CFMoto 675SR and 500SR Revealed

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CFMoto revealed its new 675SR to fans of the brand at the Zhuzhou International Circuit in China recently. The bike is powered by a new 675cc triple. (CFMoto/)

Not long ago, the idea of a Chinese-made motorcycle that could compete head-on with the Japanese and European rivals seemed somewhere between a distant prospect and an outright joke. But the Chinese motorcycle industry has developed at a breakneck pace and now CFMoto is on the verge of launching a pair of sportbikes that look set to raise our expectations once again.

The two bikes were unveiled in prototype form at the CFMoto Day at the 2.3-mile Zhuzhou International Circuit, where they lapped in front of an audience of CFMoto fans. Both bikes were shrink-wrapped in colored plastic to hide their styling details, but even so it’s clear they follow the same family resemblance as the 450SS, with similar frontal features and lights. Both have winglets that curve down to form tunnels against the side panels (a little like the Honda CBR1000RR-R), as well as MotoGP-style cowls around the front brake discs to draw cooling air toward the calipers. While elements like the mirrors were removed to make it easier to wrap the bikes, their mounting points can be seen under the plastic, hinting that these prototypes are nearly production-ready.

The 675SR has been disguised to hide its final styling (CFMoto/)

The 675SR is a three-cylinder supersport machine using the inline-triple engine that we first revealed back in March. Patents for the engine show it’s closely related to the 450cc twin used in the 450SS (which is sold as the 450SR outside the US, matching the “SR” designation of the new 675) with an extra cylinder to bring it to 675cc. That’s a favored capacity for triples, largely due to old racing regulations that let 675cc three-cylinder bikes compete against 600cc fours but also because it hits a sweet spot between size and performance. Assuming the same bore and stroke as the 450SR is used—72mm x 55.1mm—its actual capacity will be 673cc, and the bore/stroke ratio will be slightly less oversquare than the old Triumph Daytona 675 and MV Agusta F3.

MotoGP-style brake ducts are used to cool the braking components. Whether these will make it to production remains to be seen. (CFMoto/)

In terms of specs, CFMoto is only saying that it makes more than 100 hp (well, actually the global press information says “over 100 hp per cylinder” but since that would be 300-plus horsepower, we’ll go with “over 100 hp” for the engine), and more than 100 Nm of torque per liter. That works out to more that 50 lb.-ft. from a 675cc engine, very close to the output of the MV Agusta F3 675, which made 52 lb.-ft., and the Daytona 675, which managed 53 lb.-ft. That suggests if CFMoto can make its engine rev as high as those other triples, it will achieve a similar power output of around 125 hp.

It looks like the 675SR has an aluminum-alloy swingarm—a conventional, dual-sided design—but the plastic cladding means we can’t see if it also has an aluminum frame or a tubular steel design. As expected, the visible parts of the engine, like the clutch and generator covers, look much the same as those of the 450SS and 450NK. When it comes to components, CFMoto only says that it has “first-class features when it comes to brakes, chassis, equipment, design, and all aspects needed for a thrilling ride on the road and a sharp tool for the track.”

The CFMoto 500SR looks to take aim at the middleweight supersport category with its 500cc inline-four engine said to have a top speed in excess of 143 mph. (CFMoto/)

The 500SR might have a smaller-capacity engine, and be a less powerful bike, but it’s even more intriguing from a technical perspective as it uses a four-cylinder engine—making it a rival to the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR, but with a 100cc-capacity advantage. CFMoto hasn’t given a power figure, but says the top speed is in excess of 143 mph. The company says the engine was developed in secret three years ago, using “forged aluminum pistons, stretch-bolt connecting rods, and a low-inertia crankshaft.” It also features ram air to improve its power output at higher speeds.

The cloaked 500SR has very modern aerodynamic elements on the side panels and brake discs. (CFMoto/)

Video of the bike on track confirms exactly the sort of high-revving sound you’d expect from that capacity and layout, but as with the 675SR the plastic disguise means we can’t see details of the chassis beyond the upside-down fork and aluminum swingarm. Like the 675SR it has dual front discs, largely hidden behind air intakes, and styling akin to the 450SS.

Although there’s no official statement about CFMoto’s plans for these new bikes, the fact that the information has been released in English on the company’s global website is a strong hint that they’re not going to be limited to the Chinese market. CFMoto also confirmed its long-term intention is to compete at the top level of MotoGP competition, having already entered the Moto3 series with the PruestelGP team. The company has set up a “CFMoto Talent Trophy” series to help develop Chinese riders, and is known to be developing a 1,000cc V-4 superbike as well as a GP machine with a similar configuration.

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