By the point China-based CFMOTO was based in 1989, I used to be 20 years previous. Meaning I had already determined which bike manufacturers have been aggressive and dependable, which of them have been all about standing, and which of them ought to be prevented in any respect prices. As soon as I did the mathematics, I shut the door to the potential of any additions or alternate options and went about my motorcycling life simply as completely satisfied as a clam.
How did I resolve which producers made the quick record? Easy; no matter manufacturers of bike my older neighbors Mike Destefano and Bruce Richards have been racing on the time have been on the great record, and no matter bikes they cursed and threw wrenches at have been to be prevented. Principally, I employed what specialists consult with as The Scientific Methodology.
Quick ahead a whopping 36 years later, and I’ve principally held quick to these early opinions about bike manufacturers, regardless of a gradual inflow of contemporary gamers within the bike manufacturing area. I do know this to be true as a result of after I first took possession of the brand new CFMOTO 675SS, it felt like an intrusion on the quick record of bike producers that had, over years, earned a everlasting place in my storage. As I stared on the CFMOTO, it felt just like the equal of some random individual making an attempt to muscle in on poker evening with me and my decades-long group of cronies. I don’t want a brand new pal, I don’t desire a new pal, and rattling it, there simply aren’t sufficient cigars and beer to go round.
In order you may think, I used to be a bit standoffish from the get-go. I knew nothing about this bike or the corporate that it rode in from, and I didn’t count on a constructive consequence. Quite the opposite, a bit of a part of me was trying ahead to punishing it to the diploma it might show unworthy of a seat on the desk. If I might make that occur, I might go proper again to my uncomplicated, predictable little world that even a toddler might handle. No query it was closed-minded and juvenile, however I’m simply being trustworthy with you.
I used to be a bit deflated after I first turned the important thing to the “on” place, as a result of the TFT show was so vivid and vivid, I had no hassle noting that the traction management was set to minimal intrusion, the tire pressures have been 33/34 psi, and I had unintentionally toggled the left flip indicator. And after I tapped the beginning button, the 675cc 95-hp inline-Triple sounded deep and throaty, barking out of the brushed stainless exhaust. Then I clicked it into gear and was additional upset, as a result of the fueling was so clean proper off idle, I couldn’t stall it from a cease even after a number of half-hearted efforts to take action. Quite the opposite, it had constant energy instantly off idle and was perhaps the simplest sportbike I ever launched off the road, liter bikes included. As a lot as I hated to confess it, this bike can be straightforward to stay with in metropolis visitors, as a result of along with the incredible fueling, it had ample bottom-end energy.
Proper about then, there was a glimmer of hope that I had found an actual weak point within the CFMOTO in its old-school cable clutch. However that dream died when the ability to the driveline was sturdy, constant, and possessed a predictable friction vary throughout the lever’s journey. Even throughout high-rpm launches, the clutch maintained nice chew and by no means light. Rattling it.
Fortuitously, good luck shined on me as I serendipitously chanced on a really actual design oversight: the overly stiff steering damper. That’s proper, the damper was so ungodly stiff that full lock-to-lock turning at road speeds was virtually unimaginable. However victory slipped by way of my fingers just some miles later, because the inquisitive youngster in me determined to fidget with the damper rod at a visitors mild and realized that it was absolutely adjustable. Roughly 20 clicks later, I had primarily turned it off and the clip-ons moved forwards and backwards with ease. Clearly it wasn’t only for seems. Superior.
I’ll concede that the 675SS runs nice at gradual speeds, however who cares about all that? In any case it’s a sportbike and desires to have the ability to go laborious, cease fast, and switch sharp. I used to be assured it might be on this enviornment that I’d expose the bike’s shortcomings, particularly when it got here to the finances parts I suspected it had.
The most effective instance of producers reducing corners is usually the suspension, so I leaned down in hopes of finding an unfamiliar model identify on the shock and fork however learn a reputation I used to be not anticipating: Japan’s KYB. The identical stuff that comes on Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Triumph bikes. I’ve been utilizing KYB suspension on my bikes for years, and I really like the stuff. Ah, however these have been most likely nonadjustable old-tech variations with cool new stickers on them. Effectively, my flathead screwdriver responded with a powerful “no” because it spun this manner and that, enabling fine-tuning changes to rebound and compression on the fork and rebound and preload on the shock.
So what, it had high quality suspension parts on it. Massive deal. I didn’t care at that time, as a result of my new plan was to choose up the speeds on some quick Southern California canyon roads and watch the CFMOTO home of playing cards come tumbling down.
