It’s a common conception that things are cheaper when made outside the country—technology, apparel, and even side-by-sides. CFMOTO is a prime example of this. And they’re not hiding behind their small price tags.
In fact, their mission is to provide their customers with exceptional, top-end vehicles at affordable prices—that’s something we have in common. We pride ourselves in making quality products for top-end machines.
But does the small price tag represent the quality of the machine? Is there a true parallel between other side-by-sides manufactured in different countries (Polaris or Can-Am) and CFMOTO which is manufactured in China? Let’s take a look!
It’s pretty simple—China has a concentrated supply chain and high efficiency. With all the materials and labor right there in front of them, they can produce materials at a much quicker and more affordable rate than other countries.
Since 1989 CFMOTO has been forging an existence in Hangzhou, China. During this time, CFMOTO’s reputation had consumers on the fence about purchasing their machines. Sure the price tag was affordable and eye catching, but the customer reviews support the fact that the parts were cheap and performed that way too.
In 2002, CFMOTO made a strong rebuttal, manufacturing and releasing their first line of UTVs and ATVs. They’ve been able to dispute the popular assumption that CFMOTO “is made cheap” when their founder created and trademarked the liquid-cooled 4-stroke engine.
Does this type of engine seem familiar to you? It should—almost every side-by-side manufacturer (American and Foreign) have used it in one of their models. Since its release, CFMOTO has climbed to the top, making the list of most popular and profitable side-by-side manufacturers worldwide. But have they done enough in the last twenty years to shake the “cheap” label?
Yes, they have! Let’s make the comparison.
| Specifications | CFMOTO UForce 1000 | Ranger XP 1000 | Can-Am Defender HD 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Point | $12,399 | $18,897 | $11,699 |
| Engine Displacement | 963 cc | 999 cc | 976 cc |
| Horse Power | 79 HP | 82 HP | 65 HP |
| Payload Capacity | 1,500 lb. | 1,500 lb. | 1,500 lb. |
| Ground Clearance | 11.4 in. | 13 in. | 11 in. |
| Engine Type | V-Twin, liquid cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 8-valve | 4-Stroke Twin Cylinder DOHC | V-twin, liquid-cooled |
| Top Standard Features | • Multiple large storage bins • High capacity cargo dump box • “Drive-by-wire” electronic throttle • 5″ TFT display • “Gullwing” front A-arms • LED projector headlights • LED front and rear lights • 2″ hitch receptacle • Roof • Full skid plates • 3,000 lb. Winch | • 13.5 gal of built-in storage • Lock & Ride Cargo System • 4″ digital display • Dual LED Taillamps • Tilt Steering | • (4) 35 W reflectors and LED tail lights • 4.5″ wide digital display • Front steel bumper • Skid plate • 2″ hitch receiver |
Take a look at the specs above—they’re a good reference point when you walk into a dealership ready to buy a CFMOTO off the showroom floor. No matter if you’re a seasoned buyer or not, you’re going to want to make sure the quality and specifications are an accurate representation of its monetary value. And after looking at the specs, you can tell CFMOTO has hit the nail on the head.
The table above shows that CFMOTO and Can-Am are competitively priced. And shockingly, the retail value of the Defender HD9 is less than CFMOTO’s UForce 1000. On the other hand, you have Polaris’ Ranger XP 1000, retailing at six thousand dollars more than both Can-Am and CFMOTO.
Besides the price tags, there’s not a big quantitive difference between the three side-by-sides. It’s safe to say the only thing Polaris has a leg up on is engine displacement and horsepower, but the margins aren’t anything to blow CFMOTO and Can-Am out of the water.
Now the standard features, that’s an entirely different ball game. CFMOTO knocks it out of the park. Their numbers double when it comes to the standard accessories you get on your machine, giving you a winch, full skid plate, LED lights, roof and more.
We all know the quality of a side-by-side is more than its actual makeup of hard parts and accessories. Check out our expert’s opinion if the specs aren’t enough to prove CFMOTO’s comeback.
