[DRVMN]

I just purchased a 2021 CFMoto CForce 400.  I've ridden snowmobiles and motorcycles all my life and decided to jump into the ATV world.  Just moved to a new (new to us) home in Clearwater, Minnesota.  We have a longer driveway and I wanted an ATV to use for plowing snow and for recreational riding.  I wanted to stay within a budget so I purchased more of an entry-level machine.  I'm excited to try this machine out when I take delivery in a couple days (winch was not in stock so it had to be ordered).  I had never heard of CFMoto before the Honda dealer introduced them to me.  Did some research and they seem like a solid machine with a great price.  Also finding out that Minnesota has a lot of ATV trails, just like snowmobile trails.  I considered purchasing a used ATV since I am new to riding ATVs but they are super hard to come by right now.  I enjoy working on and maintaining my equipment whether it is my Harley-Davidson, truck, car, snow blower, lawn tractor, etc.  I'm sure I will be asking and researching a lot of topics on this forum.  I belong to a similar forum for Harley-Davidson and Ford Rangers and I enjoy the conversations, threads, and helping others out.

Thanks for having me!

David

[Siberian]

Welcome to the CForce clan! Anything "Brand-New" and affordable is a rarity these days! I totally agree with CFMoto lower cost to get in the game!

On using a CForce 400 for a snowplow: Some cautions and thoughts from experience.  The "First Big Concern" is I hope you do NOT have a big hill for a long driveway. If you do have a hill, then things get "iffy".

Your warranty is a VERY important part of new ownership.  After 4-5 snowstorms here, I just stumbled on a important item.  Your first service/adjust stuff is 20 Hours/200 miles.  I have done about 6 snowstorms so far in 2 months, total miles only 21.  KEEP TRACK OF HOURS!  I have 8 hours doing snowplow duty and will probably need valve adj-Etc by winter's end!   Miles do not count against the hours!

Next: Use Lo range in really heavy snow or a lot of it.  Sort of a PITA so slow, but save the trans belts, etc.  Lighter snow or not a lot of it is OK in Hi, just my opinion.

Watch that Winch Lever!  Mine stuck in "Up" and proceeded to bend some metal supports for snowplow.  The winch is FAR stronger than what you need to raise/lower plow.  Put a snow=pole rod or something on plow to KNOW where it is on Up/Down height level.

Install a battery tender on battery.  Leave it plugged in when parked/not in use.  Put an Orange Tape Ribbon (or something similar) on ATV to make certain you disconnect the battery tender B4 driving off.  Just don't ASK me why this is needed, heh heh, experience learned.

Replace the air filter with a UNI filter.  Look it up.  The stock A/F is junk - so sayeth owners on internet.

Your CForce 400 is going to be slower than a larger CC machine, just accept it.  Don't beat the crap out of it, it will never be as fast as some of the larger CForce models.

I did my own snowplow mount and stuff.  There was nothing available from CFMoto 6 months ago.  There may be parts available now, plow systems. dunno.  Do your homework.  Wax your plow blade (car wax OK) to reduce snowpack buildup. 

Have fun plowing snow.  Luckily snow is pretty clean, so it doesn't make a mess of the machine, melts off, and is sort of self-cleaning, and not an eyesore.  JMO.

 Here is a write-up I did about my plow experience:
https://cfmoto-forum.com/x6/cforce-600-tour-snowplow-fab-install

 The internet & YTube videos are your friend for "Real" information and testing by CFMoto owners.  Any questions, just ask.  Someone will have answers that out of the realm of dealers.   

