This is a great machine for older riders coming to adventure riding who don't want to wheelie or power-slide or ride through croc-infested rivers. As you say, it's comfortable, well-equipped and offers startling value for money. Oh and by the way, this was one of the clearest and cleanest explanations of what a particular bike can and can't do that I've ever seen on RU-vid.
@@NakaNakaDerkaDerka if you say I will believe...but not 🤭🤭 "The 2023 KTM 790\890 Adventure will be built in China by CFMoto. The Chinese company is responsible for the production of small KTMs in China. “The 2023 KTM 790\890 Adventure was re-designed and redrafted in Mattighofen, Austria but the production run will be carried out by KTM’s close and potent partner, CFMOTO, with their first-class facilities in China and to the highest standard,” says KTM through a press statement." Lower engines are produced in india, Medium engines in China and big engines they are also produced in China for Asian Markets."
One of the best reviews of the MT 800 - I have one - but for the money and the Tech, it's off the planet for the price, and speaking of the Norden 901, I think they share the same frame... :) and the J Juan brakes were purchased by Brembo, that says something. Massive bike for the price, but, it has it's limitations as you have said. Excellent review.
Great honest, clear review 👍 I'm 52 & has plenty of trail bikes as a kid & into my early 20s. Did a bit of road riding in my 40s but it just didn't do it for me. I now have my heart 100% set on adventure riding, exploring and camping (always loved camping lol). Initially I was thinking klr 650s, but recently discovered the cfmoto 800 explore. I spoke to my local dealer and will be organising a test ride in a months time. I've been flat out watching different reviews on many adv bikes and I have to say I totally agree with you on the manufacturers stories, compared to owners. This was an excellent, honest review. Thank you. I'm now ready for the next step, which is to go for a ride ✌️
Hello! i have seen 13 reviews of this bike and i have to say that yours is the best ! i think its because its grounded and have hmmm soul i would say ! thnx for that. i was thinking to buy this bike and now i WILL buy it for sure on February. Greetings From Greece.
Your review is exactly what I have found with the Touring Limited I've had for 12 months. As in the bikes limitations and my limitations. I can ride mine all on the dirt roads here in the hills near Walhaala in Victoria. Recently went to Jamieson and back and it was perfect. As you say, be honest with yourself and and what you want a bike for and honestly reckon its a bloody bargain. As for the marketing, I reckon your review beats the bullshit they come out with.
Great presentation Damo and a fair dinkum review of the C F Moto. A good question you asked near the end of the vid. My opinion is yes Adventure Bikes are being pushed beyond what they are designed to do. They are almost losing their identity. They are too heavy to be thrashed down single tracks comfortably, but yes it can be done if you want to sweat your guts out, puff ya head off, fall over and break yourself or the bike. Use them for what they were designed for (long distance adventure dirt road Touring) and leave the hard stuff to the lightweight selections on the market. Cheers.👍
Honestly for CF Moto to make a dent like Hyundai and KIa did with cars. They have to offer a 7 year warranty. BMW already have a 5 year warranty. They have to beat that. Only then Will they get the trust of any buyers other than frugal ones. Some more polish on the electronics and throttle mapping and tuning. As there bikes may have a KTM derived motor but they are far off the refinement of the KTM
After owning an Mt800 I’d say its a road bike that can do easy dirt. The suspension is an issue as soon as you get off nicely manicured dirt but it’s fine on tarmac. The dealer network isn’t great but for a first effort from CF Moto it’s a decent inexpensive option at $14k-$16k (model dependant).
I absolutely think the manufacturers are taking the adv market (particularly middleweight) way too far to the extreme. I don't need the world's most extreme suspension, I don't need a skinny 90+ horsepower dirtbike. I want something that does miles but isn't 600 pounds and 150 horsepower. I really loved the pan america from Harley, drove it twice. My biggest complaint, even at 130km/hr passing speed, you still don't need your sixth gear and you still aren't using all that power. Any faster than that and you won't have your license for long where I'm from. Considering they cost 30k CAD after fees and taxes, I won't be using the suspension stabilizer bar to its fullest either, no way I'm attacking technical terrain while I'm still making payments on a bike that costs more than my car! The tenere 700, the KTM 790, the Honda transalp, the triumph mid weight tigers, they all seem like flashy, bright, big bore dirt bikes and I want a versatile machine, not a dirt bike. They took the middleweight adventure tourer market and turned it into the heavyweight off road market, in my opinion. I was excited for the Suzuki 800 but it leaned much in the same direction and comes fairly anemic for tech at its price point. The ibex reminds me more of a v85tt that has a respectable amount of power and comes fully dressed.
