Henri du Toit admits that he was slightly apprehensive. Like many riders, he had questions about build quality and long-term durability of the CFMOTO 800MTX. Those doubts, however, didn’t last long.
“When I collected the bike, I was immediately surprised by how light it felt. Weaving through traffic on the way home was a breeze. The bike reacted instantly to what I wanted it to do – acceleration, braking, responsiveness – everything felt intuitive,” he says.
Below is his experience after spending some time with the 800MTX.
“The standard bi-directional quickshifter is ultra-smooth. I also had some doubts about the adjustable screen, but I didn’t experience any discomfort or wind buffeting at all. It worked well on the highway and offered enough protection on gravel too.
“Changing riding modes – Standard for road use, Rain and Off-road – is as simple as pressing the ‘M’ button on the left-hand switchgear.
“The bike is powered by a 799cc liquid-cooled inline twin-cylinder engine producing 95hp and 87Nm of torque. With a wet weight of 220kg, the power-to-weight ratio is more than enough. In fact, it’s quite exhilarating.”
The MTX runs a 21” front wheel and an 18” rear, paired with a generous 240mm of ground clearance – a proper enduro-style set-up. Suspension consists of 48mm upside-down front forks with 230mm of travel and 20-stage adjustable preload, which proved more than capable off-road.
In terms of standard features, the list is long: ABS, traction control, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring and a steering damper all come as standard. The bike also carries a four-year/48 000km factory warranty.
Off-road performance is where the 800MTX really impressed.
“It handled absolutely everything. “Sand, ruts, rocky climbs, fine dust – you name it. It just swallowed it all. I was genuinely surprised by how capable it is. The bike is light, nimble and responsive, and it almost feels like riding a ‘plastic’ dirt bike. The rally seat is also very comfortable – shaped rather than narrow – and works well over long distances.”
Du Toit adds that the 800MTX uses an updated version of the KTM 790 engine, with known camshaft issues addressed, revised oil specifications and strong mid-range torque delivery. Visually, he believes the bike is a looker too, available in either black or blue.
“The real game-changer, apart from the outstanding off-road ability, is the price,” he says. “At R179 999, it’s impossible to ignore. Whether you’re new to gravel riding, upgrading from something smaller, or looking for a second bike to really play with, this is incredible value – fully equipped and adventure-ready.
“To my mind, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the build quality. China may just have delivered a game changer here. This is a lot of bike for the money.”
For test ride enquiries, phone Doug Farrell, national sales manager for CFMOTO SA, on 084 247 0391.
