Cfmoto 700Mt Adv, what the Chinese adventure bike looks and feels like

After the presentation at Eicma 2024 arrived at dealers the Adv version of the 700Mt of Cfmoto (€ 6,700): the aesthetics is completely different and very reminiscent of the more powerful older sisters 800Mt and 800Mt-X, but the engine is in common with the base model and is the liquid-cooled twin-cylinder 693 cc but delivers 1 kW more in the Adv (50 instead of 49), for a total power of 68 hp at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 60 Nm at 6 thousand revolutions. Also changed is the front wheel, which is no longer 17 inches but 19, precisely to widen the range of use. We tested it to see if the promise of being suitable for those taking their first steps on a motorbike was fulfilled.

The Adv version retains the simplicity of the 700Mt: the engine has been refined for adventure use, achieving a smooth and full-bodied delivery from low revs.

So the low power translates into more than decent but manageable performance both on the road and in light off-road conditions. The chassis also aims for maximum versatility to cope with the different types of asphalt and terrain that can be found on a trip. The suspension department, which includes an adjustable 43 mm upside-down fork as well as a single shock absorber, directly connected to the aluminium swingarm, allows a wheel travel of 150 mm at the front and 148 mm at the rear, quite moderate values. The braking system includes two 300 mm diameter front discs with four-piston radial callipers and a 240 mm disc at the rear; there is no lack of Abs and traction control, both of which can be switched off (Abs only at the rear). The unladen weight is 225 kg, plus another 20 litres of petrol that can fit in the tank; speaking of weight, aluminium luggage racks are standard, but optional.

In the saddle of the 700Mt Adv, at 80 cm from the ground, (almost) all riders touch both feet, thanks also to the slenderness of the bike at the point of contact between saddle and tank. Those of us over 190 cm tall, however, will find it a little uncomfortable: our knees do not fit in the recess in the tank even if we lean back as far as possible on the seat, and we have to stretch further out of the bike's silhouette. The handlebars, which are very recessed towards the rider's torso, allow you to ride with your torso upright but move everything away from the front, including the windshield, which can be adjusted with one hand by acting on one of the side grips; the handlebars are also wide and allow you to manoeuvre in tight and low speed situations without too much difficulty. The instrumentation is enclosed in a 5-inch Tft colour display, clearly visible even in direct light; there is no lack of connectivity, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi protocol. Right from the first few metres you feel a slight on-off effect from the throttle, which is cable-operated and not ride-by-wire (no riding mode, then), even though the knob travel has been lengthened. No harm done: the problem is remedied by exploiting the clutch whose lever requires very little effort. The engine has a very linear delivery, but it is in the mid-low rev range that it is at its best; it is very elastic and is able to pick up from 2,500 rpm without jerking and jolting of the chain. In town you can move around well, thanks also to the 1,445 mm wheelbase and the steering angle that allows you to turn in a small space. The suspension works well on city potholes, an area in which one appreciates the excellent balance between front and rear; in the fast mixed, running into a few potholes in succession, it is possible that a few more oscillations are triggered that recommend closing the throttle a little. In changes of direction, then, the bike is agile and responds well to the will of the rider. As for the brakes, a certain amount of effort is always required at the lever, but above all at the pedal, which has a somewhat long travel: the rear disc seemed to us to be quite lazy and with a somewhat reduced power in order to best help the rider in cornering corrections. On the motorway you can travel at 130 km/h with the engine revving at around 6,000 rpm, with almost non-existent vibrations, further attenuated by the rubber covering the footpegs and the well-padded seat; good aerodynamic protection offered by the windscreen when placed in the highest position. Finally, a note on fuel consumption: at the end of our test it was around 20 km/l.