[drittal]

So I'm in the market for a 50" side by side. I have experice with both RZR 800 trail and 900 XC. I recently was able to test a Wildcat XT.

I have zero experience with a CFMoto. I've never even seen one, but I think there is a dealer 90 miles from me. Remember it's 80 to Polaris and 185 to Arctic Cat. (55 to McD's)

So, how does the ZFORCE 800 stack up? Fit and Finish? Performance? Ride? Value? Service and Repairs? Aftermarket?

Intended use is for trail riding in Montana, Wyoming, and S. Dakota. No racing. Just hills, rocks, and trees. For what we ride we need rock sliders and a heavy duty skid plate minimum.

Thank you in advance for your replies. I'm leaning toward a RZR 900 Trail Fox Edition. Gotta have a good shock that with last.

[NMKawierider]

Well, for the money its a good value but IMO it can't compare to the RZR 900. I have done a few things to mine and its been a great machine for me and my light usage but there are some things that are clearly Chinese. Just being honest here guys. There are some great stuff too. When I added up all that the Polaris needed in equipment plus purchase I was going to have close to 18K in a machine that I would use about 3- 500 miles per year where for about 10K, I got one that is well faster then the 800 RZR right out of the box, rides much like it because its kinda a copy, and have all the extras that don't come with the others...and I don't feel so bad about letting it sit in the shop for weeks on end. You can watch some of my videos and get a little feel of it. 

[mayor hal]

I agree with what NMKAWIERIDER said! Are you willing to pay $8000 more for a fun toy? I don't think I am. JMHO! 👍👌

[gfmoto]

I have been in both the RZR 900 and my cfmoto ZForce 800 EX.
The RZR 900 is what got me in the market in the first place, I test drove the cfmoto 800 and actually liked it better all around.  Plus I saved over $8,000 and came with the extras ( windshield,winch,2" Reciever with trailer light hook up, 14" aluminum wheels, painted not molded plastic, roof. I was skeptical about the brand but I figured with a 1 year warranty as opposed to Polaris 6 mo. I wanted to give it a fair shot.  Service is awesome parts are available and way less expensive and new add ons coming out all the time.
I love mine , honestly wouldn't trade it even up for a RZR 900. 
Check out my video if you want
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sEkeNdto6SQ

[drittal]

I like the price of the Zforce, the winch, roof, and wheels. It looks good.

How are the shocks?

Is there both a 50" and 53"? What are the differences?

Where is the air intake and filter?

How hard/easy is a belt change?

How hot does it get in the cab? I have heard the Arctic Cat gets warm inside from the exhaust pipe behind the passenger seat. Can-Am really hot because of where motor is.

[NMKawierider]

I like the price of the Zforce, the winch, roof, and wheels. It looks good.

1. How are the shocks?

2. Is there both a 50" and 53"? What are the differences?

3. Where is the air intake and filter?

4. How hard/easy is a belt change?

5. How hot does it get in the cab? I have heard the Arctic Cat gets warm inside from the exhaust pipe behind the passenger seat. Can-Am really hot because of where motor is.

1. Shocks are gas and work very well. Have compression, rebound and threaded preload.
2. Their 50" is the 53". They are 51.5" across the front wheels and 53" at the widest point which is the shoulder bars.
3. The stock intake is between the seats high behind the plastics and the air box and filter is on the right sire in front of the rear tire.
4. Fairly easy but you won't want to do it on the trail. These do have wet clutches so the belts are in constant contact like the new Teryx or the Yamaha  ATVs.
    Belts will last a long time as long as the clutches are set up for any larger tires or higher load conditions. They do have CV-Tech secondary clutches.
5. Not bad, although you do have a vent between the seats for the air intake and it also vents to the engine area. You get a little but not as much as some others. I have ported my intake to the outside and have sealed this vent off, eliminating that heat and engine noise. No heat issues now but my friend in his RZR 800 just dies in the desert.

[Jason]

So I'm in the market for a 50" side by side. I have experice with both RZR 800 trail and 900 XC. I recently was able to test a Wildcat XT.

I have zero experience with a CFMoto. I've never even seen one, but I think there is a dealer 90 miles from me. Remember it's 80 to Polaris and 185 to Arctic Cat. (55 to McD's)

So, how does the ZFORCE 800 stack up? Fit and Finish? Performance? Ride? Value? Service and Repairs? Aftermarket?

Intended use is for trail riding in Montana, Wyoming, and S. Dakota. No racing. Just hills, rocks, and trees. For what we ride we need rock sliders and a heavy duty skid plate minimum.

