1000	949	46	5.1	70 hp	30.7 in	575 lb
1988	Peugeot	XP 50	49	95	2.5	4 hp	31.1 in	190 lb
1988	Piaggio	Vespa PX125E	124	85	2.8	10 hp	31.1 in	240 lb
1988	Piaggio	Vespa PX200E	198	75	3.1	12 hp	31.1 in	250 lb
1988	Suzuki	DR200SE	199	68	3.5	15 hp	32.0 in	278 lb
1988	Suzuki	DR600	589	53.5	4.4	40 hp	35.8 in	330 lb
1988	Suzuki	DR750S Big	747	47	5.0	50 hp	35.8 in	430 lb
1988	Suzuki	GN125	125	87.5	2.7	10 hp	30.7 in	275 lb
1988	Suzuki	GN250	249	72.5	3.2	20 hp	30.7 in	300 lb
1988	Suzuki	GS400	399	57	4.1	36 hp	30.9 in	380 lb
1988	Suzuki	GSX600F Katana	599	55	4.3	86 hp	31.7 in	458 lb
1988	Suzuki	GSX‑R750	749	52.5	4.5	106–112 hp	32.3 in	448 lb
1988	Suzuki	GV1400 Cavalcade	1360	34	6.9	88 hp	30.7 in	850 lb
1988	Suzuki	Intruder 750 (VS750)	747	53.5	4.4	55 hp	27.6 in	560 lb
1988	Suzuki	Intruder 1400 (VS1400)	1360	46	5.1	61 hp	27.6 in	639 lb
1988	Suzuki	Savage 650 (S40)	652	53.5	4.4	31 hp	28.0 in	381 lb
1988	SYM	Jet 50	49	95	2.5	4 hp	30.7 in	185 lb
1988	Triumph	Daytona 750	748	44	5.3	98 hp	31.3 in	465 lb
1988	Triumph	Daytona 1000	998	39.5	5.9	135 hp	31.7 in	500 lb
1988	Yamaha	FZR400	399	41	5.7	64 hp	31.1 in	385 lb
1988	Yamaha	FZR600	599	51.5	4.6	90 hp	31.7 in	412 lb
1988	Yamaha	FZR1000	1002	42.5	5.5	145 hp	31.5 in	510 lb
1988	Yamaha	XJ600	598	56	4.2	61 hp	31.1 in	430 lb
1988	Yamaha	XJ900	891	49.5	4.7	90 hp	31.7 in	509 lb
1988	Yamaha	XT350	346	60	3.9	21 hp	34.3 in	273 lb
1988	Yamaha	XT600 Ténéré	595	56	4.2	43 hp	34.6 in	343 lb
1988	Yamaha	Virago 535	535	61.5	3.8	40 hp	28.1 in	425 lb
1988	Yamaha	Virago 750	748	55	4.3	55 hp	28.5 in	465 lb
1988	Yamaha	Virago 1000	981	44	5.3	62 hp	28.5 in	520 lb
1988	Yamaha	V‑Max	1198	40.5	5.8	140 hp	30.5 in	631 lb
1988	Aprilia	TX 125	124	78	3.0	12 hp	31.1 in	260 lb
1988	Aprilia	TX 311 M (trial)	277	65	3.6	20 hp	33.1 in	220 lb
1988	Benelli	BX 125 Enduro	123	70	3.4	12 hp	33.1 in	260 lb
1988	Benelli	304	231	60	3.9	27 hp	31.5 in	330 lb
1988	Beta	KR 250	239	62	3.8	26 hp	33.1 in	240 lb
1988	BMW	K100RS ABS	980	47	5.0	90 hp	31.5 in	540 lb
1988	Cagiva	T4 350 R (trial)	343	60	3.9	28 hp	33.9 in	310 lb
1988	Chang‑Jiang	SM 750 (sidecar)	745	44	5.4	24 hp	31.5 in	500 lb
1988	Ducati	750 F1 Laguna Seca	748	42	5.6	76 hp	31.5 in	400 lb
1988	Gilera	NGR 250 (reduced effect)	249	54	4.4	24 hp	31.5 in	360 lb
1988	Gilera	RV 200	183	65	3.6	18 hp	31.3 in	310 lb
1988	Gilera	RX 200 Arizona	183	63	3.7	18 hp	33.1 in	315 lb
1988	Gilera	XR1 125	124	70	3.4	12 hp	33.1 in	255 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FLHT Electra Glide Standard	1337	42.5	5.5	67 hp	28.0 in	785 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FLHTC Electra Glide Classic (with sidecar)	1337	42.5	5.5	67 hp	28.0 in	820 lb
1988	Harley‑Davidson	FXRS Low Rider	1337	44	5.3	67 hp	27.6 in	650 lb
1988	Honda	CBR250R	249	60	3.9	45 hp	30.7 in	350 lb
1988	Honda	CBR400RR	399	55	4.3	59 hp	31.1 in	390 lb
1988	Honda	VFR750R RC30	748	40	5.9	112 hp	31.5 in	470 lb
1988	Honda	VFR400R NC24	399	52	4.5	59 hp	31.1 in	390 lb
1988	Honda	NX250 AX‑1 (Japan/Oceania)	249	64	3.7	29 hp	32.1 in	293 lb
1988	Honda	NT650V Revere	647	50	4.7	58 hp	31.3 in	430 lb
1988	Honda	NT600V Revere	598	52	4.5	50 hp	31.3 in	425 lb
1988	Honda	VT600C Shadow	583	54	4.4	44 hp	27.6 in	430 lb
1988	Honda	GB400TT Clubman	399	58	4.1	33 hp	31.1 in	380 lb
1988	Honda	NX350 Sahara	349	60	3.9	30 hp	34.3 in	320 lb
1988	Honda	NX500 Dominator	497	55	4.3	44 hp	34.6 in	350 lb
1988	Honda	XL600V Transalp (early EU)	583	50	4.7	50 hp	33.9 in	436 lb
1988	Honda	XL600V Naked	583	50	4.7	50 hp	33.1 in	430 lb
1988	Kawasaki	KZ1000P Police	998	42	5.6	102 hp	31.7 in	661 lb
1988	Suzuki	GSX1100F Katana	1127	25	9.6	112 hp	31.7 in	535 lb
1988	Suzuki	GSX‑R1100	1127	38	6.2	130 hp	31.9 in	490 lb

