It’s taken more than three years, but CFMoto is finally releasing its 650MT adventure tourer in Australia at a bargain price.
CFMoto Australia is offering the bike from launch in mid-May until end of July 2017 at a $500 discount on the ride-away price.
The bike comes in two models: $6990 ride away for the standard 650MT or $7490 ride away for the 650MT including the 32-litre Shad pannier kit.
CFMoto Australia director Michael Poynton says the 650MT is being introduced with a price differential between 30-50% over competitors.
The 650MT is a learner-approved road-biased adventure tourer with its 17-inch wheels, rather than a hard-core adventure bike.
Its main rivals are the Honda CB500X ABS ($7999 +ORC), Kawasaki Versus 650L ABS ($10,199 +ORC) and Suzuki DL650 V-Strom (from $10,290 +ORC).
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 400 ($5990 +ORC), SWM Superdual ($9,990 +ORC) and Yamaha XT660Z Tenere ($13,999 +ORC) have more adventurous wheels and rubber.
The 650MT seems to be oriented toward about 80% road and 20% smooth dirt as this video shows.
It shares the same platform as the 650NK and 650TK and also gets styling treatment from KTM’s design house, Kisha.
Read our CFMoto 650NK review
Like the other 650 models, it is powered by a 649.3cc liquid-cooled, parallel twin engine, with an 8-valve, DOHC, Bosch EFI system and Ducati ECU.
Peak power is restricted via a throttle stop to 41.5KW at 9500rpm with peak torque of 62NM at 7000rpm.
It comes with adjustable engine modes of sport and rain.
Brakes are the same as on the naked and touring models supplied by Spanish company J.Juan with dual 300mm discs up front and a 240mm disc at the rear and Continental ABS.
Suspension features upside-down forks with 140mm of travel and a rear cantilever shock with 145mm of travel. Clearance is 170mm, so it should be fine to tackle light dirt-road duties.
Touring features include an adjustable windscreen, large 18-litre fuel tank with up to 400km of range and LED lighting.
The seat height is 840mm but there is a low-seat option that drops it 20mm.
The instruments include a trip meter, clock and fuel warning light.
CFMoto Australia has more than 80 dealers across the country.
CFMoto 650MT
- Price: $6990 ride away (standard), $7490 (with panniers)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Engine: 649.3cc, liquid-cooled, 8-valve, DOHC parallel twin
- Power: 41.5kW @ 9000rpm
- Torque: 56Nm @ 7000rpm
- Compression: 11.3:1
- Bore x stroke: 83x60mm
- Transmission: 6-speed, chain drive
- Suspension: USD forks, KYB air-gas shock with 7-step adjustment
- Tyres: 120/70-17;160/60-17
- Brakes: dual 300mm discs, 240mm rear disc, ABS
- Wet weight: 206kg (454.2 pounds)
- Seat: 840mm
- Clearance: 170mm
- Fuel tank: 18 litres
- Colours: Blue and white
