Polaris or CF Moto?

[gsganzer]

Yamaha has always been one of the Japanese manufacturers that gets overshadowed (or over advertised) by Honda and Kawasaki. Suzuki used to be a big name in the 80's, but you don't see much advertising (or products) from them anymore. With the exception of Yamaha Waverunners, the rest of the Yamaha product lineup often goes overlooked. They've always made some of the best road and dirt bikes, and their outboards are pretty incredible.

Most people I know that get a Yamaha product, then become pretty loyal to the brand. It's like once you know, you know.

 

[EddieWalker]

Did you get one like this? I’m working on a house and I have to move this one so I can work. It’s really fancy, but I hate how far to the side the drivers seat is. I think they should get rid of the front middle seat and move the steering wheel in about six inches. Then put in a nicer seat

 

[gsganzer]

Yes. Same model, but a 3 seater, no back seat. They're pretty bare bones, without a lot of gadgets, but the ride is great. Apparently, the Viking has remained unchanged for a number of product years now. I suspect they'll probably do away with it and focus on the Wolverine product line in the near future. I removed the "Oh-crap" grab bar and made a removable gun support that fits into the grab bar receiver, between the driver and passenger. In the other grab bar receiver in front of the passenger I made an 8" "oh-crap" grab bar. I also added a dome light that can shine red or white.

I haven't had an issue with the ergonomics. The one thing we like is the shoulder support for both driver and passenger. The added space between the driver and passenger is nice.

I'll probably eventually add a tip-up windshield.

 

[Paystar]

My Polaris/CF dealer tells me he actually has more Polaris's coming back in for repairs than CF's.
he is also on some board with Polaris and he told me Polaris has a couple CF's at the factory right now trying to break them and they can't. And he says they are very afraid because they said they cannot build one with same qualities and features for CF's prices.

Well, guess that proved true. Polaris just released a $10,000 USD Ranger 500 to try and compete and lowered prices on the Sportsman 570.
CF still has more standard features though.

 

[nybirdman]

Owned ATV's/SS since 1981,Honda,Suzuki,Kawasaki and Yamaha.Had the Kawasaki for 23 years and sold it for 1/3 of what I paid.Currenty have a 2021 Yamaha Kodiak and a 2016 Viking.Purchased 4 new Yamaha's.

 

[Torvy]

I struggled with a similar conundrum when we got our SxS. The HiSun, like the CFMoto is assembled here in Texas, but the company is Chinese.

The price was about half of a similarly equipped Kinetic. As mentioned above, the components are almost all made overseas, regardless of nameplate. I just couldn't justify paying that much more for appearances.

 

[WilliamBos]

CF Moto has a Plant in Plymouth,WI. Nice to see them assembled in USA.

 

[Paystar]

CF Moto has a Plant in Plymouth,WI. Nice to see them assembled in USA.

I didn't even know that. Cool.

 

[gsganzer]

I didn't even know that. Cool.

I think I'd still have an issue with CFMoto. I think it's great that they assemble them here. My issue with Chinese companies is their fickleness and how quickly they seem to come and go. I expect I'd probably keep something like a UTV for a pretty long time. Heck, I've been using my Kubota BX2200 for over 20 years and I can still get any part I need.

But maybe their business models are changing.

 

[Paystar]

I think I'd still have an issue with CFMoto. I think it's great that they assemble them here. My issue with Chinese companies is their fickleness and how quickly they seem to come and go. I expect I'd probably keep something like a UTV for a pretty long time. Heck, I've been using my Kubota BX2200 for over 20 years and I can still get any part I need.

But maybe their business models are changing.

Well, I don't praise China for the most part. There is still a lot of junk coming out of there. For instance I had a Champion generator that I was real happy with but the engine sure didn't last many hours before it died and only had 35 PSI of cylinder pressure.

But what reassures me about CF Moto is they actually make engines under license for both KTM and Yamaha. And they have a partnership with KTM in some high level racing like Moto GP. So I think they have the resources to survive.

And the owner of my Polaris/CF Moto dealer told me he actually sees more Polaris coming back in for warranty work than CF's. Now I'm not sure what the ratio of his sales are but he told me not to worry about buying CF's.

 

[Torvy]

It's not really that, for me. They said the same about Japanese and Korean companies in the 70s and 80s.

My issue is the Chinese government ultimately has control.

 

[Paystar]

But give me another 19 years and if my CF's last as long as my 2004.5 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO did, I'll be happy.
I just know my newer Polaris's didn't outlive it and that 500 had more year round use.

 

[Paystar]

It's not really that, for me. They said the same about Japanese and Korean companies in the 70s and 80s.

My issue is the Chinese government ultimately has control.

Ya I hear you. But I worked hard my whole life for my money, and I don't see Polaris or anyone else in Canada or the USA giving me special deals, so if the Chines want to save me thousands and give me a quality unit, I'm buying it and keeping the rest of my money, LOL

If someone wants to DONATE thousands to be patriotic, that's awesome. But I can't afford to do that. I don't want to work hard any more.

 

[Torvy]

Ya I hear you. But I worked hard my whole life for my money, and I don't see Polaris or anyone else in Canada or the USA giving me special deals, so if the Chines want to save me thousands and give me a quality unit, I'm buying it and keeping the rest of my money, LOL

If someone wants to DONATE thousands to be patriotic, that's awesome. But I can't afford to do that. I don't want to work hard any more.

Agreed. That's why I have a HiSun. It would be one thing if the prices were +/- 10% or less. Often its double.
There's a whole string of 'whys', but many aren't appropriate topics here.

 

[Paystar]

Agreed. That's why I have a HiSun. It would be one thing if the prices were +/- 10% or less. Often its double.
There's a whole string of 'whys', but many aren't appropriate topics here.

Be hard for us to compete because their gov subsidizes all the factories. They can run at a loss.

 

[gsganzer]

Be hard for us to compete because their gov subsidizes all the factories. They can run at a loss.

 

[shooterdon]

I have owned two Polaris machines and sold them. Had a Kawasaki Mule for a few years but got tired of the low speed, noise and rough ride.

Traded the Mule for a CF 1000 and am reasonably satisfied so far. I saved over $4000 over a Polaris or Kawasaki. The only thing I don’t like is the jerkiness of the drive when starting out, There is an aftermarket kit that addresses the issue and may get it.

 

[Paystar]

I have owned two Polaris machines and sold them. Had a Kawasaki Mule for a few years but got tired of the low speed, noise and rough ride.

Traded the Mule for a CF 1000 and am reasonably satisfied so far. I saved over $4000 over a Polaris or Kawasaki. The only thing I don’t like is the jerkiness of the drive when starting out, There is an aftermarket kit that addresses the issue and may get it.

My Z-Force has the CV Tech clutch and my new 2025 C-Force 800 Touring has supposedly an in-house CF built clutch? Just what I have read, but I can tell you it is the most incredible clutching I have ever felt. It is literally like a fluid automatic transmission in a car. Way better than my Z-Force. So they did something right with the new C-Force 800.
What year is your 1000?

 

[redman135]

OP ask specifically about the universal joints. In New Zealand, on the early models they were a nortorious weak point.

 

[shooterdon]

My Z-Force has the CV Tech clutch and my new 2025 C-Force 800 Touring has supposedly an in-house CF built clutch? Just what I have read, but I can tell you it is the most incredible clutching I have ever felt. It is literally like a fluid automatic transmission in a car. Way better than my Z-Force. So they did something right with the new C-Force 800.
What year is your 1000?

My UForce 1000 is a 2025