Fuel Economy Survey

[O'Deere]

Curious what do these machines get for mileage. Anybody keep track of mileage? Guessing the Deeres might be among the most efficient machines on the trail w/ the 4 stroke sleds as king.

[cosmo440]

I found an article a few years ago that showed the fuel milage test from several sleds back in the early 80's. JD, Ski-doo, Yamaha, Polaris were mentioned(can't remember which models). They had the fan cooled separated from the liquids. They tested the Liquifire and Trailfire LX 440. It was a closed course with varying terrain and the speed was around 30mph average. The Trailfire was the top sled at around 32mpg and the Liquifire was second at 26mpg. I will see if I can find the test and post it, rather interesting as even the best sled today gets about 16-20mpg. Just remember, the more open the loud handle is the more it costs no matter what engine you have. The new Ski-doo 600ACE motor(four stroke twin) is supposed to get amazing milage even at higher speeds. I am hoping to do a long tour this winter and see what my 80 Liquifire actually gets. My Polaris is a pig, it only gets about 6-8mpg, 10 if I am gentle.

[O'Deere]

Had read about some new 4 stroker getting 29 MPG. What engine do you have your Polaris. Love the look of the 80 & 90s Polaris models but umm don't know if their gas piggies. Imagine the big difference is between 2 & 3 cylinders.

[That Girl Racing]

That 26mpg Liquid was definetly not any of the ones I owned.

[cosmo440]

My Polaris is a 01 that was a 600, put a 700VES top end on it. Using a Holtzman ATACC to. Want to get the ATACC for my Liquifire as changing the jets is a pain. My 01 when it was a 600 got the same milage as my 700VES with the ATACC, about 86 miles/tank. Trail riding at moderate speeds is not to bad as the bigger engine size dosn't need as much throttle, but open it up and climb and I can burn a tank in less then 2 hours.

[ChickenRat]

You'll never see that kind of mpg in the real world with these old 2-smokers. Everyone is just too heavy on the flipper. All my 90's Polaris's were gas & oil hogs, jetted & set thick from the factory. I'm sure it kept the warranty claims down though. My '10 ETEC 600 was getting an honest 18-21mpg on the groomed trails last winter with my normal driving. I've never seen that kind of mileage in the real world on a sled in all my years and is the best snowmobile motor I have ever experienced to date. That motor has an amazing run quality. That 600ACE has piqued my interest as a sled for my better half. Quiet, on the lighter side, warm, comfortable, no foul exhaust. I would like to see them step it up from around 60hp to about 80hp then I'd probably jump on one. I'm betting 23-27mpg real world mpg on the groomed trails with that motor. We have some interesting motors being developed for the future of our sport.

Robb

[rnp]

This will be my third winter on my 1200 MXZ Renegade. Have about 13 1400 miles on it, mileage is getting better as it breaks in. Usually will get around 110 to 130 miles per tank depending on throttle usage. Ride with lots of buddies who run 670, 670HO, IQ's, Cats, etc. Usually when we fill up at some town, when out for a 150 mile run or so, their sleds will usually take 35 to 43 litres, mine will usually take 13 to 17 litres. This is usually just ditch and field bangin, cause we have to drive 30, 40 miles to get on the trail system.

Robert.

[cosmo440]

We need to enjoy what we have now. If E15 becomes mainstream fuel, that puts us all out. Most everything right now can survive on E10, but E15 will kill motors. I have a 2008 Focus, if E15 were the only fuel, I could not use it, nor could you guys who just bought 2010 or 2011 machines. Our sport as we know it is quickly dying. I would love to get a new machine, but I don't have $11,000 to justify a few months use. I beleive that the new technology will allow us to keep riding, but the cost is going to kill the sport. There is not enough sales to justify the cost of sleds going up each year to meet the EPA and the expectations of riders today. Gone are the days of being able to get 2 or 3 sleds for the family. Let's see, 3 sleds at todays cost:$33,000. Down payment on home, new car or toys? This is a sport that is turning into a rich mans game. Poeple in the states will be affected by the E15 change quicker then up here in Canada. The thing that really sucks is that snowmobiling is no where near the climate killer that enviromentallists think. There are not enough riders in north america to do the damage they say is being done. I am going to ride as much as I can in the next few years, because I believe that within 10 years, a vintage sled will be something we talk about, not ride.