[G19]

Hello all, i am planning on purchasing my first UTV. I am disabled and have ridden quads and snowmobiles for years. However the progression of my disability has made it impossible to ride ON anything so i need to sit down. I know i want a trail model. I have narrowed it down to Arctic Cat Wildcat or Polaris RZR. Until i found a 2014 Z600. I have heard of CF but just thought it was Chinese junk, that is however until i have been researching it. Any information, Pros, Cons ANYTHING would be helpful. Thanks

[REDRIDER]

Pro's for CFmoto. Huge savings on new purchase. comparable machines to others power and performance wise, better than many
Cons' The metal used seems cheap, not sure on longevity, not many dealers around, not a ton for aftermarket yet.

Everything can break and everything has issues, seems these may have a little more issue than some but doesn't seem to offset the cost difference when you buy it.

[gfmoto]

This is a topic Red and I always disagree on.LOL
CONS:
More here have success stories than the bad.  With that said, I know the 2013 Z600 had a lot of electrical issues and only some had been worked out by 2014 (Words from a reputable dealer)
With the Z800 2015 These were really revamped due to the issues of its predecessor. Even the 2015 Z600 had been updated with new electrical components, and the reverse switch that was snapping off in the 2013-14's
The early 2015's had issues with the thermoswitch (VERY EASY FIX) still even with the updated thermoswitch most of us still put in a bypass switch again VERY simple 2 wire splice and switch. We ALL switched out that cheap paper air filter to UNI or Twin Air ASAP. Once again easy fix.
2013-early 2016 shocks with upper helper spring (SOME were rubbing the reservoir)
CFMoto updated the shocks to s single spring system(Gave me mine at no charge)
The 2016 500ho SOME not all were experiencing oil in the air box. (Dealer update fixed that no charge)
Dealer assembly not always perfect (just give all nuts and bolts a once over to make sure)

PROS:

The CFMoto brand has been around for 30 years. They treated me incredibly well even though I didn't buy from my dealer. (he is 1 1/2 hour away=3hr round trip) ANY issue I had he drove in picked it up, fixed it, then dropped it off at NO CHARGE) Sends me product I ask for and has it to me within the week.
Longevity? well MANY have reported thousands of miles with few or no problems.
One year full warranty vs. everyone else's 6 months. The options that these come with would run you in the neighborhood of $5,000 and as far as the accessories. There are as many as the others. Doors, bumpers, decals, lights, fuel commanders, rock sliders, skid plates, air filters, Snorkel kits, storage boxes, soft and hard tops, full canopies and a large variety of front and back glass. so I dont know what other accessory you would be looking for.
Never had any issues with the metal on mine, seems put together every bit as a RZR. the Fit and finish on these are tough as any pain I had ever seen, I do A LOT of riding where brush scrapes against it and never leaves a mark. the scratches on mine are from my own stupidity, something in the towel i was using.
Power is everything I need as I keep up with RZR 1000's, yamaha YXZ's
The company is solid, willing to work with you and the products are great, if you don't abuse it.
CFMoto has been making engines for major companies like Honda and Yamaha for years so they have been at this awhile.
Im a happy owner.
Sure others will chime in.



 

[REDRIDER]

Yes I think GF and I have had this convo before. I am biased by my own experience. I have had a caliper bolt come out and jam in the wheel and break the wheel. Took over 3 weeks to get a wheel in. Had a low oil pressure light coming on, dealer fixed. Have a knock noise that the dealer will not fix and insists sounds the  same as others when it is very easy to tell its not. Had a belt smell and smoke once, no issue found dealer took it apart found no issue. Most of my issue is with my dealer they are an hour away, they don't like to work on my machine because I didn't buy it from them. After the engine noise they won't fix pissed me off I talked to Jason at CFmoto and he said they wont fix it or tear it down to look at it until it breaks. Noise is from the rear cylinder only on the passenger side, not sure how they can say something isn't wrong if it doesn't make the noise on the front cylinder... It stalls probably once a ride at slow speed usually switching from forward to reverse, no answer from CFmoto or the dealer on that.
Would I have any better luck with a different brand? No idea. I know that I would not spend any more than what I did on this machine for any brand so to me its worth the 5-6k less price tag to aggravate myself. I doubt I will ever buy another side by side, I will run this until it breaks or for a couple years and try and get some of my money back on a resale.

