CFMOTO is making inroads worldwide with a range of motorcycles that offer decent build quality, excellent performance and features, all at a price that, in the current inflated value world offers excellent value. They are one of the creditable companies spearheading a Chinese revolution that could just change the motorcycling landscape in years to come. Chinese manufacturers may still be viewed with suspicion. The flood of dirt-cheap bikes that washed up on African shores catering to the delivery and absolute budget end of the market were in many cases substandard. What you paid was what you got.
Having said that, it cannot be argued that because of their cheap prices, they did still offer value. A couple from Cape Town rode two of these bikes up through Africa, then shipped the bikes back and still commute on them. They have proven generally reliable despite horrific abuse. And then we have Chinese offerings like CFMOTO. CFMOTO has been in the motorcycle manufacturing business for 35 years and has always endeavoured to build bikes that are globally competitive in their respective classes. They build ATVs, side by sides, scooters and a range of motorcycles. So confident were they in the quality of their products that they decided to go head-to-head with motorcycling’s finest in the fiercest crucible of motorcycle racing on earth, MotoGP.
2024 was their year. David Alonso lifted the Moto 3 World Championship on a CFMOTO. There is no greater testimony to manufacturing ability than that. Looking over the range of motorcycles that CFMOTO SA is now importing, it is obvious that this brand is going to make huge inroads, both globally and locally. Their joint venture with KTM is testimony to the high regard in which they are held globally.
They seem to be listening to what riders want because they are bringing out models that are uncannily ‘right’. Their MT 450 middleweight Adventure bike is a case in point. It is superb in both form and function with decent KYB suspension and a rocking 450 parallel twin motor which is proving to be mega reliable. All this for under R125,000! Cash-strapped South Africans are buying them in their droves.
James Ridley and his team at Bikeshop Rivonia were quick to recognise the phenomenon which is CFMOTO and got them onto their floor in a heartbeat. In a relatively short space of time, Bikeshop Rivonia has become a dominant force amongst motorcycle retailers. Offering both selected new bikes and a very wide selection of quality used bikes for sale, they are pretty much your one-stop bike shop.
Strolling around their floor is quite an adventure. You name it and chances are they have it! Cruisers, Sports bikes, Adventure bikes, modern retro’s, they have them all. I have bought bikes from them as well as sold bikes to them and all our dealings have been highly professional. In short, they have delivered on their promises and then some!
I chatted at length with James at their recent CFMOTO open day and I came away hugely excited. There are expansion moves afoot that are going to enhance what is already a one-stop-shop even more. It would be slightly premature to spill the beans now but trust me, it is exciting stuff, and I will keep you posted! James is a visionary as regards motorcycle retail and is bucking the general trend of stagnating or declining bike sales. It seems that if you give people what they want they will buy it!
CFMOTO and similar offerings that offer desirable bikes at value-for-money prices are going to rock the industry to the core! They have a range of bikes that are modern, handsome and loaded with tech (to lure Gen Z buyers) and functionally good. I am amazed that the Japanese manufacturers have not seen the writing on the wall and responded sooner. I believe we will see some serious pencil sharpening from them soon.
The CFMOTO happening is good news. The local importers are serious and hungry and have a long track record of establishing good brands in SA. Creating a nationwide dealer network will make CFMOTO motorcycles a common sight on SA roads. Bikeshop Rivonia’s success with the brand is testimony to that!
