I,m not sure about other models but why are SP500's always having there gas tanks shrunk every year? Here some specs for examples.

A 2001 SP500 has a 5.25 gal tank.
A 2004 SP500 has a 4.75 gal tank.
A 2006 SP500 H.O has a 4.25 gal tank.
A 2006 SP500 EFI has a 4.13 gal tank.


Even the entry level 2x4 300 Hawkeye has a 4.5 Gal tank while a top of the line 800EFI has a 4.13 gal tank!

I know its not because Polaris does not know how to fit bigger tanks because the new 07 Sunset Red Sportsman 500 has a 6 gal tank.

You would think a Snowmobile company would know how important gas milage range is when out on the trails.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] My Polaris sled has a 11 gal Tank for example. Arctic Cat puts 6 gal tanks on there smaller 400 utility ATVs.

Is it some type of weight or cost cutting idea for them to use smaller gas tanks than they once did?

I know you can stap a extra gas can to the rack but thats where my beer goes!

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Probably more about the styling of the quad than cost saving. The smaller the tank, the sleeker sexier they can make it look.

 

That is one thing that makes me mad too. The Polaris fuel milage must be at the bottom of the best list. I averaged about 10-11 MPG on my 800

 

One of the reasons I'm getting an X2 is the six gallon fuel tank. Doesn't make sense to me that the others have less capacity.

 

if your trail riding you should be able to squeese 75 miles a tank out of an 800 (i managed to do that and to get 80 once) and a 110 ish out of a SP500 H.O.

 

I got 50 miles and 4:30 hour ride and it was sitting on 1/4 of a tank. So i'm very pleased with my sportsmans fuel economy and don't find a need for a bigger tank. Not to mention the riding we did during that 50 mile 4:30 hour ride was very hard, full throttle and constantly stuck in the mud.

 

to vouch for that, our Sportsman 500 has been turned into the work rig around the house for tree work, garden work, fence repair, fertalizing, ect. its on the same tank of gas i poured in it in July and ive put about 75 miles on it and a couple hours

 

That may be fine for Nepean, Ontario or
Louisville, Kentucky

But in Sault Ste, Marie,, Northern Ontario,, Canada, 50 miles is used up before you know the trip just started. Stating 4-5 gal tanks is enough is like saying a girls T!T's are big enough.
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That's why they invented Jerry Can holders. I bring a Jerry Can with me on every ride and have never had to use it. So my gas tank holds enough gas for me.

 

I used to be right across the locks from you TLC, still never had any problems with gas [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]