Is it possible to do a trail side belt change on a 2017 Zforce 800 ex?  I only have 225 miles on it but am starting to do more riding, in Colorado, now that the weather is getting better and the snow is gone in the high country. I don't ever plan on riding alone but do want to be prepared if something happens.

One of the guys I ride with has a Teryx and he said it's not possible to change his trail side but my other riding buddy has a Polaris 900 trail and he said he could do a change in 30 minutes or less trail side.

We're all very new to this sport so any comments are appreciated.

It's very difficult even in the shop, myself I would not want to & I've done it.

Depending on your skill set & resourcefulness it could be done, it is something you would want to try @ home so you know what is involved.

Several people have claimed to have accomplished a CF Moto 800 belt change without removal of the clutches but though I have asked several times I have never seen video evidence that it was done.

I paid particular attention to the question when I last did a belt change and while open minded about claims, I cannot see how one could do it. That's because the belt measures thicker vertically between the corrugations (Not the width!) than the space through which it must pass between the driven outer clutch sheave flange and the casing. It just doesn't fit. Adding to the problem is the point that the belt would have to twist a great deal in order to best line up with the space that does exist between flange and case, and the belt is stiff enough that it doesn't twist like that without the help of a crescent wrench or the like.

Now it has occurred to me that a belt might be slid through that tight space if a person prepared an emergency spare belt that has had the inner (larger) corrugations sanded down with a belt sander by maybe 1/8" or so to reduce the belt's thickness so that it will pass through the space between flange and case. Then it would be a wrestling match but the belt ought to go on. I might do this to an old belt I have that's still within wear spec.

It may be that manufacturing tolerance variation might account for some people saying they can change a belt with sheaves in situ but on mine I could not change a stock belt without breaking something. Even if you turned it to line up best with the space, it's too narrow to permit a belt to pass.

Well, you'd need to carry some tools.  A good impact, the right sockets, and you'd need a spanner tool to hold the primary/secondary from moving while you're zipping the nuts off/on.  Both seats come out, then the center plastic (that's not a bad job, 5 minutes tops).  Then the CVT cover, then use one of them CVT cover bolts to open the primary.  Belt out, belt in, put it back together.  At least that's how I remember it.  You'd probably want a torque wrench if you're doing it right.  I would estimate it at about an hour if you weren't effing around and had everything you need.  Maybe less.  I had the left rear wheel off, too, but not sure if you could work around that.  And maybe the battery cover.   

Here's the tool I made.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

It's very difficult even in the shop, myself I would not want to & I've done it.

Depending on your skill set & resourcefulness it could be done, it is something you would want to try @ home so you know what is involved.

I agree with ctdls, for these it requires much more then with most any other. It can be done...but even I wouldn't want to do it trail side. Better to ride smart...and keep a tow strap with you just in case...IMO.