For this high-intensity activity, I squeezed into my Mithos observe swimsuit and slammed a lukewarm prune juice. I used to be prepared. The primary little bit of suggestions the CFMOTO gifted me as speeds danced towards triple digits was disheartening, as a result of all I uncovered was an excellent clean engine and fueling that exposed no hesitation or odd hit wherever alongside the journey by way of six gears on as much as the 11,000-rpm laborious ceiling. Sure, the rev limiter let me know the enjoyable was over considerably abruptly, however by then I used to be heading straight to Xanadu with an enormous grin on my face.
Alongside the best way, I observed a suspicious lack of vibration emanating from the bars, seat, or pegs. This lack of vibes was one thing I noticed virtually instantly at freeway speeds a day earlier, however I used to be hesitant to confess it to myself as a result of it didn’t match my world view on the time. Much more irritating, the up-only quickshifter was speedy and clean whereas at half throttle, full throttle, and in every single place in between. At slower speeds it was a bit of clunky getting from gear to gear if my left toe was lazy, however as soon as I shifted with goal it was butter, in order that was extra of a me downside.
Positive, the 675SS had confirmed to be good as much as that time, however what in regards to the brakes? Possibly they’re the Achilles heel of the CFMOTO? In any case I’ve by no means heard of J.Juan brakes; who even manufactures them? Excuse me, what’s that? Brembo makes them? The highest-tier Italian brake producer? Crap. Effectively, I suppose that explains why I couldn’t get them to fade whereas I hammered them at excessive speeds about 15 occasions in a row. On reflection I suppose it is smart, as a result of these are twin 4-piston calipers squeezing the daylights out of massive 300mm discs.
This bike check was not going how I deliberate, however I didn’t surrender simply but. Possibly the tires have been the chink within the CFMOTO’s armor. I’d by no means used Cheng Shin tires on a sportbike, so I imagined the CST S3N tires weren’t going to encourage a lot confidence at increased speeds or better lean angles. A tough no. They’d a planted really feel loading into turns, with a predictable roll from nook to nook. Inside a couple of miles of twisties I acquired snug sufficient to neglect in regards to the tires altogether. I’d have wager you a few Zimas that I’d catch this bike out as soon as I pushed it laborious, however it wasn’t to be. On reflection, it did have traction management and a strong slipper clutch to clean out my overcooked entries, mid-corner miscues, and whisky-throttle exits.
GEAR UP:
I gave up. Possibly a trackday would have enabled me to proceed pushing the bike to disclose some shortcoming, however I’ve a sneaking suspicion that the CFMOTO 675SS would have confirmed a resilient and worthy adversary.
Hear, I’m not a quitter, however I attempted to punish this bike sufficient to solid it apart as a lesser model of extra established manufacturers and easily couldn’t get it completed. The construct high quality, efficiency, and aesthetics are unquestionably strong. And that’s ignoring the truth that this bike may be had for an insanely cheap $7,999. It was quick, didn’t vibrate, fueled easily, shifted quickly in all situations, cornered with cool confidence, and simply dropped the anchor every time I hugged the brakes. And at 6-foot-2 I used to be surprisingly snug droning down the freeway for miles on finish, with minimal wrist strain, wind buffeting, or saddle soreness. Does that imply this bike can be my steed of selection for a guys’ journey to Alaska? No. The windscreen can be too quick, the bars too low, the seat too agency, the suspension too stiff, and the pegs too excessive. However flame throwers are scorching, anvils are heavy, and razors are sharp. The suitable instrument for the job, proper? And it is a observe and canyon weapon.
The CFMOTO 675SS offers you fashionable sportbike styling, LED lights, a helpful USB energy plug, cool track-specific software program, and loads of different tidbits to carry your curiosity lengthy after you ease off the throttle and let the adrenaline work itself out of your system. The cherry on high? Once I took a break on the world-famous Rock Retailer on Mulholand, the 675SS garnered a good quantity of consideration and was the topic of some “what’s that?” conversations, which is troublesome for any bike to do given the large quantity of unique equipment on show there.
The CFMOTO 675SS shocked and impressed me. Not simply due to what it might do but in addition as a result of it broadened my interested by which bike manufacturers have been “worthy” of my consideration. Possibly it’s time I made room for yet another spot on the poker desk.
2026 CFMOTO 675SS Specs
- Base Value: $7,999
- Web site: CFMOTOusa.com
- Guarantee: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
- Engine Kind: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 675cc
- Bore x Stroke: 72.0 x 55.2mm
- Horsepower: 95 hp @ 11,000 rpm (manufacturing unit declare)
- Torque: 51.6 lb-ft @ 8,250 rpm (manufacturing unit declare)
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Remaining Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 55.1 in.
- Rake/Path: 26 levels/4.2 in.
- Seat Top: 31.9 in.
- Moist Weight: 429 lb
- Gas Capability: 4.0 gal.
- Gas Consumption: 43.5 mpg
