I changed the oil filter without taking it off, bit tight granted. Belly pan has been on it since ive had it, I Know where youre coming from Nog, it is a lot of unbroken red and I quite like the look of it without, but that might just be because its different. The rain and crud still gets in there and I tend to agree with Mich H that its easier to keep clean without it as you can get to everything unhindered.