DARK SECRETS: 3 | Vintage Vibes

CFMoto’s New Baby Cruiser Motorcycle Could Be the Perfect Beginner Bike

Ten years ago, if someone mentioned a Chinese motorcycle, chances are it was followed by an eye-roll. They were known as cheap knockoffs. Affordable, sure, but often plagued with questionable build quality, outdated tech, and styling that ranged from forgettable to downright weird. Brands like CFMoto were rarely taken seriously,…

RideApart · May 9, 2025

Don’t Need a 250cc Boxer-Engined Motorcycle? Here’s One Anyway

For the longest time, Chinese motorcycle brands had a bit of a reputation problem. Knockoff designs, questionable quality, and a tendency to “borrow” from the big names made it easy to dismiss them. But things have changed. Fast. Today, companies like CFMoto and QJ Motor are building real bikes with…

RideApart · May 1, 2025

KTM To Stop Selling CFMoto Motorcycles In Europe, But Is Bajaj the Reason Why?

Think back, if you can, to early January. Back then, times were extremely uncertain for KTM, and no one quite knew what would come of the mega Austrian brand's struggles. Opinions are naturally wide and varied among any group of people, but generally speaking, no one wants to see an…

RideApart · Apr 23, 2025

This Small Cruiser From China Wants To Infiltrate US Roads

Cruisers sure aren’t what they used to be. I’ve said this again and again, but the days of massive, loud, fire-breathing V-twins being the only option in the cruiser scene are long gone. The modern cruiser world is all about being practical, approachable, and, dare I say, sensible. Look at…

RideApart · Feb 17, 2025

This Chinese Motorcycle Wants To Give Euro And Japanese Sportbikes Heartburn

Just a few years ago, Chinese motorcycles had nothing but a bad reputation. Sure, they were cheap, but they were by no means the first choice for riders looking for performance and reliability. But if we fast forward to today, things are changing a bit, and names like CFMoto and…

RideApart · Feb 13, 2025

Is This a Sportbike With a Seatbelt?

Last year, the English-speaking motorcycle internet was awash in a sea of "what on earth is CFMoto thinking?" Why, you might ask? Because that's when a patent application that the OEM had applied for back in 2022 was published, and that patent appeared to be one for a seatbelt and…

RideApart · Feb 10, 2025

2025 CFMoto 700MT Wants To Steal Away Customers From Japan’s Big Four

The middleweight ADV class is on fire right now, offering the perfect blend of power, off-road capability, and versatility. On top of many people’s lists are bikes like the Aprilia Tuareg 660 and Yamaha Ténéré 700, both proving their off-road mettle in some seriously challenging conditions—whether in the Africa Eco…

RideApart · Feb 3, 2025

President Trump's Canadian and Mexican Tariffs Are Coming, and Coming Soon

We all knew it was coming. We all knew that the threats were real. I don't think any of the pundits who spoke about President Trump's tariffs believed it would happen on Day 1, however. But he literally said it, so maybe everyone should start believing what comes out of…

RideApart · Jan 22, 2025

[UPDATED] The Motorcycle Industry Will Be Seriously Affected By KTM's Insolvency, Here's Why

[UPDATE, January 13, 2025: As AKV predicted would happen in a previous communication with RideApart, two more Pierer Mobility subsidiaries have now declared insolvency in Austria. They are: Avocodo GmbH and Pierer E-Commerce GmbH. Avocodo is mainly responsible for software services, including dealer and customer portal and website operation and maintenance.…

RideApart · Jan 3, 2025

Three Investors Show Interest In KTM, and You Know Two of Them Already

We've been told since we were kids that three is a magic number. Will it work out that way for KTM, though?The report from its restructuring administrator, Alpenländischer Kreditorenverband Europa (AKV), contains a number of important details. While we've primarily been talking about KTM AG (the motorcycle manufacturer), they're one of…

RideApart · Jan 1, 2025