CFMoto has been quietly but steadily changing the motorcycle world. The brand has made performance not just aspirational but attainable, offering real power and tech without the painful price tags that usually come with them. Whether it’s sportbikes, nakeds, or adventure models, CFMoto has built a reputation for punching above its weight and putting high-spec machinery within reach of riders who don’t have five figures to drop on a bike.
A great example of this is the 450MT, known in the US as the Ibex 450, and a bike I had the chance to run through its paces not too long ago.
It gave middleweight adventure riders a capable, well-equipped option that didn’t skimp on quality or performance. With around 47 horsepower from its parallel-twin engine, long-travel suspension, and a sub-450-pound curb weight, it offered real off-road potential and comfort at a price that undercut most of its rivals. For many riders, it became a reminder that adventure doesn’t have to come with a luxury badge.
But CFMoto isn’t stopping there. The company seems eager to show that it can play in the big leagues, too, where bikes like BMW’s F 900 GS and Triumph’s Tiger 900 Rally dominate. Enter the rumored CFMoto 1000 MT-X, a new large-capacity adventure bike that could push the brand into a whole new category.
According to the folks over at German motorcycling publication Motorrad Online, the 1000 MT-X will use a new inline three-cylinder engine displacing about 1,000 cubes. It’s expected to produce roughly 111 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and a healthy 77.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,250 rpm. That’s serious power for an adventure bike, putting it right in the same league as the Triumph Tiger 900. Riders can also expect a quick shifter, multiple traction control modes, and modern electronics that should make it as polished as anything coming out of Europe or Japan.
The chassis will likely be based on the proven 800 MT-X, which already showed that CFMoto knows how to make a proper adventure platform. Expect long-travel adjustable suspension with over 200 millimeters of travel, a tall seat, and the classic enduro-spec 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel setup favored by serious off-roaders. Even with the bigger engine, the bike is said to stay under 518 pounds (235 kilograms) ready to ride, which would make it competitive with the established players in terms of agility and balance.
Spec rumors also point to top-tier hardware like Brembo brakes, Bosch cornering ABS and traction control, a large full-color TFT display with connectivity, and heated grips and seats for comfort. These are the kinds of features that make long rides more enjoyable while proving that CFMoto isn’t just playing catch-up anymore. It’s building bikes that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best.
If the reports are true, the 1000 MT-X will make its official debut at EICMA in November 2025, with global availability expected sometime in 2026. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but if CFMoto’s past models are any indication, it will likely come in well below the big names it aims to compete with.
For riders, this could be another turning point. The same company that democratized performance in the middleweight class is now looking to do the same for big-bore adventure bikes. It shows that the brand’s ambitions aren’t limited to affordability but also to innovation and long-term credibility. So whether you’re new to ADV riding, or a grizzled adventurer with thousands of miles under your belt, the rise of CFMoto means that the days of having to spend luxury-bike money for serious capability are long gone.
Sources: Motorrad Online, Adventure Rider