 

1988 Best & Worst Fuel Economy Performers

Top 10 Best MPG (1988)
Honda Z50R	~77–78 MPG
Kawasaki KDX200	~81 MPG
Kawasaki KLR250	~80 MPG
Kawasaki KE100	~73–74 MPG
Honda XR80R / XR100R	~74–75 MPG
Aprilia/Cagiva/Gilera 50–125cc two‑strokes	~68–100+ MPG
Suzuki GN125	~87–88 MPG
Suzuki GN250	~72–73 MPG
Honda CMX250C Rebel	~61–62 MPG
BMW K75 family	~49–50 MPG

 

Bottom 10 Worst MPG (1988)
Suzuki GV1400 Cavalcade	~34 MPG
Kawasaki ZX1000 / big‑bore superbikes	~39–42 MPG
Yamaha V‑Max	~40–41 MPG
Ducati 750 Paso	~42 MPG
Honda GL1500 Gold Wing	~47 MPG (owner range ~34–47)
Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan	~44–45 MPG
BMW R100GS (loaded/ADV use)	~40–42 MPG
Suzuki GSX‑R750 (spirited pace)	~50–53 MPG
Harley‑Davidson FL touring	~41–43 MPG
Yamaha FZR1000	~42–43 MPG

1988 Fuel Economy Myth‑Busters

• Small two‑strokes can be frugal: 50–125cc commuter and sport platforms routinely delivered 60–100+ MPG in urban duty, even though emissions were higher than four‑strokes.
• Big tourers can sip: GL1500 Gold Wing, Concours, and BMW K‑series could hold mid‑30s to ~50 MPG with smooth throttle and clean aero; owner spreads were normal.
• Pace drives MPG: FZR/CBR/GSX‑R class machines could stay mid‑40s to low‑50s off‑track with gentle roll‑ons and sub‑high‑RPM cruising.
• ADV drag matters: Boxes, knobbies, and tall screens on R100GS/KLR/NX reduced economy; de‑dragging recovered several MPG.
• Carb health is king: Balanced carbs, correct jetting, and fresh plugs often recovered 3–8 MPG on carb‑era machines.

 

1988 Fuel Economy Strategies

• Commute class: 50–300cc singles/scooters (Rebel 250, GN125/250, Vespa PX) sustained 70–95 MPG with proper pressures, chain care, and air filters.
• Touring discipline: GL1500, Concours, K100LT held mid‑30s to ~50 MPG at 60–70 mph cruise, light luggage, and clean fairings; carb sync paid off.
• ADV setup: KLR/NX/Transalp/R100GS recovered MPG by reducing aero drag, avoiding oversized knobbies, and steady pacing.
• Performance pacing: FZR/CBR/GSX‑R responded to short‑shifting and smooth throttle; expect mid‑40s to low‑50s MPG off‑track.
• Maintenance multipliers: Fresh plugs, balanced carbs, correct chain alignment, and wheel bearings reduced losses on carb‑era bikes.

 

 

What Was New and Popular in 1988 Motorcycles

1988 consolidated the 600 sport class, matured luxo‑touring with the GL1500, and expanded dual‑sport practicality (NX/Transalp, KLR), while Japanese makes led innovation and volume across segments around the world.

• 600 class momentum: Yamaha FZR600 and Honda CBR600F defined usable speed and daily friendliness.
• Touring leap: GL1500 set comfort and range benchmarks; Kawasaki Concours and BMW K‑series remained efficient long‑haulers.
• ADV/dual‑sport growth: KLR250/650, NX250/650, Transalp extended the “ride anywhere” ethos with solid economy.
• Standards renaissance: NT650 Hawk GT, GS500/GSX600F, Zephyr‑class set approachable torque and sensible MPG.
• Cruiser culture: Virago and Harley Softail/Tour Glide families balanced comfort and predictable mpg.
• Halo superbikes: FZR1000, GSX‑R750, CBR1000F delivered tech and speed, trading some MPG for performance.

Overall, 1988 let riders mix speed, distance, and everyday economy—often in the same garage—thanks to broad, global model availability and refined engineering across segments.