The overlooked middleweight sports bike that’s fast, comfortable and affordable

The middleweight sport bike segment is hotter than ever. This is due to the change in mentality among sports bike enthusiasts who now want versatility from these otherwise track-oriented machines. And since the customer is king, almost every bike maker had to go back to the drawing board to bring an all-rounder type of streamlined bike. While that’s good news for us consumers, it inevitably leaves some capable bikes in the dark.

We’re talking today about one of those overlooked middleweight sports bikes. It comes from China, offers an attractive package and the base price is hardly credible. All the while, versatility and performance remain its strengths. Let’s dive in.

The CFMoto 675SS is the overlooked middleweight sport bike that is fast, comfortable and affordable

Price: $7,999

The CFMoto 675SS is a no-brainer choice for this article. There are two main reasons why this is overlooked. The first is the Chinese origin, and we all know that Chinese bicycles are frowned upon here. The second is its fairly recent entry into the segment. Its global debut took place in 2023, followed by its US arrival in 2024 (as part of the MY25 lineup). The brand itself already entered the US in 2023, so this only hurts its case against proven players from brands like Kawasaki and Suzuki.

Despite being overlooked, the package here is quite promising. You get a three-cylinder engine with near class-leading power, high-quality suspension and ergonomics that aren’t so back-breaking. All that comes at a solid price of $7,999, which is pretty amazing considering the recent pricing issues. That price is only $600 more than the 2025 Honda CBR500R!

Are there any other middleweights who are overlooked, you ask? The Kawasaki Ninja 650 certainly comes to mind. It is more comfortable and affordable than the 675SS. But it lacks the performance, as the horsepower difference between these two is almost 30 ponies. The total package of the Ninja is also quite dated, as no major maintenance has taken place recently.

Another overlooked but capable motorcycle is the Triumph Daytona 660. You get a similar three-cylinder engine with identical performance to the SS, along with similar features and equipment. However, the base price is $9,195, almost $1,200 higher than the CFMoto. The value outlook helps the Chinese bike become a better buy in our books.

The CFMoto 675SS outperforms its contemporaries

What makes the 675SS fast is a three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 675 cubic centimeters. It’s one of only two three-cylinder engines you can get on a sportbike for under $10,000 today. Internals such as cobalt alloy valves, forged pistons and a low-inertia crankshaft help the mill produce 95 horsepower and 51.6 pound-feet. The former is slightly higher than its three-cylinder rival (the Daytona 660), while its parallel twin rivals (Yamaha R7 and Suzuki GSX-8R) are far behind. You should also know that an exhaust and ECU flash can unlock about 10 percent more power.

A top speed of 150 miles per hour is achievable here

In stock form, owners report that you can see a speed-indicated top speed of around 150 miles per hour. However, you will have to get the most out of the six-speed gearbox, and you will appreciate the presence of a quickshifter. Interestingly, CFMoto has also thought about track use and given the bike a reversible clutch to allow for a 1 up, 5 down shift pattern using only basic tools.

Dedicated yet comfortable ergonomics enhance usability

In terms of comfort, the 675SS follows the new requirements for middleweight sports bikes. That means the riding triangle balances sportiness and practicality through clip-on bars, midfoot pegs and a low saddle (an extremely accessible 31.9 inches). You’ll also appreciate the low weight of 429 pounds in the wet (13 pounds less than the Daytona and 37 pounds less than the inline-four CBR650R). Add the 55.1-inch wheelbase and you have a livable package by sportbike standards.

The adjustability of the suspension provides more comfort

Ask anyone who knows suspension tuning and they’ll tell you how life-changing it can be. But budget sports bikes rarely offer this option. Fortunately, CFMoto isn’t cheap here. The 41mm USD forks have adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression, while the rear monoshock has adjustable spring preload and rebound.

So you can harden/soften the setup as desired. Meanwhile, braking is via dual discs at the front and a single disc at the rear. J.Juan (a subsidiary of Brembo) supplies brake calipers for all three.

Main dimensions

• Rake: 23.7 degrees

• Weight: 429 pounds

• Tank capacity: 4 gallons

• Wheelbase: 55.1 inches

• Seat height: 31.9 inches

• Wheels: 17 inch alloy wheels

• Tires: 120/180 section (CST)

The CFMoto doesn’t skimp on features

As in other areas, the CFMoto 675SS also offers an attractive package here. The cockpit features a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity, a lap timer and a tire pressure monitoring system as standard. You also get traction control, dual-channel ABS and a quickshifter. That’s all in line with its rivals, but we think a blipper would have made things better. Another downside is CFMoto’s lack of accessories, so you’ll have to buy them from third-party companies.

The design is also impressive

Finally we have the design. At the front, the dashboard is equipped with striking LED daytime running lights and two-piece headlights. A set of muscular fairings play the sidekick, and you even get aerodynamic wings and frame sliders. To round it all off, there is a fairly minimalist rear section with an LED strip for the taillight. The turn signals are integrated, so when you remove the fender you get a road bike-like, clean tushy.