The United States is one of the best places to enjoy highway rides. Why? Because it has the world’s second-largest network of controlled-access highways. This motivates the larger-than-life lineup of Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle full-dressers that don’t shy away from being huge and heavy with features to keep occupants as cozy as possible on long rides. However, MPG ratings are a crucial feature on touring bikes that can make or break the touring experience. And if that’s what matters more to you, there is a motorcycle with the highest highway MPG figures. It’s an offbeat Honda with a clever powertrain setup that delivers fuel-efficiency figures comparable to a commuter motorcycle.
Touring Motorcycles Are Perfect For Enjoying American Freeways
Touring bikes offer the highest blend of comfort, stability, and storage capacity among the various motorcycle segments. Pure tourers are ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue, with a large windscreen up front and, in some cases, even leg wind deflectors. Another important feature is its large fuel tank, which should help reduce the need for refueling.
Then there’s the engine. Be it an old-school-vibing V-twin on Harleys or the ultra-refined flat-six of the famed Honda Gold Wing, these engines are designed to be refined, smooth, and understressed to help them endure highway runs. So, to experience an uninterrupted highway run, the motorcycle with the highest riding range is the best bet.
But Harley And Indian Tourers Score Low On Fuel Efficiency
Most American-made tourers tend to focus on offering huge fuel tanks to fulfill this purpose. This is primarily because of the combination of a torque-rich big-twin engine and notably higher weight. So none of the motorcycles from the Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring lineup breaches the 45 MPG mark. Even the barebones Road King Special has a fuel economy of 43 MPG. In fact, the most fuel-efficient Harley-Davidson today is the Nightster, and even that promises just over 50 MPG. As for Indian Motorcycles, it doesn’t even provide official fuel-efficiency ratings for any of its models.
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Japanese Tourers Advocate MPG Figures While Offering A More Sophisticated Experience
Japan does things differently. This is due to the notably more refined engine construction and more modern and sophisticated underpinnings. Examples include the Yamaha Tracer 9, the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT, and the Honda NT1100 DCT. Elsewhere, the flagship Japanese touring bike (the iconic Honda Gold Wing) has over 40 MPG with three times more cylinders than a Harley-Davidson. Even its full-dresser Tour model returns about 43.51 MPG. But if you want the highest efficiency at freeway speeds, Honda has another option for you. It’s less traditional but more versatile.
The 2026 Honda NC750X DCT Delivers The Highest MPG On U.S. Highways
Maximum Fuel Efficiency: 67.2 MPG
We’re talking about the NC750X. This is a quirky Honda touring bike that strongly reminds me of the now-defunct yet radical Honda DN-01. Similar to how the DN-01 was many things in one, the NC750X follows suit. It has the design and stance of an adventure tourer, is relatively compact, making it urban-ready, and has fuel-efficiency ratings in the same ballpark as entry-level sub-400 cc motorcycles.
In fact, the 2026 Triumph Speed 400 shares the same MPG ratings as the middleweight Honda NC750X DCT. Furthermore, despite its relatively small 3.7-gallon fuel tank, the Honda NC750X still offers a maximum riding range of about 279 miles, thanks to its superior MPG ratings.
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The Secret To Honda NC750X’s Highway Fuel Efficiency
The two defining features include a relaxed engine character and a standard automatic gearbox. The NC750X is powered by a unique parallel-twin engine: a 745 cc liquid-cooled mill produces 57.8 horsepower at 6,750 RPM and 51 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 RPM. This touring bike, interestingly, showcases a performance curve similar to that of a modern cruiser bike. This is due to its long-stroke design with a 77 mm bore and 80 mm stroke, which helps deliver a wider, meatier torque spread, akin to a cruiser. Despite an early torque surge, the power delivery isn’t abrupt; the torque curve is linear and well spread.
DCT Means A Shift-Free Experience
Power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed automatic gearbox and a final chain drive system. Eliminating the need for a clutch lever and left-foot shifting, this automatic transmission contributes to a smoother and simpler riding experience. In the Auto mode, the NC750X essentially rides like a twist-and-go scooter. However, for those craving more engagement, Honda also offers a manual mode that uses paddle-like shifters on the handlebars. The frugal combination of its unique engine and refined transmission is what contributes to the superior MPG ratings.
Underpinnings And Ergonomics Offer Long-Distance Comfort
Honda has designed the NC750X to be highly versatile. It is underpinned by a steel diamond frame that utilizes the engine as a stressed member. The frame is suspended on 41 mm telescopic front forks and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock. Both ends offer 4.7 inches of travel. Braking duties are taken care of by dual 296 mm discs coupled to two-piston floating calipers up front. The rear gets a 240 mm disc coupled to a single-piston caliper. Grip duties are courtesy of road-focused 120-section front and 160-section rear tubeless tires wrapped around lightweight 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Honda has made some clever engineering decisions to lower this fairly tall-riding tourer’s center of gravity and make it more nimble. Its parallel-twin engine is heavily forward-canted, inclined at 55 degrees from the vertical. Also, the fuel tank is not in its usual place. Instead, the NC750X has an underseat gas tank. Even post this, the NC still has a relatively accessible seat height for its class at 31.56 inches.
The rider sits relaxed and upright thanks to a tall, wide handlebar and a neutral-set footpeg position. A cool, practical feature here is a hidden storage space that replaces the traditional fuel tank. It can comfortably store a full-sized helmet. Also, its standard windscreen can reduce wind blast and reduce fatigue during extended highway runs.
Source: Honda Powersports