CFMOTO CL-X 700 Sport

[RedRooster]

hmmm... so why the heck am I looking at this bike?

My local Kawasaki/Yamaha dealer is now a CFMOTO authorized dealer.
693cc DOHC parallel-twin, Bosch fuel injection
320mm discs with radial-mount Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers, and ABS
KYB 41mm inverted forks with adjustable preload/rebound damping/compression
KYB monoshock with adjustable preload/rebound damping.
120/70-17 and 180/55-17 Maxxis MA-ST2 tires
Slipper-assist clutch, Cruise control
Full LED lighting, Self-cancelling turn signals, USB charging port
205 kg/452 pounds wet

Yesterday's short first ride impression -
Comfortable ride position triangle (for me, it's better than the Z).
Very comfortable handlebar positioning (those clip-ons aren't as low as they look).
Ride-by-wire is smooth, not snatchy.

An hour long demo ride scheduled for tomorrow.

[KellyL]

I’d be interested to hear your impressions.

I must say that I’ve been eyeing the Benelli Leoncino 500 and 800 scramblers with some interest. Seems like a lot of positive owner reports are out there with the 500 at least.

[Cazzy_R]

Originally Posted by KellyL

I’d be interested to hear your impressions.

I must say that I’ve been eyeing the Benelli Leoncino 500 and 800 scramblers with some interest. Seems like a lot of positive owner reports are out there with the 500 at least.

 I was looking at the 800 scrambler on Saturday in the dealership after a double take "WTF is that!" moment. Looked impressive. It also looked heavy, and according to the limited specs I found since it's actually heavier than than Z900.   

[MattR]

What is the engine in that one ? Is it derived from Z650 ?

[RedRooster]

The CL-X 700 Sport?

Reports say it is a Kawasaki-sourced 693cc two-cylinder engine producing 75bhp at 8,500rpm and maximum torque of 68Nm at 6,500rpm.

Appears to be the Z650/ER650 engine, same bore but longer 4mm stroke giving it a 44 cc displacement bump and a higher compression ratio of 11.6:1

[zed9]

I wonder if it has a cassette style gearbox like the Versys? I'm not sure about the z650 but it quite possibly has one.

[Led Zed 70]

Originally Posted by RedRooster

hmmm... so why the heck am I looking at this bike?

My local Kawasaki/Yamaha dealer is now a CFMOTO authorized dealer.
693cc DOHC parallel-twin, Bosch fuel injection
320mm discs with radial-mount Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers, and ABS
KYB 41mm inverted forks with adjustable preload/rebound damping/compression
KYB monoshock with adjustable preload/rebound damping.
120/70-17 and 180/55-17 Maxxis MA-ST2 tires
Slipper-assist clutch, Cruise control
Full LED lighting, Self-cancelling turn signals, USB charging port
205 kg/452 pounds wet

Yesterday's short first ride impression -
Comfortable ride position triangle (for me, it's better than the Z).
Very comfortable handlebar positioning (those clip-ons aren't as low as they look).
Ride-by-wire is smooth, not snatchy.

An hour long demo ride scheduled for tomorrow.

.            But….. made in China! It’s already bad enough that you can’t hardly get anything anymore in the US that’s not made in China ( most of it is sh#t) and I damn sure wouldn’t buy a motorcycle or car made there!! Just my opinion of course!

[zed9]

Originally Posted by Led Zed 70

.            But….. made in China! It’s already bad enough that you can’t hardly get anything anymore in the US that’s not made in China ( most of it is sh#t) and I damn sure wouldn’t buy a motorcycle or car made there!! Just my opinion of course!

It's my feeling as well. I would love to buy an American made motorcycle but there just isn't one made here that I would ride.

Buell came close but we're too small and sportbike oriented. I said as much to Eric Buell when I met him. He told me they were race bikes. I told him I wasn't a racer, same as 99% of riders. I added.. give me a naked bike without a V twin boat anchor engine. Then I commented on what was he thinking when he made the Buell Blast? At that he turned on his heel and walked away. But notice he stopped making them within a year and even crushed the last one off the assembly line. Your welcome.

Harley is just a heavy, overly expensive chrome turd. I had great interest in the Harley Bronx I saw at the NY bike show but they killed it in favor of a bloated looking Sportster.

[Led Zed 70]

US would be great but I just try to avoid stuff made in China, North Korea, and Russia etc! I love Japanese bikes as well as British, Italian, etc. even if the CF moto is a better bike I still wouldn’t buy one because I just don’t like buying stuff from Communist Countries that hate America!

[KellyL]

Originally Posted by MattR

What is the engine in that one ? Is it derived from Z650 ?

Various sources state that the CFMoto 650NK and subsequent derivatives are design clones that are based upon the Kawasaki 650, but are not actually licensed from Big K. Hard to find any definitive citations for this.

In contrast, the new CFMoto 800MT adventure bike has an actual KTM engine, as there is a business partnership between these two companies.

Also interesting how global design house Kiska - the one that worked on the Husqvarna Norden - is responsible for its styling.

Edit: Also worth pointing out that it was Ronald Reagan - Republican patron saint of neoliberalism, deregulation, and small government - that opened up US free trade with China. /politics_off