Regardless of the size of your motorcycle, most riders eventually dream of taking longer trips on their bike.
But what if you are on something as small as a 250cc, can you still take long trips?
You can definitely take a 250cc motorcycle on long-distance trips. They can keep up with highway and interstate speeds and are very affordable to maintain and fuel. Just keep in mind that you will need to stop more frequently for fuel, and will most likely need more breaks from interstate riding.
To further drive home this point, keep reading below for a more detailed breakdown as well as some tips for 250cc riders who want to take long trips on their bike.
Using a 250cc Motorcycle for Long Distance Trips
To reiterate, yes you can take a 250cc motorcycle on a long trip. In fact, I always reference the article about a rider taking her 250cc on over 10,000 miles of long-distance trips.
But even though it is possible, there are definitely some caveats and considerations to keep in mind.
250cc motorcycles have a few drawbacks that make them less ideal for long-distance trips compared to their more powerful counterparts.
They also have a few characteristics that put them ahead of the bigger bikes.
To give you an idea of what to expect, check out this pros and cons list that details just that.
Cons
Limited Power
The biggest drawback of taking a 250cc motorcycle on a long-distance trip is that they have limited power. This actually hits on 2 different levels. On one hand, you are not going to be able to haul as much as some of these ADV or Touring motorcycles – especially if you are a bigger rider. You will have to make stops more frequently or take less stuff on your trip. Second, you will have limited power when it comes to going up steep hills or passing slower cars.
Smaller fuel tanks
Another big hit for 250cc motorcycles is the fact that they have smaller fuel tanks. And while this may not seem like a big deal at first, it can actually become a huge problem if your trip takes you to any remote areas with gas stations that are more spread out. Not only that, you will have to be more vigilant for gas stops along your route, which can add a sense of stress to your trip.
Limited comfort at highway speeds
One of the biggest drawbacks to 250cc motorcycles on long-distance trips is their limited comfort on a highway or interstate.
While 250cc motorcycle can easily keep up with interstate speeds, you will be near the limit of capability of your bike. This means no passing power and even more limited control. And while this doesnt sound like a big deal, it can feel intimidating riding a smaller machine around the heavy and speeding cars on the interstate.
In addition, 250cc motorcycles don’t have a lot of weight behind them. And when you’re traveling at highway speeds, even the smallest amount of wind can feel like a blast pushing you every which way.
With a 250cc, you will be a lot more susceptible to the wind, which will make you more tired a lot faster than you would think. The wind has a huge impact on how fast your body will fatigue on a ride.
But don’t let me rip on 250cc’s too much, there are actually a lot of benefits to riding a 250cc motorcycle long distances.
Limited carrying capacity
The final drawback to 250cc motorcycles is their limited carrying capacity.
As a smaller bike, it will have limited space and power to carry heavy loads. In fact, any amount of weight you add to the motorcycle will have a huge impact on how it moves and handles, regardless of how light.
This can be a problem if you plan to load up on a lot of camping gear, clothes, or anything else you feel you need for your long-distance trip.
Pros
As I mentioned, there are more benefits to riding a 250cc long distance than caveats.
Easier to handle
First off, 250cc motorcycles are lightweight and easy to control.
This makes things a lot easier when you’re maneuvering around a parking lot or negotiating a tricky section of the road.
Having a lightweight bike will allow you to feel confident when it comes to control of the motorcycle.
Cheaper to fuel
Another huge benefit to 250cc motorcycles is how cheap they are when it comes to fuel consumption.
I know I mentioned their smaller fuel tanks but this is quickly remedied by how 250cc’s seem to sip fuel compared to their larger counterparts.
It’s not uncommon to get 50-70 miles per gallon on a 250cc motorcycle. This saves you a lot of time and money when traveling long distances.
Easier to maintain
250cc motorcycles are also cheaper to maintain overall.
Remember that 250cc motorcycles are largely considered “beginner bikes” in the motorcycle community. This means that manufacturers will use cheaper and less sophisticated parts and technology.
While this may seem like a drawback at first, it’s actually a huge benefit when it comes to repairing or maintaining the motorcycle. If something falls and breaks, its usually cheap enough to replace without hindering your trip.
Not to mention, you will be using less oil, putting less stress on the drivetrain, and filling up with the cheapest gas you can find.
More affordable overall
Piggybacking off the last point, 250cc motorcycles are cheaper all around, which saves you money when it comes to planning trips.
You may even be able to take longer trips to see more sights with all the money you save.
Is a 250cc motorcycle fast enough for the highway?
I know I mentioned this before but a lot of riders are concerned about taking a 250cc motorcycle on the highway.
