The biggest reason quads don't get the kind of gas mileage you might expect from an equivalent motorcycle is the gearing. Most quads are made to go from zero to maybe 60 at the top end. If you have a 500 cc it's probably made to go up to about 60 for instance. In a motorcycle with a 500 the gearing is made for it to go, say, 120. With the gearing of a motorcycle in a quad you could conceivably go 120 but I wouldn't want to on off road tires that are only inflated to 5 psi. So, it's basically made to have a top speed of 50-60 with the same engine that a motorcycle can get up to 120. If you use your engine at top rpm and only get up to 60 you are going to use more gas than if those same rpms will get you up to 120 on a motorcycle. A 300 with a CVT is probably going to top out around 40-45 and you'll be using all your engine to get there. If you had a 300 with a motorcycle gearbox you can probably get twice the gas mileage. Just my own random, long winded thoughts...

 

The hours per gallon, and gearing arguments make a lot of sense to me.

Appreciate your thoughts, thanks!

 

my 300ex can go for 2 weeks of chore riding or maybe 2-3 (+) trail rides..