Facts, figures, specifications about the CFMOTO 800MT-X … all of these are standard and fixed. It’ s essentially a remanufactured KTM 799cc LC8c engine, in damn near the same frame as that of the KTM 790. CFMOTO has even used the same down low fuel placement and they’ ve done it for an NZ retail of just $ 15,990. Hell, that’ s an unbeatable adv / tourer deal, by any stretch. We can forgive you for thinking that this is all a bit“ kick him while he’ s down”, with regard to KTM’ s recent massive fiscal problems. But there’ s no doubt that CFMOTO has finally thrown off the long held Kiwi prejudice against Chinese made vehicles, and then some. And it’ s true that much of that excellence comes from the work and high component quality they were forced to deliver when manufacturing for the KTM brand. However, times change and the colossal local success of CFMOTO is now delivering some very fine bikes into our hands at fair prices, and that’ s great news for us consumers. And yes, the 800MT-X is a very good bike. Great? We’ ll see. This review isn’ t the place for me to go into the whole CFMOTO story, or it’ s rapidly increasing range of bikes,( 18 at current count) but if
they’ ve learnt the lesson of high-quality delivery as a baseline, then I can’ t see them disappearing anytime soon.
ERGO’ S AND STYLING Style-wise, the 800 is a handsome bike, and has real stance and presence. I was very fond of the seating position and the seat itself which allowed for much movement back and forth – a great boon for those of us who have tweaks and issues. Mirrors are also excellent with great vis and little of the arm and shoulder in view- no small matter. The ratchetting adjustable windscreen is serviceable although in side-view the very steep rake gives it a blunt fence-like look, and there is some development work that could ease the buffeting occurring above 100km / h. In front of the rider is the almost A4 sized TFT display, and although the info is good, I did find my own reflection and helmet bobbing around to be quite distracting, and the display completely blacks out when wearing polarised glasses. Not a biggie, but odd. That said, the display works brilliantly; controls are to the left hand, and brightness, traction control, and quick-shifter off and on, are controlled from the Fn button. Simple and
32 KIWI RIDER