CFMOTO CFORCE 400/520 2023 Review

Before diving into the 2023 CFMOTO CFORCE 400 and 520, it would be remiss of me to not to highlight the drastic change recently wrought on Australia's ATV industry...

It was like having a full head of hair one day and then waking up the next with a few wispy Homer Simpson-like strands.

A dramatic landscape change, and a solid analogy to what’s happened in the local ATV market since the introduction of mandatory operator protector device (OPD) legislation by the federal government.

Introduced over two stages, the legislation came into full force in October 2021, which meant that all adult-sized ATVs had to be sold with an OPD device. No exceptions, no ‘take your time’.

After years of intense opposition, particularly from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (which pushed for a more holistic training and safety-first approach to address concerns about high ATV fatality rates), the introduction of the OPD legislation was a hammer blow to the likes of Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Polaris and Can-Am. We’re not exactly talking about minnows there…

Acting on oft-mentioned pledges, the Japanese and northern Americans swiftly pulled up stumps in Australia, to the extent that only a few companies remain. One of those is ATV powerhouse CFMOTO.

The Chinese firm, which is closing in on three decades as an ATV manufacturer, is distributed in Australia by the Melbourne-based Mojo Motorcycles, which also has a number of other ATV, UTV, scooter and motorcycle brands under its umbrella.

Mojo Motorcycles chose to meet the OPD requirements for CFMOTO to maintain a local presence – but a ‘take it easy’ mindset certainly hasn’t pervaded CFMOTO’s thinking despite the massive upheaval.

Continuing a new-model blitz which has been relentless over the last couple of years, CFMOTO has launched an all-new middleweight ATV range, which was recently introduced to Australian and New Zealand media.

The three models – CFORCE 400 ($8490) ride away, CFORCE 400 EPS ($9290 ride away) and CFORCE 520 EPS ($9990 ride away) – are what Mojo Motorcycles boss Michael Poynton calls CFMOTO’s “bread and butter” in terms of their strong appeal to primary producers.

In particular, the 520 EPS (as in electronic power steering) is the company’s biggest-selling ATV, and it also has some extra goodies in terms of handguards, LED lights, a bigger 5.0-inch LCD dash with Bluetooth connectivity, plastic racks (instead of steel) and a 2500lb winch compared to its lower-capacity siblings.

By the way, CFORCE refers to CFMOTO’s ATV range, the UFORCE moniker covers the company’s UTVs and the ZFORCE name is for its corner-carving sports side-by-side vehicles.

Outside of the extra assets for the 520, wholesale improvements and refinements have been introduced across all three ATVs focusing on comfort, performance, convenience and technology.

As we learnt at the launch, Aussie and New Zealand farmers ask a lot more out of their ATVs – in terms of yearly hours and extreme usage patterns – than their American and European counterparts.

That obviously places a premium on not only adhering to manufacturer servicing schedules, but also keeping on top of the basics: fluid checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid) as well as making sure the air filter and fuse box are in working order.

CFMOTO has made those tasks as simple as possible in terms of mostly tool-less access – for example, the cover to find the dipstick is removed in seconds – so now there are no excuses!

There’s also a small tool kit under the seat, and it’s housed in its own snug vertical portal with a drain hole in the bottom to keep the moisture at bay. The diligence and R&D smarts developed are obvious in other areas such as the brake shields (to minimise grit build-up to enhance pad life), a drain hole for the CVT transmission and raising the air intake by 120mm to take on water crossings with more confidence.

CFMOTO UFORCE 600 EPS UTV review

Updated CFMOTO ATVs available now

CFMoto launches new ATVs

The numbers behind the updated CFMOTO range are impressive:

The media launch was held on a small track at a winery north of Melbourne, so the shackles were applied as far as stretching the legs too much. However, that didn’t nobble the enjoyment factor, including a nice sweeper on which we could dish out some real attitude…

I started on the base CFMOTO CFORCE 400 to get a feel for the non-power steering mode, and I was expecting a tougher side-to-side action considering the slow-speed layout and the 332kg (dry) machine.

No such problems, although you’d never shy away from EPS when it’s available – so that’s the one I used to assess the new tighter turning radius claims. CFMOTO says it’s been reduced to a class-leading 5.6 metres one up and, although I didn’t forensically examine my grass marks, I’m guessing far fewer farmers will now be doing multi-point turns…

The power- and torque-to-weight differences between the 400s and 520 EPS are minimal, so in terms of seat-of-the-pants impressions they all felt, well, the same. Only in more open terrain would the extra oomph in the 520 really become apparent, but they are all comfortable, compact and supremely easy to ride with a higher handlebar and stance than ever before.

The lower footbrake is also a great touch, but the handbrake on the left-hand side (which activates the front and rear calipers) isn’t a natural fit after being moved from the right.

The enhanced towing capacity – nearly doubled to 650kg – is another boon for farmers, although we’re not sure if the rise is based on conservative towing markers in the past being jettisoned in favour of a more adventurous methodology. In any case, some strong numbers there.

And the arched A-arms: a simple engineering exercise, but one that could save a lot of money and downtime to fix damage. On top of the increased ground clearance and more suspension travel, the new middleweights should be in a position to stay away from potential trouble.

Of course, OPDs were fitted to all the ATVs on location, even the booming CFORCE 1000 Overland which was also available for a few fun laps – but we hardly scratched the surface of all that 79hp on tap.

There’s also a large catalogue of accessories for the new ATVs, including fender flares, bumpers, rack extensions, cargo boxes, windshields, heated grips, a traditional throttle to replace the thumb assembly – even plough assemblies!

It’s easy to see how CFMOTO has cuts its teeth in ATV manufacturing, and the new models bear the hallmarks of all that experience.

Developing new models takes time, patience and lots of money, but CFMOTO hasn’t been swayed from its path and has delivered a timely update to its biggest cash cows. With new models, a strong dealer network and an already strong market position, CFMOTO is on a roll.

In 2021, global sales for CFMOTO reached $1.2 billion, and its total market capitalisation is only a poofteenth behind Harley-Davidson. They are some serious numbers, and the 400s and 520 will certainly be doing their bit to maintain the inexorable rise.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Engine type: Fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder
Displacement: 495cc (400 and 400 EPS: 400cc)
Fuel system: Bosch electronic fuel injection
Transmission: Canadian CVTech
Drive: H-L-N-R-P
Modes: 2WD/4WD with locking front differential
Steering: Electronic power steering (400: no EPS)

PERFORMANCE
Maximum power: 34hp (400 and 400 EPS: 31hp)
Maximum torque: 40Nm (400 and 400 EPS: 33Nm)

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES
Suspension: Double A-Arm, independent
Brakes: Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes
Wheels: 12-inch alloy (400: 12-inch steel)
Tyres: CST 25-inch six-ply

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
L x W x H: 2046mm x 1125mm x 1162mm (400 and 400 EPS: 2046mm x 1125mm x 1150mm)
Wheelbase: 1260mm
Ground clearance: 262mm (400 and 400 EPS: 252mm)
Dry weight: 332kg
Towing Capacity: 612kg
Carrying capacity: 30kg front/60kg rear
Persons: One
Fuel capacity: 17 litres

OTHER STUFF
Tow pack, horn, lights and mirrors: Yes
Handguards: Yes (400 and 400 EPS: no)
Winch: Yes (400 and 400 EPS: no)
Colour: Force Red (400: Sky Blue, 400 EPS: Lava Orange)
Warranty: Two years
Test ATVs supplied by: CFMOTO Australia
Price: $9990 ride away (400: $8490 ride away, 400 EPS: $9290 ride away)