Gas prices aren’t going down anytime soon. It seems like every time something happens in the world, there is one constant: the rise in fuel costs. It would be nice to have a constant of another kind, the kind that puts a smile on your face. Particularly, a motorcycle that doesn’t let you get affected much by rising gas prices would definitely qualify, wouldn’t it? It would really help if you could fill up a giant fuel tank and then not have to visit it again for a long time.
On that note, we’ve assembled a list of ten motorcycles that will reduce your trips to the fuel station. It is a surprisingly diverse mix, with everything from a fuel-sipping cruiser from Asia (but not the country you think) to some of the most powerful motorcycles available today. To be fair, we’ve left out electric vehicles and any examples that do not have an officially published fuel efficiency figure.
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
Range: 282 miles
The V-Strom 800 was designed as a successor to the V-Strom 650 – or so we thought. It seems to have carved its own niche between the 650 and 1,050 cc versions of Suzuki’s adventure bikes, which bodes well for those looking for a more modern Suzuki travel bike. The ‘DE’ means it has a 21/17-inch spoke wheel combination. It has some misses, like no tubeless rims, and it lacks cruise control, but this engine is so efficient that you can get really very far without needing to stop for gas again.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
776 cc |
|
Max Power |
83.1 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
57.5 LB-FT @ 6,800 RPM |
|
Price |
$11,799 |
Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally
Range: 287 miles
The Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally is known for a number of things. It is one of the most powerful bikes in its segment, which means that it consumes quite a lot of fuel, but Ducati is ahead of us. It has equipped the Multistrada V4’s Granturismo engine with tech like rear cylinder bank deactivation, and it has a giant 7.9-gallon fuel tank. Coupled with all the electronics, it is no wonder that it manages both one of the highest power figures as well as one of the longest tank ranges!
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Engine Type |
90 ° V4 |
|
Displacement |
1,158 cc |
|
Max Power |
170 HP @ 10,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
91 LB-FT @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Price |
$31,995 |
Honda NX500
Range: 302 miles
The NX500 is a reliable motorcycle because it is a mature platform, plus this engine is an unstressed one overall. It also helps that the nature of the NX500 is an easygoing one. Honda has now given it a TFT screen and switchable traction control, which helps it tour and ride better off-road, but what it does best is deliver a really good tank range.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
471 cc |
|
Max Power |
46.9 HP @ 8,600 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
31.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Price |
$6,899 |
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Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS
Range: 302 miles
The Versys 650 sits in the middle of the Versys lineup, and it is the obvious choice for the list because the small Versys is way too small to be efficient at highway speeds, and the larger Versys is a four-cylinder machine. This is a great middle ground, with enough power to have fun, while retaining enough fuel efficiency to keep that smile on your face when you stop.
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Engine Type |
180° I2 |
|
Displacement |
649 cc |
|
Max Power |
67 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
44 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Price |
$10,399 |
BMW R 1300 RT
Range: 304 miles
The R 1300 RT is a big, heavy sport touring bike, but it has an ace up its sleeve – the boxer twin engine has variable valve timing on the intake valves, so it has a great combination of fuel efficiency, power, and torque. You can throw on more weight in the form of the luxurious add-on packages, but you will still get one of the most efficient drivelines combined with a massive 6.3-gallon fuel tank.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
|
Displacement |
1,300 cc |
|
Max Power |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Price |
$22,645 |
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES
Range: 315 miles
The Africa Twin has its loyal following, and we can see why, but the Adventure Sports is the tourer with the smaller front rim and the electronic suspension. It also has the option of the dual clutch automatic gearbox, which is a unique combination. It also doesn’t have any real full-size competition with those features at the price. The engine is very frugal, and the fuel tank holds 6.6 gallons, so it is no wonder it can go a long way before needing a top-up.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,084 cc |
|
Max Power |
100.5 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
82.6 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Price |
$17,799 |
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BMW F 900 GS Adventure
Range: 325 miles
You know when you see ‘Adventure’ in the title of a BMW that it is a long-range ADV, and it holds true for the F 900 GS as well. We’ve talked about the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE before, but the F 900 GS Adventure is well worth the upgrade. The BMW is a premium middleweight that offers more power than the Africa Twin above, but its enormous 6.1-gallon fuel tank, coupled with great fuel efficiency, means that it gets one of the best motorcycles when it comes to tank range.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
895 cc |
|
Max Power |
105 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
68.6 LB-FT @ 6,750 RPM |
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Price |
$15,195 |
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Range: 334 miles
The Meteor 350 doesn’t have a massive fuel tank. It holds just 4 gallons, and it has a simple engine (an air-cooled, SOHC, two-valve head with a five-speed gearbox). It approaches things very differently: it prefers to take things slow and steady to achieve its frankly amazing tank range. There are some good features in other areas, like a TFT pod with navigation, a fast-charging USB-C port, and a slipper clutch.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
349 cc |
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Max Power |
20.2 HP @ 6,100 RPM |
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Max Torque |
19.9 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM |
|
Price |
$4,899 |
Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer
Range: 339 miles
The Tiger 1200 is an underappreciated motorcycle, and the range has something for everyone. The Explorer is the long-ride competitor to the other big names like the Multistrada V4 Rally. It does its own thing with its inline three-cylinder engine and an odd firing order that allows it great torque as well as good power. This is coupled with some premium components from Brembo, Showa, and Magura. Of course, it has one of the biggest fuel tanks, at 7.9 gallons, which is why it is so high on this list.
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Engine Type |
I3 |
|
Displacement |
1,160 cc |
|
Max Power |
147 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
95 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Price |
$23,795 |
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BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
Range: 380 miles
The R 1300 GS is the king of the tank range despite being a full-size adventure bike. This is because of its incredible engineering, combined with a massive fuel tank. The tank is the same size as the Tiger 1200 GT Explorer and the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally, but it has a twin-cylinder engine, so it is inherently more efficient. This is helped along by the variable valve timing. If you’re willing to give up a little fuel efficiency for convenience, it also offers an automatic gearbox as an option.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
|
Displacement |
1,300 cc |
|
Max Power |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
|
Price |
$23,795 |
Sources: BMW USA, Honda PowerSports