ROAD TEST: CFMOTO 650MT

The 2018 KTNS CFMoto 650MT is an adventure-style sports-tourer which originate from China, in Malaysia is marketed by KTNS Holdings Sdn Bhd and assemble by United Bike Assembly Sdn Bhd, CFMoto originates from Zhejiang CFMoto Power, located in Hangzhou, China. While the design of 650MT and future CFMoto models will be designed by Kiska Design, which is the first thing you notice is the sharp modern KTM like styling with the build quality also looks pretty good, with neat welds on the steel tubular frame and a quality finish on the body panels, but obviously time will tell.

The front suspension uses a pair of 41mm upside-down forks with 140 mm of travel with adjustable rebound only, and an adjustable Kayaba monoshock located asymmetrically at the back, with twin disc hydraulic brakes. Brakes system are fitted with J Juan brakes, a Spanish company, with ABS and steel braided hoses, but the test bike we had, the front brakes felt a little spongy although it provided an ample braking to a certain extent for an adventure-styled sports tourer. 650MT carries an 18-litre fuel tank which has a pretty good range of 400 km and seat height can be set at 840 or 820 mm, which is user selectable.
The cockpits lay a monochrome LCD instrument panel, split into separate readouts for engine and road speed in one panel, and other information on another.

Top speed was a surprise, which we took 650MT to 190km/h with no front end wobble and none engine vibrations! With the Metzeler tyres and the 650MT felt well planted in the corners even with the panniers. The handling package of the 650MT was also a surprise to us.

Standard 650MT comes with Shad fitted panniers, handguard and a USB charging port and with a price tag of RM27,800 excluding insurance and road tax beats all competitors its market in the pricing in the segment 500cc – 650cc