I have a new 500 (2004) with just 300 miles on it. So far I have only achieved about 17 miles per gallon fuel usage. From some of the reading I have done, it sound like some people have gotten over 110 mile on a tank of gas. So far I have only gotten around 80 miles per 4.75 gallon tank. My driving has not been overly aggressive, but I have used the low range some. Can anyone else out there tell me if this seem to low and what might the problem be?

 

Your 500 sounds about right. 17 MPG is the best I've ever done on my 500. I usually get 15-16 on agressive rides, and 17 when I'm just putting around. My riding buddy just bought a 04.5 model and his got about 9 mpg on our first ride, and 11 on the second. I think his might have a carb problem.

 

17mpg isnt bad at all on my (2004) sportsman 500 H.O. I got 1700 miles on it and i get 80 - 90 miles per tank i get around 17-18 mpg I mean I use low gear all the time because I live on a farm and have to use a lot

 

On my 2005 700 EFI while just out cruising, I'm getting about 25 mpg.

 

Milage is dependent on trail conditions, you're in the range don't worry about it.....

 

THANKS FOR ALL THE RESPONSES ON THE SPORTSMAN 500 MILEAGE.

 

if he just got it no its not a carb problem its just breakin in, it takes more gas to turn over a stiff motor

 

so why does mine get 50 miles to a tank...on my o4.5 sp 500 im at 1000 ft elevation....

 

We've considered the issue of break-in, but have to take a wait-and-see approach. So far, his mileage has shown a slight improvement, so we're hopefull that's the cause. What concerns me is the amount of black soot in the tail pipe. It's definitely running more rich than mine. I wonder if Polaris has changed the setting on the jet needle between the 03 and 04 models?