1988 Motorcycle Fuel Economy Guide

Published October 6, 2025 by , Editor‑in‑Chief

1988 Motorcycle and Scooter Models

A guide to motorcycle gas mileage (MPG and L/100km) and efficiency.

1988 Motorcycle MPG Fuel Economy Guide
World Changing Event: July 1, 1988 – Now-famous slogan “Just Do It” appeared in a 1988 Nike ad campaign. The advertising agency who created the campaign credits the inspiration for the slogan to “Let’s do it”, the last words spoken by Gary Gilmore before he was executed by firing squad. It was chosen by Advertising Age as one of the top five ad slogans of the 20th century and the campaign has been enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution.


1988 Motorcycle and Scooter Model Data

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.

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