Hi New member here. I am thinking about buying a new 2017 Uforce 500 HO with EPS. I will be using it mostly for plowing snow and some trail riding. Any thoughts and opinions on this model would be great. Thanks!

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Welcome. Just a personal opinion- with all the issues the 500 has had...I would recommend getting the 800. Besides, you might wish you had the 800 when plowing snow anyway.

If you start closing the cab in the 500HO gets quite buzzy with added vibration. The power is good & low range will get the job done 

My comment about the 500 vs 800 if it's a budget thing the 500 will get it done. If it's not a budget thing then try them both, I would suggest a roof, frt & rear winders if you can for the demo.. Then think of those nice long trial rides with a pleasing loafing along sound vs buzz & vibration 

I only have 150 KM on mine and the fit and finish is OK. The 500 has plenty of power however its weak point especially if plowing I would say is the dry clutch which is easy to smoke IMHO. Ironically it is manufactured in Canada and touted as being a cut above the rest. I believe it is heavily used by other ATV manufacturers as well such as Can-Am, etc.

Coming from a Yamaha Grizzly and having zero problems with the CVT and belt in 12 years of ownership I am a bit disappointed in this system as I was led to believe when I purchased that it was a wet clutch. It is not!
The 800 does have the wet clutch so could be a better choice in your application.   

Keep it in low when you are plowing or generally driving under 15-20 mph.

The clutch has a very quick up-shift in my opinion. Imagine starting off in 2nd gear in a very low-torque car. Thats kind of what the clutching is like on the U5, so keep it in low and it wont stress the belt as much.

Thanks for all the info! Greatly appreciated!