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China launches 4cc V1.000 engine with counter-rotating crankshaft, inspired by MotoGP, making a strong entry into the motorcycle market

Published 11/11/2024 às 15:47
engine, motorcycles
Photo: Reproduction

With a 4cc V1.000 engine and counter-rotating crankshaft technology, China invests in high-performance motorcycles for the global market

At a major motorcycle event in Italy, a new Chinese technology caught the eye. Among the launches and innovations, two elements stood out: the new engine 4cc V1.000 and the superbike concept “Master of Speed".

These developments signal that the Chinese brand is not only dominating the market of affordable motorcycles, but also aiming for a prominent place in the fiercest motorcycling competitions, such as the World Superbike Championship (WSBK).

The evolution of CFMoto

A CFMoto It is not a brand that stands out only for its innovation, but for the transformation of the concept “Made in China”. Since a manufacturer opened its American headquarters in 2007, the company has been working hard to change the global perception of Chinese motorcycles.

In recent years, the CFMoto has formed a strategic partnership with KTM, which has helped to enhance the design and quality of its motorcycles.

This has been found across a diverse portfolio ranging from 300cc to 800cc bikes, and now, it looks like the brand is ready to enter the superbike arena with a 1.000cc model.

This journey began with a focus on affordable, high-quality motorcycles, earning the trust of riders around the world. And now, CFMoto is ready to take a big step forward with the launch of its V4 superbike.

What's more interesting? The V4 promises to rival market giants such as the Suzuki GSX-R1000 and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

The new V4 engine: a true performance monster

The new V4 produces 209 horsepower and 84 pound-feet of torque
CFMoto

The CFMoto's 4cc V1.000 engine features a number of technical innovations that make this model worthy of attention. It is equipped with a counter-rotating crankshaft, something we normally find on MotoGP bikes.

This configuration helps to neutralize gyroscopic forces and improves the bike's dynamics during fast riding, making it more stable and less prone to wheelies.

What’s more, the V4 is surprisingly light, weighing in at just 61,5 pounds per second. To put that in perspective, the Aprilia V4 engine, launched in 2012, weighed in at around 68,9 pounds. The result of this weight reduction is an impressive 209 horsepower at 14.500 RPM and 84 pound-feet of torque at 12.500 RPM.

With these numbers, CFMoto is not just following trends; it is creating a true rival for the main superbikes on the market, such as the Ducati Panigale V4 and the BMW S 1000 RR.

But the engine isn’t everything. The model’s aesthetics also draw attention. The “Master of Speed” concept, revealed at EICMA, features bold elements such as closed wheels, large fairing fins and a futuristic design that blends art and technology.

While the concept is still far from a production-ready version, there are features that could easily be incorporated into a final model, such as the LED headlights, the fuel tank with knee cutouts, and the stacked Akrapovič exhaust tips.

The new V4 uses a MotoGP-inspired counter-rotating crankshaft that aids fast riding dynamics, counteracts gyroscopic forces and reduces the bike's tendency to wheelie
Loz Blain / New Atlas

The future of CFMoto in WSBK

CFMoto is clearly determined not to be just another motorcycle manufacturer on the market. With the launch of the V4 engine and the superbike concept, the company has already made it clear that it has serious intentions of entering the Superbike World Championship.

However, competition will be fierce. Traditional brands such as Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki have dominated the scene for decades, but CFMoto’s entry is not just a marketing ploy; it is a demonstration of commitment to high performance.

CFMoto is not alone in this journey. Chinese manufacturers such as QJMotor and Kove have already managed to establish themselves in motorcycle racing, with QJMotor announcing plans to compete in the premier Superbike category in 2026.

Therefore, CFMoto is not just a promise, but a part of a larger trend that aims to challenge the status quo of world motorcycling.

The concept was displayed alongside the V4 engine at EICMA 2024
Loz Blain / New Atlas

Arrival on the American market

In the United States, the brand is making a name for itself, but the story is a little more complicated. A new regulatory proposal could make it harder for CFMoto to enter the American market by banning essential components from its motorcycles.

This could be a significant hurdle for the company, but like any good story of resilience, CFMoto will likely find a way around this barrier and continue its rise.

What to expect in the future

CFMoto’s 4cc V1.000 superbike is expected to hit the streets by the end of 2025, with mass production on the way. It will be fascinating to see how the company manages to maintain competitive pricing, something that has been a hallmark of the brand.

The combination of high performance and affordable pricing could transform the superbike market, offering an alternative to traditional European and Japanese brands.

Ultimately, CFMoto has the recipe to become a true force in global motorcycling. With the quality of its products, the ambition to compete at the highest level and an aggressive pricing strategy, the brand seems ready to challenge the major powers in the sector.

For American motorcyclists, it's a time to take advantage while you can, as the future of the brand in the country could be at risk.

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Abalen Abirached
Abalen Abirached
12/11/2024 21:27

It is high time these companies started to move away from gasoline-powered engines and move towards electric engines using solid-state batteries or ethanol engines. The solution is to stop competing in competitions that are not electric or ethanol-powered motorcycles. Nature will thank you…

Odyr
Odyr
13/11/2024 05:42

Quite interesting

Anti-scratch Dophata
Anti-scratch Dophata
16/11/2024 11:42

The world has already discovered the farce of the leftists who blame everything that happens on the planet on supposed human emissions. It turns out that for every expert who is bought off, there are others who are not part of this. And after doing the math, the numbers don't add up. We have temperatures and phenomena that are greater than those that were happening just over 100 years ago, at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Man can't change the climate in any way, and pollution doesn't do that. The planet's climate cycle is governed by the oceans and the sun. Glaciers grow and shrink, as do temperatures.
Welcome back Trump. With Milei, Bolsonaro and many other world leaders we would dismantle this farce.

Fernando
Fernando
In reply to  Anti-scratch Dophata
18/11/2024 11:12

**** is ineligible

Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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