yes its just 1st gear because my clutch was broken for a while and i would just slam it into gears (i was like 12) and now you have to start on 2nd gear which really isnt a problem because it starts going just fine. all gears but 1st are great. shifts nice and easily into the gears with no problems. it shifts into 1st just fine but it just grinds so ya should i just buy a new motor or what? its the original motor to the quad