CF650NK First Ride
 

I took the plunge recently and bought a CF650NK from Mark down at All2wheelers in Poole, uk. First up Mark is a great bloke to deal with and a proper old school bike garage not a blingy main dealer, I'd absolutely recommend him if you local and thinking of buying.

Took the bike out for a first ride yesterday and loved every minute! The bike feels comfortable straight off, the riding position is natural and the bike handles really well, confidence inspiring straight off even with new tyres in the wet.

Even sticking sticking to the run in procedure the bike does 55-60 mph at around 3500rpm which you have to keep up for 500 miles. The fuelling was flawless at all throttle openings, the engine felt strong and responsive. A bit frustrating as you know there is a lot more power available😊 but I'm going to be good and stick with the proper break in.

The bike looks to be a pretty good build quality, the paint and metal finishes look pretty good but I guess only time and miles will tell. I have to be honest and say the look of the bike as well as the price hooked me on the bike. The only thing I wasn't keen on we're the tacky stickers but none of them are lacquered over so it's a ten minute job to take them all off.

Cheers for that memo. I think this is the first one I see for a bike outside China.

Yeah I think they are they've only been imported here for just over a year so still pretty unusual to see. If first impressions bear out though, and at the price these are selling I'd guess they may become a much more familiar sight on the roads here��

That's a new one on me. Is the engine based on a 650 Suzuki, like the Hyosung?

ER6 clone
 

No, this is a parallel twin, based on the Kawasaki ER6, even down to the frame/swing arm configuration

What an interesting and good looking bike and a great review!

Where is it made?

Congrats. Looks nice, I haven't seen any of them ever.
How much did it set you back? Kinda reminds me of the Hyosungs... hard to pass up for lowprices.

CF
 

Yeah certainly low prices, £4100 on the road, delivered and the dealer even threw in a new helmet! At that price with 2 years warranty it doesn't feel like too much of a risk...

China. There was a review in Motorcyclist mag and there is an on going thread over at MCM. There are supposed to be three configuations with this motor; naked sport (above), tourer (also reviewed in MC and MCM), and a duel sport that hasn't been seen yet. Culcune is the guy-in-the-know on these bikes.

Cool.

Did not know if China, Korea, or Hong Kong.

Congratulations! :tup: I've been waiting for someone to purchase and review one of these bikes! :)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rFYKa2ZVPO...-CF650NK_9.jpg

When you have time, please post more photographs of your CF650NK. :D

Will do
 

Will do Spud, will pull her out of the shed and take a few pictures later

CF Moto has a U.S. website. Here's a link to the page describing the 650NK. :)

http://cfmoto-us.com/products/motorcycles/650-nk

Here's a "first ride report" from the Motorcyclist website. ;)

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/fi...k/viewall.html

I even found a "local" dealer in Montana!

http://www.staacksmotorsports.com/ne...ModelYear=2012

Here's a link to CF Moto Australia.

http://www.650nk.com.au/

Here's a video of the CF Moto 650NK. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ytaj_up-I4

Having not heard of the bike until a few weeks ago I was quite surprised at how much info is out there on the net. I'm finding that a number of the main stream (non Chinese bike specific) on line spares providers are listing the basic service parts. That and a really good dealer sealed the deal for me once I'd seen the bike in the flesh

I have that motor, kinda, in my Versys. Body style is based on the Er-6n. Here's a comparo between the CF and a Versys from the website Spud provided.

http://www.staacksmotorsports.com/ne...2=320461&go=Go

I wonder what the price will be here in the U.S. I'm guessing around $6500. That would under-cut Kawasaki buy $1500 as the Er-06n is not offered here.

Below are pictures of the Er-6n and differnt colors for the CF. I wonder which one we will see.

Based upon the price in South Africa, I'm guessing the 650NK is selling for $5,500-$6,000 in the United States. :) Of course, someone can contact one of the dealers, and request a quote. ;)

I wouldn't be surprised if you can use Kawasaki parts in that engine. If you can get the other parts from Taobao (plastic, et cetera), you shouldn't have too much trouble supporting the bike, especially since it has an established dealer network.

