CFMOTO 650MT (2017+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the CFMOTO 650MT made from 2017 onward.

The 650MT is a middleweight adventure tourer, designed to compete with the likes of the Kawasaki Versys 650 or Suzuki V-Strom 650.

The CFMOTO 650MT is powered by a 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin DOHC eight-valve engine with a 180-degree crank, the same as that in the naked CFMOTO 650NK. In the 650MT, the engine makes 52kW (70hp) at 8750 rpm, with peak torque coming in at 7000 rpm at 62 Nm (45 ft-lb).

There’s also a learner-friendly version for Australia and NZ markets. The engine is identical, but power is restricted to 41.5kW (55hp).

Originally published September 26, 2021, but considerably updated since.

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CFMOTO 650MT Service Intervals

The general maintenance for the CFMOTO 650MT is a minor service every 6000 km / 4000 mi, at which you change the oil and filter and do a once-over of the safety equipment (brakes, suspension, etc.).

The more major service is every 12000 km / 8000 mi, when you change the spark plugs, clean the air filter (or replace it), and do a more thorough once-over of the bike.

Valve service intervals are a separate service on the 650MT, 42000 km / 26000 mi apart.

Aside from that, replace fluids (brake fluid, coolant) and rubber parts periodically as they wear, and keep the motorcycle lubricated.

What you need to service the CFMOTO 650MT

Servicing your CFMOTO 650MT adventure motorcycle is just part of the adventure!

To service the CFMOTO 650MT, apart from general motorcycle maintenance tools, you also need the following consumables.

PartCFMOTO 650MT spec
Engine oilCFMOTO recommends SAE 15W-40 motorcycle oil that meets API SG or above — most motorcycle oils. Don’t use car oil as it won’t work with the wet clutch.
Spark plugNGK CR8EI is the standard spec.
CoolantAny 50% ethylene glycol-based coolant that has corrosion and rust inhibitors and that’s aluminium safe. Honda coolant is an affordable and high-quality option.
Brake fluidUse DOT 4 brake fluid only.
Cable lubeUse engine oil or cable lubricant. Protect All Cable Life is a cheap and popular choice.
Cable maintenanceRegularly clean and maintain your cable. A Motul chain care kit is a good choice.
CFMOTO 650MT maintenance parts

Maintenance schedule for the CFMOTO 650MT

Below is the maintenance schedule for the 650MT, adapted from the manual, but reordered and simplified for clarity, and combined into one table.

The original maintenance schedule separated engine, chassis, and “replacement” items, much like Kawasaki manuals.

Important notes

  • Past the end of the maintenance schedule, keep following it in the order shown. Some items are infrequent, e.g. valve service or replacing some fluids.
  • The break-in maintenance is omitted, as usually dealers do this (and it’s necessary to maintain the warranty)
  • The manual recommends replacing engine oil and filter every six months even if the bike isn’t ridden. This is very aggressive and uncommon — use your own judgment.
km x 1000612182430364248
mi x 100048121620242832Every
Engine and fuelling
Engine oilRRRRRRRR6 months
Oil filterRRRRRRRR6 months
Spark plugRRRR
Air cleaner element – Clean or ReplaceCCCCReplace every 2 years
Air suction system – inspect for damageIIII
Throttle bodyCCCCCCCC
Valve clearancesInspect every 42000 km / 26000 mi
Throttle control system – inspect for free play, smooth return
Free play of 2-3mm
IIIIInspect every year
Idle speedIIII
Fuel hose and pipe – inspect for fuel leaks, damage, and correct installationIIIIInspect every year
Fuel hoses – replaceR4 years
Fuel evaporation (‘vaporization’) system – inspectIInspect once only
Cooling system
Coolant (inspect level, system for leaks, or replace)IIRIReplace every 2 years
Radiator hose – inspect for damage and correct installationIIRIInspect every year,
Replace every 2 years
Brakes
Brake fluid level – Inspect or ReplaceIIIRIIIRInspect every 6 months
Replace every 2 years
Brake hose/pipe – inspect for leaks, hoses/pipe damage, and hose installation, replace periodicallyIIIIIIIRInspect every year
Replace every 4
Rubber parts of master cylinder and caliperRReplace every 4 years
Brake pad wear – inspect, replace as necessary
Minimum thickness: 1mm
IIIIIIII
Brake operation (effectiveness, play, drag) – inspectIIIIIIIIInspect every year
Brake light switch operation – inspectIIIIIIII
Drivetrain
Clutch operation – inspect play, engagement, disengagement
Clutch free play of 2-3mm
IIII
Drive chain – inspect condition, lubricate600 km (or when it gets wet/dirty)
Drive chain slack – inspect
Should be 30-40mm of free movement
1000 km
Drive chain wear – inspectIIII
Drive chain guide wear – inspectIIII
Sprocket bearing – inspectIIII
Wheels and tyres
Tyre air pressure – inspectIIIICheck every year
Wheels/tyre damage – inspectIIII
Tyre tread wear, including abnormal wear – inspectIIII
Wheel bearing damage – inspectIIII
Steering and Suspension
Front forks/rear shock absorber operation (damping and smooth stroke) – inspectIIII
Front forks / rear shock absorber oil leak – inspectIIIICheck every year
Steering play – inspectIIII
Steering stem bearings – lubricateLLLubricate every 2 years
Damper, sprocket seatRRRR
Electrical system
Lights and switches operation – inspectIIIICheck every year
Headlight aiming – inspectIIIICheck every year
Alarm system – inspectIIIICheck every year
Side stand switch operation – inspectIIIICheck every year
Engine stop switch operation – inspectIIIICheck every year
General lubrication and tightening
Brake pedal, gear shift pedals, and footrests – lubricateLLLL
Chassis parts – lubricateIIIILubricate every year
Bolts and nuts tightness – inspect/adjustIIIICheck every year
Maintenance schedule for CFMOTO 650MT

