CFMOTO CL-X 700 Sport

[KellyL]

They're Brembo M4.30 calipers. The forks are 41mm KYB and rear shock is KYB, both ends with full rebound & compression adjustment. They're actually higher spec than the Z900...

[Cazzy_R]

Originally Posted by KellyL

I must say that I’ve been eyeing the Benelli Leoncino 500 and 800 scramblers with some interest.

[zed9]

There's a lion on the mudguard. 🙄

[RedRooster]

Yesterday I watched as a Kawasaki Mule (side x side) went OTD at $25,000. Also watched as a new MT07 with Turquoise colored wheels left the show room.

Also witnessed a red Z900 traded in for a CL-X 700 Sport. Apparently I am their first CFMOTO lab rat. More info later when I have time to post my first impressions.

A special photo for the "China-made" lovers, showing my LS2 helmet that is manufactured in China. 

[Cazzy_R]

Originally Posted by RedRooster

Yesterday I watched as a Kawasaki Mule (side x side) went OTD at $25,000. Also watched as a new MT07 with Turquoise colored wheels left the show room.

Also witnessed a red Z900 traded in for a CL-X 700 Sport. Apparently I am their first CFMOTO lab rat. More info later when I have time to post my first impressions.

A special photo for the "China-made" lovers, showing my LS2 helmet that is manufactured in China. 

 Interesting trade. I'm sure it will suit your needs.

 LS2 Arrow?

 I have 2. 

[RedRooster]

Yes, an Arrow Freedom. Also have a black/white Arrow Techno. Excellent wide view both vertical and horizontal. Nice tight fit and small external shell. The Arrow is a hidden gem for long oval wearers, it's the only one (other than the Arai Signet-X) that fits me properly without causing forehead pressure.

No surprise that covid apocalypse affected the motorcycle market. In June 2020 I purchased my 2018 Z900 (used 5k miles) for $6200 OTD. Now 2 years later, and the trade-in was $6500. Typical trade value for 2018 Z900 in the U.S. is about $5500 and there are a LOT of them on the market. They upped the trade-in to 6500 based on aftermarket add-ons, but I still lost about 800 on the aftermarket stuff.

Bottom line, the CL-X 700 Sport just fits me well. I've had various 600-700cc twins and in-line fours in the past. They go fast enough for me. But I will miss the Z, a very smooth power plant.

[KellyL]

Congratulations. I think updates on your long-term ownership experience would be invaluable - whether it's here, on a model-specific forum, or a personal blog. I respect your open-mindedness with the purchase.

Not really my sort of bike (fuel tank is too small for me) but I think these kind of bikes are a sign of big things coming in the entire automotive industry. Whether for better or worse remains to be seen. Thanks for taking one for the team 

[RedRooster]

Yah, the 3.5 gallon (13 liter) tank is a bummer, one gallon less than the Z. It's even worse because this bike is a blast with engine revs boiling.

Well, here goes the first impression review. This is a long write-up and probably one of my last contributions to the forum (with exception to updates on this bike). I have enjoyed being here and thanks to many members for providing great information along the way. 

The ride-by-wire fuel map is good. Smooth with no jerkiness on or off the throttle. When letting off, there isn’t an extreme fuel cut-off engine-braking feel like the Z. When you hit about 6000 rpm and keep going, it kind of feels like a sudden turbo boost rush. One of the managers at the dealership rode the bike and mentioned this to me, and I noticed it too. Some may not like that sudden rush, but I do. There is some vibration in the crotch area when spinning in the 6000 to 8000 rpm range (redline is 9500), but with normal gear changing up to 5000-6000 rpm there is no vibration.

The idle seems really high at around 1450-1500 rpm, and that is at operating temp. In 1st gear, let the clutch out and you’re doing 8 mph. In 2nd gear, let the clutch out and you’re doing 12 mph. That is with no throttle at idle speed. Feels weird and need to pull the clutch in frequently in stop and go close traffic.

