CFMoto sports concept By Ben Purvis
CFMoto's signals of intent have been clear in recent months. Not only has the company launched the 700CL-X in Europe, but it's revealed the massive 1250TR-G tourer and 800 MT adventure bike in China, and now this - the carbon fibre bodywork SR-C21 concept.
Although CFMoto has shown the SR-C21 in China, it is not yet confirming the specifications or performance. Close inspection appears to show a parallel twin engine, but not one that matches any of the company's current products, or those of KTM - a close partner of CFMoto and source of both the 800MT's parallel twin and the 1250TR-G's V-twin engines.
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| SR-C21 shows near-production future sports bike |
The engine in the SR-C21 has a layout that's similar to some KTM engines, suggesting it could even be an early glimpse of the long-awaited small KTM twin that's due to appear in future '490' Duke and Adventure models. However, given CFMoto's own engineering abilities, it could just as easily be a home-developed engine.
It sits in a steel trellis frame with Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes and Pirelli rubber - European influences that may stem from the fact that the concept was designed not in China but at Modena near Rimini, which acts as CFMoto's European design arm.
The styling itself has distinct similarities to the company's existing 300SR sports bike and even more so to the upcoming 300 SR-R, which adds winglets and a single-sided swingarm to the mix. The SR-R has yet to be officially revealed, but has appeared in Chinese type-approval documents and closely mirrors the SR-C21's appearance (but uses the existing 300SR's frame and single-cylinder engine).
Although theoretically a concept bike, the SR-C21's components appear largely production ready. When displayed in China, the bike was seen to have a fully-operational TFT instrument display and even a conventional key. Some elements, like the stylised headlights and the forged carbon bodywork components, are less likely to reach production, but a parallel twin CFMoto sports bike - perhaps rivalling the Aprilia RS660 or Yamaha R7 - looks likely to join the range in the not too distant future.
To back up the company's interest in sport bikes, CFMoto has revealed that it's entering the 2023 Moto3 Championship, in collaboration with PrustelGP and with Xavier Artigas and Carlos Tatay taking on riding duties. Given the close ties between CFMoto and KTM, it's no surprise to see that the CFMoto Moto3 entrant is essentially the same as the existing KTM racer.