Marketing: its the same with convertible's and motorcycles. The wife is still there and no where to be found is the young chick with tight shiny black leggings and her friend. Its a scam.
Yes - adventure bike marketing is dangerous. Old farts like me think if we buy the bike we can ride like that. How many RU-vid vids show old blokes coming to grief? I suspect it’s not all due to bad luck.
Balls down great video. And yes to your question. When ktm does a video with a expert rider it can put false riding capabilities in novice rider's brains. This can be dangerous . Glad you pointed it out
He's hilarious, great entertainment value! Honestly, I doubt I would have watched the entire video on another channel, as I'm just not that interested in this bike, but Damien is a good storyteller and the one liners are like gold nuggets (or is that gold goolies!)
Amazing job in the video m8! Congrats! In the S/W Update they fixed the issues you talk about. You have access to all riding modes from the screen as well as consumption, trip info etc. All you need in order to change driving mode is to have throttle off.
Simple answer is yes, great video, simple and straightforward, impressed with the MT and the tech, shame it doesn’t have the adaptive cruise control to go with the rear radar, would match the big bikes from the other manufacturers, maybe the next upgrade will add it.
First time viewing your content, I must say the quality of this video is impeccable. This bike has piqued my interest, and your review has confirmed that I must visit a dealer and have a test ride. I'm at an age now that I find myself wanting to do exactly the type of riding you show in this video. Great honest review, thank you from a new subscriber.
You say there are other adv bikes suitable for more rough terrain...as someone new to them - what models are you referring too? I think you have saved me from purchasing something not suitable for my riding
I grabbed one of the 800MT LE models when they came out and as you said it's a 70/30 on-road/off-road at best. I ended up selling her and picked up a 2005 R1200RT and a 2000 MuZ660. The 800MT was fine on road up here on the Mid-North Coast but get her into the bush and she is all over the place and too heavy #imo. We waited, and waited for the fuel mapping upgrade and the after service and warranty issues with CFMoto are a joke. I agree with you that there is way to much hype and bullshit with Adventure bikes these days. PS. Best review I've seen 🍺
Yep I’d agree with you it’s definitely a road biased bike that can ride easy graded dirt roads. The dealer network at least in NSW is third rate and the fuel mapping isn’t great. But for the price…these bikes are ok as long as you keep your expectations in check.
Fantastic video and wonderful countryside you have. This is the best review I've seen on this bike and I think you raise a good point about being honest with yourself about the bike that's best for you.
Holding in the FN button will get you the trip meters up on screen. Also you can change between Rian mode and Sports mode on the fly just have to be off the throttle. This was all in the latest update of the software
Agree…the manufacturers are definitely promoting the extreme end of what their machines can do…and not many of us can ride like that..I heard a very well known & followed Aussie adv / dirt bike content creator who has high level skills say if he owned the adv bikes he rode in much of the content he creates there’s no way he’d be pounding them the way he does, but he does it for the entertainment value & because the manufacturers love it. Thanks Damo a sensible balanced & real review & advice for choosing a bike that suits you 🤙🏻
First off: EXCELLENT video. Very concise, entertaining, and well-produced. Manufacturers, it must be remembered, are selling dreams. Even though 99% of the people who drive sports cars will never race in an organized event larger than a go-kart competition, car manufacturers have spent decades emphasizing the racing pedigree of the tech in their vehicles. Sport bikes outright dress as MotoGP bikes! For Adventure Riding, as you yourself mused, that paradigm is the Dakar. NO Adventure bike on the market right now could actually stand up against a Dakar works bike or rider. But it is fun to dream about it, and try to feel a little bit of that sense of grand adventure. Manufacturers can't fairly be called irresponsible when the riders, too, are indulging Mitty-ish flights of fancy. The manufacturers are peddling fantasy, and the riders are eagerly buying it. Once again, great work.
Just found you on utube mate, excellent review indeed although I would have liked to hear your thoughts on a long distance road trip on the black top. I’m almost 65 and looking for something that is an all rounder but definitely not needing to hit the nasty trails. Again very pleased with your review and some of those roads look familiar.
It's excellent on long road trips. Very comfortable and good wind protection. Very nice engine to tour with as well. It's not going to carve up winding roads like a pure road bike but it's not made for that anyway.
Great explanation of what the bike is and isn't. What many are going to want to know is a) if people are experiencing the same soft cam issues that some KTM 790/890s have, b) if it's as gutless down low as the 790 given it weighs much more, yet has the same gear ratios.
