1996 Motorcycle Fuel Economy Guide

Year	Make	Model	Engine (cc)	MPG (US)	L/100km	Horsepower	Seat Height	Weight
1996	Aprilia	Pegaso 650	652 cc	56	4.2	48 hp	32.5 in	390 lb
1996	Aprilia	RS 125	125 cc	70	3.4	28 hp	31.1 in	306 lb
1996	Aprilia	RS 250	249 cc	40	5.9	62 hp	31.5 in	309 lb
1996	Benelli	Sei 900	904 cc	38	6.2	80 hp	31.9 in	485 lb
1996	Bimota	SB6	1074 cc	35	6.7	146 hp	32.1 in	418 lb
1996	Bimota	SB7	749 cc	38	6.2	140 hp	32.1 in	406 lb
1996	Bimota	Mantra	904 cc	42	5.6	85 hp	31.9 in	420 lb
1996	BMW	F650 Funduro	652 cc	56	4.2	50 hp	31.5 in	415 lb
1996	BMW	K1100LT	1092 cc	44	5.3	100 hp	30.3 in	834 lb
1996	BMW	K1100RS	1092 cc	44	5.3	130 hp	32.3 in	570 lb
1996	BMW	R1100GS	1085 cc	45	5.2	80 hp	33.1 in	525 lb
1996	BMW	R1100RT	1085 cc	45	5.2	90 hp	31.7 in	571 lb
1996	BMW	R850R	848 cc	50	4.7	70 hp	30.9 in	483 lb
1996	Buell	S2-T Thunderbolt	1203 cc	40	5.9	76 hp	31.9 in	465 lb
1996	Cagiva	Canyon 600	601 cc	48	4.9	44 hp	33.1 in	396 lb
1996	Cagiva	Elefant 900 i.e.	904 cc	45	5.2	80 hp	33.1 in	470 lb
1996	Ducati	Monster 600	583 cc	45	5.2	53 hp	30.3 in	386 lb
1996	Ducati	Monster 900	904 cc	42	5.6	80 hp	30.9 in	408 lb
1996	Ducati	748 Biposto	748 cc	38	6.2	98 hp	31.5 in	430 lb
1996	Ducati	916 Biposto	916 cc	36	6.5	114 hp	31.9 in	430 lb
1996	Ducati	900SS	944 cc	49	4.8	83 hp	31.5 in	414 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	Road King FLHR	1338 cc	42	5.6	67 hp	27.3 in	760 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	Electra Glide Classic FLHTC	1338 cc	42	5.6	67 hp	28.0 in	791 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	Dyna Wide Glide FXDWG	1338 cc	46	5.1	67 hp	26.8 in	650 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	Fat Boy FLSTF	1338 cc	42	5.6	67 hp	26.9 in	730 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	Sportster 1200	1199 cc	47	5.0	67 hp	28.0 in	553 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	Sportster 883	883 cc	51	4.6	49 hp	28.0 in	563 lb
1996	Honda	CB250 Nighthawk	234 cc	71	3.3	18 hp	29.3 in	302 lb
1996	Honda	CB500	499 cc	55	4.3	58 hp	31.3 in	392 lb
1996	Honda	CB750 Seven-Fifty	747 cc	50	4.7	75 hp	31.0 in	463 lb
1996	Honda	CBR600F3	599 cc	47	5.0	100 hp	31.9 in	408 lb
1996	Honda	CBR900RR Fireblade	918 cc	42	5.6	130 hp	31.3 in	425 lb
1996	Honda	CBR1000F	998 cc	41	5.7	135 hp	30.7 in	564 lb
1996	Honda	PC800 Pacific Coast	800 cc	48	4.9	57 hp	30.1 in	640 lb
1996	Honda	ST1100 Pan-European	1084 cc	48	4.9	100 hp	31.3 in	650 lb
1996	Honda	VFR750F	748 cc	48	4.9	100 hp	31.7 in	480 lb
1996	Honda	CMX250C Rebel	234 cc	62	3.8	18 hp	26.6 in	306 lb
1996	Husqvarna	TE 410	400 cc	55	4.3	40 hp	36.5 in	260 lb
1996	Kawasaki	Concours ZG1000	998 cc	50	4.7	100 hp	31.1 in	670 lb
1996	Kawasaki	KLR650	651 cc	58	4.1	40 hp	35.0 in	432 lb
1996	Kawasaki	Ninja 250R	249 cc	78	3.0	29 hp	30.5 in	304 lb
1996	Kawasaki	Ninja 500R	498 cc	56	4.2	50 hp	31.7 in	388 lb
