Hi everyone,
I'm interested in the CFmoto Z-force models, I have a couple questions about whether the 59" or 53" would be better for My local dealer has an 800EX, and I really liked how planted to the ground it felt while cornering, does the 53" maintain this? Or does the narrower width cause it to be more tippy?

The CFmoto website says the 800EX has 12" of ground clearance, while the 53" has 9.5". Is this really noticeable? The trails in my area are quite rocky, so ground clearance is important. Maybe there is a way to lift the 53" slightly without binding CV joints?

Also, While driving the 800EX at the dealer, it lurched ALOT on take-off, it felt smooth after initial take-off though. From watching videos, I believe the lurching was just an issue with the dealers z-force, but I just want to make sure. For example, when pulling into a tight space, like a garage or loading into a truck or trailer, do you need to tap the gas and make little jumps forward or are you able to crawl along?

How do you guys like the seats in your Z-force? I felt cramped, but I realized after that there are four bolts on the bottom of the seat that allow you to adjust the seat, is there any way to make the seat go up?

Sorry for the long post, I guess I get carried away sometimes... o.0
Thanks,
Simon

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Hi everyone,
I'm interested in the CFmoto Z-force models, I have a couple questions about whether the 59" or 53" would be better for My local dealer has an 800EX, and I really liked how planted to the ground it felt while cornering, does the 53" maintain this? Or does the narrower width cause it to be more tippy?

The CFmoto website says the 800EX has 12" of ground clearance, while the 53" has 9.5". Is this really noticeable? The trails in my area are quite rocky, so ground clearance is important. Maybe there is a way to lift the 53" slightly without binding CV joints?

Also, While driving the 800EX at the dealer, it lurched ALOT on take-off, it felt smooth after initial take-off though. From watching videos, I believe the lurching was just an issue with the dealers z-force, but I just want to make sure. For example, when pulling into a tight space, like a garage or loading into a truck or trailer, do you need to tap the gas and make little jumps forward or are you able to crawl along?

How do you guys like the seats in your Z-force? I felt cramped, but I realized after that there are four bolts on the bottom of the seat that allow you to adjust the seat, is there any way to make the seat go up?

Sorry for the long post, I guess I get carried away sometimes... o.0
Thanks,
Simon

Welcome to the site. I have the 53" because I needed it to fit in the back of my truck while pulling a camper and most trails I ride are ATV so needed closer to the 50". Had these two factors not been present, I would have got the EX hands down. Yes, a narrower unit means more tippy. Scared myself more then once on corners. I am working on some mods to help this but the cure is just plain wider track.

On clearance, I have my preloads set up as much as I dare. Any more and it will feel like it has solid suspension. Although I do not have any issues with clearance much where I go so it's fine.

On take off, when I first got mine it was a bit jumpy taking off like you said but as the wet clutch broke in, it smoothed out. I can ease it into about anything now.

Far as the seats go...good question. I am sure there's a way to build something that would go between the base and seat that can raise it. Just no one has done it yet. Yes, put it as far back it it can..makes a big difference.

Hope this helps.

I have the EX. I haven't rode the 53" so I can't compare them, but mine is very stable and never feels tippy even in tougher technical stuff. You could lift the 53 a little, but your axles will suffer and it will be more tippy unless you add wheel spacers. Also you could lift the EX a little more than the 53 since the longer axles will have less angle on the joints.

I would get the EX unless you have need of something narrower.

Thanks for the answers!

The narrower 800 53" would definitely be nice around here.
I drive a 2012 Can-am Outlander Max 650, how does the ride quality compare? I think I saw someone on here who used to drive the exact same machine and now has a Z-force 800 53", but I can't remember who it was. If this person could give some insight on whether they like their 800 compared to their Can-am, that would be great!
I'm still curious on ground clearance. My Can-am has 12", So I never need to worry much about rocks and other things on the trail. I don't think it would be a big deal, because a lot of people drive Honda Foreman 450's here, which are solid axle and have 7.5" of clearance or so.
Just to confirm, the EX has Elka shocks from the factory, while the 53" does not? (keep in mind, I'm in Canada)

Canadian EX version should have Elka's yes. I'm so jealous of that, why on earth not do that in the states CFmoto? Not sure what that does for the price difference. But if the difference is minimal, it's an obvious choice.

Also I rode my dad's 07 Outlander Max for a lot of years, don't know how yours is, but that one in my experience was wayyyy too hot between your legs. Suspension was decent enough, seats were good. Turning radius sucked. And not having power steering was a nightmare, way too hard for my liking.

My ZForce doesn't have power steering, but it doesn't need it, steers super easy for my liking. Much smoother then my 2005 Rincon 650.

I agree with NMK that it was jumpy at first, but with time it's smoother and your foot becomes accustomed to how it feels. Drove my buddies Maverick recently and had the same problem, just not used to it I guess. Cause he has it down effortlessly like I do mine.

Seating is the biggest issue to me. I plan on going to PRP Seats in the future, don't care if I have to cut and weld all over the place I hate the seats and seating position. It works ok for me since I'm 5'9. But for friends who are tall it doesn't. And it's just not that comfortable compared to the compition.

To summarize, unless you ride really narrow trails, go with the EX.

