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Rubbish MPG On Motorbikes

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  • vaio
    vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    you don't seriously think that if they do link tax to emissions they will rate a 1200cc bike at less than you pay now?

    I'd expect at least a X2 increase :D
  • I used to have a Honda c70 step-thru. That would do over 100 mpg quite easily, although possibly a tad slow for commuting any kind of distance. (45-50mph absolute tops).
    I was looking at those Enfield bikes they still make in india- you could get those with a diesel engine, good for 200 mpg! the downside is it's the type of engine you'd normally find driving a concrete mixer on a building site, and again is really too slow to be practical
  • Trebor16
    Trebor16 Posts: 3,061 Forumite
    vaio wrote: »
    you don't seriously think that if they do link tax to emissions they will rate a 1200cc bike at less than you pay now?

    I'd expect at least a X2 increase :D

    If they did then my bike which has emisions of 114g/km should be rated the same as a car, if not less given the fact that bikes don't wear out the roads to the same extent as a 1.25 ton family car.
    "You should know not to believe everything in media & polls by now !"


    John539 2-12-14 Post 15030
  • alastairq
    alastairq Posts: 5,030 Forumite
    much has to do with the way a bike is ridden?

    Over the years, I have found that bikes really can end up more costly to run than a small family car.

    Fuel isn't the only issue....bikes...especially older designs, can be very service-intensive.

    Any sort of riding style approaching 'enthusiastic' can result in short lifespans for tyres and chains...all of which 'cost' to service or replace.

    As for range?

    Well, in the last century,I developed the habit of topping up the fuel tank of my short-lived Kwacker triple before going anywhere, at home from a fuel can....just to make sure I could get to the next village before the tank went dry....
    No, I don't think all other drivers are idiots......but some are determined to change my mind.......
  • My 125 will give an average of 80mpg, I can get it close to 90- 100mpg if I ride it like a girl though.
  • Paradigm
    Paradigm Posts: 3,656 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    alastairq wrote: »
    much has to do with the way a bike is ridden?

    That's certainly a big factor ;) You also have to remember that bike engines are generally very highly tuned & fuel economy suffers as a result.

    The VFR 800 I sold last year produced around 110bhp from 781cc's.. that's around 10bhp more than the 1.6 zetec engine in the Ford Focus!

    The ZZR 1100 I had a few years ago made close to 150bhp!
    alastairq wrote: »
    Over the years, I have found that bikes really can end up more costly to run than a small family car.

    Yep, big bikes are not cheap to own. The ZZR destroyed a Pirelli rear tyre in 1600 miles of, shall we say, spirited riding! Cost around £100 8-9 years ago...ouch :)

    alastairq wrote: »
    Well, in the last century,I developed the habit of topping up the fuel tank of my short-lived Kwacker triple before going anywhere, at home from a fuel can....just to make sure I could get to the next village before the tank went dry....

    H1 500 by any chance?
    Always try to be at least half the person your dog thinks you are!
  • Don't buy an rg500 what ever you do, ridden the way god intended can get you in to single figures.
    Nothing to see here, move along.
  • Paradigm
    Paradigm Posts: 3,656 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Don't buy an rg500 what ever you do, ridden the way god intended can get you in to single figures.

    Good times! It's a shame emissions legislation killed them off. There was nothing like thrashing a big 2 stroke :)
    Always try to be at least half the person your dog thinks you are!
  • Trebor16
    Trebor16 Posts: 3,061 Forumite
    alastairq wrote: »
    Well, in the last century,I developed the habit of topping up the fuel tank of my short-lived Kwacker triple before going anywhere, at home from a fuel can....just to make sure I could get to the next village before the tank went dry....

    Was that the bike that had withdrawal symptoms every time you passed a petrol station?:D
    "You should know not to believe everything in media & polls by now !"


    John539 2-12-14 Post 15030
  • Big thing to realise amongst all bike lovers,the fuel consumption dont matter a jot on a summers afternoon blasting through the countryside or atleast thats my presumption on my R1,more fuel i used more fun i had! Saving money is great but enjoying living is far more important...
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