CFMoto has long been churning out 650cc parallel twins powered by engines that are near-identical to the Kawasaki ER-6 unit. Now the firm has got the Kawasaki Versys in its sights 
with the MT650.
In the past CFMoto has openly talked about its plans to make a machine called the MT650 that will take on the Versys, and now it’s patented just such a model. And it looks good.
It’s likely that the styling is the work of Kiska, which has recently been working on a range of refreshed CFMoto machines. In case it’s not a familiar name, Kiska is the firm behind the styling of KTMs in recent years. Certainly the clean lines and defined edges are in line with Kiska’s style.
In terms of its mechanical bits, the MT650 is familiar CFMoto, similar to the firm’s existing 650NK. The frame – itself very similar to an old-generation ER-6 or Kawasaki Versys design – appears to be straight from the 650NK. There’s a new swingarm and longer upside-down forks, though, adding to the bike’s ground clearance.
From the pictures it appears that the screen is adjustable. The instruments are a pretty conventional set-up with an analogue rev counter and a digital display for everything else.
The stacked headlight and deep radiator cowls are very much in line with the newly restyled 650NK (http://www.motorcycle-magazine.com/cf-moto-650nk-400nk-revealed/).
In terms of performance, the chances are that it will be close to the 650NK, with about 70bhp and a weight of around 210kg. There may also be a smaller, 400cc version for some markets using CFMoto’s new sleeved-down version of the engine, which makes 41bhp.
It’s virtually certain that the final MT650 will look exactly like the drawings seen here. It’s expected to be officially revealed at shows some time before the end of this year. Sales are due to start in 2017.