And rightfully so. There’s a good chance that if you’re planning a long-distance trip, you will spend some of that time on the interstate or highway.
250cc motorcycles can keep up with highway and interstate speeds, they are just not comfortable for the bike or rider if you are riding on an interstate for long periods of time.
At highway speeds, a 250cc motorcycle will be easily affected by wind resistance, which requires a little more work from the rider. This in turn can fatigue the rider a lot faster than if they were on a slower back road or a bigger bike.
As well, 250cc motorcycles will be topping out at interstate speeds, so don’t expect to pass anyone or speed up any steep inclines. This can also feel pretty violent on the motorcycles, as you will be feeling all the vibration from those higher RPMs. Which again…tires the rider out that much more.
How Far Can a 250cc Motorcycle Go?
If you’re thinking about taking your 250cc motorcycle on a long-distance trip, you might be wondering how far you can go before you run out of gas or get too tired. Well, the answer is not so simple, because it depends on a lot of factors that can vary from rider to rider, from bike to bike, and from trip to trip.
In this section, we’ll go over some of the main factors that affect the travel distance of a 250cc bike and give you some tips on how to maximize it.
- Fuel tank size: The first thing you need to know is how big your fuel tank is. The average fuel tank capacity of a 250cc motorcycle is about 3.5 gallons. That means that on a full tank of gas, you can usually go between 150 and 300 miles, depending on how fuel-efficient your bike is. But not all 250cc bikes have the same size tank, so make sure you check your bike’s specs before you hit the road.
- Fuel efficiency: The next thing you need to know is how fuel-efficient your bike is. The average fuel efficiency of a 250cc motorcycle is 50-70 miles per gallon (21-30 km per liter)1. That means that for every gallon of gas you use, you can go 50 to 70 miles. But again, not all 250cc bikes are equally fuel efficient. Some bikes can get more miles per gallon, while others can get less, depending on the engine type, the bike model, the riding style, and the road conditions.
- Riding style: The way you ride your bike can also make a big difference in how far you can go. Riding at high speeds, accelerating and braking a lot, carrying heavy loads, or riding in windy or hilly areas can all lower your fuel efficiency and shorten your travel distance. On the other hand, riding at moderate speeds, keeping a steady throttle, carrying light loads, or riding in flat or calm areas can all increase your fuel efficiency and extend your travel distance. So make sure you ride smart and adjust your style according to the situation.
- Road conditions: The type of road you ride on can also affect your fuel efficiency and travel distance. Riding on rough, unpaved, or poorly maintained roads can decrease your fuel efficiency and travel distance. Also, riding on highways or freeways can have different effects on your fuel efficiency and travel distance, depending on the speed limit, the traffic flow, and the wind resistance. So make sure you choose your route wisely and plan ahead for any changes in road conditions.
- Frequency of stops: The number of times you stop for gas, food, rest, or sightseeing can also impact your fuel efficiency and travel distance. Stopping too often can lower your fuel efficiency and travel distance because it can cause your engine to cool down and use more fuel when you start it again. However, stopping too rarely can also lower your fuel efficiency and travel distance, because it can cause your engine to overheat and wear out faster. Plus, you also need to stop for your own comfort and safety, because riding for too long can make you tired, sore, and distracted. So make sure you stop as needed and balance your needs with your bike’s needs.
- Maintenance: The last thing you need to know is how well you maintain your bike. A poorly maintained bike can reduce your fuel efficiency and travel distance because it can cause your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. For example, dirty or worn-out spark plugs, air filters, oil filters, or oil can cause your engine to lose power and performance. Also, low tire pressure, loose chains, or misaligned wheels can cause your bike to have more rolling resistance and drag, which can also lower your fuel efficiency and travel distance. So make sure you keep your bike in good condition and perform regular tune-ups and check-ups.
As you can see, there is no definitive answer to how far a 250cc motorcycle can go on a long-distance trip, because it depends on many factors that can change from time to time. However, a general rule of thumb is that a 250cc motorcycle can go about 200 miles on a full tank of gas, assuming an average fuel efficiency of 60 mpg and an average speed of 60 mph. That means that a 250cc motorcycle can go about 4 hours without stopping, which is not bad for a long-distance trip. But remember, this is just an estimate, and your actual distance and time may vary depending on the factors we discussed
Rider Considerations for Long-Distance Riding on a 250cc
When it comes to taking a long-distance trip on your motorcycle, you must also account for the other limiting factor – the rider.
Given that 250cc motorcycles are often considered for beginners, I will also go over a few rider considerations.
A. Rider’s skill and experience level
The biggest thing to consider is your skill and experience level.
Are you a newer rider with less than 1,000 miles under your belt? Well, you most likely shouldn’t plan a long and expansive trip.