Actually, my knowledge of these bikes are only what I read on mychinamoto. There are 2 (or more?) threads, from the UK, so Choldy would be recommended to also join mychinamoto.com and meet up with the other owners, especially if they live close to him.

However, we would love for you to remain with us, Choldy, since I think you are the first member with the CF here on chinariders.

I'll stay
 

Oh for sure Culcune I'll hang out here and let you know how I'm getting on with the CF, I'm also a member over at MCM.

Exchange parts
 

Interchangeability is an interesting point, does anyone have any idea what model year of ER6 may share parts with the CF? Having had a first ride in the rain an extended rear hugger would be good to keep the muck off the back of the bike. The swing arm looks the same as the ER6, wondering if I could use an ER6 item?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BEkuvpqgZw

I like this version of it and it is getting good reviews!

Versys huggers here in the US are over $120. Too rich for me so I made my own. I would suggest joining a ER6 forum as well and see what others have come up with. I've seen huggers made from front fenders that look pretty good. My Qlink came with a flap that protects the rear shock and works well. Sometimes the simplest is the best.

Finally managed to get out for a ride again today, knocked the mileage up to 170 miles. She is running like a champ, can't wait till I've finished the run in so I can really take advantage of that engine. Noticed a couple of things when washing her down, I have paint rubbed off on both sides of the footrest hanger where the heel of my boot sits. It seems the paint is pretty thin there. I'll put a couple of stickers there for now but I'll probably either get both hangers powder coated or maybe I'll just polish them. The other thing was quite a bit of condensation inside the headlight unit which I think may be an MOT fail, I'll check while the bike is in warranty. Other than those couple of minor issues I'm still a very happy camper��

Thanks for the update. :)

Rode to work today, minor glitch, I parked at work then a couple of hours later needed to go a couple of miles to our other site. Start up was fine but after a short time the oil pressure light started to flick on and off. I stopped immediately and let the oil drain back into the sump, it was just under the high level marker. Checked for means just in case then restarted the bike and ride the rest of the way, no more oil light and no oil light tonight on my 7 mile ride home. Not sure what that was all about, maybe an electrical glitch/false warning light? Guess I'll keep an eye on it and if it doesn't reoccur I'll mention it to the dealer when I go back for my first service.

So just made my second entry to Fuelly, 45.3mpg which seems ok. Just knocked the mileage over 300, a couple more long rides and I'll be booking in for first service, looking forward to being able to take the revs up a bit more��

I think you are doing fine with your mileage. My 200cc TMEC motard gets 51 to 52 mpg (US gallon). Plus, you haven't even passed break-in mileage, or are just about there.

Yeah I'm pleased with the mileage considering its a practically new engine and a 650cc at that. Did an 80 mile run yesterday and she is running like a champ. For me, around 6ft, I found the pegs a little high making my ankles ache a bit. Easily fixed though with some adjustable pegs. Overall I really love the ride, I used to run a Buell XB9 and of all the bikes I've owned this is the closest comparable ride handling wise.

Anyway 300 miles in and I'm still loving this bike, although I paid a visit to the dealer and when I bought his last WK his next shipment came with a Matt Black bike which looks really goooood!

So I'm nearly run in now, need to see if the dealer can fit me in for a service next weekend. She's running absolutely great. I've only made one small change, I fitted bar end mirrors as all I could see in the mirrors was my shoulders, bar ends work much better. As a bonus it actually gives the bike a more streamlined/aggressive look which I like.

And you prefer describing your new aggressive look using words instead of pictures?! You're and evil man, you are... :D

Ok ok I'll get some pics:0)

We love photos. :tup:

photo's
 

as requested

That's a good looking motorcycle. :tup: Thanks for posting the photos. :)

Hot!

That is the most stylish CB I have seen.

Thanks guys, I'm pleased with how she looks, it's amazing what a difference a simple change can make, tail tidy next:0)

I see a chicken coop.

Chicken coop
 

Oh yeah, I like my fresh eggs so I keep a few hens out back:0)

BTW that rear fender assembly really is an abomination. It deserves to be gone. Then the bike will be even more beautiful.

Fender eliminator is on the wish list��