Transcript
Cheap thrills: CF Moto’s X8 All Terrain Vehicle has plenty of features and is competitively priced.
Chinese big bore quad bike not boring at all CF Moto has taken a big step towards removing the stigma of poor quality, Chinese-made machinery with its latest ATV, reports Mark Saunders
At a glance... ▸▸CF Moto’s latest entry into the ATV market is the 800cc X8 ▸▸The X8 lacks nothing when it comes to power and comfort ▸▸A winch, handlebar protectors, rear view mirrors and indicators are standard ▸▸With a Continuously Variable Transmission and on-the-go selectable two and fourwheel-drive modes, the X8 can comfortably handle most terrain
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Farming Ahead August 2012 No. 247
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ondinin Group recently had the chance to put CF Moto’s latest All Terrain Vehicle through its paces at a 4x4 test track in Werribee, Victoria. The 800cc X8 ATV is CF Moto’s latest and biggest addition to its ATV range and on first impressions, it appears CF Moto has put the cat amongst the pigeons when it comes to big-bore quad bikes. The Chinese-made X8 is no slouch when it comes to power and ride quality and it also comes standard with a variety of features such as selectable two and four-wheel-drive modes which can be activated on the go. In fact 'out of the box', the X8 is primary producer registration-ready. So it has indicators, lights, rear-view mirrors and a horn as well as other handy features such as handlebar protectors and an 1136kg-capacity winch. When you throw in a drive-away price of close to $11,000, it’s a highly competitive package which lacks for little when compared to Japanese and other nonAsian manufactured ATVs. The test ride covered a variety of terrain with enough stream crossings, rocks, mud, wheel ruts, logs and sand to provide a good workout.
There were also plenty of gentle and steep hill climbs and descents.
Grunt Right from the get go, it was clear the X8 had plenty of power on tap thanks to the in-house made, 800cc engine. The petrol motor is a V-twin design with four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection and a maximum torque of 72N.m at 6300rpm. The liquid-cooled donk provided more than adequate power for all the terrain on the test day and the power delivery was smooth thanks to the Canadian-made Continuously Variable Transmission. The transmission has HI and LOW ranges and neutral, reverse and park are selected via a T-bar handle located on the left hand-side of the ATV, below the handlebar. Two and four-wheel-drive modes are selectable via a switch on the right-hand or throttle handlebar and there was little hesitation when modes were changed on the go. Speeds of 70–80km/h were easily achieved on flat, open ground and there was room for more. www.kondiningroup.com.au
Photos: Mark Saunders
| Machinery CF Moto X8 ATV
CF Moto X8 ATV Machinery |
Ride quality Also impressive was the ride quality of the X8, especially over the rougher terrain either at speed or taking a more cautious approach. Electronic power steering is not available on the X8 but soon will be. Despite the lack of power steering, the ATV was no trouble to plough through heavy mud and wheel ruts thanks to dual A-arm suspension on the rear and front axles. The coil-over-shocks suspension is adjustable for compression and rebound so the ATV is easily tuned to suit the conditions. The adjustment is located at the top of the shock absorber and also easily reached. At 396kg dry weight, the X8 is not the lightest ATV but the weight did not seem to greatly affect the effort required to handle the bike safely — or in arduous conditions. Brakes Hydraulic disc brakes provide plenty of stopping power via a single, inboard
Capable: The X8 has a Continuously Variable Transmission and with hi and low ranges and on-the-go, selectable two and fourwheel drive, it can handle most terrain.
brake on the rear axle and dual discs on the front axles. The 14-inch aluminium wheels look quite smart and are also made in-house by CF Moto. There is no handlebar-operated brake lock and when in Park there was no movement of the ATV on some steep slopes. Engine braking also helps with safe negotiation of steep and slippery slopes. The foot brake is located on the rider’s right-hand-side running board and the test ATV lacked a little feel when using this in preference to the brake levers on the handlebars.
Protection Standard fitments on the X8 are handlebar protectors and a generous amount of aluminium bash plates on the undercarriage of the bike. Underframe clearance is 27.5cm and the bash plates cover the underside of the front and rear A arms and most of the central undercarriage. A hitch point, located just under the winch at the front is a handy touch. Loaded With a towbar and ball mounted the towing capacity is 450kg. The front rack can handle 50kg while the rear rack is safe with 100kg. Fuel tank capacity is a generous 23L and the fuel filler is located at the top rear of the bike. Storage is not huge, with a small compartment located just behind the pillion support and a slightly-larger compartment located under the seat. The seat is generous and comfortable and when riding as a pillion it feels reasonably safe with easy to reach, and ample, grab bars. The pillion support can be removed if needed.
Add ons Power steering will be available soon, as will full protection, wrap around style bars. Body colours are red and silver and a fullfactory, two-year warranty is standard. Price ▶ $10,490 plus dealer charges Contact ▶ CFMoto www.cfmoto.com.au
In control: The switch block is a no-fuss layout and includes a horn and the winch control.
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Protection: There’s plenty of aluminium bash plating to protect the undercarriage including double A arm suspension. www.kondiningroup.com.au
Contact BRIAN ROGERS 0413 771 090 Email:
[email protected] ENGINEER & INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR
No. 247 August 2012 Farming Ahead
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