Me too! Was looking at transalps, but this looks and sounds better I feel..glad your in the us and not canada or I'd think we are looking at the same one. Lol
I looked at these and did my due diligence and spoke to people that absolutely love them, one person I know personally in my area is having electrical issues and the nearest dealer is 100 klms away and the dealer is having issues rectifying the fault. So I bought the Tenere as the dealer is 15klms away, even thou the Tenere does not have all the features I am happy with my decision. If there was a stronger dealer network the result may have been different. Maybe not.
Great video. Also, I truly appreciate the effort you put into getting those stationary off-bike riding shots. I know how much extra work that is, but it adds SO MUCH to the story telling. Fantastic work. Thank you for sharing!
What an intelligent and insightful review! Loved the detail and you clearly know enough about off-road riding to comment accurately. I wasn't going to comment until your final thoughts and request to do so about how far manufacturers are pushing the marketing. I think there's no doubt that, for the majority of owners - and we have BMW and the GS to 'thank' for this - the sales depend on stirring the adventurer within, the trans Africa desert/jungle explorer inside them, the Paris-Dakar returning hero. The reality is anyone seriously doing so would, or should, simply buy a carefully spec'ed motorcycle for the actual trip they were doing - possibly a GS, or else a far more off-road orientated machine where comfort is less important than capability. If you're going to suffer the jungle, a seat is less important than getting out the other side. Similarly, if leaping over great chasms is your thing - as you said early on - there are far better machines than this CFMOTO. Same is true of a sports bike. But then, you summed it after your invitation anyway, so I'm just repeating your wise thoughts! Great video. Off to see what else you've produced!
Thanks for the good review, man. I'm in the rural US and just want a bike that I can keep riding if I'm on a road and the pavement ends, but with more heart than a klr 650.
To answer your question.... Give them something to aspire to...... It's not marketings fault that some punters mix up their ambitions and abilities.....👍
Yes, they are going too far with how they are advertising some of these bikes and I am sick of the awful pointy spaceship looking front end and headlight on all these new bikes. How about the simple beauty of the retro round headlight? My goodness when I see a well designed bike with a round headlight my heart skips a beat! And yes, this will sound old school, but all these riding modes and rear radar, and blah blah blah. Folks, all that stuff is just more stuff to break. I can see heated handle bars and heated seat, and even cruise control, but all these engine electronics leads to one thing, a bike that needs firm ware updates and a stranded rider on a back road in the middle of nowhere unable to work on his own bike because he is not a computer scientist! For goodness sake, learn how to ride and use the riding modes God built into your wrist via the most brilliant computer in existance called your brain. Quit riding like an idiot or above your skill level and you dont need a bike that gets repairs done by a computer scientist and guess what happens then? Yea, the bike gets a lot cheaper to buy and own! I dont know, am I way off here? I think the world has exchanged common sense and self control for computer controls and ya know what, that makes me feel like a prisoner instead of feeling free. Just my humble opinion. Yea, I spelled that out because Im not lazy or hip. Lol!!!!!
I don’t think the ADV marketing is any different to sports bike marketing. 90% of those bikes sold will never be on the track, but they market it them like Vermuelen is their target audience. Haha
They're doing the same thing the car manufacturers have done for decades... pushing racing prowess in order to excite the brand in the public eye. This CFMoto 800mt/IBEX brand is a very sensible approach to light off-roading on dirt roads... but not single track. Besides, it's too heavy for single track for most riders anyways. But it's great for the type of riding you just demonstrated. Gord
I've been riding big adventure bikes for over twenty years and have used them exclusively for touring. They are comfortable and can eat miles but still enjoyable in the twisties. I do ride backcountry but have a smaller Suzuki dirt bike. It's lighter which to me makes it more enjoyable. I'm getting a little older now and am looking for a smaller adv bike for touring. Had my eye on the v-strom 800 but will give this bike a serious look as well.
As you asked a particular question and there are plenty of good comments about your review , mine would be one more; I go to the point of your question, a bit like that of your Harley Davison experience. It would worry me to go on a long trip adventure trough the wilderness on dirt roads of South America, like I am planning ;on a bike that is so dependable on advance technology, electronic, computerized, programable controls of the bike....satellite communications or electronics brake down and you are at the end of the world with not bike gurus in sight... is a long way to walk home, not such a nice adventure....well, that's all from me. thanks.!
