1997 Motorcycle Fuel Economy Guide

Year	Make	Model	Engine (cc)	MPG (US)	L/100km	Horsepower	Seat Height	Weight
1997	Aprilia	Pegaso 650	652 cc	56	4.2	48 hp	32.5 in	390 lb
1997	Aprilia	RS 125	125 cc	70	3.4	28 hp	31.1 in	306 lb
1997	Aprilia	RS 250	249 cc	40	5.9	62 hp	31.5 in	309 lb
1997	Benelli	Sei 900	904 cc	38	6.2	80 hp	31.9 in	485 lb
1997	Bimota	SB6R	1074 cc	35	6.7	156 hp	32.1 in	418 lb
1997	Bimota	Vdue 500	499 cc	36	6.5	110 hp	31.5 in	357 lb
1997	BMW	F650 Strada	652 cc	56	4.2	50 hp	31.5 in	415 lb
1997	BMW	F650ST	652 cc	56	4.2	50 hp	30.7 in	413 lb
1997	BMW	K1100LT	1092 cc	44	5.3	100 hp	30.3 in	834 lb
1997	BMW	K1200RS	1171 cc	44	5.3	130 hp	32.3 in	570 lb
1997	BMW	R1100GS	1085 cc	45	5.2	80 hp	33.1 in	525 lb
1997	BMW	R1100RT	1085 cc	45	5.2	90 hp	31.7 in	571 lb
1997	BMW	R1200C	1170 cc	46	5.1	61 hp	29.9 in	554 lb
1997	Buell	M2 Cyclone	1203 cc	43	5.5	76 hp	31.3 in	423 lb
1997	Buell	S3T Thunderbolt	1203 cc	40	5.9	76 hp	31.9 in	465 lb
1997	Cagiva	Canyon 600	601 cc	48	4.9	44 hp	33.1 in	396 lb
1997	Cagiva	Grand Canyon 900 i.e.	904 cc	45	5.2	80 hp	32.3 in	485 lb
1997	Ducati	Monster 600	583 cc	45	5.2	53 hp	30.3 in	386 lb
1997	Ducati	748 Biposto	748 cc	38	6.2	98 hp	31.5 in	430 lb
1997	Ducati	916 Biposto	916 cc	36	6.5	114 hp	31.9 in	430 lb
1997	Ducati	ST2	944 cc	43	5.5	83 hp	32.3 in	474 lb
1997	Harley-Davidson	XLH 883 Sportster	883 cc	51	4.6	49 hp	28.0 in	563 lb
1997	Harley-Davidson	XL1200 Sportster	1199 cc	47	5.0	67 hp	28.0 in	563 lb
1997	Harley-Davidson	FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide	1338 cc	46	5.1	67 hp	26.8 in	650 lb
1997	Harley-Davidson	FLHR Road King	1338 cc	42	5.6	67 hp	27.3 in	760 lb
1997	Honda	CB250 Nighthawk	234 cc	71	3.3	18 hp	29.3 in	302 lb
1997	Honda	CB750 Nighthawk	747 cc	50	4.7	75 hp	31.0 in	463 lb
1997	Honda	CBR600F3	599 cc	47	5.0	100 hp	31.7 in	406 lb
1997	Honda	CBR900RR Fireblade	918 cc	42	5.6	130 hp	31.3 in	425 lb
1997	Honda	PC800 Pacific Coast	800 cc	48	4.9	57 hp	30.1 in	640 lb
1997	Honda	ST1100	1084 cc	48	4.9	100 hp	31.3 in	650 lb
1997	Honda	VFR750F	748 cc	48	4.9	100 hp	31.7 in	480 lb
1997	Honda	VT1100C Shadow Spirit	1099 cc	47	5.0	65 hp	28.0 in	640 lb
1997	Honda	XR400R	397 cc	53	4.4	34 hp	36.0 in	257 lb
1997	Husqvarna	TE 410	400 cc	55	4.3	40 hp	36.5 in	260 lb
1997	Kawasaki	Ninja 250R	249 cc	78	3.0	29 hp	30.5 in	304 lb
1997	Kawasaki	Ninja 500R	498 cc	56	4.2	50 hp	31.7 in	388 lb
1997	Kawasaki	ZX-6R	599 cc	50	4.7	108 hp	32.1 in	401 lb
1997	Kawasaki	ZX-7R	748 cc	45	5.2	120 hp	32.3 in	448 lb
1997	Kawasaki	ZX-9R	899 cc	42	5.6	139 hp	32.1 in	430 lb
1997	Kawasaki	Concours ZG1000	998 cc	50	4.7	100 hp	31.1 in	670 lb
1997	Kawasaki	KLR650	651 cc	58	4.1	40 hp	35.0 in	432 lb
1997	Kawasaki	Vulcan 1500 Classic	1470 cc	45	5.2	67 hp	27.6 in	684 lb
1997	KTM	640 Duke	625 cc	54	4.4	54 hp	33.1 in	335 lb
