Complete rookie ATV question about CVT (I think).

[blee03]

Maybe Kymco is a decent brand, as for the rest of the knock off atv brands, not so much.

As with everything in life, you get what you pay for

 

[dfkrug]

Not all CVT's are created equally, MOST manufacturers use the cheap "spin on the sheave" before takeoff.

I have seen that CVT implementation in small engines, but I suspect "all" modern ATVs above the kiddie-quad size use some form of centrifugally-actuated clutch, usually on the engine (driven) side.

Here is the multi-plate wet clutch on a 2001 Suzuki Quadmaster 500 CVT 4x4. This is one of several I have had or worked on that suffered from rat's nest in the belt housing.

Polaris has a long long record of hi-hp CVTs in snowmobiles, while Honda goes way back with CVTs in small scooters and even torque converter ATs in motorcycles up to 750ccs from the 70s.

Honda does hang on to some semi-auto ATVs, as in the optional Rancher 420, but most makers seem to be going entirely to CVT autos.

 

[ericm979]

Honda's Pioneer 700 has a three speed torque converter automatic, like an '70's American car with a shift kit. It has its own quirks but is much smoother starting out than the Deere UTV we test drove, or the Pioneer 500 with it's automated manual.

 

[Bearsixty7]

A revived thread from a year ago..

With owning and riding ATV's for the last 40+ years and with many friends having all the other brands over the years, Yamaha has earned the #1 spot for me based on performance, reliability, and function.

I always wanted Hondas in the 70's and 80's but Yamahas were more affordable then, a lucky thing for me. Yamaha's have severed me well. None ever had an issue and they performed as good or better than the others.

Currently I have a 2007 Yamaha Raptor, a 5 speed manual with reverse, serious SPORT machine. The wife has a 2019 Yamaha Grizzly 700 and it has almost no lag upon acceleration. It is an amazingly smooth riding machine, top speed is 60mph according to the speedometer, but most of the time it's for trail riding at about 10-20mph. I am almost too old, or my body is, for the Raptor and love how the Grizzly rides. We will probably be getting me a Grizzly (or CFMoto in the next few years)
Now I bought a barely used 2018 CFMoto 500S from my local Yamaha/Honda/CFMoto dealer for my son to ride and so far with about 400 miles put on it, it has been flawless. The Dealer said they are selling CFMoto's about 2:1 or 3:1 over the others.
It is a near clone to the Yamaha Grizzly and the controls are the same. It doesn't ride as smooth as the Grizzly but it's really close. For significantly less money, I'd recommend a serious look at CFMoto. I have read they are improved as of the 2020 model year as well in turning radius and ride comfort.

 

[ArlyA]

Most of the CVT trannys that are used in modern UTV's and ATV's today, work just fine. As others have stated, they use a separate clutch so the CV belt is tensioned at all times. Most people go years without servicing them. But I do believe in there maintenance!!!

 

[dfkrug]

CFMoto and HiSun are both mainland China brands, and buyers may find it difficult to find people to work on them. Parts availability should be verified as well. Both companies have imported some pretty big ATVs and UTVs at very attractive prices.

I have had one HiSun, a 400cc 4x4 CVT ATV that shared a lot of parts with various Yamahas. I have had 3 CFMoto dune buggies that used modified scooter engines. I could not get any info on the HiSun, but the CFMotos did have some parts available in the US.

 

[Bearsixty7]

CFMoto and HiSun are both mainland China brands, and buyers may find it difficult to find people to work on them. Parts availability should be verified as well. Both companies have imported some pretty big ATVs and UTVs at very attractive prices.

I have had one HiSun, a 400cc 4x4 CVT ATV that shared a lot of parts with various Yamahas. I have had 3 CFMoto dune buggies that used modified scooter engines. I could not get any info on the HiSun, but the CFMotos did have some parts available in the US.

The dealer I purchased from said they could get parts no problem, this was of course pre-covid. I wondered if some of the Yamaha parts would interchange as they are so similar. I am 99% sure Yamaha is who CFMoto copied.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

One thing most don't mention is that an advantage of a CVT clutch is the ability to tune the clutch to your individual needs. Things like bigger tires require setup changes....with a CVT clutch that is simple and inexpensive to do.

 

[jmc]

One thing most don't mention is that an advantage of a CVT clutch is the ability to tune the clutch to your individual needs. Things like bigger tires require setup changes....with a CVT clutch that is simple and inexpensive to do.

Can you tune them to engage more gradually, so they don't lurch from a dead stop?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Can you tune them to engage more gradually, so they don't lurch from a dead stop?

I've never had that problem with my Yamaha Grizzly, so there was no need to try to tune something like that out.

SR