First Ride Review of the New CFMOTO 1000 MT-X

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the CFMOTO 1000 MT-X certainly makes a strong one as you walk around it. All the crucial components, like the suspension (Kayaba), brakes (Brembo), and electronics (Bosch), are sourced from renowned manufacturers, and there's nothing to fault in terms of build quality and feel. So, hop on and ride! The stock seat height is 875 millimeters, which means you'll need to be at least 1.80 meters tall to have a reasonably secure footing with both feet on the ground. It feels noticeably taller than the 800 MT-X, which is listed at 870 millimeters and has a slightly slimmer build. However, there are accessory options for a seat that's 20 millimeters lower or 15 millimeters higher. Additionally, a 1000 MT-X Low is expected to be released in August, offering a seat lowered by 40 millimeters (at the expense of suspension travel) and including all three seat variants. Alongside the current Aerolite Grey (white-grey) and Tactical Green (matte green) colors, a black option will also be available. The seating position fits perfectly right away, with a relaxed knee angle and a wide handlebar. Now, start the engine...

The 946cc parallel-twin purrs with a mature, deep rumble, delivering 112 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and a peak torque of 105 Nm at 6,250 rpm. It's an engine that feels ever-present and easily controllable, but its power delivery is more refined compared to its KTM counterpart, which is seven horsepower weaker on paper. To fully tap into the extra power, you need to rev it high, but overall, it runs smoothly, making it a perfect fit for a touring motorcycle and always providing reserves when needed. Gear shifts are crisp, with the standard quickshifter and blipper function providing solid support. The bike feels slightly front-heavy, which actually enhances handling on corner entry, making the CFMOTO surprisingly agile for a motorcycle with a 21-inch front wheel.

But the 21/18 wheel dimensions already hint at where the MT-X is meant to go: off the beaten path. We had plenty of chances to test this on our first ride shortly after crossing the Slovenian border. This is where the KYB suspension comes into play, offering a generous 230mm of travel both front and rear, smoothing out bumps with ease and holding its own against other (stock) suspensions. Up front, a robust 48mm upside-down fork operates, fully adjustable just like the rear, with preload on the monoshock managed via a handy dial. From the factory settings, the fork rebounds a bit slowly, which can feel harsh during spirited gravel riding. However, its full adjustability lets you tweak the rebound damping with a few clicks to find your ideal setup. The hardware is top-notch, as is the standing position on the wide footpegs, where the rubber inserts can be removed without tools. Riders who frequently venture off-road with their CFMOTO might prefer aftermarket pegs with open designs, as the originals tend to collect muck.

In terms of electronics, the new 1000 MT-X is packed with everything that defines a well-equipped adventure bike in the "upper mid-range" segment: A Bosch 6-axis IMU provides both cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control, along with five different riding modes. However, there's still some catching up to do regarding their fine-tuning, and the composition of each mode's functions raises questions. For instance, in Standard mode, you can only toggle traction control on or off, while in Offroad mode, you can adjust the three-level traction control at will or disable it completely. The reverse would make more sense, especially since the tuning of this electronic stability aid has not yet proven off-road capable. Even in its weakest setting, it restricts the bike so much on steep gravel sections that you're left with no option but to turn the TC off entirely. This is a significant difference from the established players in the fiercely competitive adventure bike market, some of which offer well-developed off-road traction control that allows for controlled drifts or rear-wheel slip. In Offroad mode, the rear ABS can also be deactivated. The Rain mode combines smoother throttle response with the most sensitive traction control settingexactly as it should be. Given the overwhelmed off-road traction control, we mostly rode in All-Terrain mode, which other brands often call the Offroad or Rally-Pro mode and, in simple terms, deactivates all electronic aids. This includes ABS both front and rear, as well as traction control. In this mode, the MT-X is a blast off-road and can hold its own against the heavyweights in its class. However, this mode can only be activated when stationary, while all others can be switched on the fly with just a quick throttle closure. A fifth riding mode, which will be fully customizable, is on the horizon but wasn't available on our test bikes. As for the fine-tuning, CFMOTO is aware of the issues and confident they'll be resolved quickly. Updates are done "Over the Air," meaning there's no need to visit the workshop for a new mappingyou can simply update via your smartphone.

This brings us to another standout feature of the motorcycle. The 8-inch TFT color display not only delivers crystal-clear visuals but also includes a touch screen, which, however, doesn't function while riding. It supports wireless Apple CarPlaya first in the motorcycle world. This instantly transforms the CFMOTO into a multimedia pro via Bluetooth. Whether you want to listen to podcasts or favorite tunes while riding, check emails during a break, or use other apps, your iPhone is mirrored on the display. Once connected, it's automatically recognized and reconnected every time you start the bike. Traditional motorcycle GPS manufacturers might despise the Chinese for this innovation, as it allows easy navigation through Google Maps or other apps on your phone, with maps displayed on the large screen. Android smartphone users will need the CFMOTO app, but once set up, the connection works seamlessly.

There's nothing to complain about with the Brembo brakes either. Up front, you've got dual 320mm discs with radially mounted calipers, and a 260mm disc at the rearthey deliver excellent stopping power, although the ABS might kick in a bit early for sporty riders. However, the tuning works well off-road, especially with the rear ABS or in All-Terrain mode where it's fully disabled. The wind protection isn't class-leading, but it's adequate for riders up to 1.80 meters tall, and the screen can be adjusted with one hand while ridingthough the range of adjustment is limited. In contrast, the CFMOTO 1000 MT-X rolls into showrooms across Germany and Austria with an impressive array of standard features: cruise control, heated seats and grips, handguards, aluminum skid plate, full LED lighting, USB-A and USB-C ports, tire pressure and temperature monitoring, all included at no extra cost. The stock tires are quality brand-name on the spoked (tubeless) wheels: Pirelli's Scorpion Rally STR, a popular choice for many top adventure bikes, offering solid performance on dry and wet roads and decent handling on gravel. However, in mud, they're quickly out of their element.

The low-slung tank, a feature familiar from joint-venture partner KTM, improves handling both on and off-road and boasts a capacity of 22.5 liters. Even if CFMOTO's claimed fuel consumption of 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers is a bit optimistic, and the 1000 MT-X realistically runs between 5 and 6 liters (our test showed 6.3 on the display), this still translates to an impressive range of around 400 kilometers per tankan excellent figure for a touring bike. Equally impressive is the maximum payload: legally, you can add up to 243 kilos to the fully fueled 222-kilo enduro, and dry, it stays just under the 200-kilo mark at 199 kilos. A 15,000-kilometer service interval suits travelers and frequent riders, while a five-year (or 40,000-kilometer) warranty boosts confidence, and a stationary noise level of 88 dB lets you ride peacefully into the farthest corners of Tyrol.

Everything mentioned so far can also be found with other manufacturers, sometimes with significantly better-tuned assistance systems. However, what makes the CFMOTO 1000 MT-X a thrilling contender among competitors is its price: In Germany, the fully equipped 1000 MT-X is priced at just €10,999, and in Austria, it's €11,999. Quick buyers can even save an extra grand and snag a model at the introductory price of €9,999 in Germany or €10,999 in Austria before the end of April. Add around €2,000 for crash bars, a more robust engine/tank guard, and a three-piece aluminum luggage system from the accessories, and the bike is all set for the big tour!