CFMoto 650NK sport bike

[euphonius]

This after-sales service/support model, if they can pull it off, is already streets ahead of what Jialing offers in most parts of China. Let's hope that this really does indicate a raising of the bar in service commitment by Chunfeng here in China, and that this indeed will force others to raise the bar as well. This, in turn, could (potentially) raise the visibility of motorcycling in China, thus leading to a more benign/virtuous cycle of more people buying bikes and riding, and demanding better levels of service and care, which results in even more riders -- and ultimately more pressure to stop the march of motorcycle bans.

This does conflict with something that I think you, bikerdoc, yourself said in an earlier post: That CFMoto is just doing the minimum, and is not taking any really meaningful steps to improve the domestic market. Have you revised your views following your latest interactions with CFMoto/Chunfeng?

Fingers crossed!

cheers

[euphonius]

Incidentally, I'd heard recently that Jialing has sacked their entire domestic retail/marketing team in Chongqing, including the notoriously sour Li Shilin but also the kindly Lao Zhou and others. Not sure about sales technician Tang Wei (唐炜), who had been touring China training up local service techs.

Hopefully all of this signals a shakeup that will lead to better sales/service, but I'm not holding my breath. Perhaps Milton knows something following his recent service dealings with Jialing headquarters...

cheers

[bikerdoc]

This after-sales service/support model, if they can pull it off, is already streets ahead of what Jialing offers in most parts of China. Let's hope that this really does indicate a raising of the bar in service commitment by Chunfeng here in China, and that this indeed will force others to raise the bar as well. This, in turn, could (potentially) raise the visibility of motorcycling in China, thus leading to a more benign/virtuous cycle of more people buying bikes and riding, and demanding better levels of service and care, which results in even more riders -- and ultimately more pressure to stop the march of motorcycle bans.

I hope so too, which is why I am a little partial to CFMoto in some respects. That's not to say that the company (and in all fairness to CFMoto; the shops that sell their products) are 100% bang on for the money, but, there is improvement which I think has partly come about by default as CFMoto as a company has reached out more globally, thereby gaining some understanding of what is required to meet the market conditions etc. I've been fortunate to see the facility first hand just how good their production facilities are. They invest >20% into R&D, in rather nice feature rich production/design/innovation labs.

This does conflict with something that I think you, bikerdoc, yourself said in an earlier post: That CFMoto is just doing the minimum, and is not taking any really meaningful steps to improve the domestic market. Have you revised your views following your latest interactions with CFMoto/Chunfeng?
Fingers crossed!
cheers

Correct Euph I did make a statement to that effect, and in some ways I still see it as holding weight. I know that CFMoto is focused outwardly and globally, and I was under the impression that since that was/is their focus; being as I saw it - CFMoto wasn't too interested in the domestic market which, given the state of affairs (cities imposing motorcycle bans, expressway bans and so on) seemed logical. That doesn't mean in anyway that I see CFMoto as just getting by, by providing just the minimum - far from it. I see their focus of global branding ,as being more important a strategy than dealing with a changeable and multi-layered bureaucracy on the home front. Though perhaps from CFMoto's perspective it might indeed be a strategy whereby they can offer a better product domestically in the medium-long term, by dealing as they are with global markets.

I should know better, TIC! I should start thinking more in reverse, or instead of bottom up - top down. Something like that. Euph, there is one caveat to all this analytical thought, I'm not Chinese and therefore the modus-operandi could be anyone's guess.

I knew that the 650 was more than a pipe dream (which I firmly believed to be more than just gossip which was some were alleging at the time) when I frist heard about it. I even had some mates tell me, it was a load of BS! That was one of the ulterior motives I had for going to CFMoto in Hangzhou, to see first hand for myself if the 650 was for real. And if it would be more than just a motorcycle exhibition centerpiece. True to form and here we are.

The crafty move (?strategy) by CFMoto is that they have taken this latest NK and with some wizardry manufactured a police bike and a fairly nice looking one visually at that, especially compared to what's serving those bike cops now IMO, that's a smart move by CFMoto in my book. I only hope it will pay dividends and that some of us can be the benefactors. However like you, Euph, I'm also not holding my breath.

