CFMOTO 400NK Buyer's Guide

The Machine's Character

The 400NK takes its own route into the entry-level naked class. CFMOTO didn't build the lightest bike it could around a small engine. It put a liquid-cooled 400 cc parallel twin into a full-size steel diamond frame, with a 55.7 in (1,415 mm) wheelbase, 17-inch wheels and a 160-section rear tire. At 454 lb (206 kg) wet, it has the road presence of a middleweight. The twin makes 40 hp and 25 lb-ft through a 6-speed gearbox, and it delivers them in a predictable, easygoing way. ABS, ride modes and an LED headlight come standard. Traction control is not fitted.

On the road, that mass works for you. The 400NK stays calm in crosswinds and over broken pavement, and it keeps up with fast highway traffic, although you have to use the gearbox to build speed. Running costs stay low, which matters on a first bike that will pile up commuting miles. It suits newer riders, and bigger riders, who want a bike that feels substantial without an intimidating engine. The caveat is finish and hardware. Panel fit and welds are rough, the fork has no adjustment at all, and the rear shock adjusts for preload only.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	40 hp (30 kW) @ 9,250 rpm
Torque	25 lb-ft (34 Nm) @ 7,700 rpm
Displacement	400 cc400cc Motorcycles →
Engine	Parallel twin
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Gearbox	6-speed
Final drive	Chain
Fork	Telescopic
Front brake	300 mm
Front tire	120/70-17
Rear tire	160/60-17
Wheelbase	55.7 in (1415 mm)
Seat height	31.3 in (795 mm)
Wet weight	454 lb (206 kg)
Fuel capacity	4.5 gal (17 L)
Top speed	99 mph (160 km/h)

Equipment check

Chassis

Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard

Lighting

LED Headlight Standard

Safety

ABS Standard
Ride Modes Standard

Known issues

Excessive front brake lever travel and grabby engagement

brakes occasional

The brake lever fails to engage until it is pulled nearly to the throttle grip, resulting in overly touchy braking behavior.
Rear shock squeaking and sagging

suspension occasional

The rear shock absorber quickly sags down under active riding conditions.
Handlebar vibration at high speed

chassis occasional

The handlebars vibrate noticeably when traveling at higher speeds, requiring wheel balancing.
Poor body panel fit, sloppy welds, and clunky controls

bodywork occasional

The plastic fairings do not align properly, welds exhibit sloppy finishing, and the controls feel clunky during operation.

The Numbers Compared

Compare the technical specifications of the CFMOTO 400NK with other bikes in its class.

Head-to-head: CFMOTO 400NK vs. its rivals

Power

40 hp This bike 41 hp QJ Motor SRK 400 42 hp Yamaha MT-03 41 hp Triumph Tracker 400 44 hp Voge 500 R

Torque

25 lb-ft This bike 27 lb-ft QJ Motor SRK 400 22 lb-ft Yamaha MT-03 28 lb-ft Triumph Tracker 400 31 lb-ft Voge 500 R

Displacement

400 cc This bike 400 cc QJ Motor SRK 400 321 cc Yamaha MT-03 398 cc Triumph Tracker 400 471 cc Voge 500 R

Wet weight

454 lb This bike 410 lb QJ Motor SRK 400 370 lb Yamaha MT-03 381 lb Triumph Tracker 400 437 lb Voge 500 R

Top speed

99 mph This bike 106 mph QJ Motor SRK 400 99 mph Voge 500 R

Seat height

31.3 in This bike 30.9 in QJ Motor SRK 400 30.7 in Yamaha MT-03 31.4 in Triumph Tracker 400 31.5 in Voge 500 R

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