CFMOTO has been one of the most active brands in the market, with several recent releases in various ranges. This time, the Hangzhou brand updates its medium-displacement “Grand Touring” model, designed for medium or long trips, on good roads and preferably in good company. But let’s see the details…
From a distance, the lines and proportions of the 650GT make perfect sense. A well-built front, with a scooped seat and a slim rear (when not equipped with luggage) reminiscent of features from other Grand Touring or even Sport Touring models, such as the FJR1300 or the VFR 800.
The front is dominated by a set of LED headlights with various functional elements, with a well-defined visual signature and a manually adjustable screen of good dimensions.
ERGONOMICS AND FEATURES
The white motorcycle we used in this test has a sober and very “European” decoration (or, in other words, not very Asian), using only a few details in dark gold that are also present on the rims and decorative lettering in gray on the sides of the front fairings.
The LED headlights and turn signals stand out at the back, as well as the supports for the side cases and the 59-liter top case, capable of accommodating 2 full-face helmets, supplied by Shad to the brand.
As expected in a motorcycle of this category, the riding position is pleasant and quite natural. The legs are not too bent and the back can remain almost straight. The handlebar may seem somewhat narrow, but the truth is that it does not affect maneuverability or ergonomics. Both levers are adjustable, the seat is comfortable (perhaps a bit too firm) and slightly scooped, allowing easy access to the ground when stopping, even for shorter riders. When we sit down, we feel “inside” the motorcycle, and this is also contributed by the shape of the fuel tank, which has a capacity of 19 liters, and the significant width of the front plastics.
Back, the passenger seat has overall good dimensions, but I get the idea that the space between the driver and the top case is too cramped for the passenger to feel comfortable on longer trips. The blame seems to be on the bulky cushions installed on the top case.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
The compact parallel twin, similar to some older Kawasaki models, with its 56 hp of power and 62 Nm of torque, proves to be available in all ranges of rotation and pushes well when requested. The sound emitted by the 2-1-1 exhaust line is deep and sounds like a few extra cubic centimeters.
There are two operating maps, Sport and Touring, but truth be told, besides the visual change on the instrument panel, little (or nothing) is noticed in the difference between them. At least in theory, the idea would be interesting.
There are slight vibrations throughout the range of rotations, which however do not become truly bothersome. The six-speed gearbox is smooth but direct, and the ratios are somewhat short, as is usual in medium displacement ranges. Connecting everything, the cable-operated clutch is not heavy and engages quite early, which requires a little getting used to.
THE BEST Overall quality, suspensions TO IMPROVE Braking, engine management modes
ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS
Our day to day life is increasingly electronic and this evolution is also felt in motorcycling. The latest motorcycles come with more and more features (not essential in many cases) and sometimes they start to complicate things a bit, such is the number of buttons that are present next to the handlebars of the machines. This CFMOTO has what is necessary, and that, in a way, is good. To give you an idea, the user manual explains all the available features in 6 pages. The TFT instrument panel with automatic brightness adjustment has two different presentations in format and color, which vary depending on the chosen driving mode. In addition to this, CFMOTO offers a smartphone application with which it is possible to interact through the motorcycle, in terms of navigation and phone.
BRING EVERYTHING TO THE ASPHALT
In our test, contact with the road was ensured by the well-known Pirelli Angel GT, mounted on 17-inch wheels. A little higher up, the suspensions also proved to be up to the task. At the front, the non-adjustable KYB conventional fork was able to handle various types (and conditions) of asphalt, maintaining good composure and a high level of comfort. Transitions between curves are easy, and during braking, the sinking is not exaggerated. The rear mono-shock has preload adjustment, which is always important on a motorcycle that can carry only the rider, or the rider and passenger with full luggage for a well-deserved vacation. It’s a shame that this adjustment can only be made on the shock absorber itself and with the appropriate tool.
The J.Juan brakes were not as good. Already known from other tests with other models, these brakes had left a good impression. This time it was not the case. The front set showed little capacity and a very spongy feel, requiring more intensity on the rear brake. The feeling I got was that there was some air in the brake lines, resulting in a loss of effectiveness.
I believe that under normal conditions, the brakes would be more biting, as seen in other models. The rear brake with a single disc, which had extra work, showed good capacity and is quite controllable.
The CFMOTO 650 GT complements the brand’s range and provides an economical and very interesting alternative to the more direct competition.
This Grand Touring will be able to satisfy both less experienced motorcyclists looking for a good option for trips, and those who want to cover many kilometers without having to spend a lot of money on a motorcycle for that purpose.
CFMOTO 650GT
ENGINE parallel twin, liquid-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder
DISPLACEMENT 649 cc
POWER 41.5 kW (56 hp) @ 8,250 rpm
TORQUE 62 Nm @ 7,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed
FRAME tubular steel
FUEL TANK 19 liters
FRONT SUSPENSION inverted telescopic fork KYB, 120mm travel
REAR SUSPENSION adjustable mono-shock KYB, 145mm travel
FRONT BRAKE 2 floating discs, J.Juan 4-piston calipers
REAR BRAKE floating disc, J.Juan 2-piston caliper
FRONT TIRE 120/70 ZR17
REAR TIRE 160/60 ZR 17
WHEELBASE 1,415mm
SEAT HEIGHT 795 mm
WEIGHT 226 kg (dry)
MSRP €6,990
