CFMoto 1000MT-X (2026) Review: Specs, Road Tests and South African Price
Chinese adventure bikes have so far competed on price and equipment. They gave you a long list of features for little money, and you accepted that the suspension, the brakes and the fuelling would not be as good as on a European or Japanese bike. The CFMoto 1000MT-X is the first one that the British press says does not need that excuse.
It has a 946cc twin making 83 kW, fully adjustable KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, Bosch cornering electronics and a 21 inch front wheel. In Britain it costs £8,699, about £6,000 less than a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro. It is on CFMoto South Africa’s website, and local dealers are already advertising it at R199,900. This is what the bike is, what three British tests found, and how the sums look here.
This is a research based review. Scooter125 has not ridden the 1000MT-X and the bike was not supplied by CFMoto or a dealer. Specifications come from CFMoto’s own specification sheet and its South African website. Riding impressions come from road tests by Motorcycle News, Bennetts BikeSocial and Visordown, all ridden in Wales. The running cost sums are our own, at the October 2026 fuel price. CFMoto South Africa has not published a recommended price, so the rand figure is what dealers are advertising and may change.
What you need to know first
The 1000MT-X is a 946cc liquid-cooled parallel twin making 83 kW (111 hp) at 8,500 rpm and 105 Nm at 6,250 rpm. It has a 21 inch front and 18 inch rear wheel on spoked rims, a 22.5 litre tank and a kerb weight of 222 kg with fuel. Despite the name it is not a 1,000cc bike.
It comes in two heights. The standard version has an 870 mm seat and 230 mm of suspension travel at each end. The low version has an 830 mm seat and 190 mm of travel.
South African dealers are advertising new bikes at R199,900. CFMoto South Africa’s own page still says the price is to be announced. The two colours listed here are Tactical Green and Aerolite Grey.
All three British tests rated it highly. Motorcycle News gave it four stars out of five. The praise is for the engine, the suspension and the brakes. The complaints are a throttle that can be abrupt at small openings, traction control that cuts in too early, a windscreen that causes buffeting and a heavy clutch.
What you get for the money
The standard equipment list is long. In Britain all of this is included:
- Fully adjustable KYB suspension at both ends, with a remote preload adjuster for the rear.
- Brembo brakes with Bosch cornering ABS.
- Up and down quickshifter and a slipper clutch.
- Cruise control.
- Heated grips and a heated seat.
- Tyre pressure monitoring.
- An 8 inch touchscreen TFT with phone connectivity and navigation.
- A 20-position adjustable steering damper.
- An adjustable windscreen, hand guards and full LED lighting.
- USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
- Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres.
On most European rivals, several of those are options. South African specification can differ from British specification, so check the list with the dealer. CFMoto’s local page confirms the KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, Bosch electronics, Pirelli tyres and the 8 inch screen.
Accessories include an aluminium luggage set, a heavy-duty bash plate, crash bars, a taller screen and rally hand guards with folding mirrors.
The 946cc twin and the KTM connection
CFMoto and KTM have worked together for years. CFMoto builds KTM’s LC8c parallel twin, the engine in the 790 Duke and 790 Adventure, at its factory in Hangzhou. The 1000MT-X engine is closely related to it. Bennetts describes it as the latest LC8c in adventure tune. It has a 92.5 mm bore and a 70.4 mm stroke for 946.2cc, a 13.5:1 compression ratio and twin overhead camshafts with eight valves.
CFMoto is keen to say the bike itself is its own work, developed across four research centres including one in Italy. Motorcycle News reports that the steel frame is shared with the smaller 800MT-X, and that CFMoto says everything else was developed for this model.
The output is 83 kW at 8,500 rpm and 105 Nm at 6,250 rpm. That is more than a BMW F 900 GS, a Ducati DesertX or a Triumph Tiger 900, all of which cost far more.
The engine is what the testers liked most. Motorcycle News called it the bike’s trump card, with strong drive from about 3,500 rpm to beyond 9,000 rpm, happy at 30 km/h in town and happy left in top gear on the open road. Visordown called it punchy, with strong acceleration for overtaking. Bennetts found it smooth, eager and fun across the rev range.
The fuelling is the weak point. Motorcycle News found the throttle abrupt at small openings, as if the traction control was still interfering after it had been switched off. It mattered a few times off-road. Visordown noticed the same choppiness coming out of slow corners. Both expect a software update could fix it, and the bike can receive updates over the air.
