8 Cruiser Motorcycles With the Best MPG (With Pics)

One great way to lessen the impact of your carbon footprint is to cut down on your gasoline consumption.

Cruiser motorcycles are bikes geared towards comfortable commuting and long-distance cruising, making them some of the most fuel-efficient options on the market today.

This article explores cruiser motorcycles with the best MPG, complete with engine specs for an accurate side-by-side comparison of the features and dimensions that affect a bike’s average fuel economy.

Honda Rebel 300

The Honda Rebel 300, aka the little Rebel, is a sleek entry-level cruiser styled after the iconic Rebel cruiser line. It stocks a 286 cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder engine that gets class-leading fuel efficiency and is tuned modestly enough for beginners without falling behind in traffic. 

The Rebel 300 stocks a modernized LED light setup and gauge cluster and a slipper/assist clutch that helps riders properly engage the clutch to avoid clutch slips, damage, and stall outs, effectively saving even more fuel as a byproduct. 

• Average Miles Per Gallon: 70 MPG– Note From Honda: Honda fuel economy estimates are based on EPA exhaust emission measurement test procedures and are intended for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you ride and maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider, and passenger weight, and other factors.
• Fuel Capacity: 3.0 gallons
• Engine Type: 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke
• Bore And Stroke: 76.0mm x 63.0mm
• Induction: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI); 38mm throttle body
• Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
• Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
• Transmission: Six-Speed
• Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain; 14T/36T
• Rake (Caster Angle): 28.0°
• Trail: 4.3 inches
• Wheelbase: 58.7 inches
• Seat Height: 27.2 inches
• Curb Weight: 364 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids, and a full tank of fuel-ready to ride)

Yamaha Bolt R Spec

The Yamaha Bolt is the Japanese manufacturer’s answer to the Sportster Cruiser class made famous by American Heritage brands like Harley-Davidson. It features a 942cc air-cooled V-Twin engine. Yamaha has long since proven their efficient engineering, and Bolt’s engine is a masterclass in what a medium V-Twin should be regarding consistent and reliable performance and efficient fuel economy.

Furthermore, the Bolt’s Piggyback rear suspension, efficient gearbox, stock wheel rims, and tires add up to an average MPG of 51.

• Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gal
• Fuel Economy: 51 mpg
• Wet Weight: 542 lb.
• Engine Type: 58-cubic-inch (942cc) air-cooled SOHC V-twin; 4 valves.
• Bore x Stroke: 85.0mm x 83.0mm
• Compression Ratio: 9.0:1
• Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
• Ignition: TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
• Transmission: 5-speed; multi-plate wet clutch
• Final Drive: Belt
• Suspension / Front: Telescopic fork, 4.7-in travel
• Suspension / Rear: Dual piggyback shocks, 2.8-in travel
• Brakes / Front: Hydraulic single disc, 298mm
• Brakes / Rear: Hydraulic single disc, 298mm
• L x W x H: 90.2 in x 37.2 in x 44.1 in
• Seat Height: 27.2 in
• Wheelbase: 61.8 in
• Rake (Caster Angle): 29.0°
• Trail: 5.1 in
• Ground Clearance: 5.1 in
• Tires / Front: 100/90-19 Bridgestone® EXEDRA G721 F
• Tires / Rear: 150/80-16 Bridgestone® EXEDRA G722 R

Honda Grom

The Grom is the middle-of-the-road option from Honda’s MiniMoto series. The Grom stocks a standard, manual, four-speed gearbox and a 125 cc, air-cooled single-cylinder engine with claimed MPG figures as high as 166 Miles per Gallon.

The Grom’s ample room for customization, easy storage and parking, small size, accessibility, and affordability make it one of the easiest-to-approach, most fuel-efficient two-wheel options.

That said, the Honda Grom is strictly for in-town commuting and is not equipped for highway riding.

