The CFMoto 650TK sportstourer not only looks like a Honda ST1300, but ageing ST owners are now considering the lighter version. So much so that the Australian Honda ST Owners Club has invited Mojo Motorcycles, importers of the Chinese brand, to bring the 650TK out to their National Rally lunch at the Blackwood Hotel, Victoria, to show off to their members.
Australian Honda ST Owners Club at 2013 rallyIt was all Graham Strang’s idea after speaking with members. “The reasoning behind this is that we have a large amount of older riders who once the ST gets too heavy for them they are looking for something to replace that is lighter,” Graham says. “The 650TK is right in the mix to do that and the price is excellent value. I read a review by some long-distance riders giving it an excellent rating, and also had a comment how it would suit the older rider looking for the lighter bike or a female rider. We have a number of our pillions who are getting into bikes and are looking for something they can buy that means they can tour with partners/husbands. We then approached CFMoto to see if they would be interested in helping us out.”
It must be the first time a model owner’s group has asked another manufacturer to bring along their bike to a rally. Not sure how a Japanese motorcycle brand will feel about a Chinese motorcycle company muscling in on their territory, but we may as well get used to it. CFMoto has already snuck in as the ninth-top-selling motorcycle brand in Australia.
The Australian ST Owners Club National Rally will be held on March 21-23 in Ballarat, Victoria. They have more than 100 registered for the rally out of 670 members Australia-wide and even have ST riders attending from the USA this year.