10 Fast Motorcycles That Are Surprisingly Fuel-Efficient

Think of fast bikes and your mind conjures up images of faired motorcycles, high-speed runs, impossible lean angles, and rev needles bouncing off the red line. You might also think of limited range, poor gas economy, and searching for the next fuel stop on your impromptu road trip. All that isn’t wrong, but what if we told you that you can have your cake and eat it too?

You can buy a fast motorcycle that delivers two-wheeled thrills, but also ensure that the gas station doesn’t become your second home. Here’s a list of motorcycles that deliver the best miles per gallon along with smiles per gallon. To keep it fair, these motorcycles deliver near 100 horsepower and above, with fuel economy above the 40 MPG mark.

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10

Triumph Daytona 660

Fuel Economy: 57.6 MPG

The Daytona name is back, but not the way you expected it to be. Instead of a supersport track fiend, you get a more street-oriented sports bike. However, the Triumph Daytona 660 delivers in the thrills department. It packs a 660cc inline 3-cylinder engine that delivers a healthy 95 horsepower and 50.88 pound-feet. Its claimed 57.6 MPG fuel economy and 3.7 gallon fuel tank translates to a theoretical range of around 213 miles. Prices for the Daytona 660 start at $9,195.

Engine Specifications

9

Suzuki GSX-8R

Fuel Economy: 67.2 MPG

The GSX-8R is Suzuki’s newest middleweight offering. Its 776cc parallel-twin motor is a versatile one that features in its GSX-8S middleweight naked and V-Strom 800DE adventure motorcycle. The motor impresses with its real-world usability, offering ample torque packed with a mid-range punch. The numbers stand at 81.7 horsepower and 57.5 pound-feet. The claimed 67.2 MPG, coupled with a 3.7-gallon fuel tank, should deliver a theoretical range of around 249 miles. The GSX-8R is priced at $9,669 onwards.

Engine Specifications

8

Kawasaki Z900

Fuel Economy: 49 MPG

The Kawasaki Z900 was launched with a simple formula. A large engine equates to more horsepower, while a four-cylinder engine brings aural delight, and the Sugomi-inspired muscular styling makes it an eye-catching motorcycle. This makes the Z900 a popular naked bike. Its 948cc motor delivers 123 horsepower and 73.1 pound-feet, ample performance for the street. With a claimed fuel economy of 49 MPG, it should offer a range of 221 miles thanks to a 4.5-gallon fuel tank. Another appealing factor of the motorcycle is the low $9,999 starting price.

Engine Specifications

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7

Husqvarna Vitpilen 801

Fuel Economy: 52.3 MPG

The Husqvarna Vitpilen 801 serves up as a fantastic left-field alternative that will have you stand apart from the rest of the sports bike crowd. Under its radical, minimalist streetfighter design sits a 799cc parallel twin motor that delivers 105 HP which, coupled with its lightweight frame and sharp dynamics, makes it quite the lively animal. It delivers on the fuel efficiency front as well, offering 52.3 MPG. Despite a smaller 3.7-gallon fuel tank, you should get a decent enough range of around 188 miles. The Vitpilen is unique, but this comes at a price of $10,499.

Engine Specifications

6

BMW F900 XR

Fuel Economy: 56 MPG

The BMW F900 XR is a sports tourer that’s game to carve up hilly roads and a sport of mild off-roading thanks to its long travel suspension. It has a 895cc parallel twin motor that delivers 105 horsepower and 68 pound-feet, which impresses with its mid-range punch. The claimed 56 MPG, along with the larger 4.1-gallon fuel tank, offers a range of around 230 miles. The F900 XR is a bit pricey though, starting at $11,995.

Engine Specifications

5

Aprilia RS 660

Fuel Economy: 47.8 MPG

The Aprilia RS 660 rewrites the rules for the middleweight sports bike segment, offering sporty performance and dynamics in a compact package and with a relatively small engine. Its 659cc parallel twin motor delivers 105 horsepower and 51.6 pound-feet, which are figures you normally associate with larger 800cc powerplants. Despite the higher power output, the motor delivers a claimed 47.8 MPG. Priced at $11,749, the RS 660 is expensive for a 660cc motorcycle, but it can teach larger motorcycles a thing or two about track dynamics.

Engine Specifications

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4

KTM 990 Duke

Fuel Economy: 51 MPG

One of the most manic motorcycles in this list, the KTM 990 Duke, will have your senses on high alert every time you swing a leg over for a short blast. It’s 947cc LC8c parallel twin motor delivers 121 horsepower and 76 pound-feet and wants to hoist the front wheel up every time you wring the throttle. Despite its aggressive performance, the 990 Duke offers a claimed 51 MPG. Taking its 3.9-gallon fuel tank into account, expect a range of around 199 miles. Priced at $12,499, the KTM 990 Duke is a proper hooligan and one of the last of its kind.

Engine Specifications

3

Yamaha YZF-R9

Fuel Economy: 48 MPG

The famed 890cc CP3 inline three-cylinder engine from the MT-09 finds its way into a sports bike in the form of the YZF-R9. It might look like a YZF-R6 replacement, but the YZF-R9 offers a lot of usable street-oriented performance. The engaging motor delivers 117.3 horsepower and 68.6 pound-feet and, thanks to updated ECU settings and taller gearing, should be a hoot to ride on the racetrack. Despite the track tuning, the YZF-R9 delivers 48 MPG and offers a range of close to 178 miles thanks to a 3.7-gallon fuel tank. Prices for the YZF-R9 start at $12,499.

Engine Specifications

2

Triumph Street Triple 765 RS

Fuel Economy: 52.8 MPG

The Street Triple has been one of the most successful naked motorcycles in Triumph’s lineup. The RS is the range topper for the Street Triple range and one you can hit the race track with, without any modifications. Top-spec brake and suspension components aside, its 765cc inline triple engine benefits from Triumph’s Moto2 race program and delivers a class-leading 128 horsepower and 59 pound-feet. Despite this, it delivers a fantastic fuel economy of 52.8 MPG which, coupled with its 4.0-gallon fuel tank, should, in theory, offer a range of around 211 miles. Prices for the Street Triple 765 RS start at $12,795.

Engine Specifications

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1

Ducati Panigale V2

Fuel Economy: 44.4 MPG

The Ducati brand is associated with design and speed, and is not particularly known for fuel-efficient motorcycles. That said, modern Ducati engines offer good fuel efficiencies that complement their performance. The Panigale V2, for example, features a new 90-degree V-twin motor with electronic variable valve timing that delivers heady performance across the rev range. Its 890cc powerplant delivers 120 horsepower and 69 pound-feet with a fuel efficiency of 44.4 MPG. With a 4.0-gallon fuel tank, that’s a range of 178 miles between refills. Like all Ducatis, the Panigale V2 is pricey, retailing at $15,995 onwards.

Engine Specifications