• Fuel MPG:
• Fuel Capacity: 1.6 gals.
• Curb Weight: 231 lbs.:227 lbs.
• ENGINE: 
  • Type: 123.9cc air-cooled four-stroke 80º single cylinder
  • Valve Train: SOHC; two-valve
  • Bore x Stroke: 50.0 mm x 63.1 mm.
  • Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
  • Induction: PGM-FI automatic fuel injection w/ 24 mm bore
  • Ignition: Full-transistorized
  • Starter: Electric
  • Driveline: Chain final drive; 15T/38T
  • Transmission: Manual; 5 speeds
  • Clutch: Multiplate wet
• SUSPENSION: 
  • Front: 31 mm telescopic inverted fork; 4.3 in. travel
  • Rear: Single shock w/ box-section steel swingarm; 4.1 in. travel
• BRAKES: 
  • Front: Single hydraulic 2-piston caliper w/ 220 mm disc; ABS: Single hydraulic 2-piston caliper w/ 220 mm disc
  • Rear: Single hydraulic 1-piston caliper w/ 190
    mm disc; ABS: Single hydraulic 1-piston caliper w/ 190
    mm disc
• TIRES: 
  • Front:120/70-12
  • Rear:130/70-12
• MEASUREMENTS: 
  • Rake (castor angle):25º
  • Trail: 84 mm (3.31 in.)
  • Length: 69.2 in.
  • Width: 28.4 in.
  • Height: 40.0 in.
  • Seat Height: 30.0 in.
  • Ground Clearance: 7.0 in.
  • Wheelbase: 47.2 in.

Related: 10 Cruiser Motorcycles With Automatic Transmissions

Honda Monkey

Unlike the contemporary-styled Grom, the Honda Monkey is styled after the vintage 70’s minibike of the same name, though it still stocks the same 125 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine. The Monkey’s hyper-efficient engine and chassis design combine to offer fuel efficiency as high as 125 miles per gallon.

• Fuel Capacity: 1.5 gals.
• Curb Weight: 231 lbs.
• ENGINE: 
  • Type: 123.9cc air-cooled 80º single-cylinder four-stroke
  • Valve Train: SOHC; two-valve
  • Bore x Stroke: 50.0mm x 63.1mm
  • Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
  • Induction: PGM-FI w/ 24mm bore, automatic enrichment
  • Ignition: Full-transistorized 
  • Starter: Electric
  • Transmission: Manual; 5 speeds
  • Clutch: Multiplate wet
  • Final Drive: Chain final drive; 14T/37T
• SUSPENSION: 
  • Front: 31mm hydraulic telescopic inverted fork; 4.3 in. stroke
  • Rear: Twin shocks; 3.4 in. stroke; 4.0 in. wheel travel
• BRAKES: 
  • Front: Hydraulic; single 220mm disc w/ two-piston caliper; ABS
  • Rear: Hydraulic; single 190mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
• TIRES: 
  • Front: 120/80-12
  • Rear: 130/80-12
• MEASUREMENTS: 
  • Rake (Caster Angle): 25º
  • Trail: 82mm (3.2 in.)
  • Length: 67.4 in.
  • Width: 29.6 in.
  • Height: 40.5 in.
  • Ground Clearance: 6.9 in.
  • Seat Height: 30.5 in.
  • Wheelbase: 45.0 in.

Yamaha SR400

The Yamaha SR400 is a modern classic or retro café racer-styled cruiser that stocks an air-cooled, four-stroke single, cylinder 399cc engine. Its specs combine to produce an average fuel economy of 66 miles per gallon. This reliable, efficient, stylish bike is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a high MPG.

• Fuel Capacity: 3.2 gal
• Fuel Economy: 66 mpg
• Wet Weight: 384 lb.
• Engine Type: 399cc, air-cooled four-stroke single, SOHC; 2 valves.
• Bore x Stroke: 87.0mm x 62.7mm
• Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
• Fuel Delivery: Fuel Injection
• Ignition: TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
• Transmission: 5-speed; multi-plate wet clutch
• Final Drive: O-ring chain
• Suspension / Front: Telescopic fork; 5.9-in travel
• Suspension / Rear: Dual shock swingarm; 4.1-in travel
• Brakes / Front: Hydraulic single disc brake, 298mm
• Brakes / Rear: 150mm drum
• Tires / Front: 90/100-18
• Tires / Rear: 110/90-18
• L x W x H: 82.1 in x 29.5 in x 43.1 in
• Seat Height: 30.9 in
• Wheelbase: 55.5 in
• Rake (Caster Angle): 27.7°
• Trail: 4.4 in
• Maximum Ground Clearance: 5.1 in

Honda NC750X

The Honda NC750X stocks a versatile parallel-twin engine that provides all the power needed for the wide variety of cruising this jack-of-all-trades of a moto provides.

The bike may look like something out of an anime more than a traditional American cruiser. Still, its 23-liter storage capacity and impressive fuel economy of 80 miles per gallon make the NC750X an ideal bike for city commuting or highway cruising.  