Smooth gear box up and down, never had a false neutral and easy to find when looking for it. Slipper clutch works good, similar to the Z. Gearing is about the same as the Z from 1-5 and 6 is running about 4000 rpm at 60 mph. Plenty of torque, can be in 4th gear at 35-40 mph and pulls away easily. Two rider modes, Sport and ECO and can be changed on the fly. Forget about the ECO mode, pretty much worthless except for rain or winter riding.

The seat, no need to mess with this one. Within the 2 hour demo ride, I rode for an hour straight with no hot spots or butt hurt. No pushing forward into tank, well-padded with a durable material, and is secured by 2 hex head bolts. It is very comfortable and puts the Z900 2x4 seat to shame.

The ride position triangle feels like the foot pegs are a bit lower and not as far back as the Z900. I’m not cramped on the Z, but I feel a bit less folded up on this bike. For reference, I’m 6 foot tall with a 30” inseam. The clip-ons are about as high and a bit narrower than the Z bars. Bike turns in easily. Hands on the grips feel like they are kind of floating there, no weight down on them at all.

Side panels below fuel tank are placed properly and thighs/knees are in the right place for additional control. I’m still sitting IN the bike, but doesn’t feel as deep as the Z. The unusually wide foot pegs do not get in the way when putting feet on the ground, and no vibrations when on the move. Plenty of heel room since the exhaust and shield is low and out of the way.

Brakes are very good and emergency stops are excellent. Front is better than the Z, and surprisingly the rear is not quite as good as the Z. I can’t say much about the Maxxis MA-ST2 tires, new with 75 miles on them, same size front and rear as the Z. They had the rear at 42 psi cold and the front at 40 psi cold. I set them to 38 rear and 36 front.

Suspension is great. It seemed like I could never get the Z soft enough, way too firm for my lazy fair weather riding style. I haven’t adjusted the suspension yet, as it feels right for my 190 lb. weight. The forks don’t over-dive on hard stops and the rear shock soaks up bumps nicely. I’m not sure what’s going on in the back, if it’s the swingarm design or the KYB shock (or both), but it’s a good one for me. I was specifically riding over manhole covers, RR tracks, known rough road surfaces and never once did I feel the need to raise my butt up off the seat like I did with the Z.   

Display actually shows engine temp degrees. At 80 F on the road, the temp reading was between 80 C and 95 C (185 F - 205 F), depending on speed. Self-cancelling turns work well. Turn signal button does not have a tactile click, just press it lightly left or right and it actuates. Bar end mirrors are solid, no vibration blurriness and have a fold-back feature. Clutch and brake levers are adjustable.

IMO, this is a well-designed bike and the fit and finish is as good as Japanese, German, and Italian bikes. I did a thorough cleaning of the bike with close inspection of welds, hoses, wiring, cabling, switch gear, and panel attachments. The overall build is excellent.

My neighbor (younger guy) came over today and was checking out the bike. His first comments were – “white n black looks good, exhaust can is cool, mirrors are nice, and wow is that carbon on the tank and side panels?" And then my buddy said “Yah, but there’s one problem… it’s made in China.”

I think CFMOTO and KTM’s Kiska design team really got this one right. And it was nice to hear the owner of the dealership tell me straight-up that he will take care of me (I do all of my MC and ATV business with them). Am I nervous about it be manufactured in China? Not at all, but it will take time and miles to show reliability or not.

             

[porkchop]

My '02 ZRX has almost 70K on it, Wife's '08 650 Ninja at 42K, been straight up bullet proof solid bikes since new.
Z hasn't disappointed yet, can't see myself going backwards on size + a lesser proven brand...

Good luck man 

[Balbino]

I was thinking about trading the z on the cf moto adventure 650 but my local dealer had every model except the adventure and even multiples of each model as well. I just want better fuel economy, able to use 87 octane, and windscreen and storage.