After becoming fans of the MT after the Aussie launch, we had to spend more time on one. Say G'day to our new family member, the CFMOTO BikeReview 800MT... Photography: Zane Dobie
CFMOTO continues its assault on the Aussie bike market, this time throwing a hat into the ring to contest the hardcore luxury adventure bike category. Here at BikeReview, we have been given the opportunity to live alongside the 800MT Touring model for six months…
We got our CFMOTO 800MT at the start of October, so six weeks in and Nick has just returned from the USA. In the meantime, Simon babysat the beast and loved every minute! It already has 4000km on it, and Nick will add lots more.
Before we start, here is a notable point that must be giving the heebie-jeebies to some of the competition – the 800MT weighs in on the pay scales at sub-fifteen k ride away – this is worth talking about… that is a lot of bike for that kind of money.
Read Nick’s full Aussie Launch Report on the CFMOTO 800MT here…
With the new 800MT series, the design DNA shared between CFMOTO and KTM shines in presenting a versatile, well equipped and thoroughly modern largeish adventure tourer. In fact, CFMOTO has adorned the big bird adventure bike with as much technology as it can muster, and this is an impressive array of features and rider benefits designed to make short work of long days in the saddle. Initial impressions are often tainted by time constraints and subsequent rushing, however, with the long term BikeReview 800MT we have the opportunity to relax a little with the bike.
Surprisingly, it is not always relaxation that you need. In this case the 800MT delivers without hesitation some pretty impressive performance in and among a boatload of fatigue soothers and smart additions. How smart? Smart enough for a thick handbook, the bike telling you your tyre pressures are low, you needing a phone app for the bike, and the bike needing satellite connectivity.
“If you are into delving into the latest bikenology, the 800MT is knocking hard on the front door of the party house”…
Not all are necessary, of course, but if you are into delving into the latest bikenology, the 800MT is knocking hard on the front door of the party house with its elbows in terms of the nuovo remote connectivity for all sorts of stats and info and even satellite driven firmware upgrades. No need to go to the dealership to get the latest firmware, just wheel it outside and let the radiation do its thing.
We reckon our CFMOTO BikeReview 800MT Travel is a stunning looking bike and it is perfect for Nick’s 195cm/110kg frame. He does big daily highway miles and weekend adventure touring loops so the 800MT will be put to good use.
Plenty of thought for the rider has gone into the bike. For example, although the windshield may lack a motor drive, the thumb screws that lock it in position are left-hand and right-hand thread so that the screws rotate in the same direction from the rider’s perspective when loosening and tightening. Neat.
The 7in TFT screen is nicely matte, with a high quality, responsive display providing lots of information on various things going on beneath you. Finishes over the whole bike are first class and all panels and articles fit as intended on the drawing board. In fact, when you start looking more closely, a host of design touches and subtleties abound. As an example, the footpeg rubbers can be quickly removed, leaving the toothed off-road pegs exposed for legit off-roading and the specially finished levers.
“The 7in TFT screen is nicely matte, with a high quality, responsive display providing lots of information on various things going on beneath you…”
The bike, by virtue of its chosen playground, is quite a large, top-heavy beast and, to be honest, even with the apparently low seat height, I need to plan my stops in traffic. Having said that, once your feet are up and you are moving, everything feels very neutral and natural. She is pretty plush in terms of seat comfort and the feet-bum-hands ergonomics triumvirate whilst still offering plenty of tweaks for tailoring the riding position, if need be.
The bike is built for multiple terrains and long stints of riding so the designers have spent a large proportion of effort in this area to provide the best overall compromise between bitumen and dirt. Our bike is the Touring model and so comes with spoked wheels (19in up front and 17in at the back) and decidedly road oriented Maxxis rubber. Crash bars, handguards and bashplate are standard, as are the spotties. LED lighting is used everywhere and includes stylish, diffusely lit panels front and rear.
At this point, my riding has been limited to nearby drudgery, as I babysit the BikeReview 800MT for Dr Nick while he is in the US of A, with a bit of silliness thrown in when absolutely safe to do so. What a pleasant surprise that the long stroke suspension is quite capable of smoothening the maddening ruts and remaining calm when the heat gets turned up. At least to the point when the available grip and chassis are singing in unison through mid-corner wallow to not go too much further. I take the point, but you may well be surprised at how easy it is to hustle the big bird on.
