I have just 15 hours on my new Sportsman 500. It has less that 200 miles on the odometer. After a 70 mile trip yesterday I noticed a low thumping noise in the belt drive case as it is idling. Also, it seems to have a squeal upon riding uphill. My hearing is not that good but I swear I hear a slight squeal. Is this normal? Thanks for any and all input. MTG

 

Belt thump noise is normal in neutral,especially if you give it a little throttle and let off. This is belt flex If you've been riding at low speeds in high range can cause belt stretch though from excess heat also. Be sure to use the proper gear range. You can have a little belt/one way bearing squeal noise on down hills as its breaking in. If the thumping continues while in gear,I would pull the cover and check for possible belt separation(worst case scenario) or belt stretch. OPT