Ayup everyone,
Well I know that is a grandiose title, but actions over the past year have shown us if nothing else, that CF Moto can both win, and build bikes people actually want, and they seem to have big plans for the future.
The 450MT or Ibex 450 gave customers a bike they had been screaming for, and it was a major coup. Especially when you consider it was an engine and project that KTM had consigned to the bin.
Now with the 675 and 750 they have built a modular range of bikes that all share parts, which in turn means global parts supply is much easier.
Their forays into the world of racing, both as a competitor and sponsor, have meant they have been carving out their place on the worlds racing stage with considerable success, but they want more, and have plans that in my opinion will potentially help them to become a dominant force in the motorcycle industry in the years to come.
Late last year an offer was put on the table for KTM Racing and grid slots they have in MotoGP. That came after Bajaj announced it had no interest in the race team.
Now with the Bajaj loan paid off by another loan, the future of KTM as a whole and KTM Racing is far from clear cut, and there have been many rumours.
The truth seems to be that an offer was put on the table, KTM Racing refused the offer hoping for more, but CF Moto just said “OK then” and walked away.
That in itself shows confidence on the part of CF Moto, and maybe, that they already had a back up plan.
The Move For MV Agusta
Their next move was to go for MV Agusta, and the talks got as far as discussing a 49.9% stake in the company with the money behind the crown, Rashid Sardarov, the father of CEO Timur Sardarov.
I have still had no confirmation either way on that decision, but MV Agusta would seem to have few other options at the moment, and the money and production facilities of CF Moto could just be the lifeline they need to continue not only racing, but producing a full range of bikes again.
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A Kalex Majority Share
Because in the latest move, we got the news that via their European arm, Helmsmen Europe, CF Moto have now acquired a 51% controlling stake in Kalex.
Kalex’s founders, Alex Baumgärtel and Klaus Hirsekorn will retain the remaining 49% between them, but day to day control of the company will be passed over, with Xiang Chen taking charge alongside Sebastian Sekira, who brings experience from his years overseeing engine development at KTM.
Kalex have been the dominant force in Moto 2 chassis design in recent years and have been working with HRC in the development of the swingarms for the Honda MotoGP bikes, so they can bring a lot to the table, and if CF Moto manage to pull off the MV Agusta deal then the full package will be an even more formidable one.
CF Moto already have a V4 engine design in the pipeline, and with a bored out 1300cc V twin derived from the KTM LC8 engine on the horizon as well as the 450cc twin, 675cc triple and 750cc 4 pot, they have the 990cc twin giving them a wide selection of engine designs to work with.
So buying one of the most advanced chassis design companies in the world puts them in a very lucrative place within the industry.
The Chinese Are Coming
Just as Zhang Xue is placing himself as the lightweight, performance alternative in the Chinese industry, CF Moto are definitely looking at placing themselves in the very top tier of Chinese manufacturers.
Even if the MV Agusta offer falls through, now they will be in a great position to take advantage of any grid slots that become available in either MotoGP, Moto 2, World Superbikes and the Supersport championship.
Kalex have a long history of championship wins and constructors titles under their belt, and are leaders in the development of race frames. They have mastered the art of mass centralisation and frame flex characteristics to deliver world beating chassis that can be implemented in CF Moto’s road bikes to help take their range to a whole new level.
But it does also give them a big boost when it comes to any racing endeavours they choose to follow.
Along with their rider development program, this acquisition puts them in a place most Chinese manufacturers would love to be in, and they have deep enough pockets and a long term vision which puts many of the bigger, more established teams to shame.
The days of considering Chinese bikes as sub standard options have been being eroded for a long time, and this is a partnership that could honestly propel CF Moto into the big league when it comes to performance bikes.
QJ Motors have already benefitted from their joint venture with MV Agusta, With even the great Giovani Castiglioni getting involved in the design of the new Rino Adventure bike, but if CF Moto can get their hands on the design portfolio at MV Agusta, they will be in a fantastic position to take advantage of it.
CF Moto’s strategic move to acquire Kalex, means they will have a deeper technical involvement with many teams in the Moto 2 paddock, and that involvement will inevitably bring with it many advantages.
As well as the expertise, jigs and precision manufacturing capabilities of Kalex when it comes to alloy casting, carbon fibre component construction and swingarm technology and development, they may well end up involved in the design and manufacture of specialist parts for the bigger, more established teams, just as Kalex have with HRC already.
A Long Term Plan
CF Moto have already shown they have a long term goal of MotoGP grid slots, but they are also in discussions with World Superbikes.
At present it looks like 2027 could mark the start of the next stage of that march into the racing industry, and both race series’ will be eager to extend their coverage in the various Asian markets.
CF Moto can help them achieve that, so this really does seem like a win win situation for CF Moto, MotoGP and World Superbikes.
Using the expertise at Kalex would turbocharge the development of new CF Moto sports bikes, helping to get new models to market faster. This again puts them in an unenviable position when it comes to the future of fast motorcycles.
CF Moto will be able to align chassis geometry much more easily with many of their various power-train solutions, resulting in huge benefits when it comes to integrating the chassis development with their various engine platforms, as well as with the power-trains of other manufacturers.
Keeping the founders on board will mean that they can preserve the technical continuity that Kalex have made their name with, while allowing the new leadership to work out how that technology can help propel CF Moto into the future.
Scaling up the business to challenge the established manufacturers while not compromising on quality, is always a difficult task, but the skills of the Kalex team could be a perfect match for CF Moto. It will allow fast paced development of new designs without pushing their existing design teams into cutting corners to get the job done on time.
There are still questions.
Questions Remain
The Kalex factory in Germany could be expanded into a larger European manufacturing base, capable of supporting a factory scale World Superbike or MotoGP program, but will Kalex be able to continue to work in MotoGP as development engineers to teams like HRC if they are owned by one of the competition?
With public patent filings now showing a 1250cc big bore V Twin engined sports bike reported to produce up to 170 horsepower, based on KTM’s LC8 platform, there is also the possibility of entry into other classes.
It would mean as well as the 450cc twin, and the modular design that gives them the 675 triple and 750cc fours, they would have a powerful 1250cc V twin, and the 990cc version of the LC8C Parallel twin KTM engine, as well as the V4 concept that is still in development.
There have been many rumours, but could that V4 that is in development be being built to fit the new MotoGP regulations for 2027? That would make more sense than anything to me, especially now they have Kalex in their portfolio.
But can they get the grid slots and riders to win?
I will leave you with that question.
How long will it be before we have a Chinese manufacturer winning in MotoGP?
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