1996	Kawasaki	ZX-6R	599 cc	50	4.7	108 hp	32.1 in	401 lb
1996	Kawasaki	ZX-11 (ZZR1100)	1052 cc	39	6.0	145 hp	31.5 in	540 lb
1996	Kawasaki	ZX-9R	899 cc	42	5.6	139 hp	32.1 in	430 lb
1996	KTM	640 Duke	625 cc	54	4.4	54 hp	33.1 in	335 lb
1996	Laverda	Ghost Strike 650	668 cc	45	5.2	70 hp	31.3 in	430 lb
1996	Moto Guzzi	California 1100 EV	1064 cc	46	5.1	74 hp	30.7 in	590 lb
1996	MV Agusta	F4 (pre-series)	749 cc	36	6.5	126 hp	32.7 in	419 lb
1996	Norton	Commander 588	588 cc	40	5.9	80 hp	30.9 in	515 lb
1996	Piaggio	Hexagon 250	244 cc	63	3.7	22 hp	30.7 in	330 lb
1996	Piaggio	Zip 50	49 cc	110	2.1	4 hp	30.1 in	165 lb
1996	Royal Enfield	Bullet 500	499 cc	85	2.8	27 hp	31.5 in	380 lb
1996	Suzuki	Bandit 600 (GSF600)	599 cc	56	4.2	78 hp	31.1 in	430 lb
1996	Suzuki	Bandit 1200 (GSF1200)	1157 cc	42	5.6	98 hp	31.1 in	485 lb
1996	Suzuki	GS500E	487 cc	55	4.3	47 hp	31.1 in	386 lb
1996	Suzuki	DR200SE	199 cc	68	3.5	15 hp	32.0 in	278 lb
1996	Suzuki	DR650SE	644 cc	52	4.5	43 hp	34.8 in	366 lb
1996	Suzuki	Boulevard S40 (LS650 Savage)	652 cc	55	4.7	31 hp	28.0 in	381 lb
1996	Suzuki	Intruder 800	805 cc	52	4.5	61 hp	27.6 in	600 lb
1996	Suzuki	Intruder 1400	1360 cc	46	5.1	61 hp	27.6 in	639 lb
1996	Triumph	Adventurer 900	885 cc	48	4.9	70 hp	29.9 in	507 lb
1996	Triumph	Daytona 1200	1180 cc	35	6.7	147 hp	31.5 in	540 lb
1996	Triumph	Speed Triple 900	885 cc	41	5.7	108 hp	31.5 in	430 lb
1996	Triumph	Tiger 900	885 cc	40	5.9	85 hp	33.1 in	485 lb
1996	Triumph	Trophy 1200	1180 cc	44	5.3	108 hp	31.3 in	590 lb
1996	Vespa	ET4 125	124 cc	95	2.5	11 hp	30.7 in	245 lb
1996	Vespa	PX 150	151 cc	90	2.6	10 hp	30.7 in	240 lb
1996	Yamaha	GTS1000	1002 cc	54	4.4	102 hp	31.5 in	603 lb
1996	Yamaha	XJ600 Seca II / Diversion	598 cc	53	4.4	61 hp	31.1 in	430 lb
1996	Yamaha	YZF750	749 cc	47	5.0	125 hp	32.1 in	430 lb
1996	Yamaha	V-Max	1198 cc	41	5.8	140 hp	30.5 in	631 lb
1996	Yamaha	Virago 750	748 cc	55	4.3	50 hp	28.5 in	505 lb
1996	Yamaha	Virago 1100	1063 cc	43	5.5	62 hp	28.5 in	540 lb
1996	Aprilia	RSV Mille (prototype/early EU)	998 cc	37	6.4	128 hp	32.3 in	430 lb
1996	BMW	R1100R	1085 cc	47	5.0	80 hp	30.9 in	505 lb
1996	Ducati	Monster 750	748 cc	44	5.3	65 hp	30.9 in	396 lb
1996	Ducati	900SS SP (Supersport Sport Production)	904 cc	41	5.7	84 hp	31.5 in	414 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	XL1200C Sportster Custom	1199 cc	47	5.0	67 hp	28.0 in	553 lb
1996	Harley-Davidson	XLH 883 Hugger	883 cc	51	4.6	49 hp	27.0 in	540 lb
1996	Honda	CBR600F3 Smokin’ Joe’s Replica	599 cc	47	5.0	100 hp	31.9 in	408 lb
1996	Honda	Shadow ACE 1100	1099 cc	45	5.2	65 hp	28.0 in	640 lb
1996	Kawasaki	VN800 Vulcan	805 cc	50	4.7	55 hp	27.6 in	540 lb
1996	Suzuki	GSX‑R1100W	1074 cc	37	6.4	143 hp	31.9 in	487 lb
1996	Triumph	Legend TT 900	885 cc	45	5.2	70 hp	30.9 in	507 lb
1996	Yamaha	YZF600R Thundercat	599 cc	48	4.9	100 hp	31.7 in	412 lb
1996	Yamaha	XV1100 Virago	1063 cc	47	5.0	62 hp	28.5 in	540 lb

