CF Moto 500 is a utilitarian line of the Chinese ATV manufacturer. Vehicles of this line, immediately after their appearance on the CIS market, took leading positions in sales among two-seater four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles. Over the years, the Chinese brand has repeatedly released restyled CF 500, which are identical in technical specifications, but have improved options and design.
At the moment, riders are offered the following modifications:
- CF MOTO CF
- CF MOTO CF500 A.
- CF MOTO CF500-A Basic.
Also possible options for the model range include all modifications of the improved CF500-2 series. Their comparison with each other is more than acceptable, because both models were created on the basis of the same vehicle, although the technical parameters of each are more than individual. The updated model has acquired not only modern equipment under the body, but also a completely different appearance.
Specifications
The Chinese ATV CFmoto 500 is a utilitarian two-seater vehicle of medium power. Owners often classify it as an excellent tractor, and it is not surprising, because even at maximum load, with two passengers on board and a trailer, the vehicle behaves very confidently on the highway and in swamps.
Technical characteristics of the CF MOTO 500 ATV:
- Four-stroke engine with a volume of 493 cm3. The engine power allows you to use the ATV both in high-speed races on the highway and in off-road conditions.
- Starter with manual and electric start.
- The dimensions of the CF MOTO 500 ATV are 212x117x123 cm, which is within the standard for two-seater SUVs in the series.
- The disc braking system provides maximum control and stopping speed. The front wheels are equipped with double brake discs.
- The maximum speed that the CF Moto 500 ATV can reach is 90 km/h. Naturally, this parameter is relevant when driving on a straight and flat road.
- Transmission - CVT. For owners of CF 500 of different series, more than 5 possible types of drive are available.
- Fuel tank volume 19 l. With mixed driving at average speed, motor vehicles can easily travel more than 140 kilometers without additional refueling.
- The dry weight of the transport is slightly more than 300 km. With a full tank and battery - 331 kg. With an actual towing capacity of 350 kg, the parameter is very modest, which characterizes the CF500 ATV as an excellent vehicle for farmers, tourists, hunters and fishermen.
Considering the technical characteristics specified by the manufacturer in the passport, a significant turning radius is always striking. Almost all of the manufacturer’s two-seater ATVs have a turning radius of 4 meters, but taking into account the wheelbase of 1.3 m, this parameter is acceptable for most users. According to the owners, it’s easy to get used to such a large turning radius, but the impossibility of high-speed rides on winding roads with sharp turns is confusing.
Big CFMOTO test: CF500-A basic
The simplest, but also the most affordable CFMOTO model : “CF500-A basic” (at the start of the test, a single retail price of 190,000 rubles)* was chosen as a “test subject” for the first test of the “Big CFMOTO Test” series and to receive my feedback. *As of 2015, to my great regret, this ATV is no longer supplied to Russia; it was replaced by the CFMOTO “CF500-X5 Basic” (in my opinion, completely in vain). However, the X5 almost completely (with the exception of the plastic from the X6) copies the CF500-A, so almost all the conclusions drawn will be valid for the X5. Of course, with the exception of words about the excellent price/quality ratio.
“CF500-A basic” became a “trial balloon” on the part of the distribution company, as the most inexpensive modification (which was the least pity - that’s what they provided). The organizers of the test practically did not know me, so first they decided to check, so to speak, for adequacy: would I ruin their ATV, sell it for spare parts, etc., and in general, would I be interested in the idea of testing equipment like such.
Initially, the “CF500-A basic” test was planned for the summer of 2011, during which I expected to cover about one and a half thousand kilometers. Due to the rather hot, dusty weather, and most importantly, lack of time, we managed to drive only 881 km until September (I rode the quad only 9 times). The time had come to test another model (CF625-X6 EFI), but we didn’t want to part with the “basic” one, so we decided to buy it from the organizers.
The device performed well and did not cause any problems at all, despite the relatively harsh operation. In addition, 500 cubic meters is the optimal volume for an all-terrain vehicle and, based on the principle of reasonable sufficiency, then more is not needed. In general, as they say, the best is the enemy of the good and one does not seek good from good. If the “CF500-A basic” turned out to be another Chinese freak, I wouldn’t take it not only for nothing (I spent a lot of time in the garage with my previous “Chinese”), but even for a reward. Since I finally managed to get out of the garage into the forest with the “basic”, this quad has become a real friend and everyone’s favorite – where can we give it away!
