Nice review! I'm surprised that you didn't notice or mention the issue of the TFT display "disappearing" in direct sunlight. I noticed it immediately this week after test riding one for a two mile jaunt. As soon as the sun was behind me, I could not see anything on the display (only clear helmet shield, not polarization) until I moved my head so that the helmet blocked the sun, and then the display was again visible. A dealer indicated that this is a known issue with this and other CFM displays, but it's not known if and when CFM will address it. I do know that these types of displays that are immune or resistant to "wash out" in direct sun are more expensive to produce, so it's likely that CFM made the decision to release the TFT into production, knowing full well of its susceptibility to sun wash out, in order to save cost, with the hope that customer complaints would be minimal. This would not fall under any kind of warranty claim because the TFT performs as it was designed to do, which I'm sure is to be visible under all conditions excepting for direct sunlight. The issue of the TFT sometimes showing "inches" instead of "feet" for the next turn should be something that CFM has or will have a software flash update for. In order to save costs, certain corners must be cut, and CFM chose to target the TFT. It's also possible that CFM wanted their TFT supplier to fix these issues, but for whatever reason (development timing, material availability, etc) they were unable to accomplish that before production release. It would be nice if CFM would be transparent about this issue and admit to the problems (and announce future solutions), but by doing so they may be exposing themselves to potential financial and legal liability.
You are right about the screen. I did mention it in one of the previous videos with a similar screen. Hopefully they will fix it in the coming versions!
Few things worth noting: Eco and Sport mode, there is absolutely no difference. This is a sales gimmick Heat from the motor blows on the rider It is almost impossible to find shops to work on these, unless it is the dealer you purchased it from or a CFMOTO dealer.
There's such a difference between sports and eco mode and when I come out of second gear on both modes. My front tire comes off the ground in sport mode but not in eco mode. I can make a video or at least have somebody do a video to show it.
I went to ride a demonstrator one of these this week; here in Oz, it's call the 650MT and is priced at AUD$8,790 - say USD$5,680. Also, here in Oz, the 650MT does NOT come with the SHAD pannier cases as standard; they're an extra AUD$1,026 plus shipping. For me, at 218 kg (480 lb) the bike is too heavy and the C-of-G is way too high. Stationary or at a slow walking pace, at anything over a couple of degrees of lean, the bike wants to fall over and I dropped it; that's the first time that's happened to me in 60+ years of riding and it immediately put me off riding it. In contrast, the 700 Heritage has its C-of-G much lower, due to the engine being a stressed member (unlike the 650, which is cradled) and consequently does not want to fall over. Sure, the 650MT looks very nice, but for this older guy the bike's too top heavy and that's a problem.
I feel ya! It's definitely not the best bike in its class, but for a new company, producing bikes at that price and tons of tech is good value for money for most.
I rode the bike in start and stop traffic for about 1/2 hr. I did feel heat radiating to my inner thigh area but I feel similar hear on my Yamaha FJ09 as well. So nothing out of the ordinary, in my opinion.
It is a problem with every bike in stop-n-go traffic. It is not unique to 650 MT. The coolant temperature in 650MT is directly comparable to other 650s in the market.
Honestly, a part of the ride which isn't included in the video, was me being stuck in heavy traffic. I felt a bit of heat from the engine on my calves but it got better as soon as I started riding. I feel similar heat from my Yamaha FJ-09 when stuck in traffic though.
Hi JG, the Klr650 comes in 3 options, the base model is almost about the same price as the adventura but lacks ABS and the touring package. The fully loaded option, which would be most comparable to the adventura, is an additional $2000. The Klr650 also produces 40 hp in comparison to the adventura which produces 60hp and count in the dated digital display, 1-year warranty on the Klr in comparison to the adventura which comes equipped with a full-color TFT display and a 2-year warranty, it clearly is a better deal, in my opinion.
I honestly am not sure what the long term, part availability is going to be like. But CF Motos current game plan seems strong. Besides each vehicle coming with a 2 yr factory warranty, they have also been engineering parts for kawasaki, KTM and have been engineering high quality products since 1989.
