2022 CFMOTO 400 NK SPECS AND REVIEWS

Spencer Leech, Production Editor, shares his initial views on CFMoto’s new 400NK.

As a motorbike brand, CFMoto has a lot to prove. Before it can compete seriously with its international rivals, it needs persuade the world that’made in China’ does not always imply bad quality, and that its bikes can actually survive the test of time in real-world settings. That is not an easy task.

I spent the day riding the CFMoto 400NK, the brand’s mid-range LAMS-approved model. CFMoto has three additional road-going variants, the 150NK, 650NK, and 650TK, but the 400NK is the most recent to arrive in Australia.

So, what do we have here?

The CFMoto 400NK is propelled by a 400cc DOHC parallel-twin EFI engine and a six-speed transmission. All of this adds up to 31.5kW of power and 35.4Nm of torque.

A twin-disc arrangement at the front and a single disc at the rear manage braking. For an additional $500, an ABS option is available, which was installed on the vehicle we tested.

The front has a normal telescopic fork, while the rear has a cantilever monoshock with adjustable rebound.

The base model will set you back $5490 (riding away), while the ABS-equipped model will set you back $5990.

Let’s start with the bad.

If you’ve ever dealt with a cheapie pitbike, you’ll understand why I was skeptical when I initially boarded the Chinese-made CFMoto. Having said that, the 400NK seemed quite impressive at first glance, and I was about to spend the day riding it, so I was expecting to be pleasantly impressed.

When you look closely, you can see how CFMoto manages to keep the price low. For example, the plastics don’t exactly line up properly, the welds are sloppy, and the controls have an overall clunkiness to them.

On the device I tested, the brake lever didn’t engage until it was practically touching the throttle, making it incredibly sensitive. It may be a simple fix, but keep in mind that we’re talking about a brand-new motorcycle here.

The 400cc engine isn’t bad by any means, but its power delivery is a touch peculiar. There is a notable delay in throttle response; nothing happens for a while, then it strikes with everything it has at roughly 5000rpm before running out of gas at around 10,000rpm.

There’s a lot to enjoy…

Despite the 400NK’s flaws, I couldn’t help but have a great time once I hit a twisty stretch of road. The steering is precise, the bike is agile, and if you can maintain it in power, it will happily pound along at a fair speed.

The seating position is fairly upright, and it supports my 6′ 1″ frame nicely. At motorway speeds, you get thrown around by the wind, which is to be anticipated on a small naked bike; this is something I can live with, but it may irritate certain riders.

The look of the bike is another major selling factor. I think it looks fantastic. It didn’t take long for us at ARR to realize that it has a lot of design cues in common with the current MV Agusta Brutale, which we doubt is an accident. It’s quite lovely.

So, what do you think?

It’s entertaining, it looks the part, and it comes with everything a new rider needs; yet, unless CFMoto irons out the wrinkles, it appears set to play at the low-cost and cheerful end of the market. It does a good job.

The bike does demonstrate something. To be specific, the Chinese motorbike industry is no longer out of the running. Give them a couple more years, and I’m sure they’ll be right up there with the top runners, which I welcome.

When CFMOTO first debuted the 400 NK to the local market a few years ago, big bike enthusiasts were astounded to find a bike with such a low price tag that also boasted some very outstanding features. Naturally, given the bike’s low price and the historical stigma associated with Chinese-made items, considerable skepticism was cast on this new player in the big bike market.

After a few years, the CFMOTO 400 NK has established itself as one of the most popular entry-level big bikes in the local market. CFMOTO Philippines, distributed by Motostrada, has proven to be capable of competing with more mainstream manufacturers in terms of after-sales support, dependability, and overall quality. Here are a few features that distinguish CFMOTO’s best-selling motorcycle, the 400 NK.

Performance

Big bikes, for the most part, are daunting machines. The thought of having the power of a small automobile between your legs might be quite intimidating. Furthermore, the weight of these bikes makes them much more difficult to maneuver in small locations and heavy traffic. While the CFMOTO 400 NK is very heavy at 206 kgs, it has a very beginner-friendly, tractable engine.

The CFMOTO 400 NK’s engine, which is equipped with a 400.4cc parallel-twin engine, has proven to be quite reliable due to its simple construction and components from recognized OEMs. It has a Bosch electronic fuel injection (EFI) system and produces a respectable 42 horsepower—just enough to be safe for novices while yet having fun on the interstate and twisting routes.

Expressway legality

Perhaps the most compelling selling point of the CFMOTO 400 NK is its absolute highway legality. Some regard riding a motorcycle on the highways to be a status signal in the local market. Others see it as a need. Whatever your motivation for getting on a big bike, the CFMOTO 400 NK offers a compelling case. With a displacement of 400.4cc, there is no question that this bike is highway legal. Furthermore, the extra weight carried by this bike, thanks to its steel perimeter frame, provides a lot of confidence-inspiring steadiness on the highway.

Not expensive!

In terms of total value for money, very few motorcycles, if any, can compete with the CFMOTO 400 NK. For P219,800, you get everything you’d expect from a full-fledged, genuine large bike: a powerful engine, decent suspension, and dependable performance. To top it all off, Motostrada’s excellent after-sales service, parts availability, and friendly employees make owning a CFMOTO a breeze. The 400 NK comes in two colors right now: white and blue. If you want to buy this bike as your first big bike or simply want an economical, ready-to-ride everyday big bike, fill out the form below or visit any of Motostrada’s showrooms.