More about the CFMOTO 650MT

The CFMOTO 650MT is a middleweight adventure bike competing against the Japanese offerings like the Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the Kawasaki Versys 650.

The 650MT is a high-quality and feature-rich middleweight adventure bike, but nevertheless as a Chinese-made motorcycle trying to make an entrance into a competitive international market, its primary selling point is that it’s a cheaper alternative to Japanese middleweight motorcycles.

The visual design comes from Kiska, the same design group that designs KTM’s motorcycles. So visually, the 650MT is unique in its class without standing out in any specific way, and attractive.

The engine in the 650MT is a capable one, having basically the same configuration as the Kawasaki middleweight parallel twins — a 649cc parallel twin with a 180-degree crankshaft, giving it a bit of bark, though not quite the same rasp as might be heard on the Yamaha parallel twin offerings.

The engine in the 650MT has all the things you’d expect from a modern engine design: dual overhead cams, eight valves (four per cylinder), liquid cooling, and fuel injection.

The 650MT comes in full power and learner-restricted forms. The full power version makes 52 kW (70 hp) at 8570 rpm, and the restricted one makes 42 kW (55 hp) at 9500 rpm. Either way, it’s enough to get you well over any speed limit, though you might find it won’t take you into “crazy” speeds, if that’s your jam (and if it is, this may not be the bike for you).

The riding gear on the 650MT is good, while not up to sportbike spec — it’s definitely what you’d call “adequate considering the low cost”. The front suspension is an upside down fork with 140mm of travel, and the rear is a monoshock with 145mm of travel.

The suspension is built by Chinese firm Yuan, rather than a European name brand of some kind or WP suspension like you find on KTM bikes. You can adjust the fork for damping only, and adjust the monoshock for preload and damping.

Front brakes are pretty simple — 2 x 300mm discs with twin piston callipers and standard ABS brakes.

Like other CFMOTO motorcycles, the 650MT comes with a lot of tech that are optional extras on other motorcycles in the same class, jacking up purchase prices even further. A few of these are the crash bars, pannier rack, and hand guards.

Wheel and tyre specs/pressures for the CFMOTO 650MT

The CFMOTO 650MT has tubeless tyres.

WheelTyre sizeTyre pressure (cold)
Front120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W)36 psi / 250 kPa
Rear160/60 ZR17 M/C (69W)41 psi / 280 kPa
CFMOTO 650MT tyre sizes and pressures

Manual for the CFMOTO 650MT

The above maintenance schedule and parts came from the CFMOTO 650MT manual and from parts diagrams.

You can get a digital copy of the manual by sending an enquiry to CFMOTO.

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