FEATURE
VISITING CFMOTO'S FACTORY
P80
It's also more export focused
than most of the larger compa-
nies there: for the past five years
it's been the biggest exporter of
ATVs from China in dollar volume,
and it only builds larger capacity
models, 500cc and up – indeed,
its range-topping model of which
10,000 units were built in 2013
has an 800cc V-twin engine
that might make ideal basis for a
cruiser motorcycle.
With all its products, CFMoto
emphasizes quality of manufac-
ture, rather than low cost, so while
its bikes are well priced, they're
also well made and durable.
"CFMoto gets the whole qual-
ity issue, in a way that most other
Chinese manufacturers which
are primarily price-oriented, still
don't yet," says Michael Poynton,
CEO of the company's Austra-
lian importer, Mojo Motorcycles.
"They strictly enforce a zero de-
fect manufacturing policy, and
they've adopted innovative pro-
duction methods to ensure every
product is finished to the highest
level of detail. Our core custom-
ers for their ATV models are Aus-
tralian farmers, who are ultra de-
manding, but it's a mark of how
good CFMoto's reliability is that
we've now overtaken Kawasaki
and Can-Am in terms of numbers
"Indeed, CFMoto is projecting manufacture
of 10,000 650cc parallel-twin models for
2014, with 4000 of these headed for the
Chinese home market, and the balance for
export around the world."
(Left) Alan Cathcart
had the opportunity to
visit CFMoto's factory,
which is located south
of Shanghai, where
production began in
March of KTM 200
and 390 Duke models,
alongside CFMoto's
650cc parallel-twin
range of motorcycles.
(Above) A worker puts the finishing
touches on a frame. (Right) The
650cc parallel twin that powers the
650NK roadster and 650TK bagger-
tourer. The 650s are exported to
Western markets and the pair will
be joined later this year by the
650MT adventure tourer, according
to CFMoto. (Far right) CFMoto also
manufacturers ATVs and side-by-sides
in its 490,000 square foot plant.