Have you ever taken road trips before? Are you a competent planner? These are all things you should consider, as they will have a bigger impact on your trip than the power of your motorcycle.
B. Purpose and frequency of long-distance trips
What about the purpose and frequency of your long-distance trips? If you plan to do long rides or more frequent trips, you may be better suited to find a more powerful motorcycle.
While yeah, a 250cc can keep up with the best of them, a more powerful motorcycle will improve your trips and may even allow you to go further and more often.
C. Personal comfort and preference
Finally, you should consider your own personal comfort and preferences.
A lot of riders may find that they need more space for storage or more comfort at highway speeds.
These are all important things to consider because we all have preferences, even if we are willing to concede on them every now and then.
Tips for riding long distances on a 250cc
Now for a few tips on taking a 250cc motorcycle on a long-distance trip.
- Plan your trip well
Just like any motorcycle trip, you need to start off with a solid plan. This will include things like route choice and stops for fuel, food, or rest.
But on a 250cc motorcycle, you may need to tweak a few things. Like more frequent fuel stops due to the smaller gas tank. Or more frequent rest breaks after longer sessions on the highway.
- Make sure your bike is ready
Just as important as having a solid plan, you also need to make sure your motorcycle is in good enough shape to make the trip.
This means checking the tread on your tires, making sure you don’t need an oil change, checking your chain slack, etc.
Once you’re on the road, the last thing you need to worry about is getting an oil change in some random town, having to deal with a blowout on the road, or any other mechanical issues that can delay or stop your trip.
- Try to pack light
This is actually a good tip regardless of the size of your motorcycle but if you are on a 250cc, you should definitely try to pack as light as possible.
You will have limited space and power to carry a heavy load, not to mention that any added weight will have a huge effect on how the motorcycle drives.
I actually take a lot of tips from the Ultralight Backpacking community, as they have perfected the art of packing as light as possible.
- Bring a tool and first aid kit
Finally, make sure you bring a tool kit and a first aid kit.
This is a good tip regardless of the trip or bike you take. I keep a basic tool kit and a travel size first aid kit on every one of my rides. You never know when you may have an emergency and its best to be prepared than out on the side of the road in need of help.
Best 250cc bike for long distance
Now you may be wondering, “What is the best 250cc motorcycle for long-distance trips?”
And I can easily point to some of the comfortable options like the Yamaha Vstar 250, a cruiser. Or even a Versys 300, an adventure bike that can tackle everything from dirt roads to gravel.
But I am going to change things up and say…
The best 250cc motorcycle for long-distance trips is the motorcycle that you already have or are planning to get.
I have seen touring setups on everything from a Honda Grom to a Ducati supersport. And I bet these riders enjoyed their trips all the same, regardless of what type or size motorcycle they had.
So don’t feel limited when it comes to choosing a bike, no matter what you plan to ride, you will make it happen.
Regardless, if you’re looking for some recommendations on the best 250cc motorcycles for long-distance riding, you might want to consider these models:
- Yamaha V-Star 250: This is a classic cruiser-style bike that offers a comfortable and relaxed riding position, a low seat height, and a smooth V-twin engine. It has a 2.5-gallon fuel tank that can give you a range of about 150 miles, depending on your riding style. It also has a spacious rear rack that can accommodate a top case or a luggage bag. The Yamaha V-Star 250 is a great choice for beginners or riders who prefer a laid-back style of touring.
- Honda Rebel 300: This is a modern and stylish bike that features a liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that delivers plenty of torque and fuel efficiency. It has a 2.96 gallon fuel tank that can give you a range of about 180 miles, depending on your riding style. It also has a low seat height, a lightweight chassis, and a wide handlebar that makes it easy to handle and maneuver. The Honda Rebel 300 is a great choice for riders who want a fun and agile bike that can handle both city and highway riding.
- Kawasaki Versys-X 300: This is an adventure-style bike that offers a versatile and capable performance on various road conditions. It has a liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that provides a smooth and responsive power delivery, a 4.5 gallon fuel tank that can give you a range of about 270 miles, depending on your riding style, and a long-travel suspension that can absorb bumps and shocks. It also has a tall windscreen, a large front fairing, and a rear carrier that can accommodate a top case or a luggage bag. The Kawasaki Versys-X 300 is a great choice for riders who want a bike that can tackle everything from dirt roads to gravel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking a 250cc motorcycle on a long-distance trip is more than possible and just as enjoyable as any.
Just keep in mind the limitations and drawbacks that you may face, so you can plan accordingly and enjoy your trip.
Have fun and good luck.
Credits
Article photo credited to Reddit user prepnready2