Just an update to my thread. I ended up bringing home the UForce 800 and loving it so far!  It made it back into deer camp twice this fall carrying all my gear and supplies without issue. The draw back compared to my quad riding companions were two spots where I got high centered due to the break over angle differences. Picking a different line solved that but think I need to invest in full skid protection underneath, the rock crawling definitely broke in my underside and rocker plastics 

I love the low range and fully locked front diff, this thing is a beast. The creek crossing ford got messed up with a recent storm and several of the quads had difficulty climbing out over the rocks....not the CFM though 

Thanks to those who provided feedback and post threads on here. It helped with my research

Ctdis, you are 100% correct, what "grief" can I live with?  Or maybe compromise is a better word. I can be frugal, but never cheap. I want what fits the niche and what I get the best feel from. As far as service and support goes I trust this dealership unequivocally. I've known the senior mechanic and owners for decades.

NMK. You are a trouble maker!  Almost as bad as my sales guy who sat me in the General 1000. That thing was super slick!  I wanted to leave the Buell and ride that sucker over hill n dale all the way home. But at close to $20K I had take a reality check. This will be my first UTV, it doesn't have to be my last. My head says any of the middies I tested would do the trick but my gut sure did love the vtwin, cabin ergonomics and locking diff.

Well, I took a bike ride last week and ended up at my local dealer.  I've been thinking about getting into a UTV for some time so you can guess where this went...

They sell Polaris and CFMoto ATVs & UTVs along with a few bike lines.  They are family owned and have an excellent service department, I've been a customer since I bought my first bike many moons ago.  So I'm looking for something in the "mid-size" range.  I want something I can put to work in the woods, firewood, trail maintenance and such but I have a tractor for the heavy stuff.  I also want something that will be fun on the occasional trail ride.  In the fall I go into hunting camp loaded to the nines with gear and provisions on a very rough, technical trail that takes full width machines out of the equation or at least more difficult.

So after pretty much having my mind made up on a mid-size Ranger the salesman (and part owner) mentioned the CFM line.  I didn't want to like a Chinese machine, but damn the quality seems good, the "extra" features are awesome and I loved the test ride.  So I bought, and love my Korean tractor because of it's performance and the "extras" that came standard over the competition many years ago.  It still gets the job done today, so I'm not afraid of giving a new kid on the block a shot at my business.

Sorry for the length post, but I'm down to two machines.  The Ranger 500 and the UForce 800.  I know they are not the same animal but my impressions;

The Ranger is a Polaris, have used many at work over the years and they are dependable work horses.  Mostly ATVs and 6x6s but we do have a couple full sized Rangers.  The Ranger was smooth and predictable.  The cabin with bench seat is definitely more inclined for my work days on the property. The engine is probably adequate for 90% of what I need it to do but likely to be a little dull if I ever get the itch to take on serious trail riding.  I really dug the Turf Mode (unlocking read diff), it could practically turn within it's own length.  I was hoping to get a ride in a 570 version but because of the rebates they've all but evaporated.  The dealer is going to search for one.

The UF 800 was fantastic!  Loved the vtwin motor, nice smooth power delivery and had tons of grunt.  I couldn't really get into this particular machine because it was all but sold (being held for another customer) so I wasn't going to take any chances.....and I promised to be nice.   The cabin, controls and seating reminded me of being in a little sports car.  Everything was ergonomically laid out and it has a hand brake!  Full lighting, a winch, front locking diff, better wheels/fires, engine braking, trailer hitch with wiring, two remotes for the winch, etc....all of which I'd have to pay extra for on the Ranger.

So, with adding a roof to either and a full winch setup and couple other small extras on the Ranger I can get either one for about $1,500 difference, why shouldn't I go with the CFM?  I've read a bunch of the threads on here, watched what I could find on uTube, I like to do my research.  I am leaning towards giving the underdog a shot, I really think it will fit my hybrid needs well.

This forum helped out a lot in my research, thanks to all who take the time to post and moderate.  I'll let you know how I make out....