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CFMoto PH launches 4 new motorcycles

With representation from the single cylinder to the in-line-four

CFMoto Philippines' launched not one, not two, but four bikes in one night. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

After the CFMoto 450MT’s spectacular launch earlier in the year, there was some hubbub on what the brand’s next pasabog is in the local scene.

It’s hard to live up to the hype that dual sport created, but boy, oh boy, did they manage by bringing in a single cylinder, a twin, a triple, and a screaming in-line-four—all in one go.

The CFMoto 150SC might just give its competitors a run for their money. PHOTO FROM CFMOTO

First is the 150SC. It may seem like an unassuming scooter, but we’ve written a separate article on it just to feature how much value you actually get for your money.

What a reveal. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The twin came as a surprise. After the program ‘ended’, the lights dimmed, the smoke poured out, and the great chasm created by the dividing LED walls revealed the 800MT-X.

The ultimate titomobile, the MT-X is the adventure variant of the earlier 800MT Sport. The 799cc engine was slightly updated to deliver 88Nm of torque at a slightly lower 6,500rpm, but still producing the same 95hp at 8,500rpm. A slipper clutch helps with weak hands, and it also comes with a bidirectional quickshifter for those snappy shifts.

While it really is just an adventure bike update to the 800MT, the 800MT-X is a great follow-up to the 450MT. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

Most prominent is the iPadification of the instrument cluster. A seven-inch vertical TFT display shows more than just your speed and rpm though, as the bike also comes with Bluetooth connectivity for your smartphone, various ride modes and settings to comb through, cruise control, and a tire pressure monitoring system to keep track of, well, tire pressure.

The 800MT-X's screen has a lot of real estate. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

Beneath the adjustable fly screen is a snappy curved DRL spanning the front of the bike, with high- and low-beam LEDs right underneath. A high-mounted mudguard is very dirt bike-esque, while the fully adjustable front forks and rear monoshock help tune your ride to whatever surface you’re presented with.

The 800MT-X has quite the striking look, but it doesn't come off as garish. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The front gets 320mm dual-disc (yes, dual) J.Juan brakes, while the rear gets 260mm single-disc brakes. Besides regular ABS, cornering ABS also comes standard.

If it's going to go off-road a lot, it's going to need protection. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The low-slung 22.5L fuel tank and steering damper help with stability; tubeless adventure tires for grip where you need it on 21-inch and 18-inch spoked aluminum wheels; and 240mm of ground clearance to clear most obstacles. In case you can’t, a bottom bash guard comes as standard.

The CFMoto 675SR-R seemed to be the crowd favorite. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The triple was the hardest to get some camera time on at the launch, as everyone dove in to see it in the metal. It’s hard to fault spectators, as the 675SR-R is currently CFMoto Philippines’ only three-cylinder bike in its lineup.

Beneath the plastic cladding lies the fabled CFMoto 675cc in-line triple. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

CFMoto has been criticized in the past few years for piggybacking off KTM’s engine designs, but the 675cc in-line-triple is proof that it still seems interested innovating in the powertrain department. It develops 94hp at an eye-watering 11,000rpm, with a peak torque of 70Nm at 8,250rpm.

The CFMoto 675SR-R's aggressive styling complements its sporty nature with functional ducting. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

The ruckus this engine generates fits the bill, as the 675SR-R is touted to be a track-ready package, with winglets and brake boxes that look very MotoGP-inspired. The seat and the pegs give the rider a fairly aggressive stance, with the handlebars integrated into the triple clamp.

Besides the functional winglets on the fairings, the brake ducts and the side grilles help manage heat. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

You get inverted forks, but no adjustments available here. The front does have the typical sporty angry hornet face, accentuated by a pair of eyebrow-looking DRLs. There are no front signal lights poking out of anything, as it’s neatly integrated into the wing mirrors. You also get a smattering of duct-like designs adorning the front and the side, with the side fairing resembling shark gills.

Contrasting the in-your-face front fascia, the seat looks inviting, and the pillion seat and the taillamp look surprisingly elegant. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

The seat is fairly wide, with what CFMoto calls a transbody line design element running underneath it. It terminates into winglets reminiscent of the 450NK’s pillion seat, and ends with quite an elegant single-piece taillight.

The LCD screen gives you access to information and vehicle settings. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The five-inch TFT display—accessible with the left D-pad—gives you access to various vehicle settings, such as traction control and an upshift quickshifter. Standard ABS is, well, standard.

While everyone crowded the triple, I put my focus on what I personally think was the true star of the show: the middleweight supersport 500SR Voom.

The CFMoto 500SR Voom is a four-cylinder screamer in an unassuming package. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

It has an in-line-four with such a smooth note when revved up (coupled with an exhaust that accentuates it without being at all showy). Very demure, very mindful.

The neo-retro look has a lot of tricks hiding underneath its sleeves. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The 499cc DOHC in-line-four isn’t rip-your-head-off powerful, with 78hp on tap at 12,500rpm and 49Nm of torque developed at 10,000rpm. The whole lot mates to its transmission with a wet-plate slipper clutch.

But the eyes, Chico. They do sometimes lie.

The stylized ram air intakes are ready to chomp through the air. PHOTO BY HANS BOSSHARD

The two rounded DRLs that give that front fascia a surprised guppy face actually pass through straight into the airbox.

Functioning as a ram air intake, they take the engine up to a claimed 82hp at full pressure. It’s nice that it gives the bike some added oomph, but the nature of the design delivers that only at high speed.

It has a ton of plastic, but boy, did they nail it with the styling. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

The curved front fairing with an integrated central headlamp and windscreen is letting the neo-retro styling of the 500SR shine through. Poking through below are fully adjustable inverted forks and front 300mm dual-disc (again, dual) J.Juan brakes on 17-inch wheels. The plastic cladding continues past the front, terminating into air duct designs on either side.

The symmetry at the rear is a nice touch. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

Enough of the trellis frame and the engine cover poke out, before the rear of the bike is elegantly and quirkily finished off with dual exhaust cans and binocular taillights. The rear swingarm also gets an adjustable monoshock, 17-inch wheels, and 220mm disc brakes. The seat is swappable to accommodate different ride heights.

The steering damper gives some much-needed stability, while the five-inch LCD screen gives the bike a touch of modernity. PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

A steering damper mounts atop the triple clamp, of which the handlebars are also mounted. The left D-pad controls a five-inch TFT display, curiously showing torque and power curves. As with the other bikes, the screen allows access to other vehicle settings such as the two-mode traction control and the quickshifter.

Who would've thought that such a seemingly unknown brand would actually end up catching a cult following? PHOTOS BY HANS BOSSHARD

CFMoto’s charm is the peculiarly packed feature set for the price you’re paying.

The 150SC is priced at P119,800; the 500SR Voom is at P383,900; the 675SR-R costs P438,900; and the 800MT-X is at P676,900.

The T-Box, CFMoto’s connected ride device that allows for OTA updates via the companion phone app, is standard for all three bikes and an optional extra for the scooter.

It’s a whole lot of bike for less than each of their competitors, which makes the newly launched lineup quite an interesting proposition for whatever style of riding you’re into.



Hans Bosshard

Hans is the ultimate commuter: He drives a car and he rides a bicycle. He also likes tinkering with mechanical stuff.



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