[deedee93]

I purchased a 2017 Zforce 500 in May 2017 .In August 2017 we noticed a loss of power and a smell of oil. The bike went to the shop where they said they "fixed" the problem. So we hit the trails and drove 40km where we were stranded in the woods with a broken bike.So back to the shop it goes.This is where we find out that it jumped its timing.
You would think that then I would go on to a happy ending where my bike worked like a dream....NOT .So they "fix " the timing issue in September 2017.we get our bike back in October 2017 and I take the bike and hit the trails . I notice a prestone smell and end up broke down at the camp. This time the head gasket went. So back to the shop AGAIN! Where we find out that when it was in for the last issue that the head gasket was not torqued to specs, it was FIxed ......
Then after a long winter it is time to hit the trails.We get one trip and guess what..it  jumped its timing again. It was taken to the shop where CF Moto sent their people down to look and work on the bike. So we get it fixed and finally we are enjoying the trails until last weekend (October 2018 ) the bike jumped its timing for the 3rd time.
We are so frustrated with our bike and not getting any answers .So for the long post but just reaching out to see if anyone else is having problems.

[NMKawierider]

Sorry to hear about all the issues. Although the 500s were full of issues, timing chain weren't on any list I saw. Now there was a batch of chain/gear mismatches for the 800s in 2016 that caused that issue with them but...don't remember hearing anything like that with the 500s. But clearly it all needs to be replaced with the newest.

[ctdls]

Very sad story, I'm not aware of issue with the 500's & timing chains.

What was the cause of the original problem?

[tripplec]

I am looking into a side by side myself and the 500 was one to consider that would supposidly meet  my requirements on rail bed trail rides and costing much less than an 800. Thing is I expect to go with two of us in the side by side so not backup machine following or leading...

This is not good and that many trips to the dealer. Along with, how you load a machine thats not running. Maybe enough to get loaded.