I've got a '98 Big Bear and never had any problems. I change the oil and adjust the valves 3 times a year. It's got a ton of hours on it. I don't like the idea of a belt drive. I've never had a problem shifting gears and don't plan on changing anytime soon. The Grizzly had just come out when I bought the Big Bear and would have gone with the grizzly if it would have had a transmission.