CFMOTO moves upmarket with 210 hp V4 SR-RR prototype
CFMOTO has underlined its growing performance ambitions, with the new V4 SR-RR prototype recording a GPS-verified top speed of 315.82 km/h during a closed-course test at the Shangrao Automotive Proving Ground in Jiangxi province.
The race took place on 15 June, with Chinese riders Du Bang and Huang Shizhao riding prototype litre-class sportsbikes. CFMOTO says the test was monitored for verification by the National Motorcycle Quality Inspection and Testing Center in Chongqing and the Hangzhou National Notary Public Office.
The result is claimed as a new national record for a Chinese internal-combustion motorcycle. It was a closed test-ground run by professional riders on a pre-production prototype, rather than an independently tested showroom production motorcycle.
CFMOTO continues its rapid growth
CFMOTO has been growing rapidly in recent years, both in its product range and brand perception. Once known largely for ATVs, UTVs and affordable motorcycles in markets like Australia, the Chinese manufacturer has progressively entered the more sophisticated road-bike segment with the NK, MT and SR families.
Locally, CFMOTO is distributed by Mojo Motorcycles, which has helped build the brand’s presence across Australia. As the model line has matured, the conversation around CFMoto has also changed. It’s not just about price anymore. Increasingly, it’s about exclusivity, electronics, styling and more where the brand is trying to position itself against established Japanese and European rivals.
This change has been evident in recent CFMoto coverage, including 675SR-Rfour cylinder 500sr voomand wen’s review CFMOTO 675NK.
The V4 SR-RR tops the charts in driving the future of the brand.
A 997 cc V4 flagship project
At the heart of the V4 SR-RR is a 997 cc 90-degree V4 engine that CFMOTO says has been developed in-house. Claimed figures exceed 157 kilowatts, or 210 hp, with a 15,000 rpm ceiling and a reverse-rotating crankshaft.
CFMoto says the machine used for testing was a pre-production prototype rather than a purpose-built race special. Claimed dry weight is 180 kg, which if carried into a production version, would put the V4 SR-RR firmly in serious superbike territory.
The company also claims that an electronically activated wing system has been used in the bike. According to CFMoto, the system can reduce drag by up to 12 percent during acceleration and increase front-end downforce by up to 45 percent at high speeds.
Other listed features include a six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, traction control, combined braking, hill-hold control, cruise control and a bi-directional quick-shifter. In other words, CFMoto is clearly aiming for a modern superbike specification rather than building a big engine and wrapping bodywork around it.
The V4 SR-RR project was First covered by MCNews.com.au when 210-plus horsepower prototype was demonstratedAnd it later appeared again as part of the company’s broader brand showcase CFMOTO Day 2026 in Chengdu.
Racing success, albeit with KTM-based machinery
CFMOTO’s growing presence in road racing has also helped change the way the brand is viewed. The company’s Grand Prix racing profile has been built with KTM-based machinery, with CFMoto-badged bikes competing in Moto3 and the brand now closely linked to the Esper operation.
That program has already seen significant success, including CFMOTO David Alonso’s 2024 Moto3 World Championship with Gaviota Espar Team. That title was later recognized as Shroom CFMOTO 450SR S Team Esper Limited Edition.
It would be a stretch to directly link the success of the KTM-based Moto3 to the in-house V4 superbike project, but racing visibility, technical ties and data gathering are still part of the broader picture.
CFMOTO steps up to strengthen its racing and engineering footprint through its partnership with Calyx, the leading chassis name in Moto2.
CFMOTO’s advanced ambitions are becoming clear
CFMOTO says it invested 1.22 billion yuan (A$258 million) in research and development in 2025, accounting for 6.18 percent of operating revenue. The company also claims 2119 active and authorized patents, including 242 invention patents and participation in the creation of 71 national, industry and association standards.
Chen Xiong, vice president of CFMOTO, said the Speed Run reflects the company’s long-term commitment to internal research and development, as well as lessons learned through racing.
“This success stems from CFMOTO’s long-term commitment to refining technologies through independent R&D and world-class racing events,” Chen said. Our in-house-developed litre-class model has secured its place among the world’s top high-performance motorcycles.”
No Australian timing, pricing or production availability has been confirmed for the V4 SR-RR at this stage. But as a technical statement, the prototype is important.
a serious statement of intent
Superbikes have long served as flagships for motorcycle manufacturers. Even in a market where pure sportsbike sales are much lower than they used to be, a litre-class superbike still carries brand significance. It shows what a company can do with engine development, chassis design, electronics, aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics.
For decades, that segment of the market has been dominated by Japanese and European manufacturers. CFMOTO isn’t going to suddenly displace those brands overnight, and the V4 SR-RR still has to prove itself beyond prototype form.
But the direction of travel is clear. CFMOTO is moving fast, aiming high, and adding features and performance that not long ago would have seemed impossible for a Chinese manufacturer.
Whether the V4 SR-RR becomes a road-going superbike, a racing platform, or both, it’s another sign that established performance motorcycle brands will need to keep a close eye on CFMOTO.
