KTM + CFMOTO: WEST MEETS EAST
P112
Feature
250/300/400cc NK bikes, CFMoto
is developing a 1000cc NK bike like
this one. It's a great proof of CFMoto's
brand positioning in looking ahead to
larger displacement products."
Mr. Lai, however, originally declined
to give more details on the genesis
of the showbike, and especially who
created it for him. But some detective
work in Italy has uncovered the design-
er, thanks to the clue provided by the
distinctive extractor fans beneath the
seat for cooling the rear-mounted ra-
diator. This was a design feature found
on the Benelli Tornado and TnT triples
which debuted in 2003, and continued
in production until 2014, after the Italian
trophy brand was purchased in 2006
by China's second-largest manufac-
turer Qianjiang/QJ. The man who de-
signed the V.02 Concept bike for CFMoto
has now been confirmed as former Benelli
CEO Pierluigi Marconi, one-time chief
engineer at the prestigious Rimini-based
Bimota sportbike factory, for which he
CFMoto President Mr. Lai
Guogui and KTM AG COO
Mr. Harald Ploeckinger
during the ground-breaking
ceremony in China.
On March 28, 2018,
the grand CFMoto-
KTMR2R Joint Venture
Ground-Breaking
Ceremony took place.
The local authorities,
CFMoto management,
KTM management
and other invited
distinguished guests
all presented and
witnessed this
milestone moment.