• Curb Weight: 472 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids, and full tank of fuel—ready to ride)
• Fuel Capacity: 3.8 gallons
• Miles Per Gallon: 80 MPG – Honda’s fuel economy estimates are based on EPA exhaust emission measurement test procedures and are intended for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you ride and maintain your vehicle, weather, road conditions, tire pressure, installation of accessories, cargo, rider, and passenger weight, and other factors.
• Engine Type: 745cc liquid-cooled four-stroke 55º parallel-twin
• Bore And Stroke: 77mm x 80mm.
• Induction: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection (Throttle by Wire)
• Ignition: Full transistorized ignition
• Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
• Valve Train: SOHC; four valves per cylinder
• Transmission: Six-speed Manual
• Final Drive: #520 Chain; 16T/43T
• Clutch: Multiplate wet
• Rake (Caster Angle): 27.0 degrees
• Trail: 4.3 inches
• Wheelbase: 60.1 inches
• Seat Height: 31.6 inches

Honda CB500F

Honda calls the CB500F an “all-around athlete” of a standard or naked-style motorcycle. Naked bikes are stripped-down, minimalist motorcycle concepts designed for efficient commuting and straightforward cruising.

Ther CB500F combines a sleek chassis, easily approachable rideability, lightweight and efficiency-oriented engine tuning, and powerband to achieve an average mile per gallon between 65 MPG and 76 MPG.

• Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons
• Curb Weight: 416 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids, and full fuel tank—ready to ride.)
• Engine Type: 471cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke
• Bore And Stroke: 67.0mm x 66.8mm
• Compression Ratio: 10.7:1
• Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
• Induction: PGM-FI with 34mm throttle bodies
• Transmission: Six-speed
• Final Drive: O-ring-sealed chain; 15T/41T
• Front Suspension: 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork; 4.7-inch travel
• Rear Suspension: Pro-Link® single shock with nine-position spring-preload adjustability; 4.7-inch travel
• Front Brake: Dual 295mm discs with four-piston calipers; ABS
• Rear Brake: Single 240mm disc, ABS
• Front Tire: 120/70R-17 radial
• Rear Tire: 160/60-17 radial
• Rake (Caster Angle)
• 25.5°
• Trail: 4.0 inches
• Wheelbase: 55.5 inches
• Seat Height: 31.1 inches

Related: 10 Cruiser Motorcycles With a Radio (Perfect for Touring)

Royal Enfield Classic 350

The latest entry-level café racer from Royal Enfield is the Classic 350, a hyper-efficient, vintage-style café cruiser with a claimed MPG of as high as 95 miles per gallon.

While real-world figures register closer to 85-90 MPG depending on riding and maintenance habits, this stylish, retro-looking moto produces fuel-efficient figures as modern as anything else on the road.

• Curb Weight 430 lbs. (with 90% fuel & oil)
• Fuel Capacity 3.43 gal
• Engine Type Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Air-Oil Cooled
• Displacement 349cc
• Bore x Stroke 72 x 85.8 mm
• Compression Ratio 9.5: 1
• Maximum Power 20.2 bhp @ 6100 rpm
• Maximum Torque 19.9 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
• Ignition System Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
• Clutch Wet, Multi-Plate
• Gearbox 5 Speed, Constant Mesh
• Lubrication Wet Sump, Forced Lubrication
• Engine Oil SAE 15W-50 API, SL Grade, JASO MA 2 Semi Synthetic
• Fuel Supply Electronic Fuel Injection
• Air Cleaner Paper Element
• Engine Start Electric Type Twin Downtube Spine Frame
• Front Suspension Telescopic, 41mm Forks, 130mm Travel
• Rear Suspension Twin Tube Emulsion Shock Absorbers w/ 6-Step Adjustable Preload
• Wheelbase 54.7.”
• Ground Clearance 6.7.”
• Length 84.45.”
• Width 30.9” (without mirrors)
• Height 42.91” (without mirrors)
• Seat Height 31.69.”
• Electrical System 12V – DC Battery 12V, 8 AH, VRLA (Maintenance free)
• Head Lamp 12V, H4-60/55W (Halogen) w/ LED Light Guide
• Tail Lamp 12V, P21/5W
• Turn Signal Lamp 12V, 10W x 2 Nos.

Sources:

Yamaha Motorcycle – Model Home (yamahamotorsports.com)

Motorcycle – Honda

Classic 350 Price, Mileage, Specs & Colors in the United States | Royal Enfield