P500 fuel mileage

[Deleted member 3748]

We went on a 60-ish mile ride today with some Can-Am and Polaris 1000s and such. We ran the Pioneer hard. It seemed like the pedal was to the floor almost all the time except when slowing for some of the turns. We were hitting the rev limiter in 5th gear regularly, etc etc. It was the hardest I ever pushed it. On the last leg of the trip the low fuel light came on. We rode another 20 minutes at 40 mph and had three medium sized water crossings coming up. I nervously made it through the water, nursing the pedal, and caught back up to the group where I was able to borrow a 1/2 gallon of gas to make it back. Basically, I went 60 miles on 4 gallons of fuel. 15 mpg... Is that what the rest of you are seeing when you run your P5 hard on sandy trails with a good amount of hills?

 

[iowaguy]

We went on a 60-ish mile ride today with some Can-Am and Polaris 1000s and such. We ran the Pioneer hard. It seemed like the pedal was to the floor almost all the time except when slowing for some of the turns. We were hitting the rev limiter in 5th gear regularly, etc etc. It was the hardest I ever pushed it. On the last leg of the trip the low fuel light came on. We rode another 20 minutes at 40 mph and had three medium sized water crossings coming up. I nervously made it through the water, nursing the pedal, and caught back up to the group where I was able to borrow a 1/2 gallon of gas to make it back. Basically, I went 60 miles on 4 gallons of fuel. 15 mpg... Is that what the rest of you are seeing when you run your P5 hard on sandy trails with a good amount of hills?

The problem isn't so much the mileage ,but rather the size of tank,I went on a ride with a Canam 4 wheeler,a JD gater ,a Polaris Ranger,Rzr 800 and 900 and Yamaha defender,we were on sandy trails averaging about 35 mph ,we stopped at a gas station to fill up,we all put in 3 gallons of gas, give or take less than 1/2 gallon,the issue was I was close to empty the rest of them were only 1/2 empty or less,I always carry an extra gallon of gas with me for that reason,I've already averaged up to 40 mpg on hard packed trails down to less than 20 mpg in deep sandy trails

 

[Deleted member 3748]

The problem isn't so much the mileage ,but rather the size of tank,I went on a ride with a Canam 4 wheeler,a JD gater ,a Polaris Ranger,Rzr 800 and 900 and Yamaha defender,we were on sandy trails averaging about 35 mph ,we stopped at a gas station to fill up,we all put in 3 gallons of gas, give or take less than 1/2 gallon,the issue was I was close to empty the rest of them were only 1/2 empty or less,I always carry an extra gallon of gas with me for that reason,I've already averaged up to 40 mpg on hard packed trails down to less than 20 mpg in deep sandy trails

Yes, I could use a few extra gallons of capacity. We don't carry extra fuel on these rides because of a rollover accident a few years back where the gas can leaked and ignited. Thanks for the input @iowaguy . I had an opportunity to get gas at the 30 mile mark but didn't think I needed it. Learned my lesson.

 

[ohanacreek]

What about an aux fuel cell ? Since you don't want a can.

My surecans slid all over the bed of my truck on their side and didn't leak. I forgot to tie them down....

 

[Deleted member 3748]

What about an aux fuel cell ? Since you don't want a can.

My surecans slid all over the bed of my truck on their side and didn't leak. I forgot to tie them down....

the gas can rule is from the group, not me. I've ridden with them before but we usually break into two ride groups. Fast and slow. just one group for this ride because it was only 60 miles. I've run all day on a tank of gas with the slow group.

I'm interested in the aux fuel cell. I'll see what on can find on the internet. Thanks @ohanacreek !

 

[ohanacreek]

the gas can rule is from the group, not me. I've ridden with them before but we usually break into two ride groups. Fast and slow. just one group for this ride because it was only 60 miles. I've run all day on a tank of gas with the slow group.

I'm interested in the aux fuel cell. I'll see what on can find on the internet. Thanks @ohanacreek !

I considered adding this under my drivers seat with the battery but removing the seat seems like an inconvenience considering I already have a gas can and the cost of this.

Amazon.com: 3-Gallon/11.35 Liter Aluminum Racing Bottom Feed Fuel Cell Gas Tank w/Level Sender & Cap: Automotive

 

[Deleted member 3748]

Something like this could work out nicely. I could use an electric fuel pump with a manual switch to fill the main tank when needed. This add-on will depend on whether or not my wife ever lets us go on another ride like this one. She wasn't entirely comfortable riding that hard in the P5.

