[WalkinTarget]

Joined to say I am very impressed with the strides that CF Moto has made every year to their lineup. I have a local dealer here in PA that I met 3 years at the fairgrounds, and he was knowledgeable about ATVs and the CF Moto product line. At the time, I was still tearing around in a sport model, but a year later moved on to a big utility - my current ride, a Suzuki King Quad. It is just a bulletproof brute that does everything well, but yet never excels at one thing. It's a very overlooked utility that I see less and less of on the trails these days, as everyone moved to the big twins or SxSs. I'll take my 30mpg any day, than you very much !!!

So 3 weeks ago, my brother in law added a new Rzr 900 Trail to his garage, and while I always said I was happy on my ATV, and age a 'young' 47, felt that a SxS was just not for me .. not yet, at least. Wait until I was sore enough from a day ride that a SxS made more sense - that's what I told myself. So remembering that beautiful Z800 that I had looked at years ago, I went looking for more info. Of course, I happened across this site, chock full of great info and great tech advise, so this Saturday I am off to that dealer to take a closer look at what I feel to be the best valued SxS on the market. I don't really expect to buy anything soon, as if I were buying NOW, I would REALLY be after the Canadian Z800 53 model, ohh, and they can toss those wonderful Elka shocks on it too !!! Even if they don't offer them yet, the SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS LESS I spend on the Z800 compared to the Rzr 900 will surely allow me to upgrade to them if I feel the need to.

[gfmoto]

 @ walking target ,What dealer in Pa?

[WalkinTarget]

Karns in Mechanicsburg. Dan wasn't a pushy salesman at all, just a down to earth guy who enjoyed talking bikes, quads, anything that had a motor and went fast. I had checked their showroom inventory and found the model I wanted wasn't available, but I called them up today and they do in fact have a model I can look at. My other option was a further drive to Lancaster to B&B Yamaha (altho it was only an hour drive - not bad to be honest) who definitely had the Z800s in stock.

I'm taking my father in law along (he rides a Pioneer) and I'm expecting the usual slagging once he found out I was looking at a CF Moto, and I fully expect him to point out some flaws that he may see, but the more I hear about guys who have bought these, the more I find the common denominator is that every single buyer is pleasantly surprised at how well it runs, how cheap it was, how sturdy it rides, how impressed they and their friends were who got a look or ride in it. Saturday can't come soon enough !

[gfmoto]

I deal with Kibuks in Kittaning Pa. About a 2 1/2 hour drive for you though. But he does stock the 800 EXs. I believe he has 2 2016s in one in red and one in black. Owner is Nick Jr. And is a member of our forum. He's always been good to deal with even though I didn't buy from him. I know it's a haul for you but he has them on the showroom now.
As far as any pushback from relatives. Can always say you have about $6,000 of money difference for anything that comes up AFTER the ONE YEAR warranty before it can be compared to getting another brand.

[WalkinTarget]

Dan replied back to my email - he has 2 leftover 2015 non-EPS units on the floor today - price is $8999, 10,300 OTD. I was really hoping for an EPS model in all black, but I'm also still mulling over the 800EX. PA state trails have me capped at 58" and 1200 lbs, so legally I cannot ride the 800EX at many of my ride spots. I primarily ride SSRT, AOAA, Whiskey Springs and Bloody Skillet. Now if I got creative and went with different rims .... 

I don't mind a drive to check one out, what is more of an issue is my current setup - my 5x8 trailer is not going to be able to trailer the CF Moto, and my wimpy V6 SUV is going to struggle to both tow the 800 and a larger trailer and to STOP it once I get over those hills here in PA. The more I have to sink into another trailer, the less I have to purchase  the CF Moto 

[gfmoto]

Great price, got mine from a closing dealer in Dec. 14. 2015 non EPS Z800EX. $8500 OTD. I SO couldn't pass that up.
And I wanted the EPS too but to be honest I have no issues steering it even in some tough terrain.
Even in 4WD and 4WD Diff lock. Obviously it feels different but it's not a struggle to steer.
I like the 2015s better anyway not a huge fan of the white frame, it's cool and all but personal preference is the black frame.

[Nighthawk]

Dan replied back to my email - he has 2 leftover 2015 non-EPS units on the floor today - price is $8999, 10,300 OTD. I was really hoping for an EPS model in all black, but I'm also still mulling over the 800EX. PA state trails have me capped at 58" and 1200 lbs, so legally I cannot ride the 800EX at many of my ride spots. I primarily ride SSRT, AOAA, Whiskey Springs and Bloody Skillet. Now if I got creative and went with different rims .... 

