Welcome to Hangzhou! I must confess right off the bat—this city is much larger and more impressive than I ever realized. I knew alarmingly little about this 11-million-inhabitant metropolis, just two and a half hours south of Shanghai. And even less about what awaited me here. Over there stands a million produced ATVs—a million! I was already impressed before even stepping foot into the factory.

CFMOTO Factory Tour - A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Between Shanghai and Hangzhou: Where Motorcycles Are Born
NastyNils visits a cutting-edge motorcycle factory in China. From flexible low-floor vehicles to million-unit ATV production – an exclusive glimpse into the heart of CFMOTO in Hangzhou.
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nastynils
published on 01/08/2025
From Garage to Million-Dollar Business
The story of CFMOTO begins in 1989—not with ATVs as many might think, but with motorcycle parts. It's a classic garage tale with little equipment and big dreams. Today, they employ 8,000 people worldwide, 2,000 of whom are in the research and development department spread across five countries. What particularly impresses me is that they are not just any cheap supplier; they are the premium manufacturer in the Chinese home market. Those cheap $300 electric scooters buzzing through Shanghai's streets like motorized scaffolding—that's not their business.
CFMOTO plays in a different league. In Europe, they're mainly known for their ATVs and quads, where they dominate with a 40 to 50 percent market share. But motorcycles are also their passion. In their home market, they are the leaders in "large-capacity" bikes, where in China, anything starting from 250 cubic centimeters is considered a "big" motorcycle. A fascinating cultural difference compared to Europe.

CFMOTO Factory Visit - A Behind-the-Scenes Look
The Factory That Changes Everything
What I see here shatters all preconceptions of Chinese manufacturing. Forget rigid assembly lines—here, flexible low-platform vehicles navigate the halls. These small AGVs, or automated guided vehicles, pull shelves loaded with components through the production streets. The brilliance of it is that they can produce different motorcycle models on the same line in a single day. Simply load different parts onto the shelves, and a 450 NK rolls off the line instead of a 450 MT.
The command center shows that 418 motorcycles are scheduled to leave the factory today. Three different model groups simultaneously—everything is green on the monitor, everything is running according to plan. A colleague rides along with the developing motorcycle, completing his task as the bike slowly glides to the next station. The 450 MT, which I'll be riding later on the test track, comes together here as if by magic—frame and engine unite, and the motorcycle grows step by step.
Quality You Can Feel
Every single motorcycle—literally every one—goes through a complete test line after assembly. Engine, lights, brakes, ABS, braking performance—everything is checked. No bike leaves the factory without passing this quality control. It's not just PR talk; I've seen it with my own eyes. This detection line, as they call it, is impressively thorough.
What fascinates me the most is the emotional connection the employees have with their products. Many of them ride motorcycles themselves—rows of CFMOTOs line the employee parking lot. 450 MTs, 800 MTs, 250s, and in between, their own electric brand, Zeeho. The product managers proudly show me photos of their motorcycle tours, recounting rides all the way up to Tibet. These aren't just engineers—they're enthusiasts like us.

Chatting with the CFMOTO Team! They're Driven by Pure Passion!
The Ancestry Gallery Tells a Story
In the showroom, I stroll through CFMOTO's DNA. By 2002, they were already making scooters, and in 2003, motorcycle-scooter hybrids that would still sell well today. It wasn't until 2006 that ATVs joined the lineup—most thought that was the beginning. A misconception. The motorcycle roots run much deeper.
Here stands the 125cc single-cylinder bike for fostering young talent in China—a bike I'd bring to Europe in a heartbeat. Pure riding pleasure, with that killer front end, just irresistible. "They say this makes it easy to learn control," the guide tells me. Those in the know understand: with such machines, control doesn't last long. More often than not, it leads to quick loss of control because you end up doing reckless things.

