CFMoto 800NK: The Best Chinese Motorcycle but the Price is Questionable

 Here's how the new Chinese mid-range naked bike performs and its pricing: a mature and decently enjoyable motorcycle that tries to make a mark but falls short compared to its "step-sister" KTM. and it is even worse compared to what the Japanese are offering at a fraction more asking price.

There was great excitement around a concept at the CFMoto booth during Eicma 2022, which was already very close to the final version of a sporty and modern naked bike. It was powered by one of the most appealing mid-sized twin-cylinder engines on the market: the 799cc KTM LC8c, which also powers the Austrian brand's Duke 790.

The concept showcased modern and aggressive lines without going overboard with a design that was too complex, giving the NK C22 - the project's code name - a mature look, ready to hit the road.

After a little over six months,  I finally got my hands on the final version and discover how the 800 NK, although closely related to the KTM 790 Duke, has its own personality not only in terms of aesthetics but also in terms of performance.

SCRUTINIZED IN EVERY DETAIL

During the production phase, some features that characterized the prototype were abandoned. The most notable change was the decision to replace the single-sided swingarm with a more traditional double-sided one, and the exhaust was changed from dual to a single outlet, unlike the version seen at Eicma. However, these choices did not have any significant impact on the final result, which remains rather underwhelming.

Yes, the 800 NK is indeed well-crafted and built with great attention to detail compared to other Chinese brands. The plastics are of decent quality, as are the fittings, so and so about the paintwork. The handlebar controls, which are constantly in the rider's field of view, contribute to the feeling of riding a well tought bike but not a solid well built one especially when it comes to vibrations. 

Overall, the most striking aspect is that from any angle, the 800 NK gives the impression of being a motorcycle that drew no inspiration from any of its direct competitors.

Modena 40, the research and development centre led by designer Carles Solsona, which has been developing projects for CFMoto since 2017 from its headquarters in Rimini, has done an excellent job in giving the NK a well-defined and unique identity. The front headlight with its V-shaped signature is appealing, and the "wings" that embrace the front radiator are well integrated. The rear light, which appears almost identical to the front but simply inverted, adds a touch of choreography.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The engine base is the same as the 790 Duke, with the 800 NK adopting the front-mounted 95 hp twin-cylinder engine, delivering 79 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. The power is controlled by a ride-by-wire throttle that offers three engine maps: street, rain, and sport, all full power but with different throttle responses. It's worth noting that cruise control comes standard.

Compared to the 790 Duke, the 800 NK does not include traction control, a decision likely made to reduce the final cost, but it honestly leaves me somewhat perplexed.

The engine is housed in a steel trellis frame with dedicated shapes and dimensions, and it is connected to KYB suspension components, including adjustable 43mm diameter front forks and a non-linkage rear mono shock. The braking system consists of J. Juan radial-mount front callipers gripping 320mm diameter discs. The ABS system is provided by Bosch.

HOW DOES THE CFMOTO 800NK PERFORM?

Riding the bike feels immediately comfortable. The perfect combination of seat-footpeg-handlebar puts the rider in a position with slightly bent legs and the torso correctly leaning forward, without causing fatigue. The declared weight of 186 kg (ready to ride) with a 15-litre fuel tank is hardly noticeable at low speeds.

The cable-operated clutch is smooth, and the gearbox is precise with well-spaced gear ratios. The engine's sound is pleasant, offering exhilarating pops during aggressive downshifts. From the first kilometres, the 800 NK proves to be effective and quite enjoyable. It handles curves intuitively and requires little mental and physical effort from the rider to be ridden brilliantly. It enters curves precisely, maintaining a good line and always providing the rider with a sense of security. The original equipment Maxxis Supermaxx tires perform excellently, even on particularly smooth asphalt and with an ambient temperature exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.

The bike maintains a consistent feeling, indicating that the suspension package works correctly, optimally utilizing the tire's performance. The stock suspension setup features a fairly soft front fork and a rear shock that feels stiff over more pronounced bumps. However, this is not a significant issue since adjustments can be made to the suspension settings. The overall balance is of ok but in my opinion not there yet. Changing direction in tight spaces is not difficult, with the 800 NK naturally responding to rider input.

Even when pushing the Chinese motorcycle during my spirited ride, covering several kilometres, I almost never encountered any difficulties. It was handled well and provided an overall performance that can I consider good but far off the benchmark. The vibrations emitted by its powerful twin-cylinder engine are very noticeable. It accelerates effortlessly in the mid-range, although it seems to offer much less vigour compared to the KTM's engine. This is most likely due to CFMOTO's specific electronic tuning, which aims to provide a smoother power delivery, sacrificing some character in the mid-range.

THE ADVANCED VERSION IS ALSO AVAILABLE

During our test ride, I also had the opportunity to try the Advanced version of the CFMoto naked, which gains a bidirectional quickshifter, quite good in its operation, a steering damper, keyless start, and, most notably, the largest TFT colour display mounted on a motorcycle in this category - an impressive 8 inches. The TFT screen naturally connects to our smartphones and offers additional features such as Apple CarPlay. To accommodate the large TFT display, the Advanced version has a split handlebar, but the dimensions of the riding position remain the same.

CFMOTO 800NK: THE FINAL VERDICT

The new and highly anticipated Chinese mid-range motorcycle has many positive aspects but also some shadows. The most notable issue is the operation of the ABS system, which we hope will be harmonized soon. When riding at a faster pace, requiring harder braking while entering curves, the Bosch system makes its presence overly noticeable, and it does so inconsistently, affecting the riding experience and prolonging braking with insufficiently rapid re-engagement.

At times, the response of the ride-by-wire throttle is also inconsistent. In some cases, it can be too aggressive, especially in Sport mode, while in other instances, it feels excessively filtered, requiring full-throttle input to achieve significant accelerations. Of course, one can adapt quickly, but I believe that these flows must be addressed soon. 

CFMOTO 800NK: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The CFMoto 800NK is a quite good mid-range naked motorcycle, but to make its mark in a highly competitive segment without showing any reverential fear it needs to lower the prices and offer more assistance. |CF Moto like the Japanese motorcycle companies in the 70s needs to offer better quality motorcycles that the competition at a better more appealing price than the competition.