Opie-I can believe 20-25 MPG at those higher speeds. I know where I ride EATS the gas. It might be better to compare gallons per hour? lol I'm getting about 2 to 2 1/2 hours per gallon. Heck I could ride from daylight to dark for about $10,lol.

 

Sorry to change the subject but my butt is getting VERY itchy and I cannot wait to get my machine! I'm living varcariously through you guys!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: IronBear

Sorry to change the subject but my butt is getting VERY itchy and I cannot wait to get my machine! I'm living varcariously through you guys!</end quote></div>


Maybe considering the limited tank size and poor fuel economy, maybe you should order the 550 with the larger tank..

 

Actually, the 550 and 850 both have a 5.25 gallon fuel capacity. Only the EPS models of both have the smaller fuel tank, which is 4.5 gallons.

 

How much worse can the 850 be on fuel compared to the 550?

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>The local Polaris dealer gave me some gas consumption figures for the 800 twin @18mpg, the 550 a@ 25 mpg and the 850 @ 20 mpg with an average travelling speed of between 30and 40 mph. Does this seem optimistic. They are saying that the 850 should get better mileage than the 800. I'm still curious. </end quote></div>

 

Sorry, that quote was from 600Grizzly.

 

I'm heading in this Saturday to test ride an 850 with check book in hand. I was tossing up between the Can Am 650 Outlander XT and the 850. I think the 4 wheel drive system in the Polaris would work better for what I need. With the two wheel drive fuel mileage being in the 20 to 25 MPG that would be OK. I'm sure my 600 Grizzly is only marginally better than that. On our last hunting trip pulling trailers in 20 miles through some pretty rough ATV trails I'm sure I used 2 gallons of fuel so I'm thinking it is pretty similar. There is going to be a certain fun factor that is always worth a few extra bucks anyhow. Just wanted to get an actual real mpg from you guys. Thanks very much. Opie 1 har I'm sure that each bar wont be the same and that would probably get you to the 20mpg. It will be interesting to hear what your mileage is per tank.
Dave

 

I was giving this some thought and considering most ATVers only travel 1,000 miles or less per year I really don't see any sizeable difference in cost-of-fuel between a 550 and 850 so I agree with 660Grizzly's comment about the "extra fun factor for only a few bucks."

In the big picture of things, fuel seems to play a very small role imo.

~MT

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: mtpockets

I was giving this some thought and considering most ATVers only travel 1,000 miles or less per year I really don't see any sizeable difference in cost-of-fuel between a 550 and 850 so I agree with 660Grizzly's comment about the "extra fun factor for only a few bucks."



In the big picture of things, fuel seems to play a very small role imo.



~MT</end quote></div>

True IMO for most riders. I think the guys who are really concerned with MPG are the ones who go on LONG rides and don't like to have to carry alot of external fuel. Or maybe camp in remote area and use the ATV around camp. In that case I would just add a nice size fuel pack to my truck. Fuel economy isn't a huge concern for me and so far the 850 doesn't strike me as near the fuel hog the 800 was. When I first got the 800 I was amazed how fast it drank the fuel,lol. But I really need more time to be sure.