I have recently traded a 2004 Big Bear on a 700 Grizzly. The Big Bear had 4800 miles on it with no problems. The valves were checked by simple listening with the stethascope. I could hear the whirl of the bearings and no tap. My thinking has been that valves will loosen and not tighten. A loose valve will not cause damage; just performance reduction. If tapping were noticed, I would then do the adjustment.

I am thinking of applying the same method to the new Grizzly.

Your comments, please.

I have 1300 miles on the Grizzly in just 3 months.

I think this machine is great.

 

the valves on my 02 Griz were tight when I needed to get them adjusted... I'm not saying that's the case everytime... just that time...

 

Just returned home from two week trip to desert at Algadones and Niland in Southern Calif. Thought I would toss in my 2cs worth. Valves would normally tighten up with use due to wearing in of valve seats and rockers. I don't think much of the stethescope as reliable method to determine when valves need adjustment. If valves become tight you will cause damage and never hear anything. Valve wear also depends on how hard you are riding and how high you rev the motor. So just because one guy has very little change in valve clearance does not mean everyone can get away with extending valve check intervals. I had mine checked at 380 miles and they were still in spec. I now have 780 miles and intend to check clearance myself soon.