High MPG bikes which are fun?

[Bubbs]

Hello,

I'm looking to get rid of my car and get a bike but want something relitively low powered to get the most out of both MPG and insurance/tax but also something a bit fun.

Been looking at:
Yam 450f supermoto
Yam 250r supermoto
Suzuki 200 Van van
Honda MSX 150- 181cc (modded from 125cc standard)
Yam Ybr 250

Ideally i want something around the 300cc mark for NSL roads. I want something with upright riding position so I can just enjoy the world passing me by but also be easy enough to chuck into corners.

Probably asking too much but basically want to have a cheap to run bike that is also a bit of fun for my commute to work, i'll get a weekend bike in the future (z1000 or cb1000r)
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[c_dug]

I've always fancied a goose 350 if you can find a good one, not massively upright mind, but small engine and naked.

To be honest you'll get 40mpg of of most 600's, I'd be looking down the Fazer/Hornet route unless you really need to be up in the 60mpg range or higher - in which case I suspect the yzf is probably out too.
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[arry]

Ninja 250 cos race bike. Position is pretty commuter focussed.

[Bubbs]

[Rogerborg]

Is a Duke 390 in budget?

I am having a laugh on my Ninja 250 as a suburban / urban commuter. It is a fairly neutral position, just enough leany that you can kid yourself that you're Valentino Márquez if you want, without being uncomfy even for geezers..

It'll get past 70mph+ without fuss, but you won't really want to keep it there for long.

Black ones tend to be cheaper than green, because #datswaciss.
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stevo as b4]

I've always found it a bit weird when for criteria like this, silly people not really thinking about the practicalities or the best tool for the job pick out weird obscure grey import bikes that are over 20years old.

Where the fuck is your logic? And why keep name dropping old Jap market bikes like SDR200's, and Goose 350's, as if they are everywhere and there's always loads of them for sale in good condition on every street corner and with excellent cheap parts back up and spares? I'd really love to hear your logic?

I think it's either people not even reading the OP properly, or else just name dropping weird old bikes that they would love to own or buy but not with their own money, and or without thinking about the intended use or how to keep them on the road and get spares quickly and easily. How an old grey import Is right for most peoples daily beater I'll never understand?

It's not really like Fazer 600's for example, where you could keep one on the road cheaply and fall over spare parts under your nose. Old greys are bikes for sunny day play bikes, projects, or collections where if something goes wrong, a month or 3month wait for a vital spare part is no sweat or concern, as it was never going to be relied on other than for fun and laughs.

[Bubbs]

Duke 390 is unfortunately out of my budget. £1.5k
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[thx1138]

I really like the vanvan 200 and we own one, but if you want serious fun fun fun! get either of the two supermotos!!

[Bubbs]

[NutsyUk]

My lexmoto XTRS does 110mpg, OHHhh you want fun...


Tbh im interested to know too...

What about the z300? Also would it be happy going a hundred or 2 miles on motorway trips?
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Yamaha FZ8/Fazer800 (split headlight one) 2014, gingerly getting used to the massive increase in HP and not killing myself in the process! That was easy to get used to.
Kawasaki ER6F 2007 650 Gonna sell as a project bike!
Lexmoto XTR S 125 Sold!

[thx1138]

[Bubbs]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Second time in a week I've mentioned the bike, but Honda BROS 650.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Rogerborg]

[Bubbs]

Yeah there will be room for stretching budget. Will look at those
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[haroman666]

Your supermoto choices aren't likely to be good on fuel on account of aerodynamics making 60mph a slightly more arduous task.

I know it's slightly larger than what you've said but the 500cc honda range? CBR500?

But then again, may be slightly on the other side of your budget.
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Bubbs]

[thx1138]

[Bubbs]

Ha ha, where does the acceleration cut to slow as fuck rather than slow
____________________
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[Bubbs]

Ha ha, where does the acceleration cut to slow as fuck rather than slow
____________________
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[thx1138]

about 45mph

[ocatoro]

I would have thought any of the newish 250-500cc bikes would do astro mpg and be fairly brisk compared with 125s... case of sit on some and take your pick.

if looking for something cheap and simple, the er5 is a good shout that someone mentioned. when I had one, 60mpg was easy and they don't need restricting, being (roughly) 47hp. gpz500 has same engine with more power and some fairing albeit narrow... bit faster, just as economical.

you're looking at very modern 1.4-1.6 diesel engine to be sniffing at 60+mpg and then you're spending many times over your budget.
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Bozzy]

Polar Bear is selling his Wife's ER6N for £1500? That not fit the bill?

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=319360&highlight=
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2004 SV650S >>> 2009 Street Triple R

[nowhere.elysium]

[MahatmaAndhi]

BMW F650 CS. MCN puts it at 62MPG, Fuelly puts it between 46.8 and 60.2 depending on year.
From what I've read, it's a really fun bike too.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250