As far as big bikes go, the CFMOTO 700CL-X Sport is one of the largest and most powerful in our line—but that doesn’t mean it’s unmanageable! At a tidy 693 cc, its engine packs a punch while still keeping the bike handleable and agile, no matter if you’re dodging city traffic or cruising down the highway a-la the 1969 film Easy Rider.
That being said, because this bike has quite a bit of power under its belt, you’ll need to learn how to safely handle it before you can get the most out of your rides. CFMOTO discusses a few tips for getting your feet wet on this powerhouse of an adventure bike below.
Understand What Makes the CFMOTO 700CL-X Sport Different
Sure, we invite you to gawk at all of this beauty’s features—CFMOTO ATVs and CFMOTO side by sides are known for their premium-comes-included philosophies when it comes to extras, and our bikes are no exception. More important, though, you need to understand how more power makes a motorcycle handle differently from its less souped-up competitors. Understanding how your bike behaves using the context of what you’ve probably already ridden can help you get a feel for the bike before you even swing your leg over the driver’s seat.
Be Prepared for the Pullback
A strong bike, per Motorwisdom, a motorcycle blog, “will have a hard and fast acceleration, meaning if you go hard on the throttle, the bike will give a hard pulling sensation as it accelerates.” This might throw you off mentally the first few times you need to jet out of a jam. Consider experimenting with the throttle on calmer, safer roads before you try to tackle city traffic so you get used to the feel. The fewer things that surprise you, the better—with the way other people drive around motorcycles, you’ve already got enough to deal with!
Be Ready for a Larger Weight
A bigger engine means a heavier weight—it’s common sense. While the 700CL-X Sport is still quite manageable in this respect, it’s certainly a bit more of a beefcake than, say, the Papio. If you’re used to a lighter bike, you’ll need to learn to handle this one differently. Be careful not to lay the bike down, as even if you come out of that one unscathed, you might not have the physical strength to pick it up again, for instance. Luckily, more powerful bikes often come with extra features that make handling them easier.
Be Ready for Traffic to Be a Bit Trickier
If you’re a skilled enough rider, this won’t be an issue. Big bikes can do everything smaller, more agile bikes will do if you know how to handle them. Until you do, though, know that the morning-traffic dodge-and-weave requires a bit more forethought and strength than it would otherwise. Rest assured that your CFMOTO 700CL-X Sport more than makes up for it with an adrenaline-pumping riding experience—so once you get the hang of things it’ll be smooth sailing!
Start Simple
We know you can’t wait to get into the thick of it and show off your new ride, but take things step by step. Start your riding with short, safe trips—think down to the gas station and back. When you make things manageable in this respect, you build up your confidence alongside your skillset, both of which are big assets on the road.
We cover building your confidence and practice rides in more detail in our blog. No matter if you’ve got a minibike or a full-fledged powerhouse underneath you, if you’re a novice you’d be smart to check it out. The short version: try only one new thing at a time and drive defensively. The former ensures you’re not biting off more than you can chew, and the latter keeps you mindful of hazards on the road.
Consider Taking Advanced Classes
Per DMV.org, “laws requiring motorcycle safety or training courses vary from state to state.” What you’re legally required to do to get your license, in other words, will provide you with varying levels of experience depending on where you live. What you’ll always benefit from, though: advanced safety classes.
These courses go above and beyond the basics, teaching things like handling your bike with finesse, risk assessment, and how to keep yourself out of danger. An in-person instruction can also pinpoint your personal riding weak points and give you exercises you never would have thought of to get through them. Plus, you’ll get to meet real riders who are learning just like you; maybe you’ll make some new riding buddies!
CFMOTO: Pure Happiness on Two Wheels
As an ATV company and side by side manufacturer, we’re thrilled to bring our same dedication to adventure to our motorcycle line. Use our online CFMOTO dealer locator now and experience the streets and highways like never before.