Excellent review on the bike that has been turning my head. After this video I will certainly have fewer doubts about what my next bike will be. The 800mt is basically a ktm 790 with a different skin and this new explorer is even better than the Touring, which had some problems in its youth! 5***** thank you 👍👍
Thanks for the great video... I like the motorcycle and I love the great nature videos and pictures of nature!. Thank you very much and kind regards from Austria
I like the look and especially the price of the CFMoto MT800 Explore. I have had multiple BMW GS bikes and currently have a V85tt Guzzi. I mostly tour and think I could easily live with this bike
The manufacturers have gone too far IMHO, but I look through their ads. Your understanding of this bike, and explaining its true nature is what I believe to be true also. They are great for their intended use. I I’ll probably pull the trigger on one this winter I think for my use they check all my boxes. Thanks for the review! 😊
this channel deserve more subs. Do you think buying the cf moto is a better buy than a transalp ? Since they both are in the same price range in my country
"Boo hoo, i can't ride my bike like the professional on the advert". So, you'd rather they advertise with a retiree leasurely pottering about? The advert is trying to get young riders hyped to join the segment and buy a bike. We say enjoy your bike how you want to, then whinge about someone riding rowdy? Stop whinging about nothing. Its just an advert, get on with your day.
Not a comment I was directing at anyone in particular. I just don't see how an advert should upset anyone. I can't ride like Pol Tarres, but I love seeing what he can do with a T7. But then I grew up watching Crusty Demons of Dirt knowing I wasn't going to ride a dirt bike like them. Maybe I got the reality check earlier in life haha
Mate, that was a great review of the bike but I'm in Canada and I need to know more about the pie floater..... The comment about the neighbour potentially being a dick head got the sub. 😂...I look forward to more vids. Great job!!
Great review Damien, and a lot of common sense about the marketing too. Did you mention the weight? I didn't catch that if you did, but I'll look it up myself.
My days of sliding sideways around corners are long gone. I do however like to be able to go off the bitumen and explore farm roads, so the Anakee Adventure is perfect for me. For the money, this might very well be the next bike I would have a close look at!
This is the best review of this bike I have seen. You kept the expectations of the bike reasonable while being honest about what you don't like. Thank you.
The problem is that advertisements misrepresent the bike as a Rally machine versus an adventure tourer and there are very distint differences in how those bikes are built. For instance the Pan America was shown being jumped with close to four foot of air between the earth and its tires. There is no way in hell someone is paying the obscene amount of money that they get for that buke and then launching it off the ground. They may take a back country road getting to a remote fishing hole or cabin site but going all Dakkar Rally in showroom format is unlikely and I doubt that it would stay together if someone were to subject it to continuous bouts of such. Plus the bike weighs too much and would all but wear out the pilot. For what you get for your dollar the CF Moto is a superb way to get into a machine that will allow you to venture off the tarmac and down some country lanes without feeling out of place but it is not by any sense of the imagination a Rally or Enduro purposes machine so why not advertise it for what it really is and that is exactly what you filmed it doing here. My curiosity is how well do you think it would get along in the snow if it were equipped with a more aggressive knobby tire? I like to ride all year round.
Low cost? It's about the same price as an f800gs lol It does seem to have more tech on it and I think it looks like a great bike. But its certainly interesting times when chinese brands are just as expensive as a BMW and being touted as a value proposition
Another great video Damo👏👏. Interesting bike and good to see some of the newer names entering a competitive bike into the market. Where these bikes actually lie and what they are marketed towards can certainly be up for contention. I too believe some manufacturers should have a little bit of a reality check when it comes to marketing. Keep up the good work bud and thanks for your efforts in putting these videos together.
Great review, appreciate the distinctions and especially the re alignment of expectations for what this machine can and is meant to do👍 I’m considering this for tours with a passenger, would you recommend this for dirt road touring scenario with 2 people on it?
Good on you for giving a realistic ride report Damo - no high flying enduro tricks on what is essentially a touring motorcycle. I think it is long overdue that marketing departments are held accountable for the hype they spread. It is also a clear indicator that the era we live in caters predominantly for the “how cool do I look” than practical honestly ito riding environment and thus bike requirements. Great content Damo 👍
Thanks for the great review! I don't share your opinion about the unreliable Radar-System. In my opinion tech shouldn't be released unless it's working reliable. I would rephrase your comment "[Radar] only has to work once to justify it's existence" to this rather radical statement: "Radar only has to fail once in order to kill you".
I think you've misunderstood what I meant mate. I mean it only has to save you (work) once to justify its existence. I don't mean 'work' as in not break down and I'm not saying its unreliable in any way.
