The two things that stress a motorcyclist most on a long trip are not knowing where the fuel will run out and not hitting the arrival time. A car has a range of 600–700 km, but on a motorcycle that figure can drop below 300 km on a small scooter, and petrol stations get sparse on mountain roads. In this guide we show step by step how to calculate fuel needs, safe range, riding time and breaks. To do all of this on one screen you can use the route planner; once you choose a model, it fills in the tank and consumption values itself.
\n\nFuel needed = distance × consumption ÷ 100.
\nFor example, if you are going 450 km on a bike that uses 3.6 litres per 100 km: 450 × 3.6 ÷ 100 = 16.2 litres. For the fuel cost, just multiply these litres by the current pump price. Add motorway and bridge tolls separately; the motorcycle's HGS class and the bridge rules are on the rules page.
\nTheoretical range = tank capacity ÷ consumption × 100. But going right down to the last litres of the tank is risky: fuel gauges are not exact, wind or a hill increases consumption, and the station you are heading for may be closed. That is why our route planner schedules the fuel stop when 80% of the tank has been used.
\n| Model | Tank | Manufacturer's consumption | Theoretical range | 80% safe range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda PCX 125 | 8.1 L | 2.1 L/100 km | ~386 km | ~309 km |
| Honda NX500 | 17.5 L | 3.6 L/100 km | ~486 km | ~389 km |
| Yamaha MT-07 | 14 L | 4.1 L/100 km | ~341 km | ~273 km |
| Kawasaki Versys 650 | 21 L | 4.4 L/100 km | ~477 km | ~382 km |
Tank and consumption values are manufacturer data; on the real road the range is usually lower. In eastern Anatolia or on highland roads, where petrol stations are sparse, keep the fuel interval even shorter.
\n\nPure riding time = distance ÷ average speed. The critical point here is \"average speed\". Even if you ride at 100 km/h on the motorway, town exits, junctions, traffic and climbs pull the average down. The motorway speed limit for motorcycles is 100, on divided roads 90 and on intercity roads 80 km/h; on a mixed route with these limits, an average of 75–85 km/h is a realistic starting point. On twisty mountain roads it can fall to 50–60 km/h.
\nIf you ride 450 km at an 85 km/h average, the pure riding time is about 5 hours 18 minutes.
\n\nFatigue comes much faster on a motorcycle than in a car: wind, vibration, noise and constant attention. Taking a break every 1.5–2 hours is essential for both safety and enjoyment. Our route planner:
\nIn practice, it is a good idea to add at least another hour to this figure for meal breaks, photo stops and changes in the weather.
\n\nEven experienced long-distance riders do not ride 600–700 km every day. For an enjoyable and safe pace:
\nFor route ideas you can browse the motorcycle routes in Turkey; for example the Cappadocia tour and Rize, Ayder and Artvin route pages have distance and time information.
\n\nFor a packing list and choosing bags, see the long trip preparation and packing list guide.
\n\nIt is easier to see the importance of the calculation with a small-tank bike. Imagine you are planning a 300 km highland tour on a Honda PCX 125. At the manufacturer's consumption you need 300 × 2.1 ÷ 100 = 6.3 litres, and the safe range appears to be about 309 km. But on roads with climbs and at full throttle, consumption can rise noticeably above the manufacturer's figure; when you add a 20% margin, the safe range drops to around 250 km. In that case it is essential to plan a fuel stop in the middle of the route. On the same route, an adventure bike with a 17.5-litre tank could do the trip on a single tank.
\nThe upshot is to always base the range calculation on the worst case: steep climbs, a headwind and a closed station. Find the longest section of the route with no petrol station on the map in advance and fill the tank before entering that section. This small discipline reduces the risk of running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere almost to zero.
\n\nA long trip plan rests on three numbers: fuel needed, safe range and a realistic average speed. Add a margin to the manufacturer's consumption, plan the fuel stop at 80% of the tank and take a break every 2 hours. Instead of doing the calculations by hand, choose your bike in the route planner and enter the distance; fuel, number of stops and total time come out ready. To see your annual fuel spend you can also use the cost calculator.
\n\nIt varies by model. According to the manufacturer's figures in the catalogue, for example, the Honda PCX 125 uses 2.1, the Honda NX500 3.6 and the Yamaha MT-07 4.1 litres/100 km. On the motorway, with luggage and a passenger, real consumption is higher.
\n250–350 km for beginners and 450–550 km on a mainly motorway route for experienced riders is a reasonable upper limit. On twisty roads, go by 5–6 hours of pure riding time instead of kilometres.
\nWhen about 80% of the tank has been used. In regions where petrol stations are sparse, refuel earlier.
\nEvery 1.5–2 hours, for at least 15 minutes. Fatigue lengthens reaction time; skipping a break does not save time, it increases risk.
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