VOLCOM E-UTV LINEUP

Building on that electric vehicle technology, there have been several companies who’ve chosen to throw their hat into the ring with an electric off-road vehicle of their own. The most recent is Volcon, who’ve announced two new UTV models that will hit the market soon. The Volcon Stag will be available in the Summer of 2021, with the Volcon Beast arriving in the Spring of 2022.

The Volcon Stag will be the more conservative of the two models, geared more towards the sport-utility side of the market. With Fox suspension and both two and four wheel drive models, this could be a great machine for hunting, or working around the farm.

The Volcon Beast looks to be a bit more of...well...a beast! Clearly aimed at the sport market, available in configurations with up to 450hp and a range of up to 150 miles, the Fox suspension on the Beast will also be available with Fox Live Valve suspension.

Although we don’t have many details on the Volcon machines at this point, the one that makes us most excited is the fact that these machines will be made in the USA! We are following Volcon’s progress very closely and will follow up with more detailed information as it is made available!

www.volcon.com

THE STAG HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 225 HP 300 ft/lbs torque 0-60 in 5 seconds 70mph top speed Range up to 150 miles 400 Volts Fox Suspension

THE BEAST HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 450 HP 600 ft/lbs torque 0-60 in 4.5 seconds 80mph top speed Range up to 150 miles 400 Volts Fox Suspension

I’m an old-school motorhead. I’ll be honest. When I first started reading about Elon Musk and his desire to start an electric car company, I thought it was a joke. I had driven plenty of electric golf carts in the past, so I knew everything I thought I needed to know about electric transportation. Fast forward a number of years later when a friend of mine offered to have me take his brand-new Tesla Model S for a test drive. When he followed up asking if I wanted to try out “LudicrousMode”, I was sure I was being punked. Nope…..wrong again. When I stood on the throttle on that Tesla Model S, I was absolutely blown away. To this day, I’ve never driven anything that accelerated as violently or grabbed as much traction as the Tesla Model S!

CFMOTO ZFORCE ZFORCE 950 SPORT

Sub heading

STORY: CODY HOOPER PHOTOS:

Way back in 1989, a company based in Hangzhou, China started developing small-displacement 4 stroke engines in-house. That company believed in creating its own path, relying on careful engineering and R&D. Over the years, that company would go on to develop close to 100 vehicles for street and off road use, design & produce over 50 different engines, and partner with thousands of companies globally to produce powersports equipment. That company would even strike a deal with KTM to co-produce engines and motorcycle chassis using shared facilities. That company is CFMoto. CFMoto USA is headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota and relies on a small dealer network to distribute their products. For 2021, CFMoto is offering 7 different UTV models, including the new ZForce 950 Sport. At $12,199, it represents an entry-level UTV in the trail segment. Does CFMoto’s new ZForce 950 have what it takes to compete in a world populated by the top global UTV manufacturers?

Highlights:

• Strong V-twin engine • High quality for the price • Lots of standard features • Sleek digital dash

ENGINE

CFMoto is no stranger to developing their own engines. Powering the Zforce 950 sport is a V-twin engine with single overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. It features a Bosch EFI system and drive by wire technology, allowing CFMoto to fit the ZForce 950 with a dual-mode throttle switch. “ECO” mode is a smoother, more dampened power curve great for chores, beginner pilots, or very tight trails. “Sport” mode heightens the throttle response and delivers power more aggressively.

While the ZForce 950 is only rated at 79 horsepower from the factory, it makes good use of what it has. Low-end grunt is plentiful, with a strong midrange that is sure to excite those in the market for this level of vehicle. The ZForce sounds great as well, utilizing a dual-outlet exhaust that has a good tone to it.

TRANSMISSION/ DRIVETRAIN

The transmission is a two-speed CVT transmission with reverse and a park gear. The shifter feels very high-quality and engages well. Low gear is recommended for trails where your constant speed is less than 15 mph according to CFMoto. We left it in high for most situations, but did try low gear on a few steeper hills. The ZForce had more than enough grunt and traction to pull it up all of the trails in our testing with ease. CVT engagement is smooth and tightly controlled, although it feels like it could use a small amount of fine-tuning in order to extract more performance up top.

The ZForce 950 features push-button selectable 2WD and 4WD modes, as well as a locking front differential. It climbs well, but suspension travel holds it back in some very rocky situations. Fuel economy is great, with most fills of the 9-gallon fuel cell averaging between 110140 miles in our testing.

SUSPENSION

CFMoto employs dual A-arm suspension up front and a “Quadlink” trailing-arm design in the rear. Even for a narrower 60-inch model, the suspension travel numbers are fairly quaint at 11” up front and just under 12” in the rear. Both ends are controlled by CFMoto-branded piggyback shocks, which are compression and rebound adjustable.

Unfortunately, the shock tuning is the least impressive part of the ZForce 950 Sport. While the shocks themselves feature preload, compression, and rebound adjustability, we were never able to find a setting that kept the car glued to the trail when it got rough. A shock swap or rebuild would make a sizeable difference here, and would likely make the ZForce 950 a contender against the other trail-width machines that currently dominate the market.

Ride compliance is decent, and for slow trail speeds, the ZForce works well. At speed, however, it becomes nervous and bouncy, leading to an uneasy feeling in corners and over rough terrain that could likely be eliminated with more time spent tuning.

TIRES/WHEELS/BRAKES

The ZForce 950 Sport comes packaged with 27” CST Stag tires on 14” aluminum wheels. Reminiscent of a Bighorn, the Stag tire grips well and is plenty durable for this application. This is one of the best features of the ZForce 950 Sport, as owners will not have to upgrade to a more durable/grippy tire upon taking the unit home. The Stag is a great all-terrain tire, and it really excels in loamy, chunky dirt. Steering feel is good, although a little vague at speed. A 27 inch tire is a

great size for this vehicle, and it allows the ZForce to deliver over a foot of ground clearance without having to sacrifice power to a larger, heavier tire.

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

While slightly polarizing, the ZForce 950 Sport does have an incredibly unique look. The vehicle’s fit and finish is great, with nicely-fitted panels and body colors wrapping into the cab. The front plastics and tube frame portions create a very distinct, racy look, and it wraps into the cab nicely where the doors continue the flowing design language. While technically a door, they don’t offer a ton of protection, which is one of our chief complaints with the ZForce. For a vehicle developed to tackle tight, nasty trails, we wish there was a little more protection on the sides from branches, rocks, etc.

Out back, the ZForce 950 Sport takes some design cues from racing 4x4 ATVs, offering a framed rack rather than a bed. The rack has multiple tie down points and a decent footprint, and can hold 220 lbs. It’s more than enough space for a cooler, spare tire, etc.

The ZForce 950’s interior is one of its strongest points. Non-US Models come equipped with turn signals and other street-legal goodies. A dedicated engine killswitch on the dash is a nice touch, and it is surrounded by quality-feeling switches that are easy to locate and use. The ZForce digital TFT display is quite possibly best in class, and was a welcomed surprise when we hopped in the unit. Featuring a full-color display that changes designs based on what throttle mode you’re in, the dash is one of the coolest features of the ZForce 950.

The ZForce’s cabin has good ergonomics, and the seats are comfortable to boot. It’s a nice place

to be, further solidifying the idea that CFMoto is serious about building competitive machines rather than market filler.

IMPRESSIONS

While the ZForce 950 Sport didn’t come completely out of left field, it did surprise a few of our testers with its fit and finish, grunty engine and comfortable cabin. The only thing holding it back was suspension performance, which is a hallmark of a good UTV. With more time testing and tuning this chassis, we think CFMoto will have a great machine on its hands. CFMoto has been steadily growing their market share, dealer network, and product quality over the past decade. Don’t be surprised to see more and more of these on the trail every year, as the ZForce 950 offers some thrills at a very low point of entry.

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

ENGINE TYPE COOLING

FUEL SYSTEM

DRIVE SYSTEM

DRIVETRAIN 963cc: 79 hp, 4-Stroke, SOHC, 4 valve per cylinder V-twin Liquid Electronic Fuel Injection with Electronic Throttle Control CVTech Automatic Belt-drive, P/R/N/H/L 2WD/4WD

POWER STEERING Electronic Power Steering

STEERING & SUSPENSION

FRONT SUSPENSION Independent Double A Arm, 11” travel

FRONT SHOCKS CFMoto Adjustable

FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL ---

REAR SUSPENSION Quadlink trailing arm, 11.5” travel

REAR SHOCKS CFMoto Adjustable

REAR WHEEL TRAVEL ---

TRACK FRONT/REAR ---

FRONT BRAKES Dual Hydraulic Disc

REAR BRAKES Dual Hydraulic Disc

FRONT TIRES / REAR TIRES 27x9-14 CST Stag 8 PR / 27x11-14 CST Stag 8 PR

WHEELS Cast Aluminum

DIMENSIONS

OVERALL L x W x H

WHEELBASE

GROUND CLEARANCE

DRY WEIGHT

CARGO BOX CAPACITY

TOWING CAPACITY

FUEL CAPACITY

FEATURES

INSTRUMENTATION

LIGHTING

WINCH

STEERING WHEEL

OTHER STANDARD FEATURES

WARRANTY 118” x 61” x 71” 90” 12.2” 1,400 lb 220 lb rear rack 550 lb 9 gallons

Full digital TFT display behind steering wheel “Ridevision” LED array lighting --Adjustable tilt steering Eco/Sport modes, factory winch, half doors, roof, 2” receiver See dealer

MSRP: $12,199 www.cfmotousa.com

HMF Racing YXZ1000R PERFORMANCE BLACKOUT FULL EXHAUST This is how a YXZ is meant to sound!