Thank you in advance for your replies. I'm leaning toward a RZR 900 Trail Fox Edition. Gotta have a good shock that with last.

Hey drittal,

I've had both, but in the 60" models.  My 2015 ZForce 800 EX EPS and now my 2016 RZR S 900.  I opted for the 60" models in each for the added plushness and suspension travel, but to stay closer to a trail machine as opposed to a 64" XP RZR or other model.  They're the sweet spot in my opinion, but I understand some areas are restricted on width throughout the U.S.

I can honestly say I liked my ZForce and it performed very well; especially for the price point.  It had enough power for what I do and I'd be willing to bet that if I had adjusted the clutch spring (which was outside of my knowledge-base at the time, but @NMKawierider has a How-to video detailing the process now on YouTube) it would've really had more low-end grab and acceleration.  That's one of the things I like so much about my RZR now - it jumps out of the gate and gets up hill-climbs from a dead stop VERY well.

The areas that I think my RZR excels over the ZForce are:

1)  Suspension geometry/performance - this is the biggest gap between the two that I notice.  The ZForce suspension isn't anything to scoff at, but my RZR suspension is that good IMO.
2)  Ease of maintenance - In terms of routine maintenance everything is easily accessible and could be done on the trail if needed.  I really didn't like the location of the ZForce air filter because it's low and the cover is a pain to remove.  The oil filter location is even worse.
3)  ***Accessories - I have this starred because there are new parts emerging literally everyday for the CF Moto brand.

Specifically to your cab heat question:

I did notice that the cab got warm in the summertime, but it was nice in the winter.  I think the CVT exhaust is what makes it so warm with it's location, but I could be mistaken.

Whichever you choose we're glad you found us.  Lots of good people and information here so be sure to ask questions.

Jason

[drittal]

I called the nearest dealer. They only have the 800ex in stock and sounded like they have never sold a straight 800.

I asked if there were any major issues. They said they have had a few broken front diff/axles.

I will have to make a trip one of these weekends and check them out.

[gfmoto]

IMO. At the end of the day they are all machines. Each are going to have their strengths and each their weaknesses. Just have to decide what you want YOUR machine to do and then find the machine that will do what you want within your budget.
My wife and I like the trails, mud, and some puddle hoping so this is the perfect fit for us.
Just figure out what you NEED it to do and pick a price point you're comfortable with and the rest will take care of itself.

[NMKawierider]

IMO. At the end of the day they are all machines. Each are going to have their strengths and each their weaknesses. Just have to decide what you want YOUR machine to do and then find the machine that will do what you want within your budget.
My wife and I like the trails, mud, and some puddle hoping so this is the perfect fit for us.
Just figure out what you NEED it to do and pick a price point you're comfortable with and the rest will take care of itself.

Well said.

[drittal]

I called my cousin yesterday. Just caught him leaving Whitehorse(?) in the Yukon. I knew he had a SxS, but my dad only knew it was Chinese. Turns out it is a 600 zforce. He likes it for what he uses it for. Gave me the number of where he bought it in Great Falls. Had a nice talk with Rich at Savage Motorsports. I just wish Great Falls wasn't on the complete other side of the state. I'd stop by to look at the 800's he has in stock.

Food for thought at least. I have a lot to chew on first.

Thanks all.

[Bobbed06]

I am at the same point as the OP. I am familiar with the Razr S in 800cc, but I am really lookin hard at the Z800EX. I have never owned a side by side, only ridden as a passenger.

Any common issues on this Z800EX

[NMKawierider]

I am at the same point as the OP. I am familiar with the Razr S in 800cc, but I am really lookin hard at the Z800EX. I have never owned a side by side, only ridden as a passenger.

Any common issues on this Z800EX

We are pretty open about our machines around here. Just start going through the threads.

[Bobbed06]

I am at the same point as the OP. I am familiar with the Razr S in 800cc, but I am really lookin hard at the Z800EX. I have never owned a side by side, only ridden as a passenger.

Any common issues on this Z800EX

We are pretty open about our machines around here. Just start going through the threads.

So far I have noticed a failed engine, loose or missing a arm nuts, and shock lowers un threading from the rod...

[gfmoto]

Those are NOT "common" problems though.
Any forum you look at you'll find that each has their own issues or things that can be tweaked.  ALL brands are meant for a broad spectrum of riding. If you ride in dust / sand upgrade the air cleaner, deep water/mud snorkel it, jumps upgrade the shocks,etc etc.
more "common" issues are minor like ANY manufacturer , switches, sensors things like that.
Emersonsc could tell you better about what's "common"