[HuntingQuad]

A group that i ride with did an impromptu ride this past weekend in northern lower michigan. Round trip was 108 miles (173.8 KM). So wasn't a long ride, but it was fun! Lots of challenges that we haven't been in with our bike just yet.

The snow is mostly gone, but we were also riding on the snowmachine trails that are now closed down for the season. So we rode on a mix of ice, dirt, a little pavement, and then eventually some snow. My wife and I were VERY impressed on how our 'little' 650 did. We kept up with all of the 1000cc (turbo'd and N/A) SxS that were on the ride. Only time we had any form of difficulty was when we hit some snow. It was around 10" deep, and honestly the only reason why it was remotely challenging for me as a driver/rider was due to the fact that we were following the SxS. Due to their wider stances, i couldn't ride in the 'middle' without getting sucked in from side to side. I just had to give it more thumb, and we stayed right with them.

I did do a water crossing towards the end, and a fellow rider took a video, but i haven't figured out how to save it from FB to upload for your enjoyment anywho.. here are a couple photos of the 'aftermath' when we got back to the hotel and loaded the bike up to come home.

 

[Bonzo]

N I C E !

 

[BombardierBomb]

Awesome!

 

[COoffroad]

Nice. Where were you riding at in the LP? We lived in A2 for about 15 years and still have lots of family in the UP

 

[Runner12]

Nice! I almost went to Mio (bull gap/ Mack lake) on Saturday. Question: how much gas did you use in 108 miles? I ran my 800 max on similar conditions a few months ago and only got about 40 miles on a tank of fuel.

 

[HuntingQuad]

Nice! I almost went to Mio (bull gap/ Mack lake) on Saturday. Question: how much gas did you use in 108 miles? I ran my 800 max on similar conditions a few months ago and only got about 40 miles on a tank of fuel.

I did fuel up at lunch (the halfway point).. Only used around 1/2 tank in just over 50 miles. I run premium in my bike due to it sitting for a month or two at a time. I really didn't use 4WD until the 2nd half of the ride when we rode on more ice and went through some deep snow, so that could have helped. I'm also not a small guy (around 270lbs) and my wife likes to eat too lol

Nice. Where were you riding at in the LP? We lived in A2 for about 15 years and still have lots of family in the UP

We rode around the Indian River/Wolverine/Atlanta areas. Lots of seasonal back roads and trails to go on in this area. When we ride, it's with a group based in northern lower michigan, however they do a couple rides in the UP during the summers. We are hoping to get a few more rides in, but they are a mostly SxS group, so their rides tend to be faster paced, and i'm not willing to beat up myself or my machine to hang with them lol

 

[EvilGade]

Jealous all the trails in Maine are closed for mud season. BOOOO!!!!

 

[HuntingQuad]

oh they have a ride coming up in a couple weeks for that as well.. same group too lol

 

[[email protected]]

I did fuel up at lunch (the halfway point).. Only used around 1/2 tank in just over 50 miles. I run premium in my bike due to it sitting for a month or two at a time. I really didn't use 4WD until the 2nd half of the ride when we rode on more ice and went through some deep snow, so that could have helped. I'm also not a small guy (around 270lbs) and my wife likes to eat too lol



We rode around the Indian River/Wolverine/Atlanta areas. Lots of seasonal back roads and trails to go on in this area. When we ride, it's with a group based in northern lower michigan, however they do a couple rides in the UP during the summers. We are hoping to get a few more rides in, but they are a mostly SxS group, so their rides tend to be faster paced, and i'm not willing to beat up myself or my machine to hang with them lol

My wife and I live in the LP in the summer and ride our ATVs often. We are at exit 215 on I-75, which is right on a super trailhead. Welcome to ride with us any time!

 

[HuntingQuad]

my wife is currently burning up her PTO to stay at home watching our girls and my step-son, so our long weekends of riding might be in limbo at the moment, but if the government tosses us a bone (which it sounds like it may be doing...) if she regains that PTO then we will more than likely be hitting you guys up for a ride together!

 

[Jungleman]

Looks like fun!!!!