[bikerdoc]

CFMoto CF650NK specs:

Dimensions (mm): 2120 × 780 × 1100

座高(mm): 795 Seat height: 795mm
轴距(mm): 1415 Wheelbase: 1415mm
最小离地间隙(mm): 150 Minimum ground clearance: 150mm
最小转弯半径(mm): 2700 Minimum turning radius: 2700mm
前轮：120/70ZR17 Front tyre: 120/70ZR17
后轮：160/60ZR17 Rear tyre: 160/60ZR17
前制动盘(mm): 300 Front brake disc (mm): 300
后制动盘(mm): 220 Rear brake disc (mm): 220
净重(kg): 193 Dry Weight: 193kg
邮箱容积(L): 17 Fuel tank capacity: 17 Litres
并列直立双缸: Vertical parallel twin

四冲程: four stroke

八气门: eight valve (4 valve/cylinder)

DOHC: Double Overhead Cam

水冷电喷: EFI water-cooled EFI
排量(ml): 649.3 Displacement (ml): 649.3cc
综合油耗(L/100km): 5.5 Integrated fuel consumption: 5.5L/100km
最高车速(km/h): 200 Top speed: 200km/h
压缩比: 11.3:1 Compression ratio: 11.3:1
功率: 52kW/8500r/min Power: 52kW/8500r/min
扭矩: 62N•m/7000r/min Torque: 62N • m/7000r/min
起步加速: 10 s，超越加速（30km/h开始至200m）8.5s. 0-100km/h 10's, speed from (30km/h - 200m) 8.5s
启动方式: 电启动 Start: electric start
点火方式: ECU Ignition: ECU
驱动方式: 链条 Final Drive: chain
传动方式: 6档常啮合 Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
润滑方式：压力与飞溅 Lubrication: Pressure and Splash

There has been some Chinese motorbike forum mention of ABS brakes on the 650NK but this is not confirmed. Hopefully I will get to check this first hand in the coming weeks.The first gear is quoted as being quite low thus allowing for easy mono's/wheelies ;)
Final drive chain, bearings (unsure if the reference is final drive bearings, wheel bearings or engine bottom end bearings but the "bearings" in any case) along with the clutch plates are claimed as being sourced from Japan, as are the brakes. A claim also made that some of the 650NK design is from Italy although which design aspects is unclear, and no substantive info on whether such Italian design was from Ducati.
Exhaust is two into one, with the rear muffler being a slip-on which will appeal to DIY for after market modification. Low seat height of 795mm which should appeal to those of lower stature (think Chinese in this case).LCD display with dual bright/dim back light when headlight is switched on for less glare for night riding (something the Jetmax lacks).
The clutch and brake levers are 5 way adjustable. Switches are fairly standard integrated units combining multi-functionality into relevant switches. Apparently the 650NK combines stereo speakers into the package somewhere near the tail section (perhaps a MP3/FM radio combo as found on the Jetmax, V3, V5 and 250T-F) - will check this out.

Headlights are thought to be Xenon HID with projectors, and claimed to be comparable to the bright lights found in many cars in China (where driving at night with highbeam activated no matter other road users is the norm!).

The 650NK CPU integrates an interesting device that sensors when the motorbike tips beyond 45 degrees which after 7 seconds will shut off the engine. When the side stand is lowered the engine will also cut-out, even as I understand it when the gearbox is in neutral (not confirmed). Again there maybe something lost in translation so I will confirm this. My Dragstar will idle on the side-stand, but if I apply clutch and put the gearbox into 1st gear then engine will shut-off if the side stand has not been raised. From early accounts the standard tyres could do with replacement with some better rubber. The rear mono shock is by all accounts non-adjustable.
Brakes are sourced Japanese units, with full floating double calipers on twin discs at the front and single caliper single disc rear (again ABS is not confirmed). There has been some reports of buzzing in the mirrors around 4500rpm, which has been lessened when the tyres have been changed for a better tyre compound.

Will give my review once I get to try one out first hand.

[euphonius]

Hey, bikerdoc, this looks interesting. any chance of changing the text to white so we can read it?

does that really say top speed of 200kph?

six-speed gearbox? sweet!

cheers

[bikerdoc]

Hey, bikerdoc, this looks interesting. any chance of changing the text to white so we can read it?
does that really say top speed of 200kph?
six-speed gearbox? sweet!
cheers

Done Euph, not sure what happened there. Even increased font size so you can read it too. Yes, has claimed top end in excess of 200km/h, with one guy taking a new 650NK past 166km/h - scary stuff for a regular Chinese in my book. 6-speed, and possibly with ABS from what I have read, but I'm trying to dig around and confirm this. Might just have to wait until I try this out for myself later. The 650TR previously mentioned is in production along with the 650NK. The 650RS which is the fully faired touring model with panniers etc is likely to be out first or second quarter of 2012. I'm going to try to pull some strings to see if I can pick up a 650TR since I don't want to have to wait until 2012.

