You might’ve first heard of CFMoto as that Chinese brand that suddenly showed up in the U.S. with sharp pricing and surprisingly solid bikes. But the company’s been around since 1989, growing into one of China’s largest motorcycle and engine manufacturers and even partnering with KTM on production and platforms. It didn’t appear overnight. It’s been building toward this for decades.
The MT range, called Ibex in the US, is what really put it on the map. The 450 MT proved it could build a proper middleweight ADV, and the 800 MT, with KTM’s 799cc twin, showed it could deliver serious performance without the usual premium price. After that, the question wasn’t whether CFMoto was legit. It was how much bike you were getting for the money.
And this is where 1000 MT-X enters the picture. On paper, it’s a full blown liter class adventure machine. It runs a 946cc parallel twin making about 112 horsepower at 8,500rpm and 77 pound-feet of torque at 6,250rpm, putting it squarely in the thick of the category. Top speed is claimed at around 129 miles per hour. Power goes through a six-speed gearbox with a quickshifter and slipper clutch.
Numbers aside, the chassis and underpinnings are pure performance goodies. You get 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels, fully adjustable KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, and Bosch cornering ABS with traction control. Wet weight is about 489 pounds, and seat height is roughly 34.3 inches. The fuel tank holds about 23 liters, which means serious range for long-haul travel.
Tech-wise, it’s not stripped down, either. There’s a large 8-inch vertical TFT display with connectivity, multiple ride modes, heated grips, and USB-A and USB-C ports. It genuinely belongs in the same conversation as established European and Japanese names.
And here's where it gets even more interesting. In Germany, CFMoto is launching the 1000 MT-X at an introductory price of 9,999 euros, or roughly $10,900. Even once the standard price settles around 10,999 euros, about $12,000, it’s still aggressive for a bike with this spec sheet. You’re looking at a legitimate liter-class adventure motorcycle for under ten grand in euros.
That price changes the math. For years, stepping into liter class ADV territory meant spending well into five figures. CFMoto’s betting that riders care more about capability and value than the logo on the tank.
From the 450 to the 800 and now the 1000, the MT and Ibex family has grown up fast. The 1000 MT-X isn’t just a bigger bike. It’s a sign that liter-class adventure riding doesn’t have to be a luxury purchase anymore.
Source: Motorrad