 

[Snowman2]

"I did fuel up at lunch (the halfway point).. Only used around 1/2 tank in just over 50 miles. I run premium in my bike due to it sitting for a month or two at a time. I really didn't use 4WD until the 2nd half of the ride when we rode on more ice and went through some deep snow, so that could have helped. I'm also not a small guy (around 270lbs) and my wife likes to eat too lol"

Don't use premium fuel. It's a waste of money and actually you will lose power since they are programmed to run on 87. Use Seafoam for a fuel stabilizer if you are worried about it sitting.

 

[-TrailRunner0518-]

"I did fuel up at lunch (the halfway point).. Only used around 1/2 tank in just over 50 miles. I run premium in my bike due to it sitting for a month or two at a time. I really didn't use 4WD until the 2nd half of the ride when we rode on more ice and went through some deep snow, so that could have helped. I'm also not a small guy (around 270lbs) and my wife likes to eat too lol"

Don't use premium fuel. It's a waste of money and actually you will lose power since they are programmed to run on 87. Use Seafoam for a fuel stabilizer if you are worried about it sitting.

I always run premium I'n my machines. From what I've watched and experienced the ethanol in regular 87 fuel eats away at carburetor metals and most rubber in the fuel system (mostly grommets in the fuel tank). I don't think it's so much fuel going bad as long as you can just dilute the bad fuel later with premium if you have regular in it but if you run premium and lose some octane it's not a big deal and you won't have to dilute it. You might aswell run premium for the extra money as you could save a bunch of time cleaning or replacing fuel system components. Who wants to take apart a carburetor when you could be riding?

I agree that sea foam is good stuff though! Always put a few cap fulls in the tank each time I fill mine up!

 

[Runner12]

(From Hunting Quad .....“I did fuel up at lunch (the halfway point).. Only used around 1/2 tank in just over 50 miles”

That’s about what my Polaris 850 would do. I recall my Honda rincon was similar. But I ran my tank out in 40 miles on my outlander ( only had one ride so far). There was a few inches of snow, so I’m hoping that’s why.

Anyone know if gas use goes up that much in snow?

Also, I’m wondering if there is something that would hurt fuel use and acceleration. The machine seems to run well ( no hesitation or sputtering, etc) but not as quick as I expected for an 800. Has new air filter. So, Belt? Plugs?

 

[Runner12]

Heading for Mio in the morning. Last minute schedule change so I’m going to avoid all contagion and enjoy the open trails. Almost hate to get it dirty ..... right!

 

[Jungleman]

Cant wait to see it dirty
But I know the feeling haha
All that work detailing....just so it can look good in the garage and on the road for the trip out I always say!

Have fun

 

[Snowman2]

"I always run premium I'n my machines. From what I've watched and experienced the ethanol in regular 87 fuel eats away at carburetor metals and most rubber in the fuel system (mostly grommets in the fuel tank). I don't think it's so much fuel going bad as long as you can just dilute the bad fuel later with premium if you have regular in it but if you run premium and lose some octane it's not a big deal and you won't have to dilute it. You might aswell run premium for the extra money as you could save a bunch of time cleaning or replacing fuel system components. Who wants to take apart a carburetor when you could be riding?

I agree that sea foam is good stuff though! Always put a few cap fulls in the tank each time I fill mine up!"


Sorry but this makes no sense at all. Your machine is fuel injected. Second, premium and standard differ by octane which is completely different detonation timing. Your machine is programmed to have the timing set to standard octane. You are literally losing HP and spending more money for nothing. Add Seafoam and be done with it.

 

[Runner12]

Great ride today. 70 easy miles. Temps in mid 20s. Sunshine. Great day to be out.
I saw two riders early in the day near Lupton and then a large group hanging out at Bull Gap. Otherwise alone all day. Many miles had not been traveled yet (no tracks in the snow). A few more trees down since I went thru in December but found ways over and around.
Machine ran great. Much better acceleration and only used 3.5 gallons in 70 miles. I think the new filter may have helped. I also found a open road and opened it up.....ran up to 74 with no problem. I think all the bugs are worked out.
Hardly even got it dirty.....the trails are still snow and ice

 

[Runner12]

Ahhhhh. I only posted 4 pictures but it looks like they loaded several times. Sorry.

 

[Jungleman]

Hahaha
After the thousandth one I was like ummm

Awesome day!!
Glad you got out.

I may be able to ride tomorrow finally.
Cant wait to rip up some snow!!!