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Thinking about purchasing a motorcycle to save some money on your commute to work? Planning to take a long weekend ride to Napa Valley or head to the hills for some carving.

You probably have had trouble finding fuel economy information on your particular bike to help you determine just how much you will spend on one tank of gas and how far that one tank of gas will carry you.

Here are some basic estimates you can use to determine your bike's fuel consumption.

Three main factors will affect your motorcycle's fuel performance. The size of the engine measured in cc's, the dry weight of the motorcycle, and finally your individual riding style and techniques.

As with cars, the larger engine volumes command greater horsepower which provides an increase in top speed and more torque which results in a greater rate of acceleration. The increase in performance comes at the cost of greater fuel consumption and reduced fuel economy.

The weight of the motorcycle itself will determine how hard the engine must work. Heavy bikes require a larger amount of energy to move. As a gallon of gasoline has a finite amount of energy, two bikes with similar sized engines will have differences in fuel economy based on their respective dry weights.

A 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster, with an 883cc engine, weighs 563 lbs and has an observed fuel economy of 42/60 MPG City/Hwy. In comparison with a similar sized engine, a 2007 BMW F800ST with an 800cc engine which weighs 412 lbs has an estimated fuel economy of 50/60 MPG City/Hwy.

The heavier Harley requires more energy during the stop and go riding conditions in a city. On the highway, where the frequency of acceleration and deceleration is reduced, both bikes have identical fuel economy figures due to their similar sized engines.

If you are a commuter concerned about fuel economy who primarily rides short distances and in stop-and-go driving conditions, consider buying a lighter bike, less than 450 lbs, with a mid-sized engine from 600cc-1000cc.
If riding cross country on the open road is your preferred mode of travel, a heavier bike with a larger engine, 1000cc+ will give you the best fuel economy and the most comfortable ride.

As no law in the United States requires displaying a motorcycle's fuel economy figures, most motorcycle manufacturers do not readily provide the information.

The best source of fuel economy information you can expect to find is from observations and estimates provided by fellow motorcycle owners. Check out the Motorcycle

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