Drew Heideman is our Engineering Technology Manager. He’s been with SuperATV for five years and riding side-by-sides for twenty-two. ”First thing I would say to everyone is go ride one—the quality of the ride will leave you surprised. The fit and finish are on par, if not better, than the top brand models you see today. And when you’re behind the wheel of a CFMOTO, you’ll find it’s responsive, powerful, and the clutch is smooth, which are all things you find in more expensive models. The first time I rode the UForce 1000, I was impressed with its power and how smooth the clutch engaged. Not only did I like how it drove, but the cab itself is nice and looks like a higher-end model.”
“If you are looking for a tough and well-made UTV that will not cost you as much as the name brands will, then CFMOTO UTVs are as good as they come.”
—Geoff Southworth from Outdoor Troop
“Our overall appreciation of CFMOTO UFORCE 1000 2019 is relatively high. Although it is not perfect, the overall quality is higher than the average vehicles in its class. The attention to details and the load capacity of the 2019 UFORCE 1000 make it possible to carry out the tasks to which this vehicle is intended to.”
—ATV Trail Rider
“The 2022 CFMoto UForce 1000 is the brand’s halo work side-by-side with its powerful engine, big cargo capacity, and impressive towing capabilities. Standard features include a TFT dash, and the rig looks distinctly upmarket, especially for the price point. If you want to look like you’re driving a Polaris without spending Polaris coin, here is your rig.”
—UTV Driver
CFMOTO is on the heels of their success and gaining recognition as one of the top side-by-side manufacturers. They’ve put action behind their mission, changing the opinions of off-roading enthusiasts and riders daily. Do they manufacture and produce the majority of their lineup in China? Yes. Does it give us a cheaper price tag? Yes. But the affordable retail price doesn’t mean they have compromised the quality of their machines.
Their resilience over the last twenty years has put them in a great position. They don’t just sit among other great, internationally-recognized manufacturers such as Can-Am and Polaris. But they are challenging Can-Am and Polaris to put out the top side-by-sides on the market, which is great for us.
If you already have a CFMOTO, check out our machine protection, suspension parts, accessories and more.
44 Comments
stay away from cfmoto complete junk have 700 miles on a 2019 zforce 800 trail i have a blown motor apprently your suppose to change the air filter ever time you ride nobody told me. And I’m not the only one this has happened too. no warranty any more either.3500 for a new motor that’s just great. I had just cleaned the filter 2 rides before and my rides wasn’t that long I figured id check it wasnt that bad. The dealer said it was full of mud but that’s not true bc we hadn’t had any rain for a couple of months it was all dust. Stay away I’ll never buy another one they look great and have some cool features but wished I’d done my homework
Sounds like it’s your fault and not CFMOTO,s. Sounds like you were riding in high dust areas and neglected to clean or change air filter. Why would the dealer lie and say your machine looked neglected?
Why would a dealer lie ? Surely you didn’t ask that question! I’m not saying one way or the other but dealers lie all the time. I’ve own every kind of bike there is spent thousands of dollars and I’ve caught them in lie’s several times.
Dealers Lie” All the time. They Are Salesmen.. I been raised on Bikes All my life, raised with 6 brothers, We dirted, Mudded, Everything Imaginable. Dust Should Not bother The Filter after a couple Rides. Mud on the other hand is a Different Story!. My Hondas” And Kawasaki Seem to go an go. Our Farm Bike used thru Mud an Swamps which is a Kawasaki ,an pulling cart thru Tall Weeds, Went thru farm life of 5 years With No Service, just adding Oil with No Filter Replaced. Many farm people using it.. If a Filter needs replaced After Every dusty Ride,,I Wouldn’t Want it!.
Jim, I’m not sure where you reside, but it seems that you may be one of the lucky one’s that lives in a place where there is still honesty, integrity, transparency, and a solid reputation behind the businesses you interact with, and have become a loyal customer of. Unfortunately, many automotive dealers now days have adopted a business practice that “passes the buck around, and back and forth” to try and get out of warranty repairs, as well as accepting responsibility for manufacturer defects. Yes, they will lie, no matter how subtle.
