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Feel free to throw the CFMOTO into whatever corner you like. With adjustable KYB suspension, it won’ t blink.
This motorcycle test was not going how I planned, but I didn’ t give up just yet. Maybe the tires were the chink in the CFMOTO’ s armor. I’ d never used Cheng Shin tires on a sportbike, so I imagined the CST S3N tires were not going to inspire much confidence at higher speeds or greater lean angles. A hard no. They had a planted feel loading into turns, with a predictable roll from corner to corner. Within a few miles of twisties I got comfortable enough to forget about the tires altogether. I would have bet you a couple of Zimas that I’ d catch this motorcycle out once I pushed it hard, but it wasn’ t to be. In retrospect, it did have traction control and a robust slipper clutch to smooth out my overcooked entries, mid- corner miscues, and whiskey- throttle exits.
I gave up. Maybe a trackday would have enabled me to continue pushing the bike to reveal some shortcoming, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the
CFMOTO 675SS would have proven a resilient and worthy adversary.
Listen, I’ m not a quitter, but I tried to punish this bike enough to cast it aside as a lesser version of more established brands and simply couldn’ t get it done. The build quality, performance, and aesthetics are unquestionably solid. And that’ s ignoring the fact that this bike can be had for an insanely inexpensive $ 7,999. It was fast, didn’ t vibrate, fueled smoothly, shifted rapidly in all conditions, cornered with cool confidence, and easily dropped the anchor whenever I hugged the brakes. And at 6- foot- 2 I was surprisingly comfortable droning down the freeway for miles on end, with minimal wrist pressure, wind buffeting, or saddle soreness. Does that mean this bike would be my steed of choice for a guys’ trip to Alaska? No. The windscreen would be too short, the bars too low, the seat too firm, the suspension too stiff, and the pegs too high. But flame throwers are hot, anvils are heavy, and razors are sharp. The right tool for the job, right? And this is a track and canyon weapon.
The CFMOTO 675SS gives you modern sportbike styling, LED lights, a useful USB power plug, cool track- specific software, and plenty of other tidbits to hold your interest long after you ease off the throttle and let the adrenaline work itself out of your system. The cherry on top? When I took a break at the world- famous Rock Store on Mulholand, the 675SS garnered a fair amount of attention and was the subject of a few“ what’ s that?” conversations, which is difficult for any motorcycle to do given the massive amount of exotic machinery on display there.
The CFMOTO 675SS surprised and impressed me. Not just because of what it could do but also because it broadened my thinking about which motorcycle brands were“ worthy” of my consideration. Maybe it’ s time I made room for one more spot at the poker table.
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / SEPTEMBER 2026 / 21