A question of fuel economics

[CPJFOX]

Or more accuratly, Economy.

Long story short, im looking at a new bike primarily to commute, but i do get the back road urges on the weekends.

Ive decided either a 250 or a 400 is the go for this purpose.

My question is for somone my size 185cm(6') and 85KG, am i really pushing the power of a 250 and likley to find the 400 better for both back roads and economic commuting?

My theory comes about from my old V8 BMW with its 4L engine being more economical than any 1.8 or 2L japper ive owned...

[MSTRS:Me]

Got your full licence? Can go a long way on a 250 for $400....

[CPJFOX]

Got your full licence? Can go a long way on a 250 for $400....

Not quite the answer i was looking for.

[HTFU]

400 would be good but they are all older bikes. I had same thing to consider a few weeks ago when I got my full license and wanted to upgrade from the GN 250.

Trouble was NZ market does not even have 500cc bikes new anymore, all 650 +. Suzuki and Kawasaki until last 2 years brought in a couple of nice ones and they would be perfect for someone your size, they still make them for other countries, NZ just has an obsession with big cc bikes, first thing people ask me about my bike is what the size of the engine is.

The GPX is perfect for me at 5'9" and 75kg. Goes really well on the open road for passing and did 400 km on its 15L tank, better economy than the GN250 underpowered single. Is only $6000 new and a twin cylinder with more than enough commuting power, your weight is not a problem for this bike, it is the height that may make one of these too cramped. Fuel economy between a 500 twin and 250 twin would be minimal especially at highway speeds. The 400cc bikes if they are twins would go well but age is my issue with them. A hyosung Gt 250 naked bike has more room for the bigger rider, or the racing version which is lower in the handle bars but same bike with fairings.

Good luck.

[MSTRS:Me]

OK then. A 400 will not normally use appreciably more gas than a 250, but will have more zing for those w/e fangs. If you use this logic, then why not go for the doctor - and get yourself a lovely GXSR1000.
Of course, if you are not on your full and you get pinged on an over-250, it will (may) cost you $400 straight up.
Just how fast do you want to be capable of?

[0arbreaka]

How much you looking at spending on a 400? mine will be up for sale soon.

[CPJFOX]

How much you looking at spending on a 400? mine will be up for sale soon.

Not much really, can maybe stretch to $2.5k for the right bike.

[davereid]

I'd suggest you buy a big single or a twin, for best economy. 400cc bikes use little more gas then 250cc bikes, but are cheaper to buy cos learners cant buy them.

[EJK]

Fuel economy problem? Get a scooter! lol jks

[breakaway]

Not much really, can maybe stretch to $2.5k for the right bike.

For 2.5k you won't be able to afford anything other than a 400. I got my 400 for $2500, and it was in very nice condition before I low sided it off a bank.

[release_the_bees]

I've owned several bikes in and around the 250-400cc range and unless you're talking about a 250 2 stroke then the mileage you will get out of any of these size bikes is generally pretty good.

As far as bikers go I'm a pretty conservative rider, but these are the sort of miles per gallon I was getting from my bikes:

GN250 90MPG (75MPG commuting)
GS500 75MPG (50 MPG commuting)
VFR400 55 MPG
GSX400X 50 MPG (IIRC)
KR150 40MPG (2 stroke)

I can't remember the MPG figures for the RS250, but they were pretty poor.

[Pancakes]

In pure terms if you are using the same amount of power, ie, riding the same no matter what the cc of the bike the only thing that will matter is the efficiency of the model of bike. A 400cc bike with the same efficiency of a 200cc bike will make the same power at half the revs...... but! People ride bikes and give the big fun ones more of a squirt from time to time! If your really focussed on economy and are doing a noticeable amount of open road riding the gearing on a smaller bike (which often also have 5 gears not 6) will be higher and also will be underpowered and more likely to be unable to hold a cruising speed if you chuck a bigger 'ring on it to lower the open road or highway revs even more.

The real answer is in maintainance/tuning and your right wrist!