1997	Laverda	Ghost Strike 650	668 cc	45	5.2	70 hp	31.3 in	430 lb
1997	Moto Guzzi	California 1100 EV	1064 cc	46	5.1	74 hp	30.7 in	590 lb
1997	MV Agusta	F4 (pre-series)	749 cc	36	6.5	126 hp	32.7 in	419 lb
1997	Norton	Commander 588	588 cc	40	5.9	80 hp	30.9 in	515 lb
1997	Piaggio	Hexagon 250	244 cc	63	3.7	22 hp	30.7 in	330 lb
1997	Piaggio	Zip 50	49 cc	110	2.1	4 hp	30.1 in	165 lb
1997	Royal Enfield	Bullet 500	499 cc	85	2.8	27 hp	31.5 in	380 lb
1997	Suzuki	Bandit 600 (GSF600)	599 cc	56	4.2	78 hp	31.1 in	430 lb
1997	Suzuki	Bandit 1200 (GSF1200)	1157 cc	42	5.6	98 hp	31.1 in	485 lb
1997	Suzuki	DR200SE	199 cc	68	3.5	15 hp	32.0 in	278 lb
1997	Suzuki	DR650SE	644 cc	52	4.5	43 hp	34.8 in	366 lb
1997	Suzuki	GSX-R600	599 cc	52	4.5	104 hp	31.9 in	412 lb
1997	Suzuki	GSX-R750	749 cc	48	4.9	120 hp	32.1 in	430 lb
1997	Suzuki	Intruder 800	805 cc	52	4.5	61 hp	27.6 in	600 lb
1997	Triumph	Daytona T595 (955i)	955 cc	37	6.4	128 hp	31.7 in	434 lb
1997	Triumph	Speed Triple T509	885 cc	40	5.9	108 hp	31.5 in	430 lb
1997	Triumph	Tiger 900	885 cc	40	5.9	85 hp	33.1 in	485 lb
1997	Triumph	Trophy 1200	1180 cc	44	5.3	108 hp	31.3 in	590 lb
1997	Vespa	ET4 125	124 cc	95	2.5	11 hp	30.7 in	245 lb
1997	Vespa	PX 150	151 cc	90	2.6	10 hp	30.7 in	240 lb
1997	Yamaha	YZF-R1 Thunderace	998 cc	42	5.6	150 hp	32.3 in	385 lb
1997	Yamaha	YZF750	749 cc	47	5.0	125 hp	32.1 in	430 lb
1997	Yamaha	XJ600 Seca II	598 cc	54	4.4	61 hp	31.1 in	430 lb
1997	Yamaha	Virago 535	535 cc	61	3.8	40 hp	28.1 in	425 lb
1997	Yamaha	Virago 1100	1063 cc	47	5.0	62 hp	28.5 in	540 lb
2010	Aprilia	RSV4 Factory APRC SE	999 cc	34	6.9	180 hp	32.3 in	441 lb
2010	BMW	R1200GS Adventure 30th Anniversary	1170 cc	52	4.5	110 hp	35.0 in	564 lb
2010	BMW	R1200RT SE	1170 cc	57	4.1	110 hp	31.7 in	573 lb
2010	Ducati	Monster 796	803 cc	42	5.6	87 hp	31.5 in	368 lb
2010	Ducati	Multistrada 1200 S Touring	1198 cc	42	5.6	150 hp	33.5 in	423 lb
2010	Harley-Davidson	XL1200X Forty-Eight	1202 cc	48	4.9	67 hp	26.8 in	545 lb
2010	Harley-Davidson	FLTRX Road Glide Custom	1690 cc	42	5.6	80 hp	29.5 in	775 lb
2010	Honda	NT700V Deauville	680 cc	55	4.3	65 hp	31.7 in	562 lb
2010	Honda	VFR1200F DCT	1237 cc	35	6.7	170 hp	32.1 in	591 lb
2010	Kawasaki	Versys 650 ABS	649 cc	52	4.5	64 hp	33.1 in	454 lb
2010	Kawasaki	Z1000 ABS	1043 cc	41	5.7	136 hp	32.1 in	480 lb
2010	KTM	990 Adventure R	999 cc	40	5.9	115 hp	36.0 in	456 lb
2010	Suzuki	Boulevard C109R	1783 cc	36	6.5	123 hp	27.8 in	765 lb
2010	Suzuki	Boulevard M109R Limited	1783 cc	36	6.5	123 hp	27.8 in	764 lb
2010	Triumph	Thunderbird 1600	1597 cc	42	5.6	85 hp	27.6 in	746 lb
2010	Triumph	Thunderbird SE	1597 cc	42	5.6	85 hp	27.6 in	746 lb
2010	Yamaha	Super Ténéré XT1200Z	1199 cc	45	5.2	108 hp	33.9 in	575 lb
2010	Yamaha	VMAX (VMX17)	1679 cc	27	8.7	197 hp	30.5 in	683 lb
1997	Zhongshen	ZS125	124 cc	95	2.5	11 hp	30.7 in	265 lb

