Polaris or CF Moto?

[mikester]

I'm waiting to see if they come out with these for $20K or is it just marketing bs...

 

[plowhog]

I recently shopped CF Moto, Polaris, and CanAm. I agree the price for CF Moto was much less.

I pretty quickly ruled out CF Moto because I wanted a model with an integrated cab and HVAC. CF Moto didn't have one as of a few months ago-- yet it was "coming soon" while I was shopping and I believe it is available now.

One thing I was a little spooked by was the speed at which CF Moto ATV models become obsolete. I visited the dealer a few times over maybe 2-3 months, and there were several "newer models" arriving within this 2-3 month period while the "older models" went on clearance. I don't know what the parts availability would be if I bought one-- and then it was obsoleted and replaced by a different model. The dealer said "oh yes this new model has a much better engine and trans" so they were changing out some pretty major components.

I still have my Polaris RZR 800 which I bought in 2008. After 15 years of hard service it is now stuck in high gear only. This is the only problem I have had with it so I'd rate that as "not perfect" but a pretty good level of service. It's been very hard miles and it held up. I just have to remember not to get in a situation where I need reverse.

I'm extremely pleased with the Polaris XP1000 Northstar, and I should be for the price paid. It was neck-and-neck with the CanAm Defender Max but the Polaris seemed just a little more nimble off road which was a deciding factor. Some people on forums wrote about loud engine noise but mine isn't loud at all-- at least not beyond what I would expect having already owned one. My older RZR 800 is much louder, but of course with no cab.

I just completed the break-in period and so far, so good. I just discovered the radio can bluetooth to a remote speaker so when I am managing burn piles I can keep up with the craziness in the world. Or maybe I should keep it off.

 

[Snobdds]

I have a ranger and a Rzr at the ranch and they get beat on.

I've never had a problem with either of them.

I also like the parts availability with Polaris. I just want to go in and get parts. I am not a parts guy and don't want to source all my own stuff.

 

[Doorman63]

We had a CF Moto 400 Atv for a couple years. We all took turns beating on it and it was ok. Teenage son crashed a couple times. Nothing major damaged. We sold it and bought a CF Moto Uforce 600 utv. Just changed the oil at 600 miles. Wife loves it…..happy wife happy life!!

I’ve moved our boat and 20’ utility trailer with it. No regrets so far

 

[gsganzer]

One thing I was a little spooked by was the speed at which CF Moto ATV models become obsolete. I visited the dealer a few times over maybe 2-3 months, and there were several "newer models" arriving within this 2-3 month period while the "older models" went on clearance. I don't know what the parts availability would be if I bought one-- and then it was obsoleted and replaced by a different model. The dealer said "oh yes this new model has a much better engine and trans" so they were changing out some pretty major components.

I tend to agree. They wouldn't change it if it worked well. They changed it because it either didn't work well or they wanted to make it cheaper.

That's one of the things that sold me on the Yamaha Viking. The main components are unchanged for years and have an established track record.

Toyota is also like that. You'll see the same part used across multiple modelss for years and years, like the windshield wiper stalk or some other switch.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I was buying, CF Moto didn't exist. Since I'm not in the market, I never even heard of CF Moto until this year.

When I was buying, there were a lot of Chinese models out there that were less money that were very tempting. I couldn't find anything wrong with them, but my gut told me they were cheaper for a reason. Since then, they have all disappeared and it seems to me that every five years or so, new companies show up with something cheaper than the main brands.

Will CF Moto still exist in ten years? Nobody knows the answer to that, but history has proven that it's very likely to disappear like all the other Chinese brands that flood the market with lower prices, than fades away when they start breaking down without parts being available to fix them.

If I don't believe a brand will be here for the next couple decades, I'm not interested in it.

 

[DK35vince]

I noticed one thing about my Polaris RZR 900s.
The aftermarket parts supply is so strong for this model I could damn near build one from the ground up using nothing but aftermarket parts

 

[Jimmy Joe]

I have to agree with a lot of the opinions on here, how long they will be around, they have been around a while now. Why they keep updating or changing models, last time I talked to a salesman he was claiming CF studied how we used them in the states and found they were building things too light for the way we use them here so were building heavier duty components and machines. May all be just smoke, not sure but I did like the features that came standard on them with the lower pricing.

The warranty sounds a lot better than a lot of them out there, don't know how difficult it is to get warranty honored when needed though. One thing I learned was they build some of the engines for KTM so there is a history there. I have a 2022 Polaris 1000 Northstar, 6000 miles with heat and ac which has been pretty good so far other than I hate the clunky shifting and like most the cost is up there. If Honda would put a decent cab on theirs it would probably have been my choice they seem to be dragging their feet for some reason.

 

[deserteagle71]

When I was buying, there were a lot of Chinese models out there that were less money that were very tempting. I couldn't find anything wrong with them, but my gut told me they were cheaper for a reason. Since then, they have all disappeared and it seems to me that every five years or so, new companies show up with something cheaper than the main brands.

Will CF Moto still exist in ten years? Nobody knows the answer to that, but history has proven that it's very likely to disappear like all the other Chinese brands that flood the market with lower prices, than fades away when they start breaking down without parts being available to fix them.

If I don't believe a brand will be here for the next couple decades, I'm not interested in it.

^This!
I have some good friends who bought a couple Chinese-made quads (his and hers!) a few years ago. Both are now sitting unused because the company that made them has disappeared and no parts are available.

 

[deserteagle71]

The Yamaha utility model, Viking (which I bought) is starting to slip in features compared to its peers, but it's track record for reliability is excellent. The Yamaha recreational models (Wolverine) are feature and performance packed. I expect Yamaha either drops the utility model, or does a complete revamp.

Where I live and ride is very remote, plus many times I go out alone, so dependability is paramount for me. It is not unusual to spend a few days in the outback and not see another vehicle or another person. Yamaha has been my go-to for the past 30+ years because of their record of dependability. I still have my Yamaha dirt bike, and a Yamaha Kodiak ATV that I've been riding for almost 20 years. Both trouble free. Yamaha is the ONLY manufacturer who warranties their belt drive for 10 years. I really like my Can-am Defender with the full cab - but I would have bought a Yamaha if they made a similar model. I have a buddy who has a Yamaha Wolverine he loves - but he and his wife have waited out storms in my Can-am's cab when we were out on a ride. I will not buy a side by side that doesn't come with a full, weather-proof cab. Yamaha, are you listening???

My Yamaha XT225 at Snap Point, overlooking the Grand Canyon:

The Yamaha Kodiak in the Stillwater Mountains: