2022 CFMOTO CFORCE 1000 SPECS AND REVIEWS

It is apparent that CFMOTO did not simply update its flagship unit for the sake of doing so. The new generation of CFORCE machines, the CFORCE XC 800 and its bigger sibling, the CFMOTO CFORCE 1000 EPS, pleasantly pleased us. The 2020 CFMOTO CFORCE 1000 EPS, built on the same platform as the XC 800, is the ATV’s third generation in a decade, and CFMOTO isn’t messing around.

The CFMOTO CFORCE 1000 EPS was provided to us by Réal Dorval of Motomaniac in Montmagny, Quebec. We’d like to thank him for not only providing the machine, but also for outfitting it with WindZone components from the CFMOTO accessories catalog, such as a cargo box, windscreen, heated thumb throttle and grips, and fender extenders. “We need to promote the machine’s riding experience,” he stated. Excellent suggestion, Réal. We couldn’t be more in agreement.

SELECTING A MARKET POSITION
The CFMOTO CFORCE 1000 EPS is not a half-measure. Absolutely not. The CFORCE is at the absolute top of the two-seat ATV category based only on dimensions (2,395 mm long, 1,264 mm wide, and 1,420 mm high). However, it is much more than just measurements. The CFORCE now has a more modern appearance than the previous generation. The new design is eye-catching, but also retains a distinct visual identity for CFMOTO.

It is aesthetically intimidating, sitting on 14-inch aluminum rims set at the four corners. Its huge front grille is framed by projector-style headlights that are highlighted by a continuous strip of white LEDs. Under the grille is a superb tubular bumper that can withstand minor hits. The car has an elevated passenger seat. Along with Polaris, Arctic Cat, and BRP, CFMOTO is the fourth company to produce a two-seater ATV.

The LX version we examined is very well equipped, and according to the manufacturer, it adds $3000 in value. Our test vehicle came with a 3000lb. winch, adjustable gas suspension, integrated flasher indicators, a horn, a trailer hitch in the back with a wire harness to link a trailer, and 12V and USB charging outlets.

THE BODY AND THE FINISH
CFMOTO goes to great lengths to provide a car that looks as beautiful as the competitors. The plastics have a very solid gray metallic coating that has shown to be highly robust, particularly in terms of scratch resistance. CFMOTO has done an excellent job of incorporating the vehicle’s LED lights and headlights into the plastic design. CFMOTO has always equipped its vehicles with turn signals and horns since its inception in Canada. With the increased use of ATVs on public highways, I believe this device should be standard on all ATVs sold in Canada. It simply makes riding safer, which is something we can all agree on.

On the storage front, the CFORCE has a cargo rack in the front that houses the access hatch to the normal engine repair equipment (battery, radiator cap, cooling fluid tank). At the back, behind the passenger seat, there is a large cargo rack with a waterproof box accessible from the back. There’s even space for the hitch ball and wire harness needed to connect a trailer. For a two-seat ATV, that’s a lot of cargo room.

Furthermore, the engine is hidden beneath plastic panels. We didn’t notice any heat emanating from the engine. Splash protection is also provided by the big fenders and good-sized footrests. The lines are both utilitarian and visually appealing. That’s a nice touch!

LIGHTING, INSTRUMENTATION, AND ERGONOMICS
The riding position is high, and the gas tank form allows the rider to grasp with his or her knees, similar to a sport motorcycle. Unfortunately, the location of the gear selector pulls your knee out, which can irritate larger riders who can accidentally bump the shifter. It can get painful after a while. Keeping that in mind, there is enough room for the tall rider. Otherwise, the distance ratios between the seat, footrests, and handlebars are all fairly acceptable. The seat padding’s thickness gives the optimum amount of comfort for all-day riding without tiredness.

To prevent the passenger from sliding forward, the seat and backrest are constructed with side cushions and some additional cushioning between the legs. The seat fabric is particularly thick, and when paired with the presence of raised footrests and handles with a good grip, the passenger will enjoy the journey.

The monochrome liquid crystal instrumentation cluster is mounted on the front body panel, independent of the handlebars, and is illuminated. While driving, the indication is easily visible, and the information presented is copious and comprehensible.

A note about the usefulness of nighttime headlights. The beams’ power is excellent, however the horizontal position of the light beam is very well defined. That is, the high beams are brilliant and cover a long distance, but they also keep a dark area close to the car. The low beam, on the other hand, is wide and extremely close up front. We end up fiddling with the Hi/Lo switch to put the light beam where it is needed based on the bumps and slopes ahead of us, but an easier fix would be to install an extra LED bar.

MANAGEMENT AND POWER
The current version of CFORCE features two 90-degree V-twin engines, one 800cc producing 65hp and 53lb/ft of torque and another 963cc producing 74hp and 58lb/ft. Both engines have four valves per cylinder, are liquid-cooled, and are operated by an electronic fuel injection system manufactured by Delphi in the United States. Power is supplied to the wheels using an automatic CVT-type gearbox from CV-Tech IBC, a name that, in our experience, ensures quality and performance.

Because of the transmission, which works in tandem with the engine, both engines produce more than acceptable acceleration performance and completely available power throughout the range. These vehicles’ transmissions are tuned to run at a high speed. The 800 engine will blast off quickly from a standstill, but it will feel more comfortable at speeds of 50 km/h and higher. The 1000cc erupted with power from the start and will propel you to speeds of more than 100 km/h. For those who care, we achieved a top speed of 118 km/h with the 800 and 129 km/h with the 1000. In short, power is not an issue with CFMOTO V-twin engines.

The CFMOTO CFORCE 1000 has independent suspension on all four wheels thanks to double wishbones and coil-over gas shock absorbers. No pun intended, these shocks have a significant impact. When we first started hammering the trail, we discovered that the ATV skipped and hopped around, forcing us to pull over for adjustments. The vehicle’s behavior settled down and felt much better after a few turns of the shock absorber adjustment knobs. The suspension absorbed bumps and maintained the wheels solidly on the ground, demonstrating the importance of setup for every rider. Once configured, the beautifully controlled handling provided us confidence in the vehicle’s reflexes on the trail. We were shocked to ride this car so swiftly, given the superb performance of the 14-inch CST Abuzz tires that fit the vehicle and the well-calibrated power steering. In fact, the performance of this ATV places it towards the top in its class. Yes, we did say it!

Aside from that, CFMOTO has finally improved the braking performance of its older models. The CFMOTO 1000’s brakes are powerful and will efficiently stop the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle’s front end will not drop excessively during emergency braking. Unfortunately, during complex maneuvers at low speeds, the ATV always has an excessively huge turning radius, which severely limits its agility in small spaces. My teammates in the Can-AM Defender that was with me performed far better than I did. This is the vehicle’s main issue and something to keep in mind.

The ATV includes a 4×4 system that can be disengaged electrically on the fly via a switch on the handlebar. To achieve maximum traction, the same button can be used to electrically lock the front differential as well as fully lock all four wheels. When confronted with a deep mud hole, the traction system performed admirably, because even though the ATV sank in the muck, it escaped on its own. The system performs admirably on snowy and slick conditions, thanks in large part to the CST Abuzz tires, which remain flexible in the cold.

A word about the Windzone accessories that came with the ATV. To begin with, the rear trunk has a considerable capacity and fits neatly on the rack. The plastic is sturdy, and a rubber bead protects the trunk from dust and water. The windscreen is custom-made to fit the CFORCE and is available in the same color as the car. The glass is clear and robust enough to sustain the mirrors without creating unpleasant vibrations. This was a tremendous benefit when biking in the cold.

Reliability and cost-effectiveness

The true question is this: Is this a decent buy or a financial disaster? In terms of dependability, we know that CFMOTO’s CFORCE is in its third generation. The Moose 500 was the first to fail, followed by the Terralander 800, which debuted in 2012 and fared considerably better, and the CFORCE 850 XC, which debuted last year. This manufacturer is serious about developing its products, as evidenced by the vehicle’s construction. The quality of the components is there, and in some cases exceeds that of renowned manufacturers, such as the size of the battery, the Sumitomo sealed electrical connectors, and the overall quality of the cabling. Add in the suspension and effective noise and vibration control in the vehicle’s operation, and you’ve got a fantastic machine.

With the original Terralander / CFORCE 800, there were very few horror stories on the internet regarding quality and other issues in the first few kilometers. As a result, it is reasonable to expect that assembly quality control will be even stricter with the new generation, most likely at the industry average.

In terms of cost, the retail price proposed by CFMOTO is around $4,000 cheaper than a comparable car with gas suspension (apart from CFMOTO, only Can-Am offers gas suspensions on two-seat ATVs). However, the vehicle’s depreciation will be substantially higher than with a known brand in the event of an exchange or resale. What does this mean in actual terms? When we compare the MSRP of four types of two-seat ATVs available in 2014 to their current value on the web (classified advertising), we get the following: