2023 CFMoto 800NK – technical review

Price: £TBA | Power: 99bhp | Weight: 186kg

Ever since the Honda Hornet 750 and Suzuki GSX-8S were released within days of each other last year it’s been looking like a deadly duel has been brewing for supremacy in affordable, mid-sized, naked bike market. Now China’s CFMoto is about to throw a wildcard into the battle in the form of the 800NK – a KTM-engined twin with more performance than either of the Japanese alternatives.

The 800NK doesn’t come as a surprise, as we’ve been following the project since last year, but these are the first official pictures and details from CFMoto showing the finished bike.

Our first look at the 800NK came with the unveiling of the NK-C22 concept last September, previewing the new bike’s design but with lashings of carbon fibre, an SC Project exhaust and a single-sided swingarm to add an extra layer of exoticism. By October the first glimpse of the production version emerged via CFMoto’s own design registrations, and in December we scooped real photos from type-approval documents.

The first official pics, seen here, show details that weren’t previously visible and are accompanied by some initial specifications.

Review – In Detail

2023 CFMoto 800NK - Price

How much will the CFMoto 800NK cost? The UK price hasn’t been announced at the time of writing, but in mainland Europe the base model comes in at €7890 (equivalent to £6995) and the top-spec version is €600 more at €8490 (£7,530). That compares well against the likes of Honda’s new CB750 Hornet – surely a key rival – and makes the CFMoto notably cheaper than several other important competitors.

2023 CFMoto 800NK Engine & Performance

The engine here is a familiar one: the KTM LC8c. Originally introduced on the 790 Duke five years ago, in KTM form it’s grown from 799cc to 889cc since then but the engine has always been manufactured in China by CFMoto on KTM’s behalf, so it’s well-proven and there’s nothing to fear from the fact it’s being made by a Chinese brand.

For the 800NK, the engine reverts to its original 799cc – KTM clearly wants to keep the more powerful 889cc versions for its own range, at least until the next-generation parallel twin is ready (it’s due to come, perhaps as soon as 2024, in a redesigned ‘990’ Duke).

The 74kW cited on the spec sheet equates to 99hp. Either way, it’s more than the 790 Duke and easily beats both the Hornet 750 and the Suzuki GSX-8S. Max power arrives at 9,000rpm.

Torque is pegged at 81Nm (59.74 lb-ft) at 8,000rpm, again beating both Japanese rivals but falling short of the 94hp 790 Duke’s 64 lb-ft. When the CFMoto arrives in the UK, it might be retuned to nearer the KTM’s specs, as if power is reduced to 94hp then it will qualify to be restricted to 47hp to comply with A2 licence rules. The CFMoto 800MT, using the same engine, is rated at 94hp for exactly that reason.

The KTM-based engine drives a six-speed gearbox, via a slipper clutch, aided on the top-spec version of the 800NK by an up/down quickshifter.

The 800NK’s top speed, according to CFMoto, is north of 137mph. The bike features three riding modes – Rain, Street and Sport – each giving a different look to the TFT dash. Speaking of which, there are two versions of the instruments. The base version uses a 5-inch TFT display with phone connectivity for navigation, calls and music, while the higher-spec model has a massive 8-inch display mounted in portrait orientation and featuring a split-screen function and built-in Apple Carplay.

2023 CFMoto 800NK Handling, weight and suspension

The 800NK’s upside-down forks – made by KYB, supplier for many of CFMoto’s other models – are adjustable for compression and rebound, while the rear shock has preload and rebound adjustment. The wheelbase – 1465mm – is longer than the 1420mm Hornet 750 and identical to the Suzuki GSX-8S, but shorter than the KTM 790 Duke that uses the same engine. At 186kg wet (189kg for the higher-spec version), the CFMoto is lighter than most of its direct rivals, too.

2023 CFMoto 800NK Comfort & Economy

Until we’ve ridden it, it’s impossible to judge the 800NK’s true comfort, but figures released in China suggest the seat sits at a relatively low 795mm – identical to the Honda Hornet 750 and 15mm lower than the Suzuki GSX-8S. The wide bars are relatively low pegs suggest it’s reasonably roomy, too.

2023 CFMoto 800NK brakes

Brembo-owned J.Juan provides the twin radial front calipers, which bodes pretty well – KTM uses the same supplier for several models. There’s ABS, of course, but no clever cornering anti-lock. The front discs are the usual 320mm floating design, aided by a 260mm rear disc and single-pot caliper.

2023 CFMoto 800NK Rivals

Honda Hornet CB750 | Price: £6999

The bargain of the bunch, Honda’s new Hornet is out to steal the lunches of its middleweight rivals by offering more power, less weight and a lower price tag than the competition.

Power/Torque: 91.5bhp/55.3lb-ft | Weight: 190kg

Suzuki GSX-8S | Price: £7999

Featuring the first all-new Suzuki engine in years, the GSX-8S might be the most tempting machine from the brand since the SV650 was launched.

Power/Torque: 81.8bhp/57.5lb-ft | Weight: 202kg

KTM 790 Duke | Price: £7999

Recently reborn to slide under the 890 Duke in the KTM range, and made alongside the 800NK by CFMoto in China, the 790 Duke shares the same engine and could be the 800NK’s closest rival.

Power/Torque: 94bhp/64lb-ft | Weight: 189kg

2023 CFMoto 800NK Technical Specification

Looking for motorcycle insurance? Get a quote for this motorbike with Bennetts bike insurance

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard
• An ignition immobiliser system
• A vehicle marking system
• An alarm system
• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.