CFMoto 700MT launched By Ben Purvis
CFMoto is rapidly forging a reputation as a market leader among Chinese brands and its affordable 650MT adventure bike has been a key element to its progress - and now it's getting a substantial upgrade as it transforms into the 700MT for 2024.
The company has had a larger, 793 cc version of its long-lived parallel twin engine for several years, initially using it in the 700CL-X retro bike, and now it's made the rational decision to slide the same motor into the MT adventure model.
The rest of the mechanical makeup is largely the same as the old 650MT, with no change to the frame or to the 218 kg curb weight including fuel. The 43 mm USD forks, adjustable for rebound damping only, are carried over, as is the rear shock, adjustable for rebound and preload. The same applies to the J.Juan brake calipers (these days owned by Brembo), although they now clamp onto 300 mm circular discs instead of the petal-style ones of the 650MT.
Visually, the bodywork is updated but still retains many of the shapes from the previous Kiska-designed 650MT, with a new look to the nose and the side panels.
On board, the 700MT gets a new 5-inch TFT dash borrowed from the recently launched 450SR sports bike, with phone connectivity for media and navigation, plus updated USB sockets to include a Type-C port as well as a Type-A one.
Although the 700MT's prices rise compared to the 650MT, the margin isn't a large one and in most markets the bike substantially undercuts rivals like Kawasaki's Versys 650, Yamaha's Tracer 7 and Suzuki's V-Strom 650, while now offering a similar level of performance - something that the old 650MT couldn't achieve.
