i know that i would rather have my 550 with the cvt than the bigbear 400 with the 5-speed i used to have! with just two shims in the clutch, it has the same low end as the bigbear, and it can still do 55mph with 28's. the belt setup that yamaha has is one of the better ones, because the belt is always in contact with the clutch sheaves. the only time it has slipped on my 550 was when i stopped to fast and the belt did not drop back down in the clutches. and with the 550, the belt intake and exhaust are up high enough that by the time water enters there, the engine will drown out! also, one problem i had with the bigbear, is that the bevel gears broke on it. i only had 27" zillas on it and dont think that it should have broken like that. i had 2600 miles on the bigbear when i brought it in to have the warrenty replace the gears. i also managed to break a rear axle on the bigbear with the stock tires! the seals always leaked on the bigbear and the front fender WILL break after the first decent sized log you cross. mine broke the first time i had it out! it breaks right next to the tank on the right side. i would HIGHLY recommend getting the 550 over the bigbear!