I believe he’s only two bikes that can handle the aggressive riding the Honda African twin and the T7 Yamaha I believe manufacturers need to look at making a 500 or 600 or lighter white but aggressive nothing beats a KLX 650 1993
I am currently running a DL1000, now not doing any two up now, so I am looking at going down to a 650 to 800, I like the VStrom and it has not missed a beat in 5 years, but no cruise control on the newer models apart from the 1050 has lost me. I tend to do longer trips and they are 70 / 30, even if I ride to work instead of the bus it is 140km one way 50 of which is dirt so comfortable riding is a must. Just the heated grips, seat and cruise control is worth it to me, I may have missed it but the fog lights are also standard, I would swap that out for driving lights myself, but that is due to where I am based. Thanks for a great review of a bike I have been thinking about, my main concern is the lack of dealerships. Where abouts were you riding it looks fantastic?
Best most realistic and honest review off the 800MT explore! I agree that manufacturers are promoting the extreme. I'm for Portugal and most of the Tenere or African Twin owners drive them on tarmac roads, maybe 5% of them go on dirt roads like the ones in this video not the technical ones. The ones that go on those use Ktms, Hondas, Kawasakis,etc 125cc, 250cc dirt bikes. Loved the video, keep it up mate! Cheers😉
Fuel consumption is a tricky one because it can vary wildly depending on throttle application and terrain. If I quote one figure from my dirt riding, then I get road guys telling me I’m wrong and vice versa. But, with the riding I was doing I could reliably get 350kms from the 800MT Explore.
@@advlife hello, I made a few days ago a Test Drive with the CF Moto 800MT Explore to see the fuel consumption in slow ride rythm. And after 185km I managed to have a 4,6L/100km 😁👌. 🎥🇹🇩 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6l5poC9H4Eg.html The video has subtitles!
Re marketing of ADV bikes, I am putting together a video about myself purchasing a Transalp and leaving the T7. nd what you had said about the marketing of ADV bikes is so true,, and why buy a bike for something you know you will never do, or buy a bike set up solely for something you might do or do very rarely. Bloody awesome video.
Thanks for the great review, was really enjoyable to watch! One question though, is there a way to connect my Android phone? Or only Apple Car play? Is there at least a built in navigation system?
Great review from a very different perspective & showing where most people who ride adventure bikes ride back roads not enduro tracks as some manufacturers show when advertising. I do have a question? What would be better bike to the sort of travelling say an old (2008-2012) BMW GSA 1200 or a CF moto800 mt. What would give you less issues on the trails for long distance runs in the saddle cheers
Stumble upon your videos about this motorcycle, since not a lot of people on RU-vid review it, even CFMoto dealership here in Indonesia are confused when I asked about the information about this motorcycle. They show this motorcycle in their website, but didn't list it's spec sheet, not even a downloadable brochure. From your short review about the features of motorcycles, this had all the amenities required for long distance touring over a highway/expressway, minus the cruise control. And to be honest Chinese brand motorcycle are the one we must look after in the future, more competition to the established European and Japanese brand, especially in the adventure motorcycle.
I think they are pushing a little too hard, I am a 53 year old with an MT09 that absolutely moves! I bought it brand new. I am considering one of these 800's but the riding I do is fairly tame, mostly commuting, and my MT09 will almost do most things the 800mt will do. So I am torn a little as what to do.
Great vid fella, seriously looking at one of these for my wife and I to tour Philippines. 2 years ago I spent my retirement toy budget on an MV Agusta Dragster n its awesome fun.... For an early morning squirt up the mountain black tops. But its no good for touring, that said the MV stays its just too mu h fun n looks awesome, so I am looking for something I can justify the cost of... reliable, wont break the bank n the wife wont break my balls. Your question about marketing push, yeah most manufacturers are driving the wrong image in my humble opinion.... but us old uns are a dying breed (no pun intended)... I guess they are desperately trying to entice the young uns away from a life inside tiktok....
It just shouldn't go into technical offroad where damage can happen. It's not made for that and not a lot of fun to ride there anyway. Stick to dirt roads and it should be OK
Perfect description - it's a 70/30 bike so don't expect anything else (and also don't expect it to be a KTM) - however I did fit Anakee Wild to give better traction at low speed in that 30% :-) - Yes they market the absolute S@1T out of them and the fact is that the average weekend warrior will find it OK - but it is not a technical trail style bike= and won't do the stuff you see in the marketing vids without doing yourself and the bike some harm.
