Which has better gas mileage? Honda CBR or Honda Shadow Aero?

Question

I'm looking at getting a motorcycle, have been for a long time. Gas mileage is a big factor right now. I don't want a scooter or moped or anything, still want a bike, and my local Honda shop has the best prices when it comes to... Everything. So which Honda motorcycle (at least around 600 cc) is going to get me best mpg?

Answer 1

Aero, it's a mildly tuned twin, meaning there is less combustion chamber surface, hence less energy (heat) loss through the cooling system. The 600cc sport bike has more cylinders, thus more combustion chamber surface and is tuned for high rpm power production, not economy at lower rpms (where most riding is done at).



The Aero should be a comfortable bike with adequate power and fuel economy for your purposes.

Answer 2

Being that you're looking at things with the same engine sizes it will all come down to weight and tuning. Just going of theory and physics the CBR should get better gas mileage because:

1. The bike it lighter (where ever weight can be save they used plastic)

2. The tuning is balance towards the top end to achieve higher performance in that rpm range.

Answer 3

Gas mileage seems like a very poor reason to choose between these two bikes. Perhaps you should look at insurance costs!

Critical factors that you failed to mention: What is your riding experience, and which displacement CBR are you looking at? Why are you only looking at Hondas? Why "at least 600cc"?

Answer 4

Interesting problem:



The sportbike is lighter, but higher compression.

The cruiser is a pig, but low compression and gearing.



If you could change the gearing on the sportbike to make it really tall, AND never rev it over 4k RPMs, then my guess is the sportbike. But then reality sets in, and I'll say the cruiser.

Answer 5

The Aero