I don't mind a drive to check one out, what is more of an issue is my current setup - my 5x8 trailer is not going to be able to trailer the CF Moto, and my wimpy V6 SUV is going to struggle to both tow the 800 and a larger trailer and to STOP it once I get over those hills here in PA. The more I have to sink into another trailer, the less I have to purchase  the CF Moto 

Ex will fit on all the pa dcnr trails..bloody skillet too.
It will fit in a 5x8, but barely.  I hauled mine all last year on an old 5x8 tractor supply trailer, but it's pushing weight limets on the little 12" tires.
And heck I pulled with my jeep wrangler on 33's up these big mountains! 

[WalkinTarget]

Ex will fit on all the pa dcnr trails..bloody skillet too.
It will fit in a 5x8, but barely.  I hauled mine all last year on an old 5x8 tractor supply trailer, but it's pushing weight limits on the little 12" tires.
And heck I pulled with my jeep wrangler on 33's up these big mountains! 

I looked it up on DCNR website yesterday and PA has a limitation of 58" on their trails. The EX is 60", so I'm now confused. Scroll down to Centre and Clinton County section:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/recreation/atv/atvplacestoride/stateforestatvtrails/index.htm

Note that I am not worried about pulling the PA hills, I'm more worried about BRAKING come down those hills. Kia vehicles are not known for having great brakes, and my manual says I can tow 3,000 lbs but I can only BRAKE 1,500 lbs w/o brakes on my trailer. At 1,233 just for the CF Moto, I'd be running over my weight limit with the trailer weight included.

[Nighthawk]

Sounds like you would be pushing that kia

[NMKawierider]

Doesn't sound like you are quite ready to own something that needs transporting other then a quad. Consider the CForce 800.

[WalkinTarget]

Doesn't sound like you are quite ready to own something that needs transporting other then a quad. Consider the CForce 800.

Already own a quad. Gotta add a sig so that you guys know what I'm rolling with. Full disclosure - my Kia is nearing the end of its useful leftime with me and will be passed along to my daughter for her first vehicle. It JUST went out of warranty last month, and with only 61k after 10 years of ownership, its been as reliable as my King Quad, but I need a V8 to tow, so by next year I will be upgrading my tow vehicle. Also, most guys in my ride group have 14' trailers, so I can piggyback a ride for a few months until I get the new vehicle.

Ohh, just got back from the dealer !!! Ya, I am seriously in lust with that Z800. Unfortunately, we were getting SNOWED ON, so I wasn't up for a serious test ride. Dan, ever the salesman, made sure I got one anyhow, as he piloted it around the back lot with me riding shotgun. Didn't take much to convince my FiL to hop in next and test it out, and he promptly lost his ball cap once he punched it.  Dan didn't allow any donuts in the back lot, but we nevertheless BOTH came away very impressed with what we saw and heard.

I did have Dan adjust the seat to milk every inch of legroom out of it. Again, seat removal was a cinch !! Pull a hefty lever and out it came. Adjust 4 metric screws and it was done and back in. I was concerned with the legroom the most, as Dan is just a touch taller than me and his knee was within an inch of the dash. I found it to be a better fit, and had a good 3" til my knee hit the dash. I was hoping for another storage cubby on it, as the one under the seat and the glovebox was adequate, but I wouldn't use the front storage for much of what I now carry on my large storage box on my ATV (tire jack, extra boots, tools, tow ropes, dialectric grease, extra bulbs and fuses, etc).

So, yea .. had it been an EPS model, I might have had a really hard decision to make. But like I told Dan, I WILL be buying one, it's just I'd prefer an EPS, so I will plan on buying a leftover 2016 near the end of the year. That allows me to:

1) Save up and make the purchase a lot easier to pay off. I'd only be financing about 4k in Nov, and also allows me to purchase upgrades immediately
2) Get in a few rides before winter and do upgrades to it over the winter. I want to upgrade air filter to a Uni and add a pre-filter, then add the EX fenders to it
3) Avoid having to tow it as much as possible with my Kia, then upgrade to a V8 tower next Spring, with a 5x10 trailer to make everything easier.

On one hand, 6+ months seems like a long time to wait to get this beast, but I have a very reliable quad that is paid off and puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. A lot can happen in that timeframe, but I really think its a viable plan and allows me to bring friends along that would not be able to ride otherwise.