As it turned out, the distributor’s pricing policy is quite strict and, as a rule, does not provide for any discounts (at least for those who do not write deliberately positive, sugary reviews), so the ATV was purchased at market value (of course, as a used copy, taking into account mileage and broken plastic of the running board). However, since the author helps to improve the CFMOTO equipment to the best of his ability, a full warranty (2 years without mileage limitation) was provided as a preference from the date of purchase (and not from the actual start of testing), in addition, delivery was initially made at the expense of AWM -trade. And when calculating the price, the organizers forgot that they additionally provided aluminum underbody protection. True, I myself remembered this after the ransom (but paying extra would have been, to say the least, stupid). Well, the most important thing is that this quad has been tested in practice.
Both the lack of time and the start of the third test in the series “Big CFMOTO Test” forced us to part with the “basic”. Of course, when choosing which Quad to go on a trip, the “half-liter” or the 800 cc V2, I invariably chose the latter, and the “CF500-A basic” sadly stood idle in the garage (not to mention the X6, which stuck at the dealer for maintenance for six months, collecting dust in a semi-disassembled state). Thus, the “basic” stayed with me from June 2011 to December 2012.
I would like to especially note that thanks to the new owner of the test “basic”, readers have a unique opportunity to continue to follow the fate of the ATV I tested further, and also to receive another review about the same copy of the “CF500-A basic”.
to go use the MENU “Large test CF: 500A” on the left or the link below
FURTHER
Repair and improvement of ATVs CFmoto 500
The CF MOTO 500 ATV has technical characteristics that are quite comparable to other Chinese utilitarian series vehicles. According to the owners, even some parts from Daewoo cars easily fit under the body of the ATV. A moderate amount of electronics also has a positive effect on repairability.
The CF MOTO 500 ATV can be easily repaired, even in the field. Given the availability of parts and components, the owner can perform simple repairs if necessary. But such an advantage is not available for all models, because the manufacturer made sure that the CF 500 can be upgraded and some local upgrades may make it impossible to quickly repair or use similar parts.
In general, the CF MOTO 500 case dimensions allow you to even play a little with the arrangement of components, which can have a positive effect on the quality of operation. Thematic forums are filled with advice and guides from real owners of CF 500 ATVs, so when purchasing you will not be left alone with problems. Also, the use of forums will be useful for those who want to modernize their transport. Among the most popular types of tuning recommended by owners of the CF 500 ATV:
- Lighting. The manufacturer offers a range of main and additional light lamps. You can independently choose lenses and light bulbs with different illumination ranges and different dispersion parameters.
- Additional protection. Pre-installed linings and shields can be replaced with lighter ones or, conversely, with heavier and more durable parts. The dimensions of the CF MOTO 500 ATV and excellent traction power parameters allow the installation of additional weighted shields, if necessary.
- Cart modernization. Many users recommend immediately replacing standard grilles with plastic trunks. This will make it possible to save cargo when traveling through mud and off-road.
- Replacement of body kits and anti-slip coatings. Some of the first models of the CFmoto 500A ATV became the cause of disputes between owners. The reason for the disagreement was the quality of rubber inserts and mud collectors, which, to put it mildly, do not always perform their functions well. When expanding the body and legroom, it is possible to replace the classic rubber parts with better ones.
- Reinforced cable. If you often drive into fields, forests or swampy areas, it makes sense to take care of a winch with a strong cable. In general, none of the owners have any complaints when using the cable, but the manufacturer gives the opportunity to change the component to an adaptive one from older models.
The CFmoto 500 ATV in all trim levels is loved by many users, as evidenced by numerous reviews. In fact, you get an excellent device, assembled in a professional factory, for little money. At the same time, the owners never experienced problems with repairs, availability of spare parts or tuning elements. An additional advantage is the availability of exhibition models at dealers and the opportunity to conduct a test drive, which greatly simplifies the task of choosing a motor vehicle for various purposes.
My impressions of using the CF500-A for 1.5 years
So, I rode the CFMOTO CF500-A ATV more than 3000 km in a year and a half. This, of course, is quite a bit, but I only ride on weekends, and even then, all my routes are short. What can I say about the operation of the technology?
