2026 CFMOTO 675SS Assessment | Rider Journal

By the point China-based Cfmoto was based in 1989, I used to be 20 years previous. Which means I had already determined which motorbike manufacturers had been aggressive and dependable, which of them had been all about standing, and which of them ought to be prevented in any respect prices. As soon as I did the mathematics, I shut the door to the opportunity of any additions or options and went about my motorcycling life simply as comfortable as a clam.

How did I resolve which producers made the quick listing? Easy; no matter manufacturers of bike my older neighbors Mike Destefano and Bruce Richards had been racing on the time had been on the nice listing, and no matter bikes they cursed and threw wrenches at had been to be prevented. Principally, I employed what consultants consult with as The Scientific Technique.

Quick ahead a whopping 36 years later, and I’ve largely held quick to these early opinions about motorbike manufacturers, regardless of a gradual inflow of recent gamers within the motorbike manufacturing area. I do know this to be true as a result of once I first took possession of the brand new CFMOTO 675SS, it felt like an intrusion on the quick listing of bike producers that had, over years, earned a everlasting place in my storage. As I stared on the CFMOTO, it felt just like the equal of some random individual attempting to muscle in on poker night time with me and my decades-long group of cronies. I don’t want a brand new buddy, I don’t need a new buddy, and rattling it, there simply aren’t sufficient cigars and beer to go round.

In order you may think, I used to be a bit standoffish from the get-go. I knew nothing about this bike or the corporate that it rode in from, and I didn’t count on a optimistic end result. Quite the opposite, somewhat a part of me was trying ahead to punishing it to the diploma it could show unworthy of a seat on the desk. If I might make that occur, I might go proper again to my uncomplicated, predictable little world that even a toddler might handle. No query it was closed-minded and juvenile, however I’m simply being sincere with you.

I used to be a bit deflated once I first turned the important thing to the “on” place, as a result of the TFT show was so brilliant and vivid, I had no bother noting that the traction management was set to minimal intrusion, the tire pressures had been 33/34 psi, and I had by accident toggled the left flip indicator. And once I tapped the beginning button, the 675cc 95-hp inline-Triple sounded deep and throaty, barking out of the brushed stainless exhaust. Then I clicked it into gear and was additional dissatisfied, as a result of the fueling was so clean proper off idle, I couldn’t stall it from a cease even after a number of half-hearted efforts to take action. Quite the opposite, it had constant energy instantly off idle and was possibly the simplest sportbike I ever launched off the road, liter bikes included. As a lot as I hated to confess it, this motorbike can be straightforward to stay with in metropolis site visitors, as a result of along with the implausible fueling, it had ample bottom-end energy.

Proper about then, there was a glimmer of hope that I had found an actual weak spot within the CFMOTO in its old-school cable clutch. However that dream died when the ability to the driveline was sturdy, constant, and possessed a predictable friction vary throughout the lever’s journey. Even throughout high-rpm launches, the clutch maintained nice chunk and by no means light. Rattling it.

Happily, good luck shined on me as I serendipitously discovered a really actual design oversight: the overly stiff steering damper. That’s proper, the damper was so ungodly stiff that full lock-to-lock turning at road speeds was nearly inconceivable. However victory slipped by way of my fingers just some miles later, because the inquisitive youngster in me determined to fidget with the damper rod at a site visitors gentle and realized that it was totally adjustable. Roughly 20 clicks later, I had basically turned it off and the clip-ons moved backwards and forwards with ease. Clearly it wasn’t only for appears to be like. Superior.

I’ll concede that the 675SS runs nice at sluggish speeds, however who cares about all that? In any case it’s a sportbike and desires to have the ability to go laborious, cease fast, and switch sharp. I used to be assured it could be on this area that I might expose the bike’s shortcomings, particularly when it got here to the finances elements I suspected it had.

The most effective instance of producers slicing corners is usually the suspension, so I leaned down in hopes of finding an unfamiliar model title on the shock and fork however learn a reputation I used to be not anticipating: Japan’s KYB. The identical stuff that comes on Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Triumph bikes. I’ve been utilizing KYB suspension on my bikes for years, and I really like the stuff. Ah, however these had been most likely nonadjustable old-tech variations with cool new stickers on them. Effectively, my flathead screwdriver responded with a powerful “no” because it spun this fashion and that, enabling fine-tuning changes to rebound and compression on the fork and rebound and preload on the shock.

So what, it had high quality suspension elements on it. Huge deal. I didn’t care at that time, as a result of my new plan was to choose up the speeds on some quick Southern California canyon roads and watch the CFMOTO home of playing cards come tumbling down.

