Hi there,

New to ATV's but I do have over 100K miles on Harleys.  I got tired of having to hitch a ride with my buddies to go hunting and as we all know,  pickups are expensive and hard to find these days.  So, I bought an ATV I can trailer to the hunting property in Arkansas.  I was able to fine a CForce 600 Touring.

Any advice?  I have not even ridden it yet.  I called several dealers, only one machine in stock between them so I jumped on m y Harley and went to look at it.  Silver/Grey 2021 CForce 600 Touring.  Looked really nice so I bought it and have to go tomorrow to pick it up.  I am comfortable with how to ride, break in, maintenance, etc. but what I am not so sure about is this:  What are the must have vs. really should have accessories?  It will be used on gravel, logging roads, and simply in the weeds and woods.  It may go in the forest on trails for fun, and there is a place to ride along the red river an hour from my home so I could find myself riding red sand on a weekend.

What is the general thoughts on skid plates?  Does it come with some protection underneath?  If what comes on the machine is not adequate (or not present) do I need them and should I get aluminum or steel?  OEM or aftermarket?  And why?

What is everyone's thoughts on bumpers/guards? 

Last question for today - anyone have the soft bag for the rear (requires the deck extenders) or the hard storage box and what is your opinion of the one you have.  If you have or have had both, I really need input.

Roy

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Hi there,

New to ATV's but I do have over 100K miles on Harleys.  I got tired of having to hitch a ride with my buddies to go hunting and as we all know,  pickups are expensive and hard to find these days.  So, I bought an ATV I can trailer to the hunting property in Arkansas.  I was able to fine a CForce 600 Touring.

Any advice?  I have not even ridden it yet.  I called several dealers, only one machine in stock between them so I jumped on m y Harley and went to look at it.  Silver/Grey 2021 CForce 600 Touring.  Looked really nice so I bought it and have to go tomorrow to pick it up.  I am comfortable with how to ride, break in, maintenance, etc. but what I am not so sure about is this:  What are the must have vs. really should have accessories?  It will be used on gravel, logging roads, and simply in the weeds and woods.  It may go in the forest on trails for fun, and there is a place to ride along the red river an hour from my home so I could find myself riding red sand on a weekend.

What is the general thoughts on skid plates?  Does it come with some protection underneath?  If what comes on the machine is not adequate (or not present) do I need them and should I get aluminum or steel?  OEM or aftermarket?  And why?

What is everyone's thoughts on bumpers/guards? 

Last question for today - anyone have the soft bag for the rear (requires the deck extenders) or the hard storage box and what is your opinion of the one you have.  If you have or have had both, I really need input.

Roy

Welcome Roy. Congrats on the new 600. You know..at first you want to ensure it has what it needs for protection and as is with all CFM's, you want must have better intake air filtration. All of the factory air filters let lots of dust by so we have tested many filters and came down to the Unifilter two-stage with the proper oil treatment is the best way to go. Don't run it at all without one..in fact ask your dealer to install one as many will. From there just use it and get what you need along the way. Probably in time the 2-ply tires won't be enough so they may be first. If you run lots of larger rocks maybe the stock plastic skid plates won't be enough..maybe they will, If not look to Iron Baltic for some aluminum skits. Bumpers are just optional. Justs adds weight in my opinion. Soft bags come in all kinds of sizes and are a good, lower cost option. I'm sure people will chime in with more options for hard boxes.   

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new machine.  As NMKawierider says, the Unifilter first.  I ended up needing to replace the skid plates on my 800XC because the plastic ones did not hold up.  I got mine from Ricochet and they seem to be made pretty well.  Regarding the tires, I haven't had any issues (other than them not doing well in snow), but haven't had to replace them yet.  I thought about it, but ended up having other things that were more important for the money.  I always carry a plug kit and a compressor with me no matter what I'm in.  Soft cargo bags are a good option, I prefer the hard boxes though and was able to get one mounted on mine.  I have to leave the 2up seat off to mount the box, otherwise it hangs off the back a fair amount.  I seldom ride with 2 on the machine, it was bought mainly for when our kids visit so they can ride with the wife and I.  I carry a lot of stuff when I ride for the "just in case", that's why I prefer the hard box.  I won't bore you with all the stuff I take.  Just like I did, I'm sure you will learn what you need after a few rides. 

Thanks for the info.  I was able to go get it last weekend, drove it around the neighborhood on the street for all of 5 minutes then put it in the garage.  Too many other things to get done.  But it sure is pretty. 

I'll find the Unifilter and get that on there before I go anywhere.  I have to head to Arkansas next weekend, hopefully the Unifilter is in stock close. 

Hi there,

New to ATV's but I do have over 100K miles on Harleys.  ...snip.....
What is everyone's thoughts on bumpers/guards? 

Last question for today - anyone have the soft bag for the rear (requires the deck extenders) or the hard storage box and what is your opinion of the one you have.  If you have or have had both, I really need input.

Roy

I have Sportsman warehouse soft bag with steel tube inside frame on my orange 600T  It fits just fine.  You do have to remove rear seat to get all the straps "started" then reinstall rear seat.  Once seat back in, then use pliers to pull the straps tight.  Everything fits the stock slots in the rear rack.

Go here to see review and thoughts:
ATV TEK REAR BAG FOR 600TOUR.  GOOD REVIEW, NOT SO EXPENSIVE. Arch Series™ Expedition ATV / UTV Bag
$ 129.99   ATV-TEK.COM Review/Install: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgI18a8JXg (What About Bob)

The tires are fine if you do not intend to beat the crap out of them and the whole machine.  I gave up on that long ago.  I have not had mine much in snow, but I see no reason the stock tires would be "bad" as some say.  Driving around on my grass chews up the ground, so it should be the same on snow.  Anything worn down will be worse as always.  ATV tires are surprisingly expensive, so think about it.  You may also go 1" or 2" larger tire.  Lots of stuff on YouTb on that.  Bigger tires may need Airdam Clutch Adjustment Kit.

FWIW: There was freak snowstorm here with 10" wet snow first week Oct, everything worked fine.   I made my own snowplow mount (under body) to attach to main tubular frame.  Not very difficult, just get on it and make something happen.

The stock plastic skid plates work pretty good overall, probably a B+ rating.  The plastic ones slid over snow do not get stuck.  The aluminum $$$$$ option sticks to snow, gets stuck.  Observations from others.

Be careful on trailering.  Do NOT trailer in "PARK".  You can break the parking pin/pawl.  "N" is fine, use adequate tie down straps.  Get ones that have ratchet locking, not just the lousy pinch ones.

My battery tender always says "Low" after I ride my 600 (only 12 miles so far) and I always keep it on a battery tender.  Dunno if the battery is crappy or not.  Do add a battery Tender lead and have it come out in back just under the rear rack.

ALWAYS use tension pulling on cable when letting winch out or pulling it in.  If not, you will scramble the winch wire and it is a TOTAL PITA to unwind everything and put it back to normal.

Watch the fuel, gas gauge is "near junk".  Optimistic to say empty when it is not.  Get a feel for MPGs and go by miles to refill often.  Dealer said use premium gas. 

Some other $$$ things like zoomie exhaust tip not worth the loot.  My opinion.

YMMV