Behind it all is the 799cc, 8-valve, DOHC parallel-twin, which is boosting out 70kW and 77Nm. Not sure if it’s me, but each time I get a ride on a CF, they seem to be able to make that P2 engine smoother. This one has very pleasing manners and a turn of speed that might raise a few eyebrows. Couple this with the two-way quick-shift (why here and now, CFMOTO?), fast gearbox, lean sensitive triple disc ABS brakes and lotsa ground clearance and you have an excellent mile cruncher that can shake it up with leaner machines through the bends.
We will take the big bird out on a few longer stretches and see better how well it stacks up in comfortably keeping up the entertainment as Nick rides it on a 200km return commute and goes touring on weekends, while sometime sharing the key with the rest of us so we can have a blast!
2022 CFMOTO 800MT Model Info
CFMOTO have two choices for the KTM powered 2022 800MT. Both with different price points, you can choose from the base “Sport” model, for those looking for a bit more tech can opt for the “Touring” model. The Touring is available with or without a keyless start system, check out all the differences below to find the best fit for you!
In addition to a huge catalogue of standard-fitment features, 21 items are also available across the full accessories’ gamut: luggage, protection and ergonomic alternatives such as a higher seat, handlebar riser mounts and oversized rally pegs.
Aluminium top case (36 litres): $699
- High-strength reinforced corners for the shock and stress of off-road riding
- Perfect match with the original mounting bracket
- Waterproof, dustproof scratchproof inside lining
Aluminium side case (RHS 28 litres, LHS 35 litres): $699 each
- High-strength reinforced corners for the shock and stress of off-road riding
- Perfect match with the original mounting bracket
- Waterproof, dustproof scratchproof inside lining
Rear tail bag (40 litres): $399
- Constructed from waterproof and wear-resistant nylon fabric
- Wide range of internal pockets and strapping
- Top access port (waterproof zipper), internal nylon waterproof bag
- Double-end roll mouth, items accessible from both sides
- Converts to a backpack when not fitted to bike.
Side bag assembly: RHS $599, LHS $499
- Isolation plate which protects the bag and its contents from exhaust heat
- Made of wear-resistant waterproof 1000D fabric, with a waterproof zipper to achieve an all-inclusive waterproof and dustproof seal
- Can be used as a backpack or tail bag
- 10kg maximum load
The 800MT Sport and 800MT Touring will go on sale with factory-fitted pannier mounts.
PROTECTION
- Headlight guard (silver or black): $179
- Radiator protector (silver or black): $169
- Lower crash bars (silver): $299
- Spotlight guards : $99
- Front brake caliper guards: $59
- Front brake fluid reservoir guard: $59
- Rear brake fluid reservoir guard: $59
- Dashboard protective film: $12
ERGONOMICS
- High seat (up 30mm to 855mm): $199
- Handlebar riser mounts: $89
- Oversized rally pegs: $119 each
MISCELLANEOUS
- Oversized side stand seat (800MT Sport only): $59
- Front fender extension: $39
- Device extension bar: $99
2022 CFMOTO BikeReview 800MT Specifications
Price: $12,990 ($13,990 for touring)
Colours: Twilight Blue (Touring), Nebula Black (Sport)
Claimed power: 70kW@8000rpm
Claimed torque: 88Nm@6600rpm
Wet weight: 225kg (no panniers)
Fuel capacity: 19L
Engine: Liquid cooled, DOHC, parallel twin, 799cc, 88 x 65.7mm bore x stroke, Bosch electronic fuel-injection with ride-by-wire throttle, 12.7:1 compression ratio.
Gearbox: 6-speed
Clutch: Slipper
Chassis: Steel tubular frame
Suspension: 43mm USD KYB Fully Adjustable, 160mm travel (f) KYB Monoshock, fully adjustable, 150mm travel (r)
Brakes: 320mm discs, J.Juan 4-piston radial calipers, ABS (f), 260mm disc, J.Juan 2-piston caliper, ABS (r) Bosch ABS,
Wheels & Tyres: Maxxis Tubeless, 110/80–19in (f), 150/70–17in (r) Spoked wheel with Touring model, Cast-alloy with Sport model.
Dimensions:
Length: 2234mm
Width: 853mm
Height: 1277mm
Wheelbase: 1531mm
Seat height: 825mm
Ground clearance: 190mm
Instruments & Electronics: 7in TFT Dash, two riding modes, ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control, Bosch ABS, LED lighting.
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