CFMoto has been around longer than a lot of riders realize. The company started life back in the late ’80s in Hangzhou, China, not as a motorcycle brand but as an engine manufacturer. For years, it was cranking out motors for all sorts of applications, slowly branching into ATVs, side-by-sides, and eventually full-sized bikes. The real turning point, though, came in the 2010s when it linked arms with KTM.
That partnership led to a formal joint venture in 2017, which gave CFMoto access to some of the Austrian brand’s engineering and manufacturing chops. What started as a brand that Western riders often wrote off as “budget” has been evolving rapidly into something much more serious, with its own design language, competitive spec sheets, and a dealer network in the US that keeps getting bigger every year.
That’s why the latest announcement from the brand is worth paying attention to. For 2026, CFMoto isn’t just adding another model to the US lineup, it’s broadening its presence in ways that are hard to ignore.
The headline act is a brand-new naked middleweight called the 675NK, but that’s only the start. The company is also updating its 450cc machines consisting of the 450SS sportbike and the 450CL-C cruiser, and even giving its tiny Papio mini bikes some trick new features. On top of that, it says two other models, the Ibex 450 adventure bike and the faired 675SS, will be getting wider distribution across the US. That means more of these bikes on showroom floors, and more chances for riders to actually see and ride them.
Let’s start with the 675NK, because this one feels like a statement piece. If you followed the European market last year, you already know its sibling, the 675SR-R. That was CFMoto’s first fully in-house designed sportbike, built around an inline-triple engine that marked a big step up in both ambition and engineering. Now, the NK version takes that same platform, strips it down, and repackages it as a naked streetfighter.
In practical terms, that means a more approachable platform for daily use—no full fairing or belly pan—and taller, wider handlebars for more leverage, lower footpegs for a relaxed stance, and a restyled LED front end that ties it visually to CFMoto’s other NK bikes like the 300NK, 450NK, and 800NK. Needless to say, it’s a bike that’ll give the likes of the Triumph Trident and CB650R a run for their money.
What really matters, though, is what’s under the skin. The 674cc inline-triple carries over unchanged from the 675SS, producing a claimed 95 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 51.6 pound-feet of torque at 8,250 rpm. It’s backed by a six-speed gearbox with a quickshifter, dual front discs with ABS supplied by J.Juan, two-stage traction control, tire pressure monitoring, and a 5-inch curved TFT dash. That dash isn’t some stripped-down unit, either. It’s the same one CFMoto uses on its higher-end models, with Bluetooth connectivity via the brand’s RideSync app. There had been rumors online that RideSync would eventually become a paid service, but CFMoto went out of its way to squash them, saying clearly that it has no plans to charge riders now or in the future.
And then there’s the price. The 675NK comes in at $7,499, available in Glacier White or Tundra Gray. For a triple with that kind of power and electronics suite, that’s a compelling number. It’s not just about getting a cheap bike—it’s about having more options at that middleweight level, where riders want something fun and usable without needing to take out a second mortgage.
The updates to the 450SS follow a similar logic. When it first hit the US in 2023, the little sportbike made waves by offering a lot of spec for the money: inverted fork, slipper clutch, Brembo braking hardware, reversible shift pattern, ABS, Bluetooth-ready TFT display, even aerodynamic winglets. At under $5,500, it was hard to beat on paper. For 2026, CFMoto decided not to reinvent it but to refine it.
The 449cc parallel twin gets a revised ECU map that bumps power slightly, now to a claimed 51 hp at 9,500 rpm with 29.5 pound-feet of torque at 7,750 rpm. It’s not a massive jump, but paired with sharper throttle response, it should feel more alive. The ABS and traction control systems have been updated with new Bosch software, there’s a front brake cooling duct for more consistent performance, and the windscreen has been reshaped for better airflow. The TFT display gets a new interface too. Price climbs a touch, to $5,699, but it still undercuts most competitors in the category while offering features they simply don’t. Available colors are Nebula White and Nebula Black.
Then there’s the 450CL-C cruiser. This one was designed to give riders something with a bit more laid-back style, powered by the same 449cc parallel twin but tuned for a claimed 40 hp. It already came with nice touches like an inverted fork and a TFT display, but for 2026 it gets some ergonomic and cosmetic tweaks. The seat is redesigned for more comfort, a heel shifter is now standard, the rear fender is slightly larger, and the 16-inch wheels are now two-tone, shod with CST cruiser tires.
Clearly, none of these are huge changes on their own, but taken together they make the bike more user-friendly and a little sharper-looking. The MSRP rises just $100, now sitting at $5,799, with color options of Nebula Black or Teal Green.
CFMoto hasn’t forgotten the fun-sized crowd either. The Papio mini bikes are aimed straight at the Honda Grom market, and while they’ve always offered some interesting styling takes, they’re now getting some functional upgrades too. For 2026, both models come with traction control, which is not something you usually see on a 126cc machine pumping out just 9.4 ponies.
The Papio SS also ditches its half fairing for a full fairing and raises its clip-ons for a riding position that’s still sporty but a bit less punishing. At just 251 pounds curb weight, these are meant to be approachable and playful, but traction control adds a nice safety net, especially for new riders. Both the CL and SS cost $3,299, with the CL offered in Nebula White and the SS available in Nebula White or Clay Yellow.
But beyond the model-specific updates, the bigger picture is equally interesting. CFMoto made it clear that the Ibex 450 adventure bike and the 675SS sportbike will be seeing “increased distribution” in the US. That might not sound like a headline-grabber, but it’s a big deal in practice. Those who've tried buying one of these bikes know that dealer inventory can be hit-or-miss. Wider distribution means shorter wait times, more opportunities to test ride, and more confidence that parts and service support will be there long-term.
At the end of the day, CFMoto’s rapid growth signals big changes in the global motorcycle market. A triple-cylinder naked with traction control and smartphone connectivity under eight grand forces other manufacturers to justify why their bikes cost more. A sportbike with a full feature set at $5,699 gives new riders an alternative that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Even the Papio minis, with traction control at $3,299, show that “beginner bike” no longer has to mean bare-bones.
It’s easy to dismiss a brand like CFMoto if you haven’t been paying attention, or if you’re one to immediately scoff at made-in-China motorcycles. But the truth is, the more serious they get, the more leverage riders all over the world gain. Even if you never buy one of their bikes, the pressure they put on established players means better choices for everyone else. In 2026, CFMoto’s lineup isn’t just a story about a single brand’s growth, but rather, a reminder that competition works, and that more options at lower prices are always good news for riders.
Source: CFMoto