A Glimpse into the Exhibition Hall Right Next to the CFMOTO Factory in Hangzhou
Guinness World Record on CFMOTO
A special exhibit showcases what these motorcycles are capable of: the 650TR, which a British/American couple used to break the world record for the longest rider & passenger domestic motorcycle tour. 33,000 kilometers across 33 Chinese provinces. The bike stands here almost like new—hardly a scratch, just minimal wear on the rear case. Solid engineering, I'd say.
Motorsport and Future Visions
The motorsport division showcases their ambition: 4th place at the Isle of Man, MotoGP involvement, and even a replica of the world champion bike from the Moto3 World Championship is on display in the CFMOTO showroom. The 675 SR with its three-cylinder engine is as impressive as the 500cc four-cylinder, which isn't as well-known around here yet.
What the developers emphasize to me: Supersport motorcycles are essential for them to engage young audiences worldwide. While other manufacturers are withdrawing from the segment, CFMOTO continues to invest. Their vision is to be sporty on the road with headlights and all the kit, not just on the racetrack.
The Factory Breathes Future
What remains after this day? The realization that I knew shockingly little about China and its motorcycle industry. CFMOTO is the leading provider in its home market and is ambitiously expanding into exports. They aim to offer successful motorcycles in additional segments. Particularly positive for us Europeans: they also want to serve segments that established manufacturers don't prioritize as highly. While some manufacturers are stepping back from supersports, CFMOTO is moving forward. When it comes to adventure bikes, some manufacturers currently only think: bigger, more expensive, more! The 450 MT from CFMOTO shows that low weight and robust construction can also be desirable.
CFMOTO is a company with 36 years of history, a million ATVs produced, state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, and a clear vision: to become a full-range supplier offering leading products in every segment. The dual strategy of internal combustion engines alongside electric drives demonstrates strategic thinking. How long will both worlds coexist? The puzzled faces of the managers say it all: the customers will decide that.
One thing is certain: after this visit, I see CFMOTO in a different light. Not as a Chinese newcomer, but as a serious global player that will have much to show Europe. The passion is right, the technology is right, the vision is right. However, in some European countries, the current distributors are still too focused on ATVs. Additionally, their dealer networks are not yet ready for what is coming in the next few years.
In Hangzhou, we visited a CFMOTO flagship store together. Clearly, there is no such dealer in Europe. Opening hours from Monday to Sunday until 9:00 PM. Service without prior appointment and with short waiting times, full selection in the store, and all parts in stock. The “consolation” for CFMOTO: you can hardly find a dealer like this from other brands in Europe either. I can't think of any dealer that even remotely offers these opening hours and is so flexible with workshop orders on the other hand.
Has the report piqued your interest? On 1000PS TV, I was on camera in the showroom and factory. The video gives an exciting behind-the-scenes look. The visit was very impressive for me. It's clear to me: CFMOTO has entered the European motorcycle scene to stay! There are many exciting products to come from Hangzhou!
In the employee break area, I discover their philosophy: they sell leisure products, products for fun and adventure. That's why employees should also be happy at work—with their own fitness center, a service desk for any issues, and even a small shopping area. "When the employees have a positive feeling, the products also bring more joy," they explain to me. It's a philosophy you can feel.
The test track once again demonstrates their uncompromising approach: potholes for suspension, ramps for incline tests, gravel for traction tests, long straights for top speed and braking distances. "Apologies for the test track being so short," says the developer. Short? This is top-level stuff.

What remains after this day? The realization that I knew surprisingly little about China and its motorcycle industry. CFMOTO is the leading provider in its home market and is ambitiously expanding into exports. They aim to offer successful motorcycles in additional segments. Particularly positive for us Europeans: they also want to serve segments that established manufacturers don't prioritize as highly. While some manufacturers are stepping back from supersports, CFMOTO is moving forward. In the realm of adventure bikes, some manufacturers currently only think: bigger, more expensive, more! The 450 MT from CFMOTO shows that low weight and robust construction can also create desire.
CFMOTO is a company with 36 years of history, a million ATVs produced, state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, and a clear vision: to become a full-range supplier offering leading products in every segment. The dual strategy of internal combustion engines alongside electric drives demonstrates strategic thinking. How long will both worlds coexist? The puzzled faces of the managers say it all: the customers will decide that.
One thing is certain: after this visit, I see CFMOTO in a different light. Not as a Chinese newcomer, but as a serious global player that will have much to show Europe. The passion is right, the technology is right, the vision is right. However, in some European countries, the current distributors are still too focused on ATVs. Additionally, their dealer networks are not yet ready for what is coming in the next few years.
In Hangzhou, we visited a CFMOTO flagship store together. Clearly, there is no such dealer in Europe. Opening hours from Monday to Sunday until 9:00 PM. Service without prior appointment and with short waiting times, full selection in the store, and all parts in stock. The “consolation” for CFMOTO: you can hardly find a dealer like this from other brands in Europe either. I can't think of any dealer that even remotely offers these opening hours and is so flexible with workshop orders on the other hand.
Has the report piqued your interest? On 1000PS TV, I was on camera in the showroom and factory. The video gives an exciting behind-the-scenes look. The visit was very impressive for me. It's clear to me: CFMOTO has entered the European motorcycle scene to stay! There are many exciting products to come from Hangzhou!
CFMOTO Factory Tour - A Behind-the-Scenes Look Images
Source: 1000PS

NastyNils visits China's most advanced motorcycle factory. From versatile low-floor vehicles to million-unit ATV production - an exclusive glimpse into the heart of CFMOTO in Hangzhou.

The story of CFMOTO began in 1989—not with ATVs, as many might think, but with motorcycle parts. A classic garage tale with little equipment and big dreams. Today, they employ 8,000 people worldwide, 2,000 of whom are in the research and development department spread across five countries.

The test track once again demonstrates its uncompromising nature: potholes for suspension testing, ramps for incline tests, gravel for traction checks, and long straights for top speed and braking distance evaluations. "Sorry that the test track is so short," says the developer. Short? This is top-tier stuff.























