Somewhere over the previous 17 years that Chinese-made CFMOTO bikes have been exported to Australia, they’ve morphed from low cost and cheerful transportation into good worth.
Now, with the launch of their new 800MT vary of Touring and Sport bikesbeginning at $ 12,990, they’ve made one other transformative leap – to a fascinating journey machine.
Largely because of their affiliation with Austria’s KTM, CFMOTO bikes have improved their construct high quality by piling on the know-how.
But extra importantly they now appear to have a greater understanding of discerning world markets that view bikes as greater than mere transportation.
I’ve ridden nearly every CFMOTO mannequin imported into Australia previously 17 years and have been impressed by how a lot bike you get in your buck.
In reality, possibly a bit an excessive amount of bike as they’re often chubby.
Weight remains to be a difficulty within the 800MT Touring I’ve been testing. At 231kg, it’s plump for a mid-sized bike. Most of that heft is up excessive within the 19-liter gas tank making it prime heavy which isn’t very best for a journey bike, particularly when the going is gradual and technical.
But my different points with previous CFMOTO fashions – rudimentary suspension and minor glitches resembling using modes that don’t work and nonsensical instrument data – have been worn out by the 800MT.
This bike merely entices with its high quality of end, excessive degree of creature options and competent dealing with.
Look at this spectacular array of normal options: cruise management, seat and handgrip heaters, rear wheel hugger, adjustable gear shifter, self-canceling indicators, LED lighting together with fog / auxiliary lights, conveniently positioned USB and 12-volt chargers, two using modes, slipper clutch, cornering ABS, crash bars, an enormous iPad-sized TFT display screen with complete data, hand-adjustable windscreen, absolutely adjustable suspension, and even Bluetooth connectivity that gives easy navigation instructions on the display screen.
I wouldn’t be stunned if in a few months CFMOTO Australia doesn’t do a deal the place they throw in baggage as they’ve achieved previously with different fashions.
The 800MT vary is their first non-learner mannequin.
The Touring ($ 14,490) and Sport ($ 12,990) went on sale in January 2022, initially for purchasers who joined their pre-order marketing campaign, which included $ 800 value of free equipment.
The marketing campaign nearly exhausted their preliminary cargo however they’ve since obtained extra containers to crank up the inventory ranges once more.
So far, the preferred mannequin is the Touring mannequin which provides tire stress monitoring, centrestand, up / down quickshifter, plastic handguards, baggage racks, alloy bashplate, steering damper and engaging “gold” wire-spoked wheels that accommodate tubeless tires. They even function useful right-angle valve stems.
Whew! That’s an exhaustive record of options on prime of the already spectacular array of normal tools.
But is all of it simply frosting on a stale cake?
No, it is a recent and thrilling bike with succesful efficiency, journey and dealing with for touring our extensive, brown land.
That’s not to say there aren’t some drawbacks, aside from the top-heavy weight.
That weight challenge ought to be of explicit concern to any rider shorter than me.
At 183cm (6 ‘), I’ve bothered placing my ft flat on the bottom when stopped due to the tall 825mm seat. It’s not just the peak, however the width that stops you getting your heels on the bottom.
On a few events I nearly dropped the top-heavy bike when stopped on slippery or unstable surfaces.
You may even have to watch out about the place you park the bike because the appearance stand is just too brief and it may topple over on a sloped or tough floor.
The 800MT vary is powered by KTM’s 799cc parallel-twin engine that has been one in all their finest models for the previous 5 years.
The twin is a succesful unit, though the facility band right here is pretty slim and it’s a must to judiciously use the gears for stirring motivation.
It will pull strongly from 3200 revs, however loses breath about 5000, nicely wanting the limiter at 9500rpm.
There can also be a jerkiness within the throttle and a surging at fixed throttle going about 50-60km / h. I consider there’s a software repair program coming for this.
The engine has little low-down torque for difficult off-road conditions, although the low gearing helps.
However, its general gearing is just too low with the engine spinning at 4400revs at freeway cruising pace (100km) in sixth gear.
That’s most likely why the gas economic system is a disappointing 5.6 liters per 100km.
It’s not as low geared because the 700 varies, however an elective sprocket for greater gearing can be welcome for Australian circumstances.
Otherwise, the transmission with up and down clutchless quickshifter feels fairly slick and purposeful, whereas the slipper clutch works nicely to forestall rear-wheel lockups on handfisted downshifts.
When you’re employed the gears and run the engine laborious there’s an entertaining, however not annoying, growl from the exhaust.
The engine runs fairly sizzling and there’s a blast of sizzling air blown from the radiator immediately on to your shins. While that is expectedly uncomfortable in slow-moving city visitors, it’s even noticeable out on the freeway.