I can only praise the CFMOTO brand; the all-terrain vehicle is actually very reliable! I didn’t have a single more or less significant breakdown. The most, so to speak, serious incident was the replacement of the CV joint, which occurred through my fault. As for the usual course of operation, 3 CV joint boots were replaced (I tore two, one was somehow strangely deformed, and I decided to change it in advance), rear knuckle bushings (replaced with caprolon ones - and now I’ve already skated about 2 on them) thousand km without the slightest sign of wear), and, of course, the crosspieces of the front and rear universal joints. Brake pads are, of course, consumables; I changed 3 sets of front pads and one set of rear ones.
As for the operation of the engine, electrics and transmission, everything is in perfect order. Even the notorious speed sensor is alive :). I always carry out maintenance myself, so I save a lot of money and am confident in the quality of the work. My antifreeze is leaking a little in the area of the pipe leading to the cylinder, but it is not leaking, and the level in the tank is normal (not decreasing). So I'm not going to get into the engine yet. Well, regular oil and filter changes – that’s all the maintenance is. The engine runs smoothly and always starts without problems.
Even though I have 26-inch wheels, I can't say that this makes a significant difference to the performance of the transmission. Before installing these wheels, I reached a maximum of 95 km/h on the highway (according to the speedometer), and on 26 rollers, if the speed dropped, it was by some unnoticeable amount - maybe by 2-3 km/h. Moreover, it is obvious that due to a significant increase in the radius, the actual speed has increased. With a passenger, the ATV travels approximately 80 km/h. The other day I checked the wear of the variator belt - the width is 34.7 mm (the new one is 36.5 mm, and the wear limit is 33.5 mm). That is, you can still drive, but you should already think about buying a new belt.
In difficult conditions (swamp, snow), the wheels always spin (however, I used to mistake the slipping of the variator belt for a lack of engine power). It seems to me that it’s even better to ride in the snow on wider wheels, because the ATV fails less.
In general, maintenance and light repairs of the CFMOTO ATV do not damage the budget. But unfortunately, due to the fall in the ruble exchange rate, by 2015 the AWM Trade company sharply increased prices for spare parts (and for the all-terrain vehicles themselves too). Some things have risen in price by 2.5 times. Instead of slightly reducing its margins (as all car suppliers did), the company decided to pass all the problems onto customers (and even with a large margin). Okay, thanks, at least buying the spare parts yourself is not a problem...
After riding the CF500-A for a year and a half, I kept asking myself the question: do I want to change the five hundred for a more powerful ATV - for example, a CF X8 or even some Japanese one? After all, the X8 once cost around 350 thousand, which by today’s standards is just a penny. And he always answered - no, I don’t want to. I don’t see the point in additional power for myself; I prefer easy trips, because I mostly ride alone, and I don’t have to count on help in an extreme situation. Nevertheless, I, of course, swanned many times, and dug everything - from snow to clay, and sawed logs, so I tasted all the delights of a quad bike. Also, I absolutely love the design of the racks on the CF500-A! They are large and have many jumpers, which is incredibly convenient for transporting any cargo. No one else has these :).
Of course, I understand that the 500 doesn’t look prestigious, but I’m not worried about it. During the existence of my section about ATVs, only one cretin said that I bought Chinese shit and consider myself cool. Well, I don’t know, I never seem to attack horseless people, so I laughed at the comment and deleted it.
All major modifications to the ATV were carried out in the first months of operation. At the moment, a radio control for a winch is collecting dust in a box of goodies, which should be installed, but I still can’t get around to organizing the engine compartment. In addition, there are several spare parts that would be nice to replace, but these also do not work. Therefore, in the near future I am unlikely to please my readers with new materials on repairs or modifications. But as soon as there is something to write about, articles will continue to be published. Nevertheless, I will be glad if someone gives me ideas for articles not related to repairs. Maybe someone is interested in operating an all-terrain vehicle or something else from my experience. Write in the comments!
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Main competitors
The CFmoto 500 doesn’t have many competitors. The main competitors of the model were:
- American Polaris Athlete 500.
- Russian Stealth Leopard 600.
- Domestic device Russian Mechanics RM 500.
Within the CF Moto line, some buyers pay attention to the more powerful model SF moto x8 or cfmoto x6, cf moto x5.
Review of the Cfmoto CFORCE 500 HO 2020 ATV