Is this true. You have to change the air filter after every ride? If I’m buying a used 2021 and using it around my property of 8 acres in woods and around my yard. What should I look for if buying this used? It is selling for 9,900.00 is that a good price ?
2018 CF Moto 550 ATV
Cf moto sux
It says I have 104 miles on it
Soon as I left the store they lied and all of a sudden I had 40 miles on it
Then I noticed the scratch
Which they replaced
Then the 2 tire caps were missing
Then I had to jump it not having it on for 4-5 days
Then I bought new battery
Then another
Even the battery that goes to it is cheap Chinese junk
So it also says I’ve driven it 104 hours
Lie
I’ve driven to car wash a total of 5x 6 blocks away
Drove to buddies house 4 houses down
Drove into desert about 4x
So it’s barely driven in my opinion
So now I’ve bought another battery and it’s turning over and sometimes starting
I never was told by the asshats who sold me the machine anything about changing air filter
I check it
Totally disgusted with the lack of care and customer service from CF Moto!
I bought a brand new u-force 1000 to take hay to the horses in the pasture and drive up and down the driveway. It was never trail ridden or abused. I did the 200 mile break-in and started noticing issues around 800 mi. It started using oil extensively and I brought it to a dealer around a 1000mi. The dealer charged me $700 to tell me that the engine was shot and needed to be replaced. After trying extensively to get some support from CF Moto on the matter they would not budge or back up their product at all. They only told me that it was out of warranty and I was out of luck. Also, customer service at CFMoto told me that I should have changed the oil every 200 mi and cleaned the air filter every time I went up and down my driveway, absolutely ridiculous! If you’re curious and are interested in purchasing any CFMoto product you may want to first go on to the BBB website and read reviews. I sure wish I would have.
Not good to see this. I was going to buy one this year now I’m not dealers are selling these things like hotcakes because of price point what’s your thoughts stay away
Have you ever bought anything that was the cheapest and the best? Those just don’t go together. Not to mention, many people (myself included) prefer to pay a little more, or even a lot more, to buy domestic.
We put 2hours on this side by side cf Moto 950 sport and all 4 brake calipers blow and the rear diff vent hose has a hole I have owned it two hours and now back to the shop and to beat that my girlfriend and kid where on it and it damn near fought fire
My brother just got a cfmoto 800. We were trying to move a small car port shed by dragging it about 10’. The belt started stinking. My brother freaked out so I cut it loose. Ended up shoving around by hand. He was really disappointed. Pathetic. My dads kubota will pull a truck up a hill.
I just want to say that we have owned 4 CFMOTOs and recently just bought a ZFORCE 950 HO Sport. We ride alot mostly in Moab Ut. These machines hold up to anything we have put them through. In my opinion they are the best side x sides out there and we will alway buy CFMTO.
I’d say you’re just saying that because it’s Chinese
Just got a camo uforce 1000 from Handle Bar Motor Sports in Durango Co. They loaded it on my trailer. Took it home to Pagosa Springs to my garage to outfit it to hunt on my lease in Texas. It was jerky off the trailer and to the garage. I guessed it was the way I used my foot. I installed a rear winch on a welded bar I had done. Put on bar lights front and back. Installed a switch for a front mounted corn feeder. When done with this, took it out for a ride. In low gear it still jerked on take off and wasn’t smooth under 10pm. The machine has less than 20 miles on it. I’ve owned 3 Yamaha 4-wheelers and two snow mobiles with many miles on them. My dealer said the drive belt was burned and they would see if it was under warranty!
They are jumpy mine did the same. the more I drove it the better it got. Now it drives just like my Polaris and can am hd9. as far as dependability I have had Zero problems. I have hard doors,Elks shocks, 30″ tires, super atv high clearance A-arms, an ECU tuner and stage 2 Clutch kit from MSC. Its a beast and my go to machine. I drive this thing like a trophy truck. Give it time they are different for sure but its a good machine.
all those chinese cheep stuff are hit or miss (more often miss, lol) sometimes they perform surprisingly well, but quite often they are complete junk… i imagine it is cause of poor quality control
What model can am do you have?
There is an adjustment rod on the shifter. Need to be turned towards you one turn at a time .mark the top of rod with a marker or pencil 1st.
I own a cf moto 2021 800 trail. I love it. We have taken it to South Dakota twice now a it did everything that we asked it to do. It stayed up with Yamaha Polaris and Kawasaki. Went everywhere with it. It road great and l could run 60to65 with no problem on the highway. Climbed the mountains and crossed streams. And put a lift 2inch and widened the suspension. Love it have had no problems with it at all. Best bang for your buck hands down.
I bought a 22 800 trail. I only have about 800km on it and have had nothing but a great time on it. It is getting the 2″ perfex lift kit as well as the 1.5″ perfex wheels spacers this week. Rjwc exhaust and a monster efi tune pretty excited to get it back Friday
Bought my CFMOTO unforce 1000 in 2021. Took it hunting and it did very well loved it except the delay when you take off. Use it around the place doing chores. Took it into the dealer to have transition adjusted to get rid of the delay but it just got worse. This is my second year hunting with it and I want to burn the dam thing down. The hesitation has gotten worse. It sounds like a bunch of rocks in the Transmission. The worst is I only have a little over 500 miles on it. Went from satisfied to very disappointed in a hurry. Won’t buy another one.
You might just need a RNG clutch kit, check his YouTube page out.
I havea 2019 cfmoto Z force Trail 500cc EPS which now has 13500km on it have had a few minor issues like exhaust shields, muffler seal under warranty and tie rod ends but other than regular services and clean air filters regularly, two drive belts ‘aftermarket’ I climb mountain logging roads in BC its going great ive had two polaris sportsman 500s which I did alot of repairs to so I’m happy with CFmoto.
You got a bad one or the mechanics don’t know what they are doing. Get a stage 2 clutch kit from Main street Cycle and it will change your mind
I have had an equally bad experience, though not with the bike yet but the dealer. From the first week it often wouldn’t start but I worked out if I riggled the relays it would. I told to dealer nothing happened. I changed the relays myself and good so far. And then after a couple of months an oil pressure warning began flashing. They looked at it when it went in for a service but no fix. They said bring it back and they will have a look at it but I got busy with other work but thought that should be serious enough to warrant them picking up and leaving a loaner under warranty but no action and oil light still winking. I have told those who ask the bike might be alright but avoid having anything to do with the dealer. Buy another brand, its not worth the grief.
Good day. I an Hennig the DOE at Bawah resort. We are looking for guest transport buggies with short wheel space and that will be able to drive in a beach. That same for a utility buggy to transport goods also on beach sand. Can you please recommend? Thank you very much.
Hey Hennig. I would recommend a Polaris Ranger SP 570 for both situations. The standard model makes a great utility machine, and the CREW model adds a second row for a total of four riders. They’re 56″ wide and easy to get in and out of. The CFMOTO UForce 1000 and UForce 1000 XL are good alternatives, but they are 64″ wide. None of these vehicles can climb dunes very well, but they should all be able to travel over sand without issue. Thanks for reading! Hopefully that helps!
I have a 2018 c Force 500 HO ATV I can climb I can go through the mud I do everything with it it’s been really good to me when I first got it the winch messed up a little bit and they put me a brand new one on no questions ask. Thinking seriously about getting the 800.
Have two 2021 600 four wheelers and U force 800 side by side, have no problems with any of the other than had to get a new fuse for fan on side by side, my sons have 2020 Artic Cat and a 2021 Kawasaki Teryx, have drove them both and will pick the U Force above the other two, has nothing to do with price, does everything I want and runs better, like article states go drive them.
well, one year can hardly vouch for quality, i wanna have my atv for 10 years at least
Have a 2021 zforce 1000 , great machine no issues but I did add a2″ lift kit. Unit was a little low
We have had a 2021 CF Moto ex 800 for 2 years and it’s been a awesome machine no problems at all with it. I love the machine.
