Chinese motorcycle brand CFMoto may be looking to get into the middleweight adventure space with a new adventure bike based on the KTM 790 Adventure. The CFMoto 800 Adventure model is the result of a joint venture between KTM and the Chinese manufacturer. The two brands had entered into a joint venture with CFMoto holding a majority 51 per cent stake, and KTM owning the remaining 48 per cent stake in 2017. Both brands have been long-term partners, and the new CFMoto adventure bike seems to be a product of that joint venture, to co-develop products for China and other Asian markets.
CFMoto already produces KTM models, sold under the jointly-owned KTMR2R brand in China, and a new manufacturing facility in China will also make KTM 790 Adventure and KTM 790 Duke bikes later this year to boost KTM's production capacity. The joint venture is different from KTM's relationship with India's Bajaj Auto. While Bajaj Auto actually owns a significant 48 per cent stake of KTM, the KTMR2R venture is owned by both KTM and CFMoto. And the new KTM 790 Adventure-based CFMoto model is a product of that joint venture.
The face employs two headlights with a typical adventure style beak with a windshield
The CFMoto adventure bike will share the engine with the KTM 790 Adventure, a 799 cc, parallel-twin that puts out 94 bhp of power at 8,250 rpm and 88 Nm of peak torque at 6,600 rpm. The tubular steel frame also seems to be shared with the 790 Adventure, as well as the exhaust. What seems to be different is the suspension set-up, as well as the wheels. Unlike the 790 Adventure, the test mule CFMoto sports cast alloy wheels, in a 19-inch front, and 17-inch rear combination. The design seems to be more of a road-going touring model, than an out-and-out adventure bike designed for both on-road and off-road use.
The design, although different, is likely by Kiska Design, which is part-owned by KTM, and the CFMoto version is expected to look good, with two horizontal headlights flanking a central air intake just above the 'beak'. The new bike, likely to be called the CFMoto MT800, is expected to be introduced sometime by September 2020, after the new joint venture manufacturing facility is officially opened in June 2020. CFMoto already has presence in India, and has launched 300 cc and 650 cc motorcycles, priced between Rs. 2.30 lakh and Rs. 5.50 lakh. Whether the CFMoto MT800 will be launched in India, or if KTM will just go with the KTM 790 Adventure for India, remains to be seen.
(Source: BikeSocial)
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