Fuel efficiency on a motorcycle isn’t just about how little engines sip on fuel. There is an obvious truth to that on the bigger bikes, but it becomes a combination of aerodynamics, gearing, engine tuning, and even overall design. Larger touring bikes can surprise you with their economy figures because they’ve been built to cheat the air a bit and cruise at sustained speeds. On the other hand, cruisers benefit from their lower weight and simpler engine layouts.
Highway cruising, too, has a rhythm of its own. There are long stretches of highway, allowing your engine to settle into a nice, relaxed hum. All of these factors contribute to how far your bike will take you. On that note, this is a list of bikes, from tourers to ADVs, that do amazingly on the highway at decent speeds. You’ll see that cruisers and tourers dominate the list with just a splash of adventure.
Models are listed in ascending order based on MPG, from the lowest to the highest.
Honda Gold Wing
Efficiency: 43 MPG
We’ll start with the world-famous Honda Gold Wing. Powered by a 1,883cc flat-six, this is the bike with the most cylinders on this list, producing 124.7 horsepower and 125.3 pound-feet of torque. Honda designed this engine for smoothness and consistent power delivery. Because of its configuration, there is also very little vibration even when operating at highway speeds.
Another reason the Gold Wing is capable of providing that 43-mile-per-gallon figure is the way the bike’s been designed. The bodywork is aerodynamic, guiding air and wind smoothly over the bike and the rider to the back. The engine is also paired with a dual-clutch transmission, which also helps keep the engine in its most efficient range.
Harley-Davidson Road King Special
Efficiency: 43 MPG
The Road King Special starts things off for American representation. This is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114, a 1,868cc V-twin that produces 95 horsepower and 122 pound-feet of torque. This architecture is designed for consistent torque delivery and focuses on long-distance riding.
Design-wise, the Road King special is unmistakably Harley. But unlike other tourers, this bike gets a detachable windshield, allowing for a different aerodynamic profile whenever you require it. Either way, you still get decent efficiency figures at 43 miles per gallon.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Efficiency: 44 MPG
Next up is the Street Glide powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117. This 1,917cc engine produces 105 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. The Street Glide has been tuned for large amounts of torque low down in the rpm range, allowing the bike to cruise at highway speeds without needing to rev too high.
This is then paired with a large touring chassis and a massive front face that directs wind around the rider to reduce drag. The bike itself is a little heavier than other smaller cruisers, but the aerodynamic profile helps offset some of that weight when traveling at highway speeds.
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Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST
Efficiency: 47 MPG
Like the Street Glide, the Low Rider ST is also powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 117. The same high torque, low rev nature of the engine allows for a similar riding experience, but the Low Rider returns a higher 47 miles per gallon, according to Harley. Part of the company’s cruiser range of bikes, the Low Rider is a little bare-bones, but it does get a massive front fairing to deflect wind.
The Low Rider’s 1,917cc produces 114 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed transmission and tall gearing also add to the relaxed riding style of the Low Rider, allowing for those fuel efficiency numbers.
Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Efficiency: 47 MPG
The Harley-Davidson Street Bob uses the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic engine. While the simple design means more wind resistance for the rider, it also means the overall weight is lower. At 646 pounds at the curb, this cruiser is pretty light compared to the others on this list.
And this is probably why it can manage its 47-mile-per-gallon figure. One of its quirks, however, is the mini-ape hanger handlebar design. This changes the way a rider places his hands and sort of changes the throttle input feeling when at higher speeds.
BMW R 1300 RT
Efficiency: 48 MPG
The BMW R1300 RT delivers phenomenal fuel efficiency. Powered by a smaller 1,300cc boxer twin, you get 145 horsepower and 110 pound-feet of torque to play around with. Despite this higher power, the BMW provides a surprising 48 miles per gallon fuel efficiency rating.
One of the R 1300 RT’s defining features has to be its bodywork. While the front fairing does seem to resemble a maxi-scooter, the large fairing and side panels direct airflow efficiently enough that drag is not an issue. At 504 pounds, though, it is also a very light motorcycle.
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Honda Rebel 1100T
Efficiency: 48 MPG
The Honda Rebel uses a twin-cylinder engine, but in the parallel format. This 1,084cc engine, giving higher mileage figures, makes sense. It’s small and produces 87 horsepower and 72 pound-feet of torque. The engine has been derived from a more performance-oriented platform, but has been tuned for smoother power and relaxed torque delivery.
The Rebel 1100T follows a ‘rebellious’ cruiser design language with a tank that slopes upwards from the seat, similar to how custom choppers tend to look. This obviously doesn’t impact fuel consumption, but it is an interesting design choice.
Yamaha Tracer 9
Efficiency: 48 MPG
The Yamaha Tracer 9 is the sport tourer on this list using an inline-three cylinder engine. This 890cc unit produces 117 horsepower and 68.6 pound-feet of torque. Now, obviously, this bike isn’t meant for lazy cruising, and you’re going to have a better time pulling hard and fast out of mountain corners.
What makes the Tracer 9 so unique is the engine’s uneven firing order. This changes how power pulses are delivered to the rear wheel. At the human level, you won’t feel this, but it has an influence on how the torque is transferred, especially at highway speeds where throttle input tends to be steady, and the engine maintains a stable output rather than bursts and dips in power.
Honda Africa Twin
Efficiency: 48 MPG
Here’s an ADV to flesh out this list. The Honda Africa Twin uses the same 1,084cc parallel-twin as the Rebel earlier, but in a different state of tune. On the Twin, the engine produces 100 horsepower to play with and 83 pound-feet of twisting power. The torque is usable across a wide rpm range, negating the need for constant gear changes.
Now, while not as streamlined as the touring machines on this list, the Honda Africa Twin’s upright riding stance makes it possible to ride for longer hours in the saddle without feeling bogged down or getting lazy like you would in a relaxed riding position.
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Harley-Davidson Sportster
Efficiency: 49 MPG
We’ll end our list with another Harley-Davidson. Along with the Pan America, the Sportster is a little bit of an outlier in Harley’s lineup. Its got the history for sure, but it doesn’t follow the company’s signature cruiser segment design. In fact, it’s the sportiest Harley-Davidson cruiser you will see on the streets today. It’s also the lightest at 502 pounds.
Additionally, the Sportster uses Harley’s latest Revolution Max 1250T engine. This 1,252cc unit produces 121 horsepower and 93 pound-feet of torque. The long-stroke from the V-twin allows for torque lower on the rev band, reducing the need for constant gear changes.
Sources: Various Manufacturers