The great value alternative
CFMoto wants to make adventure riding accessible with the launch of its new 800MT adventure bike. Powered by a KTM-sourced LC-8 engine, the 800MT hopes to deliver comparable performance at a much more agreeable price.
Power delivery
At the heart of the bike is a DOHC liquid-cooled 799cc twin-cylinder engine. It produces 95-Hp at 9,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 77-N.m at 7,500 rpm. The ignition gap has been set to a 435° and a 75° offset crankshaft, to give it high torque at low-rpm like a V-Twin engine. However, it’s parallel configuration allows for a more compact engine size, bringing the center of gravity close to the road surface, which improves the handling.
It comes with selectable riding modes to truly tailor the power delivery with the current conditions. There’s “Rain” and “Sport” as standard and are for riding on wet and dry road conditions. “Rain” mode guarantees a gentle throttle response to improve safety by minimizing tire spin in wet conditions. In “Sport” mode, throttle response is quick, engine power output is unrestricted, giving a more thrilling riding experience. Best of all, the 800MT is designed for long rides with a 19-liter large-capacity fuel tank.
There’s also the Bosch electronic throttle system, which accurately controls the opening and closing of the throttle body. It intelligently controls the fueling with the help of high-precision sensors to make combustion more complete and effectively reduce fuel consumption. In addition, the electronic throttle combined with the Cornering ABS system also reduces the likelihood of accidents. Other intelligent electronic systems include cruise control and ride-by-wire electronic throttle.
Making acceleration and deceleration smoother is the CF-SC slipper clutch that helps enlarge the power buffering and enhance the smoothness of shifting, thereby reducing the engine braking impact during downshifts, improving safety and riding comfort.
Chassis
Bringing it to a stop are front brakes are J. Juan, which are 320 mm double-discs with four-piston radial calipers. The rear brakes are also J. Juan, with a 260mm single disc with double-piston calipers.
The bike boasts of lightweight construction to return precision handling coupled with ergonomics for on-road touring comfort. The compact engine is integrated into the main frame as a part of the body construction. The total weight of the main frame and sub-frame is only 16 kg, and the dry weight is only 215 kg.
The chassis rides on upside-down, telescopic, adjustable KYB front suspension, which provides 20-clicks adjustment of preload, compression and rebound damping. The front suspension spring travel is 160mm, and the rear suspension spring travel is 150mm. It’s matched with 190 mm of minimum ground clearance, the sophisticated chassis ensures that the motorcycle can confidently travel through mountain roads and bumpy surfaces.
The seat height of 800MT is at 825 mm, which is suitable for most riders. The split seat cushion is thick, providing good comfort in long-distance trips. The front end of the seat cushion is narrow, which is convenient for “squeezing” the fuel tank during riding; the rear end is wide and thick for increased comfort. The seat, pedals, and handlebar form a relatively upright riding triangle.
Styling
Unlike other adventure bikes, the 800MT does not have a typical "beak" front mudguard. Its simple and clean silhouette spreads from the front to the rear to outline a sharp contour. The fog lights bulge slightly under the front side. The exposed protection bars (fitted as standard) highlight the masculine design. The polygonal three-dimensional LED headlights give the impression of a hawk’s sharp gaze. The entire front of the motorcycle has a jet-fighter-like posture. The overall design is rugged and strong.
Illuminating the road are LED lights, with an automatic headlight feature. The headlight will automatically turn on or off according to lighting conditions, reducing the need for manual operation. The 800MT also comes standard with LED fog lights, automatic turn signal return and corner auxiliary lighting functions. When the turn signal is on, the corner assist function will automatically turn on to illuminate more road surface when cornering.
The rider gets a seven-inch TFT full-color instrument cluster. The IPS LCD screen with a viewable angle of 180° brings a wider visual range. The instrument panel displays instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average speed, time, coolant temperature, etc., providing the rider with all necessary information at a glance. The instrument cluster also supports smartphone Bluetooth connectivity and navigation projection for better convenience during the journey.
The CFMoto 800MT is now available in the Philippines, priced at P515,500 for the Sport variant (cast wheels) and P565,500 for the Touring variant (wire wheels).