Motorcycle specifications CFMOTO700 CL-X Adventure 2023 Attractive contemporary scrambler

How about a roadster with a bit of leg? That's what CF Moto offers, without reinventing the wheel. Of course, I'm talking about a scrambler! But where the competition is surfing the neo-retro wave, CF Moto offers a very contemporary version. A winning bet?

The Chinese manufacturer has a fairly well-developed medium-displacement range: the 800 NK for the manga roadster genre, the MT for the trail category and the CL-X, which CF Moto describes as "Classic". This name actually conceals 3 bikes: a Heritage (scrambler), a Sport (café racer) and the last, our subject of the day: the Adventure ... a second scrambler with a more off-road look than the first, named Heritage. Are you still with me?

Adventure: a question of style

This Adventure stands out from the rest of the range by two changes that are immediately noticeable: a high mudguard and spoked wheels. These are two design gimmicks that we always cling to when we want to make the buyer understand that his bike is capable of leaving asphalt for dirt. The rest of the bodywork features a number of parts common to the Classic range, such as the X-shaped LED headlight and the 13-liter fuel tank.

More of a universal traveler, the Adventure also gets an elegant little bubble and suitcase mounts as standard. To enhance control of the bike, CF has also added handlebars that are higher (+30 mm) and wider (+15 mm on each side), making it easier to grip when standing up for the occasional off-road ride. This styling change also implies some modifications to the riding position. The seat is slightly higher (+3 cm) than the rest of the Classic range (+50%) on the Adventure model (830 mm from the ground), with a slightly improved ground clearance (+10 mm) of 170 mm.

In front of the handlebars, the slightly geeky rider may be disappointed by the simple LCD display, which nonetheless provides a comprehensive range of information. There's also a gear indicator, trip meter, fuel gauge and a clock for late arrivals. This Adventure also features cruise control, a warning function and two driving modes: Street and Off-Road (instead of the eco mode of its siblings in the range). This new mode deactivates the ABS at the rear and softens the power curve at low revs to facilitate off-road control.

On the other hand, we regret that CF Moto didn't see fit to offer an engine cover that would have both completed the off-road look and protected the engine.

Chassis: why make things complicated when you can make them simple?

CF Moto has adopted tried and tested solutions for its chassis. The range is based on a tubular steel trellis frame, in which the engine plays a load-bearing role. This frame is supported by Kayaba suspension components. These include an inverted fork (with "gold" tubes). It offers numerous settings: compression, rebound and preload. Its travel is 150 mm.

At the rear, the same manufacturer's monoshock attaches to an aluminum swingarm. With a travel of 150 mm (which will undoubtedly be a little short on heavy off-road shocks), it offers preload and rebound adjustments.

As mentioned above, this Adventure model is fitted with spoked wheels of different diameters. 18 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear. These wheels are fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs in widths of 110 and 170 mm. These are versatile tires, renowned for their quality, and a strong selling point for CF Moto.

The front brake is a single 300 mm diameter disc at the front, and a 260 mm disc at the rear. A radial-mount caliper uses 4 pistons to bite the front disc. The rear caliper has 2 pistons. The brakes are supplied by J.Juan (Brembo's Asian sub-brand). With a rare attention to detail (a CF Moto trademark), the brakes are fitted with aviation hoses as standard!

At 203 kg in running order, the Adventure isn't exactly a ballerina, but neither is it a pachyderm.

Engine: what you need, where you need it

For many years, CF Moto manufactured the 650 cm3 twin-cylinder used by Kawasaki. The Chinese manufacturer has taken care to preserve a well-born base while improving it for its Classic range. Displacement has been increased to 692 cm3 (bore x stroke 83x64 mm). Power output is 55 kW (70 hp) at a maximum rpm of 8,500. Reasonable values, but perfectly suited to everyday use with a touch of fun, without the fear of flipping over like a pancake as soon as you weld the right-hand handle.

Maximum torque is 68 Nm at 6,500 rpm. This engine needs a bit of work to get the best out of it, but its twin-cylinder architecture provides plenty of power at the bottom of the rev counter. The short exhaust should provide a pleasant soundtrack.

Transmission is via a 6-speed gearbox and chain final drive. The oil-immersed multi-disc clutch is equipped with an anti-dribble device to limit wheel lock-up caused by torque feedback into the gearbox.

Fake Classic, real modern

I'd like to call this 700 CL-X Adventure a "Modern Scrambler". CF Moto offers us a motorcycle inspired by the past, but with very modern lines and details. It's easy to fall under its spell, and its originality could even make enthusiasts fall in love with it.

It also has a decisive argument in its favor. While it can't draw on the brand's history like other Scramblers (Fantic, Ducati or Triumph), CF Moto has set its price at around 8,000 euros, with a 5-year warranty. A winning bet for the Chinese manufacturer ... at least on paper.

Vincent Beaucousin - Manufacturer's photos