Thanks for the answers!

The narrower 800 53" would definitely be nice around here.
I drive a 2012 Can-am Outlander Max 650, how does the ride quality compare? I think I saw someone on here who used to drive the exact same machine and now has a Z-force 800 53", but I can't remember who it was. If this person could give some insight on whether they like their 800 compared to their Can-am, that would be great!
I'm still curious on ground clearance. My Can-am has 12", So I never need to worry much about rocks and other things on the trail. I don't think it would be a big deal, because a lot of people drive Honda Foreman 450's here, which are solid axle and have 7.5" of clearance or so.
Just to confirm, the EX has Elka shocks from the factory, while the 53" does not? (keep in mind, I'm in Canada)

I'm the Canuck that has the 53". I guess if you are really honking on it it might feel slightly tippy. Clearance is something you really have to get used to though. It does not have anywhere near the clearance of the CanAm, period! I am quite pleased so far with the performance, handling and comfort. I have moved the seat back as far as it can go and yes, I'm certain that you could make a block of some sort to go under the seat. The ride and suspension can't hold a candle to the Can Am's in my humble opinion. I do really like a SXS that is certain. Is the ZForce 53" the one ...only some more time will tell. 5 days of hard riding in the Ontario Northland and over 400KM's proved it's reliability to me.
I have had a few concerns though. It does need a lift kit. Air filter needs improving and perhaps even re location at some point. It does need mud guards! No power steering, NO problem so far for me at least.
Hope this helps you out.Talk soon I hope.

As an owner of an 800 "trail" and having trail ridden a EX, the ride is night and day.

After having a sit down with an Arctic Cat rep at the AIM Expo this past weekend, CFMoto isnt alone, and its not a 'bad' thing. Its the nature of the beast.

With losing width to become trail legal, you sacrifice suspension travel and ride. Look at the shocks on a 800 trail vs an ex. The trail shocks are almost vertical. You'll also notice the shocks have a lot less travel, and the a-arms are much shorter.

The ride on the CFMoto 800 trail is no different than the Arctic Cat Wildcat trail (which i got to test ride at the AIM Expo). I asked the rep about suspension travel and ride and he said what I already knew, "the trail is not meant to soak up woops. its not meant to have the greatest ride. Its just not possible. You cant have the narrowness you need to be trail legal and have a great ride. If you want a great ride you need to go with the wider model."

It all comes down to what you want or need to do with it. If I could do it again, I'd have gone with an EX. I wanted the trail version because I was worried about being able to go down our ATV trails, which have width restrictions. How ever the ORV clubs that are supposed to be maintaining our state trails are doing a shit job. It's much funner to go down the ORV Routes because they are wider. I can float over the woops on the EX where on the trail I have to slow down otherwise I'm getting my brains bashed out.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

I agree completely. Can't have ride without travel..and you can't squeeze through 50" gates with a 59"+ machine so there's a choice to make. I will say that my friend has the Polaris 800 and I did get a chance to drive it a while and was surprised to find the ride to be very much the same as my 53".. this knowing Polaris is known to give the best ride possible made me feel better about the 53's ride.   

Thanks for all the info everyone!
I think because of the trails around here, the 800 "trail" would be a better choice.
I might try to see if there's anyway that I can try out the non-EX, as my dealer doesn't have one in their showroom.

Knowing that the CF-moto is on par with other 50" class SXS in ride quality is reassuring, I guess it would be possible to upgrade to Elka's after the fact if it's needed.

For ground clearance, as I said before, I think the 9.75" or so would be enough, I just need to be a bit more conscious of things on the trail. Again, if needed I could put 27" tires on to add another 1/2".

And finally, for stability, if I really find it too tippy, I could put wheel spacers on.

From what I can tell, all of my concerns can ultimately be fixed in the long run. I have a feeling that even if the ride is a bit rougher, or lower, I would enjoy it anyway.
I guess the main reason I started this topic was to make sure no one was majorly disappointed in getting a 53" over an EX.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

While I was testing tires I was able to put my Brute Force tires and wheels on the Z8 and although the offset was only 1.5"s more each, that slight increase dramatically increased the stability in corners. So, if needed some 1.5" spacers could be used but one of the things I do to my toys is replace the rubber sway bar bushings with polyurethane sets which helps hold it flatter in corners by removing the mush that the rubber bushings have. This does force the bushing to work more like bearings and the sway bar to work more like a torsion bar right off and takes some of the initial articulation away but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for me.  I have a set on the way now for it and will do a write-up when I install them. Real easy to do....and only about 20 bucks.

I have a 53" and i have removed the rear sway bar + 3" wheels spacers and my Zforce is very stable. No problem to keep up with the RZR 900s. I run it at 90 km/h sideway no problem. A lot more stable than the Polaris. I have ajusted my suspension and  now its perfect to me.

I have a 53" and i have removed the rear sway bar + 3" wheels spacers and my Zforce is very stable. No problem to keep up with the RZR 900s. I run it at 90 km/h sideway no problem. A lot more stable than the Polaris. I have ajusted my suspension and  now its perfect to me.

Where did you get your spacers?

On ebay for 80$.
It make the suspension way more confortable and a lot more stable

Any chance of a link?