Hi-

  I'm soon to be the owner of 2 brand new 2023 CForce 500s (pick them up in about a 1 and a half weeks).  While waiting to get them, I'm reading through the owners manual and found this:

"Low gear is the preferred transmission gear selection for all forward motion other than prolonged high speed travel. Do not use high gear for continuous slow speed travel or towing, as this can lead to excessive heating of the clutch system, which may damage components."

  This took me by surprise, as my previous ATVs all used "High gear" as the preferred gear for all but slow or towing or plowing forward motions.

  I guess every manufacturer is different and gears their ATVs differently.

  I'm wondering at what speed do you all start using High gear?  20 mph, 25, 30?

  This is my first CFMOTO, so want to start it off right and not burn up any belts.

Mike

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Use it like your old ones. Unless climbing steep hills or going slow like under clutch full engagement..(like below 6MPH) or towing- which you will use low, use high range for everything else. Prolonged low range usage produces extra heat and wear in the transmission so the mindset is use it when you need it but get out of it as soon as you can. If there is a chance the belt could be slipping or under excessive load, stay in low range until it isn't.

I agree 100% with NMK, I only use low on my 800XC when I need to, then it's back into high as soon as possible.  I don't tow or plow with it, so low is used infrequently. 

Wow, glad I asked!

Seems like this is an example where the owner's manual doesn't jibe very well with real world practice/use.

thanks!

Mike

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Wow, glad I asked!

Seems like this is an example where the owner's manual doesn't jibe very well with real world practice/use.

thanks!

Mike

LOL..wait until you get a service manual. There will be all kinds of conflicting statements and data there. Mostly due to poor and inconsistent translating.

This owners manual advice (use low for 'basic' riding, is hard to justify. There is wisdom in limiting the amount of belt slip at low speeds by the use of low gear at such times, but this advice to employ low all the time except at high speeds, is in all practical worlds... bullshit. The manual writer needs to explain himself for this misleading claptrap and I doubt he would be able to do so.
CF Moto appears to have let the janitor take a shot at writing the operating manual recommendations, and it shows.

It appears that you already have plenty of experience riding offroad vehicles and you most likely have a good seat of the pants judgement on when to use low range and high. Like NMK said just go with what you know.

strange, if you listen to this proponent of CFmoto products, and someone who seems to know a fair bit about the CVT (see his other videos) they recommend low gear most of the time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV9EhgyKBGQ

I agree with Redneck Garage (above video) concerning high vs low.  About the only time I am out of low gear is if I'm on a road traveling above 30MPH. When you are riding trails around here there are numerious time you have to slow down in snarky terrain and I would prefer to keep my RPM's up to cause less wear on my belt.

TERRAIN< TERRAIN< TERRAIN.

A lot of what RNG is doing is mudding . . I am certainly NOT knocking Steve at RNG, I prefer his perspectives and products over a lot of "Bigger Names".

Myself . . I running winding mountain roads . . and variable terrain.

I go for RIDEs . . not mudholes.

Covering 100 - 120 miles in low gear isnt practical in the rockies . .
but when I do get into mudholes, deep snow or sketchy terrain . . yes I do run low gear.

Ive got almost 3000 miles on my belt and its just starting to show wear.

I was going to purchase a spare here soon to have on hand but it seems one of my injectors is having personal issues and needs replaced.

Its kind of like "tunes" . . . whats the tune for? Spinning near paddle mud tires in louisiana swamp muck or Arizona Clay? going to be a huge waste of fuel if your running a long ways.

Just like clutch kits, I went with RNG because the kit he sets up eliminates the clutch popping out at 5mph coming down my steep yard and cuts out most of the slack which is really handy when I stop or start in my upper yard . . without slamming and bashing aluminum parts around.

When I need more low end I put the scorpion helix and green secondary in (like for my tracks) but if Im running hard in the woods Ive got my standard helix in. its better suited for cruising trails and old logging roads all day.

But . . I dont mud a lot . . a mudding clutch kit is kind of a waste . . . and thats what a number of these sites are selling is MUD MUD MUD or RACE RACE RACE . .  if your mudding or racing, go with it . . but if you use yours like I do it doesnt make sense to tweak your bike for severe low end torque when your not running mud slinging muck manglers.

Look at your upgrades from "how do you RIDE" not how everyone else rides or from what everyone else rides in.