You must put on lengthy boots, in any other case it may grow to be unbearable in a Queensland summer season. Of course in winter, it’s a bonus.
The 800MT comes with two using modes: Sport and Rain. The latter dampens throttle response and is useful for slippery circumstances resembling moist roads or gravel. It helps compensate for the shortage of traction management which many journey riders could miss.
CFMOTO makes use of Spanish J.Juan brakes (now owned by Brembo) on most of its bikes and they’re affordable performers.
On the 800MT they function twin discs up entrance which lack some preliminary chew, which isn’t a difficulty when using on gravel.
If you hit the laborious brakes in a panic cease, the hazard lights will routinely flash which is a good security function that ought to be normal on all bikes.
The cornering ABS can also be a worthy security system that stops the entrance tire from slipping out from beneath you on a bend.
The ABS does allow minor rear-wheel lockups which may be disconcerting for some however are useful for using on filth roads the place the tire tread must dig into the gravel.
Ride is on the plush aspect so it fits our bumpy city streets in addition to B-grade nation roads.
Since the suspension is adjustable for compression, rebound and preload, most riders ought to have the ability to discover appropriate settings for his or her weight and using model. However entry to the rear shock preload adjuster with a C spanner is troublesome as it’s hidden beneath the tank and seat.
Steering is ponderous with a 19-inch entrance wheel and extensive bars, however once more this fits journey using for which it’s meant. 
Cruise management is a welcome addition and is simple to function.
It can solely be deactivated by hitting the brakes or pulling within the clutch, not rolling again the throttle.
I discovered it did enable the bike to float over the set pace by as much as 5km / h, even on a flat floor, so regulate your speedo.
The large TFT devices have a plethora of knowledge on the house display screen which is nice. No have to scroll via a number of screens to get all the information you need.
There are additionally a number of different screens for controlling a number of different features such as the seat and hand grip heaters.
Surprisingly, you may change most of those settings on the fly which is usually a distraction.
You can even hook up the bike to the CFMOTO RIDE app, which is out there throughout iOS and Android platforms. All it’s a must to do is punch within the bike’s VIN to register on the app which additionally opens up the navigation operate.
The 800MT has one of many largest instrument screens on any bike and it’s straightforward to learn in most circumstances, count on when the solar is shining immediately on the display screen. 
Riders will discover the 800MT has an impartial using place with an opulent seat that ought to see you comfortably via its 300+ km gas vary with out a break.
Pillions may even discover their extensive and flat perch very cozy with beneficial handles to grip.
The handlebars could also be too excessive for some brief riders, however you may simply roll them again for an extra relaxed attain. You definitely received’t want bar risers to accommodate using within the standing place throughout tough surfaces.
Those bars are additionally fairly extensive at 853mm which makes authorized lane filtering difficult.
Perched atop the bars are giant truck-style mirrors which give an enormous and clear view behind however can snag on SUV wing mirrors in visitors.
The windscreen offers average safety and will be adjusted 5cm by turning two knobs on both aspect of the display screen. It would have been higher if it could be adjusted by only one knob or lever on the left so you may preserve your proper hand on the throttle grip.
Tall riders could expertise some wind buffeting even within the highest place.
At evening the LED headlight casts a really shiny and white headlight with good dispersion and eyebrow-singeing excessive beam, particularly when used with the auxiliary driving lights, though you’ll have to disable the auto mild operate.
Despite some shortcomings, that is now a fascinating bike for Aussie journey riders.
The 800MT competently fulfils its design intention to tour quite a lot of terrain. Just throw on some baggage and go chase the horizon.
CFMOTO 800MT Tech Specs
| Price | $ 12,990 rideaway (Sport), $ 14,490 (Touring) |
| Warranty | 3 years, limitless km |
| Engine | Liquid-cooled 799cc parallel twin |
| Power | 70kW @ 9000rpm |
| Torque | 77Nm @ 7500rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed, slipper clutch, chain drive |
| Suspension | 43mm KYB upside-down forks, absolutely adjustable, 160mm journey; KYB mono shock rear, absolutely adjustable, 150mm journey |
| Brakes | 320mm twin discs, J.Juan 4-piston radial callipers; 260mm rear disc, J.Juan twin-piston calliper, ABS cornering |
| Wheels | 19 × 2.5; 17 × 4.25 forged |
| Tires | Maxxis tubeless 110 / 90-19; 150/70/17 |
| Wet weight | 231kg |
| Wheelbase | 1531mm |
| Seat | 825mm |
| Clearance | 190mm |
| Length | 2234mm |
| Width | 853mm |
| Height | 1277mm |
| Fuel | 19 liters |