Author Topic: First trip afield with Brute Force 750  (Read 1017 times)

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Offline Sourdough

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First trip afield with Brute Force 750
« on: August 21, 2005, 06:13:30 PM »
Well I have made the first trip afield with the Kawasaki Brute Force 750.  Handled the mud well, climbed good, and busted through brush well.  But 24 miles into the trip the fuel gage started to flash and read empty.  Filled tank took 3.5 gals and 25 miles later the same thing, and another 3.5 gals.  That's only seven miles to the gallon.  Yet the Honda 300 only used two gallons on the same trip.  Unless the mileage improves I think I might be looking to trade this thing in for another Honda.
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Online Graybeard

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First trip afield with Brute Force 750
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2005, 01:55:32 AM »
My full size 4x4 pickup gets better mileage than that. More than double it even.  :eek:  Sure don't think I'd be wanting one like that. I really have no clue what my Yamaha Bruin gets since it has no odometer on it but it sure goes a long time between fill ups.


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Offline markc

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Bummer!
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2005, 03:54:53 AM »
Thats pretty poor fuel economy.  I doubt you will get much better after break in.   Well the Honda 300 was less than half the engine displacement,  so I would expect better mileage.  Now, for your type of riding, do you need the extra power of the BF 750?   If not, I would consider trading down in size some.  If your riding is generally short distance stuff then it may  not be as big an issue either.  

It's not the Kawasaki that is drinking the gas, it is the engine size.  If Honda made a 750, it would likely drink the fuel too.  Maybe something in the 450 to 500 cc range would be better..
markc

Offline Old Syko

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First trip afield with Brute Force 750
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2005, 02:41:09 PM »
Sourdough, unless you're spending the whole time in low range slogging through heavy mud something ain't right.  You should be seeing about 50 to 65 miles  on a tank.  Now if you're using all that power digging ruts I can believe anything, but for what I would consider normal busting your own trail 7mpg sucks!

I know the Alaskan territory is tough but the swamps we cut through here ain't that easy either.  Just wonder what others around you are seeing for mileage?

$3.00 per gal., 3.5 gal., 24 miles = just short of 44 cents per mile.  And That's Just for Gas!!!  Don't sound good to me.

Offline Sourdough

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First trip afield with Brute Force 750
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2005, 05:51:23 PM »
Well the speed was solw at times, but it was high range almost all the way.  I only used low range twice while doing steep climbs, then only for about 150 to 200 yards.  A few streams with mud to cross, but no swamps.  We were not breaking trail, we were on an established trail.   I need to make sure I carry several gas cans with me on longer trips.  Like it's 32 miles to the cabin from tyhe highway.  I can't make it with out a fillup along the way.  My track rig can make that run on 11 gals.  My Ski-Doo Tundra in the winter time on less than a gallon.  My Dune Buggy on less than 1.5 gals.  Don't forsee this BF-750 getting a lot of use during this hunting season.
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline Sourdough

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First trip afield with Brute Force 750
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2005, 07:36:51 AM »
Update:  Second trip with BF 750.  Really kept close tabs on fuel and miles this time.  Plus the teenager had put over 200 miles on machine while I was gone, he thinks it's AWSOME.  Still on established trails, no swamps, little climbing, only used low range while crossing two rivers.  Milage has improved to 10.1 miles per gallon.  Still not what I had expected.
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline markc

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Wow
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2005, 05:55:17 AM »
that thing sure does drink the fuel.  I have been hopping that Kawasaki would come out with a sport side by side like Yamaha's Rhino using the BF 750 motor and tranny.  But man that sound like  the bed would be full of fuel cans instead of ice cold drinks.... Sounds like a fun quad though!
markc

Offline 45north

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First trip afield with Brute Force 750
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2006, 01:17:06 PM »
Sourdough,

  I think the polaris rangers get better milage than that, at twice the size. I would sell that hog and invest in a non ES foreman 450 or the rancher. Like you I know someone that has an old honda 300 4x4 and they are the timex of ATV's they keep going and going.
  My 91 kingquad is a work in progress but it still works and does about 20 miles on a gallon.
  Best of luck

  45north