[Kristhompson]

I have a 2021 zforce 500 trail and when I take off in high gear something pops 3 or 4 times back to back and it jerks a little when taking off. It does both in 2wd and 4wd but  It doesn’t do it in low gear. Anyone else had this happen or know what it may be?

[NMKawierider]

Pops as in...out the exhaust or as in slipping gears in the transmission?

[Kristhompson]

It’s not exhaust. More like slipping gears. It jerks and pops. It seems to do it worse while turning when taking off in high gear. But in low it doesn’t do it at all.

[NMKawierider]

Probably...well..hopefully..it's just shifter detent alignment..meaning the linkage needs adjustment. Try this- loosen the shifter handle lock nut under the handle and screw the handle all the way down..not hard. This will disengage the shifter's detent lock making the only detents the ones in the transmission. Being careful not to bump the shifter take it out for a test ride and see if it still does it. If it's stopped, the linkage needs adjusted. If it hasn't stopped, it's either something else other then the transmission or...the transmission has a bent shifter fork. In that case it should be taken in.   

[Kristhompson]

That makes sense. I will check it out tomorrow and hopefully your right and that’s all it is.

[Obiron]

This sounds like what my new 2021 Zforce 500 trail does.  I thought it was just me, but I did some research, and noted in the manual page 86 it states to "use throttle with purpose: when discussing CVT performance.  This seems to be a normal thing with CVTs.  You don't have to gun it, but you do need to mash the accelerator a bit to avoid the jerking back and forth.  I suspect the spring loaded accelerator may be a contributor? Once I figured that out, no more issues. Going easy on the peddle in high gear does this every time.