CFMOTO to release a third 800MT variant
An ‘Explore Edition’ has been included in the company’s 2023 model line-up to sit alongside the CFMOTO 800MT Sport and 800MT TouringA third version of CFMOTO’s 800MT adventure touring model is being introduced, with the rapidly expanding marque listing the ‘800MT Explore Edition’ in its 2023 motorcycle line-up.
The revelation was made with zero fanfare on the marque’s official social media channels, with the Aussie arm of CFMOTO yet to make any reference to the model.
The all-new 800MT family – the cast-wheeled Sport and wire-wheeled Touring – went on sale in Australia at the start of 2022, powered by a feisty 799cc parallel-twin engine arising from the burgeoning technical partnership between the Chinese marque and European powerhouse KTM.
The CFMOTO 800MT Touring, priced at $14,490 ride away, has proven to be the most popular of the two models by a hefty margin, boasting extra standard spec over its sibling in the shape of tyre pressure monitoring, heated seat/grips, a centrestand, bi-directional quickshifter, handguards, an alloy bashplate and steering damper.
Which brings us to the Explore Edition, and whether it will usurp the Touring as the new 800MT flagship. To the naked eye it’s difficult to get a decent gauge, with the only clear difference between the two models (other than liveries) being that the Explore wears more off-road-oriented rubber.
The likes of the fuel tank (19 litres), front wheel (19 inches) and all the other type-approved and bolt-on bits such as the screen also haven’t varied from the original Touring script, so we’re tipping the ‘explore’ lens may be more focussed on electronics.
At the 800MT launch Bikesales attended earlier this year we were a big rap for the machine’s all-round capabilities, but it did lose some shine thanks to the absence of traction control and switchable ABS, while the low-speed fuelling was very rough.
The fuelling gremlin has now been sorted with an updated map – a glitch-free 800MT Touring recently joined our recent bikesales Bike of the Year comparo as a support vehicle – which will set the tone going forward. But will the Explore go one step forward and introduce a more robust electronics package encompassing traction control and at least the option of switching off ABS at the rear?
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That’s the most likely scenario and, if that electronic shot in the arm does happen, expect the price to be around $16K ride away if the machine does make it Down Under.
We’ll keep you updated as more information comes to hand.
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