[dewsnap]

I previously posted that i've heard a lot of good things about the cf650nk, but i've since heard some pretty bad reviews. It's all chatter of course, but i was out with 18 bikes riding through Zhejiang and the cf650nk was the only bike that had any problems. The guy riding it absolutely hated it. Most of the group said that the engine is terrible and completely untested, and it certainly proved to be the case as the rider had to coast back down the mountain to safety.

[Lao Jia Hou]

Poor guy - must of sucked having a breakdown, and then everyone jumping on his new bike.

Well, it can happen to any new bike. Anyone who owned an AMF Harley can attest to that.

Still, I am impressed with the new CF650 - it does appear to be healthy competition for the JH600.

[bikerdoc]

I previously posted that i've heard a lot of good things about the cf650nk, but i've since heard some pretty bad reviews. It's all chatter of course, but i was out with 18 bikes riding through Zhejiang and the cf650nk was the only bike that had any problems. The guy riding it absolutely hated it. Most of the group said that the engine is terrible and completely untested, and it certainly proved to be the case as the rider had to coast back down the mountain to safety.

So what was the problem specifically? Do you know why the 650NK owner 'hated' it? When you write that he had to coast back down the mountain to safety, why so? Was the mountain unsafe in some way? Did he coast down under engine power or otherwise? I'm not trying to pull your 'pud' so to speak - just playing the devils advocate. :P

That's not to say that the 650NK in the group wasn't suffering from some mechanical problems (can you be more specific?), I'd be cautious in saying that all 650NK's have such problems. Even if there is some anomaly that is only just now becoming apparent, I'm sure that CFMoto will more than likely be trying their darnedest to rectify it. CFMoto upgraded several parts on my Jetmax within months of my purchasing it, since mine was one of the bikes from the first production run (beta model perhaps). A number of parts were upgraded between the first and subsequent production runs. Moreover I'd wonder just how this particular 650NK has been handled by said owner since purchase? Being that regular and routine maintenance is frequently overlooked and not done in PRC, on most things both expensive and inexpensive.

As you rightly point out, a lot of the chatter you heard is most likely unfounded gossip and if such chatter is from the average Chinese then also likely quite biased too as I've found in my experiences in PRC. I know that many Chinese here believe that anything foreign, or with a foreign name has got to be better - and while that MAYBE the case in some instances it ISN'T so.

Most of the group that you rode with stating that the engine is untested means almost nothing, if they cannot substantiate such a claim with evidence - do any of them work for CFMoto per chance? Have any of them been to CFMoto facilities in Hangzhou as I have and seen the facilities and the testing centre along with the R&D dept, first hand as I have? Me thinks, highly unlikely! Have any of them been to any of the other Chinese motorcycling manufacturing facilities as a comparison? I have, as have others here, and from my point of view it's akin to comparing chalk with cheese. CFMoto have a state of the art facility and stand head & shoulders above other motorcycle manufacturing facilities I've seen here. I know just how lengthy a testing period the 650NK has undergone according to what I was told and shown on my visit to CFMoto. I'm assured and fairly confident, that the 650NK (and engine) wasn't just manufactured and then sold, without undergoing extensive testing first. It's been tested for at least a year as far as I recall. Not to say that there could be some problems not found in testing that have now come to the fore in the wild so to speak.

While this can have a dramatic effect on the big picture, lets first look at the specifics in detail. An aspect often lacking in PRC, by the AVERAGE Chinese person. Dewsnap, can you provide more information? I'd only be more than interested to know specifics and then contact either the Zhejiang agent and/or my CFMoto contact in the company to discuss the issue.

[euphonius]

If Dewsnap says this fellow rider -- one of the first 650NK early adopters -- was having serious frustrations with the bike in a posse of riders, I'm certainly willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Surely this bike is an early production model, or perhaps even a late beta, which could explain a lot. As bikerdoc notes, CFMoto has a record of beta testing bikes on its paying customers. If this 650NK owner had to coast down the mountain, I'm assuming this was because the engine, transmission or drive train was malfunctioning somehow, and that was his only option. Sounds to me like a resourceful, thoughtful rider.

This is the first first-hand account of the new bike's performance in the wild, and, as such, it's far from hearsay or rumor. It's fact as witnessed by Dewsnap. It would be fantastic if that rider could join mychinamoto and post up about his experiences. Hell, give me his number and I'll interview him for MCM. it's one of the most promising new bikes on the horizon, a fantastic prod for keeping Jialing and others on their competitive toes, so let's do our best to cut through the murk and emotions and get straight to the facts.

Dewsnap, can you help us to contact this 650NK guinea pig?

cheers!