 

 

1997 Best & Worst Fuel Economy Performers

Top 10 Best MPG (1997)
Piaggio Zip 50	110 MPG
Vespa ET4 125	95 MPG
Yamaha Virago 125	86 MPG
Suzuki GN125	87 MPG
Kawasaki KLR250	80 MPG
Kawasaki KLX300	79 MPG
Kawasaki Ninja 250R	78 MPG
Honda Z50R	78 MPG
Honda XR80R	75 MPG
Suzuki DR200SE	68 MPG

 

Bottom 10 Worst MPG (1997)
Triumph Daytona 1200	35 MPG
Ducati 916 Biposto	36 MPG
Bimota SB6R	35 MPG
Ducati 748 Biposto	38 MPG
Kawasaki ZX-11 (Concours/ZG1000 note)	38–40 MPG
Yamaha V-Max	41 MPG
Honda CBR900RR Fireblade	42 MPG
Kawasaki ZX-9R	42 MPG
BMW K1200RS	44 MPG
BMW K1100LT	44 MPG

 

 

1997 Fuel Economy Myth‑Busters

• Two-strokes always waste fuel: Small 50–125cc two-strokes can exceed 60–100 MPG in urban duty; emissions are higher, but economy can be strong.
• Big sport-tourers can’t crack mid-40s MPG: ST1100, Concours, and R1100RT sit ~44–50 MPG with smooth throttle and proper pressures.
• High performance equals sub‑30 MPG: Street‑paced R1/CBR/FZR often see mid‑30s to low‑40s MPG off‑track in steady cruise.
• Dual‑sports are inefficient off‑road: KLR/DR/XR singles deliver 50–60+ MPG on mixed surfaces with conservative gearing and throttle.

 

1997 Fuel Economy Strategies

• Commute smart: 125–300cc standards/scooters (Virago 125, RS125, ET4, Zip 50) excel at 70–100+ MPG in cities.
• Touring discipline: Moderate speeds, correct psi, and light luggage keep ST1100/Concours near 45–50 MPG.
• ADV setup: Reduce aero drag on GS/F650/KLR; geared for torque, these sustain ~50–60 MPG.
• Performance pacing: Hold steady cruise, avoid prolonged high RPM; 600–1000cc sportbikes stay ~38–43 MPG.

 

 

What Was New and Popular in 1997 Motorcycles

1997 crystallized a few big shifts: lighter, sharper sportbikes, practical middleweights, and dual‑sport utility. Riders gravitated toward machines that balanced excitement with everyday usability and reasonable MPG.

• Superbike momentum: Yamaha’s YZF‑R1 era began to take shape, while Honda’s CBR900RR and Kawasaki ZX‑9R kept the liter‑class sharp and surprisingly frugal off‑track.
• Middleweight rise: Hornet/Fazer/Bandit/GSX‑R600 and Speed Triple T509 offered real‑world versatility with mid‑40s to low‑50s MPG.
• Sport‑tour confidence: ST1100, R1100RT, and Concours GTR remained staples for long‑range riders with mid‑40s MPG and comfort.
• ADV/dual‑sport utility: Funduro F650, KLR/DR/XR singles became commuter/adventure favorites, widely reporting 50–60+ MPG.
• Cruiser culture: Harley touring/Softail lines, Yamaha Virago/Royal Star, and BMW R1200C drew riders to classic style with steady economy.
• Urban efficiency: 50–150cc scooters (Zip 50, ET4) and 125–250cc standards dominated city MPG charts and accessibility.

Overall, 1997 blended cutting‑edge performance with practical middleweights and frugal commuters, setting the stage for the late‑’90s efficiency and usability trend.