I just put 20hrs on my sportsman 500..This is my frist bike and I have alot ot learn.
I guess I will have to get a gas gauge..I ran out of gas the other day...The guy with me was on a 350 Honda ,standard shift..he still had over a half tank when I had to go to reserve...But I had two people on my bike...but it it still seemed like a big difference..My bike just died going up a hill then wouldn't start even on reserve..We towed it to a camp then tried it later and after alot of cranking it started..
But it's the most fun I have had legaly [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I don't think there is a gas gauge you can get for the sportsman, sorry. The gas milage will get better but will never be as good as the Honda 350. 500cc's vs 350cc's, you need more fuel and air to fill up a 500cc cylinder......

 

Remember your first oil change is after the first 20 hours.

 

It is normal for the 500 engine to be hard to start after running out of gas. The only thing you can do is wait, crank, use choke, throttle... it just takes time and maybe a good battery!

 

A fuel gauge would be great, but don't buy the Polaris filler cap gauge! It measures only the TOP 2 gallons of the SP500 tank. It's the bottom of the tank that counts, not the top. After I burn the top 2 gallons, it shows "empty", then no change thereafter. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]