Good point, you fail to realize how much faster something like a Ninja 250R is than a yaris though (and can still manage better than 60mpg - some reporting fuel mileage in the 70mpg range), a 250cc motorcycle with the same performance capabilities of a yaris will probably get some ridiculously great gas mileage. A honda ruckus will get 100ish-126ish mpg which is pretty much unbeatable by just about anything on 4wheels. You also have to factor in the price point too. Most small bikes cost a fraction of what a yaris does.
Originally Posted by
Loren
Personally, I just don't like motorcycles. I prefer having 4 wheels under me and some sheet metal around me. A/C and weather protection are a plus, as well.
Otherwise, yeah. If you like riding cycles, they can be extremely economical.
It is kinda stunning, however, that cycles don't get BETTER mileage than they do. Think about it. My car with me in it weighs about 2400 pounds and the car has a 1.5 liter engine. A small bike would have what, a 250cc engine and weigh maybe 500 pounds with rider? So, less than 1/4 the weight and 1/6 the displacement... shouldn't it get about 4x the mileage? (or more?) Shouldn't a modern 250cc bike be capable of 160 mpg on the highway as easily as my Yaris gets 40?
Suzuki TU250. Fuel-injected 250cc motorcycle. 82 mpg. Why not more??? And this is the same company that gave us the Suzuki Swift... an 1800 lb car with a 1.0 liter engine that got over 50 mpg. Somebody's just not trying hard enough.