CFMoto concept breaks cover

CFMoto is now well entrenched in many markets around the globe with its ATVs, SSVs, and low- to mid-capacity motorcycles, but judging by the concept bike unveiled by the brand recently in China, it clearly now has its eye on the high-performance, big-bore market.

Dubbed the V.2-NK, the naked roadster appears to be powered by a V-twin sourced from KTM's RC8 superbike, which means that performance isn't likely to be lacking.

The use of the KTM donk should come as no surprise, as CFMoto and KTM recently entered into a fresh joint venture to develop new larger-capacity models (a separate endeavour to the JV announced by the two companies in 2013).

The Austrian company has some major momentum at present, and has had a joint venture in place with India's Bajaj Auto since 2007. Bajaj Auto in fact owns nearly 48 per cent of KTM AG, with selected lower-capacity KTM models currently manufactured in Bajaj's Chakan manufacturing plant in Pune.

The link can also seen in the V.2-NK's sharp styling, penned by Kiska Design – the Gerald Kiska-headed design group responsible for the look of KTM motorcycles since the early '90s.

While some of the concept bike's standout features invariably won't make it to any production machine – the what look to be carbon brake discs, for example – the use of components from universally respected brands such as Brembo and Öhlins (or WP, if CFMoto were to draw further on the KTM joint venture) will almost certainly be present if CFMoto hopes to crack 'the big time' in the big-bore stakes.

Yes, it is only a concept at this stage but it's certainly one that appears to have legs. Combine proven KTM naked-bike performance with the scalable cost benefits of a major Chinese manufacturer like CFMoto, and you have a recipe for a bike that could well blow everything else off the road in terms of bang for your bucks. Bring it on!

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