 

[highpocks]

Yes, I could use a few extra gallons of capacity. We don't carry extra fuel on these rides because of a rollover accident a few years back where the gas can leaked and ignited. Thanks for the input @iowaguy . I had an opportunity to get gas at the 30 mile mark but didn't think I needed it. Learned my lesson.

i got a 5 gal. fuel tank off a honda generator and put it on the back rack behind the passenger seat and it gravity feeds to the main tank that gives me 9 gals of fuel i have not tried distance yet

 

[AlR]

I have a rotopax 7.5 litre fuel can, that you can drive a truck over apparently.
Al

 

[Rustell]

I have a rotopax 7.5 litre fuel can, that you can drive a truck over apparently.
Al

I have a 1.25 gal Rotopax .... I've used it once.

 

[AlR]

View attachment 42879

I have a 1.25 gal Rotopax .... I've used it once.

Great minds think alike eh


Al

 

[Dp5hunter]

Great minds think alike eh

View attachment 42926
Al

2x

that is a 4gl tank

 

[trigger]

Great minds think alike eh

View attachment 42926
Al

Or belong to the same forum? I didn't even know what a Rotopax was until I joined this site. I first saw it on Jackal's machine and had to have one. Makes sense to have, looks cool as hell but priced way too high. I've used mine once, I guess that makes it worth it.

 

[Deleted member 3748]

I didn't want to bum everyone out with this story, but I guess I should for everyone's safety. The reason fuel cans aren't allowed on the rides is because a guy rolled his Polaris and his fuel can leaked and sprayed fuel all over him then his machine caught on fire. He didn't survive. I know about the fire issues with Polaris but it still makes me think twice about carrying a fuel can out in the open.

 

[AlR]

I didn't want to bum everyone out with this story, but I guess I should for everyone's safety. The reason fuel cans aren't allowed on the rides is because a guy rolled his Polaris and his fuel can leaked and sprayed fuel all over him then his machine caught on fire. He didn't survive. I know about the fire issues with Polaris but it still makes me think twice about carrying a fuel can out in the open.

I wanna be cremated but not involuntarily! Rotopax are supposed to be robust and should take a good beating.
Al

 

[trigger]

I didn't want to bum everyone out with this story, but I guess I should for everyone's safety. The reason fuel cans aren't allowed on the rides is because a guy rolled his Polaris and his fuel can leaked and sprayed fuel all over him then his machine caught on fire. He didn't survive. I know about the fire issues with Polaris but it still makes me think twice about carrying a fuel can out in the open.

Sorry to hear that...scary. I was a little concerned about carrying fuel right behind me too. You notice I went with the smallest one they make? It does seem to be the toughest little can out there though and the mount system is genius. I tucked it into the bed to best protect it from a direct hit.

 

[Shadesmn]

I've been on two mixed terrain rides in the last month, with a pretty good amount of WOT riding for several miles. Both trips were around 70 miles each and I was on the low fuel light with some concern on the second one. Started flashing lo fuel at 59 miles on the trip meter, with the remainder that day being a long straight corridor to get back to the trucks. Rode 12 miles like that, running at about 30mph and made it back. I was quite concerned I'd be waiting for my group to bring me fuel just shy of the trucks. Got home and filled up with my 3.25 gal fuel pack thinking it would certainly all go in, to my surprise it splashed out the top with at least half a gallon left in the can still. Clearly the lo fuel is pretty conservative as far as hurry up you're gonna be stranded goes. But I don't think I'll be trying to stretch it like that again if I don't absolutely have to.

 

[Deleted member 3748]

It's stressful when the low fuel light is blinking. Bring back the reserve switch!

 

[Shadesmn]

It's stressful when the low fuel light is blinking. Bring back the reserve switch!

So best I can figure is that the flashing "Lo Fuel" IS the 1.1 gal reserve that is stated in the specs chart. Which like I said was surprisingly more fuel than I thought.

 

[idcwby]

I've been getting close to 100 miles on a tank. I'm running in the mountains with mud and snow at times and lot of up and down. Average about 20-25mph because of the road conditions.

idcwby