 

 

1996 Best & Worst Fuel Economy Performers

Top 10 Best MPG (1996)
Piaggio Zip 50	110 MPG
Vespa ET4 125	95 MPG
Yamaha Virago 125	86 MPG
Suzuki GN125	88 MPG
Kawasaki KLR250	80 MPG
Honda Z50R	78 MPG
Kawasaki Ninja 250R	78 MPG
Suzuki GN250	73 MPG
Yamaha XT350	60 MPG
Suzuki DR200SE	68 MPG

 

Bottom 10 Worst MPG (1996)
Triumph Daytona 1200	35 MPG
Ducati 916 Biposto	36 MPG
Bimota SB6/SB7	35–38 MPG
Kawasaki ZX-11 (ZZR1100)	39 MPG
Honda CBR900RR	41–42 MPG
Honda CBR1000F	~41 MPG
Yamaha V-Max	~41 MPG
BMW K1100LT	44 MPG
Harley-Davidson Road King	42 MPG
Kawasaki ZX-6R	35–40 MPG

 

 

1996 Fuel Economy Myth‑Busters

• Two‑strokes and urban MPG: Small 50–125cc machines can exceed 60–100 MPG in city duty, despite higher emissions relative to four‑strokes.
• Big sport‑tourers can still sip: Period data and rider reports put ST1100, CBR1000F, and Concours GTR ~41–50 MPG with smooth throttle and proper pressures.
• Performance doesn’t always mean sub‑30: Street‑paced ZX‑6R and CBR600F3 typically deliver mid‑30s to ~50 MPG depending on load and pace.
• Boxes and aero matter: Luggage and windscreens can cost several MPG at highway speeds; many riders recorded drops after adding cases.

 

 

1996 Fuel Economy Strategies

• Commute class: 125–300cc singles and scooters (Zip 50, ET4, CB/CMX 250) excel at 70–100+ MPG; maintain tire pressures, chain, and filters to hold numbers.
• Touring discipline: ST1100, Concours, and CBR1000F riders sustain mid‑40s MPG with moderate speeds, light luggage, and clean aero setups.
• ADV setup: Funduro, KLR, and DR singles deliver 50–60+ MPG by reducing drag, keeping speeds steady, and avoiding oversized knobbies for long pavement stints.
• Performance pacing: 600–1000cc sportbikes remain in the high‑30s to mid‑40s MPG off‑track with relaxed cruise and gentle roll‑ons.

 

 

What Was New and Popular in 1996 Motorcycles

1996 consolidated practical middleweights, maturing sport‑tourers, and fuel‑savvy commuters. The CBR600F3 refined the all‑rounder formula, while big fours like the CBR1000F closed their U.S. run with respectable real‑world efficiency for the class.

• Middleweight momentum: CB500, Bandit 600, Fazer, and CB750 Seven‑Fifty gave riders usable power and mid‑40s to mid‑50s MPG with comfort and value.
• Sport‑tour confidence: ST1100, CBR1000F, and Concours balanced range, comfort, and reliability; many owners reported mid‑40s MPG touring figures.
• ADV/dual‑sport utility: Funduro F650, KLR, and DR singles kept commuting and weekend exploration economical, with many riders noting 50–60+ MPG.
• Cruiser culture: Sportster and Softail families, Intruder 800/1400, and Virago series drew riders with approachable ergonomics and steady economy; the S40/LS650 filled the lightweight cruiser niche at ~50–55 MPG.
• Urban efficiency: 50–150cc scooters (Zip 50, ET4) and 125–250cc standards dominated city MPG charts, cementing small‑displacement practicality.

Overall, 1996 favored real‑world usability and range: middleweights and dual‑sports did the daily work, sport‑tourers stretched horizons, and small commuters made MPG the easy win.