[Bobbed06]

Great price, got mine from a closing dealer in Dec. 14. 2015 non EPS Z800EX. $8500 OTD. I SO couldn't pass that up.
And I wanted the EPS too but to be honest I have no issues steering it even in some tough terrain.
Even in 4WD and 4WD Diff lock. Obviously it feels different but it's not a struggle to steer.
I like the 2015s better anyway not a huge fan of the white frame, it's cool and all but personal preference is the black frame.

I have a deal lined up on a Wolverine R Spec SE for about 13k OTD, if I could find a z800EX for 8500 OTD within 2 hrs of 26588 I would have to try one. Power steering or not, doesnt matter to me.

[JocoNC]

If you go test drive one, no one here will have to sell you on one. I can tell you my experience for you and anyone else that's curious. For starters last weekend my cheap little trail size non eps side by side had to pull a $30,000 RZR out of a mud hole, in the process I ripped the rear bumper off his gem ha ha( I didn't hook up the winch fyi). Anyway I ride with all atvs and I go everywhere they do but with a roof a couple cup holders and comfort. That being said I have 100 miles on mine and I can honestly say I would never consider an EX. If anyone is wondering the inside of the trail and EX are exactly the same(seating). I can't say on top end speed until she's broke in but i'm expecting to be impressed. From the start I can run down anyone I've come across. Its almost like a pack wolves chasing after a wounded deer ha ha. I love it. The shocks are great.  I do hear people bitching about the RZR that aren't fanboys... no parking break, no engine break, no roof, the list goes on. I am testing a couple different brands of air filters. K&N and UNI. I did read the uproar from the guy in Michigan about K&N. I conclude UNI is better but I can't find anyway that filter can tear in half across the pleats like his did. He should have played the lotto that day. To each there own.  I'm lucky enough to have a great dealer here in North Carolina, Smithfield Powersports in Smithfield, NC. Just remember any machine has to be serviced and taken care of or it will be like the flash light you never change the batteries in. It will never work when you need it.

[Bobbed06]

If you go test drive one, no one here will have to sell you on one. I can tell you my experience for you and anyone else that's curious. For starters last weekend my cheap little trail size non eps side by side had to pull a $30,000 RZR out of a mud hole, in the process I ripped the rear bumper off his gem ha ha( I didn't hook up the winch fyi). Anyway I ride with all atvs and I go everywhere they do but with a roof a couple cup holders and comfort. That being said I have 100 miles on mine and I can honestly say I would never consider an EX. If anyone is wondering the inside of the trail and EX are exactly the same(seating). I can't say on top end speed until she's broke in but i'm expecting to be impressed. From the start I can run down anyone I've come across. Its almost like a pack wolves chasing after a wounded deer ha ha. I love it. The shocks are great.  I do hear people bitching about the RZR that aren't fanboys... no parking break, no engine break, no roof, the list goes on. I am testing a couple different brands of air filters. K&N and UNI. I did read the uproar from the guy in Michigan about K&N. I conclude UNI is better but I can't find anyway that filter can tear in half across the pleats like his did. He should have played the lotto that day. To each there own.  I'm lucky enough to have a great dealer here in North Carolina, Smithfield Powersports in Smithfield, NC. Just remember any machine has to be serviced and taken care of or it will be like the flash light you never change the batteries in. It will never work when you need it.

I went and test rode both the Wolverine R Spec and the 2016 CF Moto Z800EX EPS, I must say the I am am in lust with the CF Moto after the test ride, the machine is beautiful, well setup, and sounds great. The cockpit feels a tad small for me at 6ft 240lbs, 33 inch inseam even with the seat all the way back. The ride felt much tighter than the Wolverine, as well as more racy with less suspension articulation which is typical of a racy type machine that the Z800EX is really. Me personally I think the Z Force 800EX would suit me better with 28 inch or 29 inch tall tires. I felt like I was sitting upright too much, and very confined at my size.

The Red 2016 Graphics are sexy, the machine looks well thought out, shifter was hard to move from L to H, odd as it went from Park to H perfectly. All in all, It is a lotta machine for the money. Get out there and log some miles on yours and report back.

[WalkinTarget]

shifter was hard to move from L to H, odd as it went from Park to H perfectly.

This appears to be a common issue with the z800. Have the dealer adjust the shift linkage and that should fix the shifting.