YMMV

[DRVMN]

Thank You for the great information and advice.  The first thing I will add is the battery tender.  Both my Harley-Davidson motorcycles and my John Deere Lawn Tractor have them and during the winter, they are hooked up 24/7.  I have a nice, flat driveway compared to my old driveway so I am looking forward to plowing snow.  The salesman/owner I talked to at the dealership recommended storing the ATV in a heated garage after plowing so the snow will melt off the winch and plow area.  I actually have a heated garage at my new house.  They are also swapping out the oil with a 5W-40 (or maybe 10W-40) so it will start better in the winter.  He said to use conventional oil vs. synthetic.  I run Amsoil in both bikes but he said synthetic affects clutch use.  I know anytime anyone mentions "oil" on the Harley-Davidson forum, it creates an "uproar" as everyone has their own opinions about which oil is the best.

[NMKawierider]

They are also swapping out the oil with a 5W-40 (or maybe 10W-40) so it will start better in the winter.  He said to use conventional oil vs. synthetic.  I run Amsoil in both bikes but he said synthetic affects clutch use.  I know anytime anyone mentions "oil" on the Harley-Davidson forum, it creates an "uproar" as everyone has their own opinions about which oil is the best.

Synthetic is fine as long as it has the JASO MA2 rating for wet clutches and gear boxes..even if yours doesn't use a wet clutch and it shares it's oil with the transmission (shared sump) you should still use one with that rating. After break-in you can even use a 0w40 oil if you want.

[Mogleybear]

Congrats on the new machine.  Welcome to the forum, looks like you have already gotten some solid advice. 

[DRVMN]

Finally picked up my new ATV Wednesday evening.  It was already below zero but I had to try it out.  Fit in my 4' x 8' trailer perfect - put the plow in the back of my truck.  Plowed some snow around the house until my fingers were so cold I couldn't feel them.  I may look into installing heated grips and thumb/throttle.  Have had those on snowmobiles and they work great.

Anyone installed heated grips?  Brand?  Difficulty?

[NMKawierider]

Heated grips are nice but I found heated ski gloves are the cat's azz...or good gloves with full-cover guards.   

[Siberian]

Finally picked up my new ATV Wednesday evening.  It was already below zero but I had to try it out.  Fit in my 4' x 8' trailer perfect - put the plow in the back of my truck.  Plowed some snow around the house until my fingers were so cold I couldn't feel them.  I may look into installing heated grips and thumb/throttle.  Have had those on snowmobiles and they work great.

Anyone installed heated grips?  Brand?  Difficulty?

A fellow in Oregun has a CForce 600 Tour and installed heated grips.  "What About Bob" is the name.

Video here:

Price went up since his review and install.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q82S4GG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1    $24.00

If you have questions about CFMoto stuff and do not get answers here, go to YT.  Type CForce or CFMoto or something and you will get many many videos on "how-to" stuff, etc.

YMMV

[John1960]

Finally picked up my new ATV Wednesday evening.  It was already below zero but I had to try it out.  Fit in my 4' x 8' trailer perfect - put the plow in the back of my truck.  Plowed some snow around the house until my fingers were so cold I couldn't feel them.  I may look into installing heated grips and thumb/throttle.  Have had those on snowmobiles and they work great.

Anyone installed heated grips?  Brand?  Difficulty?

I have installed heated grips on all my ATVs in the past.  Two King Quads and a Vinson.  All very easy to do and I was very pleased with the results.  I never bought anything exotic.  Usually $20-25 for a set from Amazon, or EBay.    I also did heated seats and found that to be helpful in the cold.   I would definitely recommend it.     Make sure you go to a circuit that switches off with the key.   

[RickVS]

Yo Dave,   looks like this site is a bit slow,
Congrats on your new Moto.   I should be receiving mine in a couple days,  01/17/22 if all goes well.
Sorry, I'm new here, Rick  with a new 2021 C force 600 with plow.  GOD has blessed me thru life and have recently sold a Town House I have owned for over 40 years so it's time to buy a toy for the grand-kids and myself. Maybe a bit extravagant but we have a 700' long drive and a few trails we walk the dogs on every day so I feel justified.
Anyway, I am new here and just wanted to say HI and congrats on you new machine. Sounds like these MOTOs are the up and coming thing from all I have been reading and watching on the Y   Tube
Be safe and GOD BLESS
Rick