[nanuk]

Hi.

I am curious as to what you guy's/gals get in fuel economy on your rancher?

I do realize that my rancher is new. However it's guzzling gas, 22KM on a gravel road uses up 1/2 the tank.

2wd mode, and almost never above 3rd gear.

Any thoughts?

 

[Helmut]

Yeah, that is a lot.

 

[Texas TC]

I just finished using my brand new '10 Rancher at a motorcycle rally for event setup and security. Most of the riding was on grass, gravel, and pavement. I even pulled a small 3x5 trailer during setup to carry the gear. It set at idle from time to time and I drove the fire out of it up to 50 mph at other times. During the 13 days I was there, I put 250 miles on it and used approximately 15 gallons of fuel. That calculates to about 16 mpg.

 

[Helmut]

I just finished using my brand new '10 Rancher at a motorcycle rally for event setup and security. Most of the riding was on grass, gravel, and pavement. I even pulled a small 3x5 trailer during setup to carry the gear. It set at idle from time to time and I drove the fire out of it up to 50 mph at other times. During the 13 days I was there, I put 250 miles on it and used approximately 15 gallons of fuel. That calculates to about 16 mpg.

That seems like it uses a lot, too. My 660 gets over 20 MPG.

 

[Texas TC]

I think I wasted a lot leaving it running while taking care of issues during setup and security stops. I feel it should get over 20 if it were moving all the time the engine was running. My average miles per hour during the two week period was only 6.5 miles per hour and when I was riding it, I was traveling much faster.

 

[Helmut]

I think I wasted a lot leaving it running while taking care of issues during setup and security stops. I feel it should get over 20 if it were moving all the time the engine was running. My average miles per hour during the two week period was only 6.5 miles per hour and when I was riding it, I was traveling much faster.

Yeah, that could be it, plus I wasn't pulling a trailer when I figured my mileage.

 

[nanuk]

Hi.

Thanks for the input.

16-20 mpg is rather strange for an atv. I've asked around on other atv sites and most claim near 30 mpg for the rancher 420, or even the foreman 500 of normal medium use.

I agree that my 450 KQ, and my 650 outlander max never consumed as much fuel as my rancher, or even a friends 08 foreman 500.

I'l have to contact Honda to see what they say.

I find it odd considering than my 20 year old kawa bayou hauling a 4x5 trailer loads full of wet black earth , or a cord or green birch firewood consumes far less fuel than my rancher, and i am not a light person either.

There is also little weight difference between the bayou and the rancher.

Thanks.

 

[wyobud]

Rode 65 miles yesterday, mostly gravel F.S roads and logging trails. Got home with a little less than a half tank showing on gauge. Had a 2 1/2 gallon can of gas and used about half of that to top it off. Just a rough estimate.......I'd say 45 to 50 miles per gallon.
Mileage is all in the thumb.
This is a '07 FM with FI. Using Royal Purple syn oil.
I carry a rear rack pack weighing about 50 lbs. and have 25" radial T/C tires.
My wifes '07 TM carries about the same pack, but with stock tires and got the same mileage.

 

[nanuk]

Hi. I did the calculations and in US terms i'm getting at best 7.2 MPG or 3.71 litres per 22km.

It's a little steep even for a new machine.

I'l keep researching.

Thanks again.

My usual speed on a gravel road is 3rd gear and 30-35 KM/H. or 21 MPH.

Trails are usually 2nd gear and below 12mph.

I haven't hauled a trailer load with it yet.

I find it odd that it would consume so much fuel while idle on neutral. With the exception of running the hydraulic pump for the hydrostatic drive.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[Helmut]

7.2 MPG is way too much for a Honda, something has to be wrong.

 

[nanuk]

Correction: My honda is using 4.5 litres per 22km. Canada has imperial gallons.

I just don't know what else i can check.

The dealer is only open tuesday.

 

[Helmut]

Correction: My honda is using 4.5 litres per 22km. Canada has imperial gallons.

I just don't know what else i can check.

The dealer is only open tuesday.

That would still be under 12 MPG.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

How's it running? Any black smoke under acceleration? Are you sure you don't have a fuel leak. You think if it were running that rich it would have some issues.

 

[nanuk]

The machine runs fine and clean.

I checked for leaks, and unless the fuel comes out of the tank cap breather hose, there are no leaks.

I do find that the machine vibrates quite a bit on idle & neutral. It's always done that. However i am comparing the vibration to that of a couple foreman 500's.

Not back fires, or power fluctuations.

I did notice that the fan came on a few times when driving, and nothing strenious either.

The fan also came on when the engine was off and the key was on and would not shut off until i started the motor for a few seconds.

Does that help?

 

[mmm635]

The machine runs fine and clean.

I checked for leaks, and unless the fuel comes out of the tank cap breather hose, there are no leaks.

I do find that the machine vibrates quite a bit on idle & neutral. It's always done that. However i am comparing the vibration to that of a couple foreman 500's.

Not back fires, or power fluctuations.

I did notice that the fan came on a few times when driving, and nothing strenious either.

The fan also came on when the engine was off and the key was on and would not shut off until i started the motor for a few seconds.

Does that help?

Did you physically look in the tank to see the fuel level. I am just wondering if you are getting a bad reading from a fuel level sensor. Those numbers sound really scary considering everything you describe in your post seems normal operation for a Honda.

 

[Mapcinq]

I rode about 150 km this weekend, and probably only went through 3/4 of a tank. This was on a 09 420. A half tank for 22 km doesnt sound right at all. Plus it doesnt seem like you are driving too fast.

 

[dubsd]

I was out on weekend and did a ride of 20 km in mud, climbing, gravel and lots of starts and stops. Fuel gauge is still above 3/4 mark, full when left. On first weekend in snow and mud road for 8 hours on two tanks of gas. There seems to be a problem with yours, mine are 09's.

 

[nanuk]

Hi.

I came up with a solution to some of the fuel consumption.

Last night i removed and cleaned the air filter with an air compressor. Then re-oiled it.

Now i am getting about 22mpg. Not to mention quite a bit more power.

> To answer some of the other replies.

Yes i did actual mL and measuring tape measurements. All my previous observations were accurate.

 

[ostrx250]

so you were running half choked all the time hahaha well enjoy you fuel increase

 

[nanuk]

so you were running half choked all the time hahaha well enjoy you fuel increase

Ôo .

I didn't find it funny.