For this high-intensity activity, I squeezed into my Mithos observe go well with and slammed a lukewarm prune juice. I used to be prepared. The primary little bit of suggestions the CFMOTO gifted me as speeds danced towards triple digits was disheartening, as a result of all I uncovered was a brilliant clean engine and fueling that exposed no hesitation or odd hit anyplace alongside the journey by way of six gears on as much as the 11,000-rpm laborious ceiling. Sure, the rev limiter let me know the enjoyable was over considerably abruptly, however by then I used to be heading straight to Xanadu with an enormous grin on my face.

Alongside the way in which, I seen a suspicious lack of vibration emanating from the bars, seat, or pegs. This lack of vibes was one thing I noticed nearly instantly at freeway speeds a day earlier, however I used to be hesitant to confess it to myself as a result of it didn’t match my world view on the time. Much more irritating, the up-only quickshifter was fast and clean whereas at half throttle, full throttle, and all over the place in between. At slower speeds it was somewhat clunky getting from gear to gear if my left toe was lazy, however as soon as I shifted with goal it was butter, in order that was extra of a me drawback.

Certain, the 675SS had confirmed to be good as much as that time, however what in regards to the brakes? Possibly they’re the Achilles heel of the CFMOTO? In any case I’ve by no means heard of J.Juan brakes; who even manufactures them? Excuse me, what’s that? Brembo makes them? The highest-tier Italian brake producer? Crap. Effectively, I assume that explains why I couldn’t get them to fade whereas I hammered them at excessive speeds about 15 instances in a row. Looking back I assume it is sensible, as a result of these are twin 4-piston calipers squeezing the daylights out of massive 300mm discs.

This motorbike take a look at was not going how I deliberate, however I didn’t surrender simply but. Possibly the tires had been the chink within the CFMOTO’s armor. I’d by no means used Cheng Shin tires on a sportbike, so I imagined the CST S3N tires weren’t going to encourage a lot confidence at larger speeds or larger lean angles. A tough no. That they had a planted really feel loading into turns, with a predictable roll from nook to nook. Inside a number of miles of twisties I acquired snug sufficient to neglect in regards to the tires altogether. I might have guess you a few Zimas that I’d catch this motorbike out as soon as I pushed it laborious, nevertheless it wasn’t to be. Looking back, it did have traction management and a strong slipper clutch to clean out my overcooked entries, mid-corner miscues, and whisky-throttle exits.

GEAR UP:

I gave up. Possibly a trackday would have enabled me to proceed pushing the bike to disclose some shortcoming, however I’ve a sneaking suspicion that the CFMOTO 675SS would have confirmed a resilient and worthy adversary.

Pay attention, I’m not a quitter, however I attempted to punish this bike sufficient to forged it apart as a lesser model of extra established manufacturers and easily couldn’t get it finished. The construct high quality, efficiency, and aesthetics are unquestionably strong. And that’s ignoring the truth that this bike may be had for an insanely cheap $7,999. It was quick, didn’t vibrate, fueled easily, shifted quickly in all circumstances, cornered with cool confidence, and simply dropped the anchor every time I hugged the brakes. And at 6-foot-2 I used to be surprisingly snug droning down the freeway for miles on finish, with minimal wrist stress, wind buffeting, or saddle soreness. Does that imply this bike can be my steed of selection for a guys’ journey to Alaska? No. The windscreen can be too quick, the bars too low, the seat too agency, the suspension too stiff, and the pegs too excessive. However flame throwers are sizzling, anvils are heavy, and razors are sharp. The appropriate software for the job, proper? And it is a observe and canyon weapon.

The CFMOTO 675SS provides you trendy sportbike styling, LED lights, a helpful USB energy plug, cool track-specific software program, and loads of different tidbits to carry your curiosity lengthy after you ease off the throttle and let the adrenaline work itself out of your system. The cherry on high? Once I took a break on the world-famous Rock Retailer on Mulholand, the 675SS garnered a good quantity of consideration and was the topic of some “what’s that?” conversations, which is tough for any motorbike to do given the huge quantity of unique equipment on show there.

The CFMOTO 675SS shocked and impressed me. Not simply due to what it might do but additionally as a result of it broadened my fascinated with which motorbike manufacturers had been “worthy” of my consideration. Possibly it’s time I made room for yet one more spot on the poker desk.

2026 CFMOTO 675SS Specs

• Base Value: $7,999
• Web site: CFMOTOusa.com
• Guarantee: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
• Engine Kind: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Triple, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
• Displacement: 675cc
• Bore x Stroke: 72.0 x 55.2mm
• Horsepower: 95 hp @ 11,000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
• Torque: 51.6 lb-ft @ 8,250 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
• Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
• Ultimate Drive: Chain
• Wheelbase: 55.1 in.
• Rake/Path: 26 levels/4.2 in.
• Seat Peak: 31.9 in.
• Moist Weight: 429 lb
• Gasoline Capability: 4.0 gal.
• Gasoline Consumption: 43.5 mpg