Yamaha’s YXZ1000R gets a lot of seat time in our fleet. The naturally-aspirated YXZ may not get all of the headlines, but it sure delivers the punchlines – quick, agile, and incredibly rewarding to drive. In our efforts to turn the YXZ into the best version of itself, we called upon the exhaust extraordinaires at HMF (Hans Motorrad Factory) Racing. HMF’s founder, Hans Luenger, began building racing exhausts for streetbikes back in the 1990s, evolving into one of the key players in the offroad ATV/UTV performance segment 30 years later. They have many options for every popular UTV on the market, so check them out at www.HMFRacing.com.

STORY & PHOTOS: CODY HOOPER

INSTALLATION

The toughest part about installing an aftermarket exhaust on a YXZ1000R/SS is getting the factory muffler out of its nest. Unbolt the header pipe and the midpipe connection flange, then unbolt the muffler. Lift the muffler off of its mounting brackets from behind the UTV, and rotate (roll) the exhaust as you slide it out of the rear frame section to allow the mounting tabs to clear the frame. You will need to rotate it multiple times to get it out, but take your time to avoid pinching fingers!

Once the stock exhaust is out of the car, bolting the new one up is incredibly easy. Make sure to leave all mounting hardware finger-tight until you have the exhaust aligned, then re-check all of the hardware after the first ride and a few heat cycles. HMF’s performance exhaust requires a tune to run properly, and they have multiple options on their site. We chose to go with a DynoJet Powervision 3, which we will focus on in a separate article. Plugand-play tuners are available on HMF’s website that come pre-programmed for your ride.

OPINIONS

Our testing consisted of driving 300+ miles in the YXZ with the HMF Performance Series Blackout full exhaust installed. The performance and sound difference versus the stock pipe are immediately noticeable, with the YXZ’s triple-cylinder engine producing more horsepower and torque absolutely everywhere in the rev range. Up top, the YXZ now pulls hard all the way to redline, begging you to let that shift light go off all the time.

We chose to option our exhaust with the Blackout ceramic coating, which adds $250 to the cost of the system. HMF coats the exposed portions of the exhaust with a black cerakote high-temperature finish, enhancing hardness, impact strength abrasion and corrosion resistance, and keeping the heat in check. We have found that in repeated hard off-road use, the ceramic coated exhaust systems stay looking fresh much longer than uncoated stainless steel. It’s a worthwhile option for keeping temperatures in check in tighter spaces, as well. The YXZ has plenty of open air space around its exhaust system, so the Blackout coating is mostly for corrosion resistance and appearance here. Well worth the $250 option in our opinion.

HMF has two different exhaust system options; Titan and Performance. The Titan series provides quieter sound levels and a more robust

HMF’s Blackout Cerakote option keeps the whole system looking fresh, even through mud and dust. The massive header primaries join into an automotive-style collector with a slip joint, allowing this exhaust to rotate and move while expanding and contracting with heat. This ensures a long-life and resists cracking or breaking the head pipes. The stepped head pipes help speed up exhaust evacuation from the cylinder, creating faster throttle response and higher horsepower.

design, while the Performance series is about light weight and power. Our YXZ spends most of its time wide open, which made the Performance series a great fit. Peak power gains of 15+ wheel horsepower can be expected over the stock exhaust, but the area under the dyno curve is where the HMF pipe really feels good. As we stated before, it makes more power everywhere, meaning every time you go to the throttle, you’re reminded that you made a stellar purchase!

FINAL THOUGHTS

HMF’s Performance Series full exhaust for the YXZ1000R/SS provides a nicer look, a weight savings of nearly 15 lbs, and a performance benefit that is much more tangible from the driver’s seat than it is on a dyno graph. If you’re looking for increased throttle response, stronger power, better sound, and a killer look, HMF Racing has a system for you. Don’t forget to figure a tuner/programmer into your upgrade budget however, because without it, you won’t be able to harness any power gains from your YXZ. It’s amazing how much more lively the car feels with an exhaust and a tune.

High-quality hardware and tight-fitting slip joints mean no exhaust leaks and a long, trouble-free life. Check out the size of the midpipe!

(Below) HMF’s Performance series exhaust comes with a removable spark arrestor in case you’re racing on closed courses. The muffler packing is replaceable, allowing you to service the muffler once it’s time for new packing. Many color options are available to match OE finishes on your UTV or provide a splash of color. HMF’s Yamaha metallic blue fits our YXZ1000R SS perfectly.

• www.HMFRacing.com.

• COST: $1,159.95 (full system with ceramic Blackout option)

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE FOR YOUR TO UTV OFF-ROAD MAGAZINE WWW.UTVOFFROADMAG.COM FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION!

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT UTVOFFROADMAG.COM AND HAVE THE LATEST ISSUE SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE, TABLET OR COMPUTER.