[G19]

Thank you for the info. I found a used 2014 Z600 with 440 miles for a decent price, the savings compared to new i could upgrade out of the gate.My biggest fear is dealer support, and parts. I can repair most issues, if the parts are readily available.I have a dealer 40 minutes away, however i haven't been there. I trust actual owners of products than dealers anyway.

[Cosmosdan]

I have a 13 z6. I have  made am issues tread. I add to it when I find more problems. Would I buy another brand new one? No. If I found a used one at a very good price than I might. I wish I had bought a used RZR 570 with the money. If you can buy the thing for cheap enough, go for it, but expect some working on it. I have never had problems finding parts and it has ran pretty good. It's just all the other little things that have drove me nuts.

[REDRIDER]

Parts are available.  But sometimes they come from overseas so that will take 3 weeks.  Dealer is useless unless you have a warranty.  If you can fix things you can do it faster and probably better than the dealer.  I took my clutch cover off and found that they stripped two of the bolts heads already.  Went to change the diff fluid found the fill plugs half stripped already (Crap metal)  and they must have used they wrong size.....

[gfmoto]

IMO. I wouldn't buy a 13-14 600
Unless I knew all the lil things have been updated.
So their I agree. RZR 570, you're in the same boat. May as well just get the 170. 
Bottom line really is that these machines have been tried and tested. No other brand won 1st 2nd AND 3rd at the 12 hour endurance race in Canada. 
So if you are really in the market get a new or used 15-16-17 800
Or updated 15 500ho or 16-17 500ho. 
I'm not a wealthy person by any stretch, and this even pains me to say.  This isn't a cheap "sport" or "hobby" there just is NO cheap way to be in it. 
Before I bought a 13/14 600
I'd consider a used 800 RZR
BUT if I could get used CFMoto 800 15/16. Then hands down. CFMoto!

[G19]

so essentially the 13/14 600 is junk? I found a used one for $5900. i probably could get it for $5000. What are the "problems" with this year? I understand the hobby is expensive as i have been snowmobiling for 30 years. I just want the best value for the money. Thanks

[gfmoto]

Where ya at in PA?
And here is an example of a deal. Little far from you but you would probably have less than $1900 in shipping.
https://www.atvtrader.com/listing/2014-Cfmoto-ZFORCE-800-EX-EPS-122002602

[Cosmosdan]

The 600 isn't junk. The engine is a good one. After having one for awhile you notice the designers missed the mark on a few things. Like the CVT intake is right by the rear tire and sucking in dust. Most of these things are cheap fixes but are annoying especially if your one of the fist to own one. If you like the price and don't mind tinkering with it, then it might be ok. The 800 seems to be less issues. Might be worth spending a little more for one. I would have if the trail version was out when I was buying.

[gfmoto]

Exactly, I wouldn't call them junk, like cosmodan said just a few annoyances if you're the first owner.

[G19]

Thank You for all of your replies. So far i have narrowed it down to A CFM Z6 or Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail. I haven't had any luck finding a used 800 near me, but i have found 2 Z6's. I have also found a few great deals on new '17 Wildcats. I am going to look at the Z6 first, is there anything i should specifically look for? Thanks

[Cosmosdan]

When looking I check

CV boots
Oil leaks
Wheel bearings
Leaky shocks
Prop shaft joints, not quick on z6
All the lights work
Brakes work good no leaks

If it's used, I change all the fluids(z6 diff is 8mm Allen) and change out any hard to get to grease fittings(M6 on z6) with angled ones.

[REDRIDER]

I would check the air box, see if it has a foam filter, if it is oiled, and check for oil in the box or dirt down the throttle body since they have pretty known air filter issues.