In its quest for an ever wider range of quality bikes, CFMOTO has just launched another product which, in this case, turns out to be the Chinese brand’s most powerful naked bike to date. It’s a bike with a modern, aggressive look, which joins a segment with heavyweight models, and which we had the opportunity to ride on the roads of the south of France.
It’s easy to see how the CFMOTO brand has shown enormous strength in the first half of 2023, although in Portugal this is also the responsibility of its new, very active importer, the Multimoto group. In fact, the brand was born in 1989, but it has been over the last few years that the name has come more to the fore, as a result of its quality products in moto 4 and SSV, and then on two wheels, as well as a recent presence in the World Speedway with a team in Moto3. This year we’ve already seen the new SR450 and 700 CL-X Adventure here in the magazine, we’ve also tested the 800MT Touring and the 650GT and we’ve even done a comparison with the 300 CL-X, so bikes from a wide range of segments. Now we’ve had a first-hand look at the new 800NK, which falls into the important segment of medium-sized naked bikes and is trying to make a name for itself by combining three factors: design, performance and technology.
AESTHETICS AND DETAILS
There was no point in mentioning it, but since we were among the first to see the bike in person, it has to be said that in aesthetic terms this bike looks fabulous, especially in the black/bronze livery, and is second to none in its segment. The lines are angular and aggressive without losing any of their charm and the feel of the components is good, showing a lot of quality. In technical terms, this 800NK comes equipped with the fashionable engine, a parallel twin-cylinder, in this case well known from some KTM models, with a 285-degree crankshaft to increase excitement and traction on the asphalt, as well as two balance shafts to reduce vibrations, and a slipper clutch. It delivers 95 hp of power and 81 Nm of torque at 8,000 revolutions, although the engine reaches 10,500 rpm. In this Euro5 engine, the air filter box is positioned under the seat, which is intended to provide benefits in terms of intake and ease of maintenance. In this Advanced version, already available in our country, the running weight is just 189 kg, and the bike features KYB adjustable suspension, with an inverted fork at the front and simple rear suspension with a direct link from the shock absorber to the swingarm. The frame is made of steel and the brakes are from J.Juan, at the front with two discs and 4-piston radial calipers, with the rims fitted with Maxxis sports tires.
TECHNOLOGY
In terms of technology, the equipment is very interesting, starting with the three driving modes: Rain, Street and Sport, as well as the presence of cruise control and full LED lighting. Even more surprising is the presence of a huge, super-complete 8-inch TFT color screen, mounted vertically in front of you. This has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with the touchscreen supporting multimedia interaction, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control and navigation directions. The steering damper is also part of the standard equipment, as is a two-way quickshifter and keyless ignition. Those who like a sportier look will also like the model’s range of accessories.
ON THE ROAD
It was on a very hot day that we were at the controls of this 800NK, a motorcycle with which we immediately felt at ease in terms of the riding position and which thrilled us with its exhaust sound, making it seem as if Euro 5 had passed this model by. We covered around 150 kilometers in a variety of situations, and the watchword here is fun! The engine, which we already knew from other models, is very lively, especially in the mid-range, which together with the attractive sound makes us want to accelerate more than necessary. The huge instrumentation doesn’t take our attention away from the road and provides us with numerous connectivity functions. We just didn’t have time to configure and pair everything, because the main thing here is driving fun. That’s also why we would have preferred a traction control system instead of cruise control, for example, although we weren’t scared off by the good grip of the Maxxis tires and the correct behavior of the suspensions, which are softer but have several adjustment options.
THE PLUS AND THE MINUS
Only in one area does this CFMOTO fall short of what we’d like, and that’s the feel of the throttle, due to an injection system that’s not very refined in any of the driving modes. Even so, the Street mode will always be the most advisable for a quiet ride, while the Sport mode, even if a little jerky, will be the best for a fast ride. As for braking, it was convincing in terms of power and feel, although the two bikes we tested didn’t feel exactly the same on either unit. We felt that the steering damper made sense, so it’s a good thing we have it (although we like the rather closed steering angle for strong thrills), and the quickshifter works quite well too. And if the instrumentation with its functionalities is incredible (we recommend taking some time to understand how it all works, pairing it with your smartphone and the brand’s app), on the road you only need the tachometer, the instantaneous speed and the gear indicator prominently displayed on the TFT to be happy.
With this naked bike we averaged around 5 liters at 100 and we got the feeling that it’s one of the most fun naked bikes in the segment, although it still has room for improvement, above all in terms of throttle feel and fuel injection operation, something we’ve already mentioned in other work with CFMOTO models. But do you want to know the best? Talking about it with one of the brand’s managers at the end of the day, he said that it’s very possible that this injection feel can even be improved via the smartphone and the brand’s app that everyone can (and should) use, and that will be brutal. When we ride the 800NK again, we’ll give you some feedback! As for the appeal of the app, it’s high, not least because we also keep a record of a lot of data about our bike, our route and we can even set up a “virtual safety net” around our bike, so we’re warned if someone moves the bike.
Above all, the 800NK is a very fun bike. It could certainly be developed further, and it’s not the cheapest bike in the segment, but all the equipment it has and all the fun it provides will certainly bring a smile to anyone’s face.
