First Ride Review of the New CFMOTO 1000 MT-X

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And with the CFMOTO 1000 MT-X, that first impression is already spot on as you walk around the bike. All the critical components, like the Kayaba suspension, Brembo brakes, and Bosch electronics, come from renowned manufacturers, leaving nothing to be desired in terms of build quality and tactile feel. So, get on and ride! The stock saddle sits at 875 millimeters, requiring a height of at least 1.80 meters to have a reasonably secure footing with both feet on the ground. It feels noticeably taller than the 800 MT-X, which stands at 870 millimeters and has a slightly slimmer build. However, accessories include a seat that's 20 millimeters lower or 15 millimeters higher. Additionally, a 1000 MT-X Low is expected to be released around August, sitting 40 millimeters lower (at the cost of suspension travel) and also offering all three seat options. Along with the current Aerolite Grey (white-grey) and Tactical Green (matte green), a new black color will be available. The seating position was spot on immediately, with a relaxed knee angle and a wide handlebar. Time to fire up the engine...

The 946cc parallel twin engine purrs with a mature, deep tone, delivering 112 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 105 Newton-meters at 6,250 rpm. This powerplant feels ever-present and well-metered, though its power delivery is smoother than its KTM counterpart, which is seven horsepower weaker on paper. To truly tap into the extra power, you'll need to rev it high, but overall it runs smoothly, making it a perfect match for a touring bike, with reserves always on tap. Gear shifts are crisp, aided by the standard quickshifter with a blipper function. The bike feels slightly front-heavy, which actually enhances handling when entering corners and makes the CFMOTO impressively agile for a motorcycle with a 21-inch front wheel.

But the 21/18 wheel dimensions clearly indicate where the MT-X is headed: off the road. We had ample opportunity for this during our first ride shortly after crossing the Slovenian border. This is where the KYB suspension comes into play, offering a hefty 230 millimeters of travel both front and rear, ironing out bumps effortlessly and needing no fear of comparison with other stock suspensions. Up front, a 48-millimeter upside-down fork is fully adjustable, as is the rear monoshock, with preload easily adjusted via a handy dial. Out of the factory, the fork rebounds a bit slowly, which can feel stiff during spirited rides on gravel, but the full adjustability allows you to tweak the damping to your liking and find the perfect setup. The hardware is top-notch, as is the standing position, with decently wide footpegs where the rubber inserts can be removed without tools. However, those regularly riding their CFMOTO on unpaved paths might prefer aftermarket pegs with an open design, as the stock ones tend to collect dirt.

When it comes to electronics, the new 1000 MT-X is equipped with everything a well-appointed adventure tourer in the "upper mid-range" class should have. Thanks to Bosch's 6-axis IMU, it features both cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control, along with five different riding modes. However, there's still room for improvement in their fine-tuning, and the composition of functions in each mode could be questioned. For instance, in the standard mode, you can only toggle traction control on or off, whereas in off-road mode, you can adjust the three-stage traction control to your liking and even turn it off completely. It would make more sense the other way around, especially since the tuning of this electronic aid is currently not off-road-ready. Even in its weakest setting, it inhibits progress on steep gravel inclines, forcing you to switch TC off entirely. This is a significant difference compared to established players in the fiercely competitive adventure market, some of which offer highly refined off-road traction control that allows controlled drifts or rear wheel slip. In off-road mode, you can also disable the rear ABS. The rain mode combines smoother throttle response with the most sensitive traction control setting—exactly as it should be. Given the overwhelmed off-road traction control, we mostly stuck to the All-Terrain mode, often called off-road or rally-pro mode by other manufacturers, which effectively disables all electronic aids, including ABS and traction control. That's when the MT-X truly shines off-road, holding its own against the big names in its weight class. However, this mode can only be activated while stationary, while the others can be switched on the fly by momentarily closing the throttle. A fifth mode, which can be freely configured, is in the pipeline but wasn't active on our test bikes yet. As CFMOTO continues to refine the settings, they are well aware of the issues and confident they will sort them out quickly. All updates will be "over the air," meaning you won't need to visit a workshop for a new mapping; it can be done easily via smartphone.

This brings us to the next highlight of the motorcycle. The 8-inch TFT color display not only provides crystal-clear images but also features a touchscreen, which, however, doesn't function while riding. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay—a first in the motorcycle world. This feature instantly turns the CFMOTO into a multimedia expert via Bluetooth. Whether you want to listen to podcasts or your favorite music while riding, check emails during a break, or use other apps, your iPhone is mirrored on the display and, once paired, is automatically recognized and connected every time you start the bike. Traditional motorcycle navigation system manufacturers will likely resent this feature as it allows easy navigation using Google Maps or other phone apps displayed on the large screen. Android smartphone users will need the CFMOTO app for this functionality, but once set up, it works seamlessly.

There’s nothing to gripe about with the Brembo brakes either. Up front, you’ll find dual 320mm discs with radially mounted calipers, and a 260mm disc at the rear—they offer impressive stopping power, though the ABS might kick in a bit early for sporty riders. However, the braking setup works well off-road, especially with the rear ABS or in All-Terrain mode where it can be fully disabled. The wind protection might not lead its class, but it's acceptable for riders up to 1.80 meters, and the screen can be adjusted with one hand while riding, albeit within a limited range. In stark contrast, the CFMOTO 1000 MT-X comes packed with a wealth of standard features as it hits the showroom floors of an expanding dealer network in Germany and Austria: cruise control, heated seats and grips, handguards, aluminum skid plate, full LED lighting, USB-A and USB-C outlets, and tire pressure and temperature monitoring—all included at no extra cost. The stock tires on tubeless spoke wheels are also top-notch: Pirelli's Scorpion Rally STR is a common choice for many leading adventure bikes, delivering excellent performance on both dry and wet roads, with solid handling on gravel, though it struggles when it gets muddy.

The low-slung tank, a design borrowed from their joint venture partner KTM, enhances handling both on and off-road and holds a substantial 22.5 liters. Even if CFMOTO's claimed consumption rate of 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers seems ambitious, a more realistic figure for the 1000 MT-X would be between 5 and 6 liters in practice (our test showed 6.3 on the display). This still translates to a remarkable range of about 400 kilometers per tank—an excellent figure for an adventure bike. Equally impressive is the maximum payload capacity: legally, you can load up to 243 kg on this fully fueled 222 kg enduro, with a dry weight just shy of 200 kg at 199 kg. A service interval of 15,000 kilometers is a boon for travelers and long-distance riders, a five-year (or 40,000 kilometers) warranty boosts confidence, and a stationary noise level of 88 dB lets you travel even to the furthest corners of Tyrol with ease.

Everything mentioned so far is available from other manufacturers too, sometimes with significantly better-tuned assistance systems. However, what makes the CFMOTO 1000 MT-X still so thrilling for competitors is its price: in Germany, the fully-equipped 1000 model costs just €10,999, while in Austria it's €11,999. And if you're quick, you might even save another thousand and snag a model at the introductory price of €9,999 or €10,999 by the end of April. Investing an additional €2,000 in accessories like crash bars, a more robust engine/tank guard, and a three-piece aluminum luggage system, this bike is fully prepped for the big adventure!