I got a Zforce 950 they are not Not honoring my Five year warranty not having it over a month only have 64 miles on a brand new 2022 Machine CF MOTO is a trash and not good with business $21,000 I paid for the Machine I know it was a machine defect The front wheel comes off while riding down a hill They say it’s my fault so they won’t honor my warranty sThey say it’s my fault so they won’t honor my warrant So I advise no one to buy a CF Moto product at all two problems less than a month on a $21,000 machine and have not honor one file your warranty I paid for They are trash
Something seems a little off about your story here. I have an original 2020 Zforce 950…..first model year for the machine. 5000 miles and zero issues. Post the dealer you purchased your machine thru….I will contact them and ask them why CFMOTO isn’t honoring your warranty. Also if you could please locate the data tag and post the VIN # of the machine that will help me help you faster.
I had a 2021 950. I had no issues with it and put about 1100 miles on it. Put an extended warranty on it too. I had 2 cforce 500 atv’s which I sold to get the 950. I had very little problems with them. They were both 2018’s. My dealer was great to work with if I did have any issues. I guess the only real issue you I had with the 950 was leg room. My knees would get stiff because I couldn’t stretch out. I’m 6′ so not a real big guy but just felt cramped. Sat in my brother in laws can am and was like wow I can stretch my legs. So I sold the zforce and bought a can am maverick. I can keep up with my kid and his razor a lot better! I would probably by another zforce if they come out with one with more leg room. Paying 15000 for one of those is better than the 25000 I paid for the can am!
Wow I have been thinking of buying the 2seater 600 side by side now hym having second opinion I have a 2015 Polaris 570 x2 sportsman runs great winter I put plow on it and it’s great no problem s just interested in side by side maybe I will stay with Polaris ?
Our riding buddies have a 2015 zforce 800 trail that has 5k miles on it without any problems. It has been used and abused. It has been a snow plow, and a trail buggy. It has been rolled at least once, been in winter temperatures and 100+ without any problems. Has original transmission and engine. It impressed us so much that we bought a new 2021 and have had no issues with it. There are some things that are a pain, like the battery and airbox locations. The aftermarket support is a lot less than a Polaris. Has done everything we have needed it to do.
I have a 2017 ZForce 800 EX and it’s been an absolute pleasure to own.
I drive the crap out of this thing, take it anywhere, tow, mud – everything and it’s never given me an issue.
A couple of warranty recalls for very minor items were sorted by the dealer.
Best UTV money I could have spent, bout to but a Uforce 1000 to add to my collection.
Just bought my third zforce the wife has the 800 trail and the little thing has stood tie to toe with my z950.I sold my 2021 to my brother so I could buy the 2022 z950 H.O Ex. I replaced a fuse I blew jumping on a hill the fuse blew on the landing but it landed hard shook its head and got right back to the trails despite my not paying attention to the trail but zero problems with either except for the air filter on the 800.there are a bunch of videos on how to move the air box which was the only complaint I personally know of. granted mass manufacturing will always burp out a lemon but I feel perfectly safe in my machine and I don’t have to worry about starting on fire or part of a class action suit .
I have a 800 uforce 2016. Installed roof, windshield and have only had minor problems. I have modified the air intake so it draws air from above the roof through Donaldson spinner and paper filters. Dust is a big problem in the desert with the stock intake behind the driver seat! Hope they come up with a design solution to fix this flaw. Great machine for the money!!
Junk… I have 1 bought brand new and only has 4 hours and the motor blew,, its been 2 months and still no motor
In the last few years, why would you intentionally go out and spend your hard earned money on a chinese product especially a high dollar item like a side by side. You get what you pay for and it’s less expensive( i.e. cheaper) for a reason.
I have a 2022 cforce 800EX, 1900KM of hauling me and my gf around on it through mud and water over the tires, dusty fire roads, and everything in between, follows my friends on can ams and polaris’s no problem. zero complaints so far