Decided to test our machines for distance on full tank of fuel.
The machines are 02 500HO, 01 500HO, and 01 400.
The 02 500HO got 89 miles, mostly on good trail full throtle running.
The 01 500HO got 73 miles, working hard on rough bush trail and getting stuck in mud 3 times, once buried over the lights.
The 01 400 got 95 miles, easy riding, occasional hard work like pulling the 500 out of the mud.
The most significant finding (and also SCARY) is that when the main tank was dry, so was the reserve.
The machines have enough vibration and jostle to them that the fuel gets splashed around and as a result both the main and reserve tank empty at about the same rate.
Don't rely of reserve, carry spare fuel in separate containers.
Diamond Plastics (http://www.diamondplastics.ca/) make an excellent product for this purpose. It is called the TRAPPER QUAD CASE. Have one and it is great.

 

ok,,,how do you get 90miles on a take i have had 4 magnum 500's and they have all gotten 45miles to a tank (with out res) and if i use mostly low range i get about 25 miles and when i figure i get about 10-12 miles per gallon...........and yes they are broken in too got like 750 miles on the one and it still getts like i said 10-12 mpg the only diff is i dont ride that fast like you said you did, but you said you were going slow through the brush and thats kind of the same riding as i do (slow hunting trails looking for game) whats the big difference in our mpg!!!!>??????????

 

I have a theory on both of your posts.....It seems to me that one difference in the mileage is of course the bikes but riding conditions, speed, etc. will all play a factor in your mpg. Polarisman3, I am surprised that you are not getting a bit better mpg than you do. I am assuming that your bike is clean and well maintained then you should be getting 15 mpg or better.

We all know that just like in an automobile...we get better mileage on the highway than any other place thus this is why Stittsville got the mileage out of the bikes. Plus terrain plays a huge role as well, ups and downs vs. straight aways...I guess you all can see where I am going. Just a thought...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I rode 61 miles the other day on my 700. Put 4.43 gallions i it. Never turned it to reserve. Can't hold much only has a 4.75 gallion tank.
Glad I carry a fuel pack![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I HAVE A 03 SPORTSMAN 700 MOSSY OAK. I ROAD 81.1 MILES AND USED 3.6 GALLONS. I HAVE PURCHASED THREE ATV'S FROM A LOCAL DEALER HERE IN ALAMOGORDO. THEY HAVE SUCH GREAT SERVICE I KEEP GOING BACK TO THEM. I THINK MILEAGE HAS ALOT TO DO WITH JETTING. THEY ALWAYS REJET THE ATV FOR ME, AND TRY TO MAKE IT RUN IT'S BEST FOR THE AREA I LIVE IN. I WILL RIDE A FEW MILES AND STOP BACK BY THE SERVICE CENTER WERE THEY WILL PULL THE PLUGS AND SEE HOW RICH OR LEAN THEY ARE BURNING AND REJET IF NEEDED. MY SP 500 HO ALSO GOT GREAT MILEAGE.

 

Polarisman3, I think you need to have your jetting checked. The lowest altitude we ride at is 4500 ft and my friend new Magnums get closer to the 75 mile range out of theirs and so do the 500 HO's. 45 miles to a tank is bad.