The gearbox was described as accurate, and the quickshifter works well. The clutch is cable operated. Bennetts found it heavy enough to tire the hand in technical off-road riding.
At Highveld altitude a naturally aspirated engine loses roughly 15 percent of its power, so in Gauteng this is about a 70 kW bike. It still has more than most of its rivals do at the coast.
Suspension, brakes and chassis
The suspension is where cheaper adventure bikes usually give themselves away, and it is where this one stands out. The fork is a 48 mm KYB upside-down unit and the rear is a KYB monoshock. Both are fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound. The rear preload adjuster is a knob beside the left pillion footpeg, so you can set the bike up for a passenger or luggage in seconds.
The frame is tubular chromoly steel with an aluminium swingarm. Like KTM’s 790 and 890 Adventure, the fuel tank is slung low on either side of the engine. That keeps the weight of 22.5 litres of fuel close to the ground and makes the bike feel lighter than it is.
Brakes are by Brembo. Twin 320 mm front discs are gripped by four-piston radial calipers, with a 260 mm disc and single-piston caliper at the rear. Bosch supplies the cornering ABS and the three-stage traction control.
The wheels are 21 inch front and 18 inch rear, on wire-spoked rims, with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres in 90/90 and 150/70 sizes. Those are proper off-road wheel sizes, with a wide choice of tyres. Ground clearance is 240 mm on the standard bike and 200 mm on the low one.
How it rides, on tar and on dirt
All three tests were run from Enduro World, an off-road park near Swansea in Wales, with road riding on the surrounding mountain passes.
On tar, Motorcycle News said the chassis is what lifts the bike above other Chinese adventure bikes and puts it alongside Honda, KTM, Ducati, Yamaha and Triumph. It changes direction easily, holds a line through bumpy bends and stays composed when the rider has to dodge a pothole. Visordown called the handling playful, with good feedback in spite of the big front wheel. Bennetts found the front slightly vague when first leaning in at speed, and then trusted it more as the day went on.
The Brembo brakes were praised in every test. Visordown described a “beautiful lever feel”. Motorcycle News said they have power on the road and feel off it.
Off-road, the testers rode steep climbs, descents, logs and jumps. Motorcycle News said the suspension will take a jump landed flat, which is rare on a bike of more than 200 kg, and that the standing position feels properly developed. Visordown liked the off-road ABS setting. Bennetts compared its range of ability to the original KTM 950 Adventure.
The traction control was less popular. Visordown found it overprotective on the road until it was turned down.
Electronics and the 8 inch screen
The electronics are built around a Bosch control unit and a sensor that measures lean angle. There are four riding modes: Standard, Rain, Off-Road and All-Terrain. Each changes the power delivery, the traction control and the ABS. A further programmable mode is unlocked through CFMoto’s optional T-Box connectivity unit. Traction control has three levels and can be switched off. The rear ABS can be switched off for dirt.
The screen is an 8 inch TFT mounted upright like a tablet. It is a touchscreen that works with gloves on, and its angle can be adjusted to avoid glare. It connects to a phone for navigation and messages. The modes can also be changed from the handlebar switches while riding.
Tyre pressures show on the dash. Two USB ports, one of each type, sit beside it.
Seat height and comfort
The choice of two heights matters. An 870 mm seat is normal for a serious adventure bike and too tall for many riders. The 830 mm version gives up 40 mm of suspension travel and 40 mm of ground clearance in exchange, which most road-biased riders will never miss. Decide which you want before you order, because it is a different suspension set-up and not only a different seat.
The tests disagree about the seat itself. Motorcycle News called it hard and listed it as a reason the bike falls short as a tourer out of the box. Visordown and Bennetts both found it comfortable over a full day. That suggests it depends on the rider, so sit on one for more than five minutes.
The windscreen adjusts with one hand, but both Motorcycle News and Visordown found it caused buffeting at highway speed. Visordown recommends the optional taller screen. The riding position is roomy, and it works both seated and standing.
Price and availability in South Africa
CFMoto has been sold in South Africa for several years, with a dealer network that covers most of the country. The 1000MT-X is on the importer’s website with its specifications and two colours, Tactical Green and Aerolite Grey. The price field says “TBA”.
Dealers have moved faster. New 1000MT-X bikes are being advertised by CFMoto dealers in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal at R199,900. Treat that as the going price for now, and confirm it, the delivery date and the specification with the dealer.
For context, the same dealers list the smaller CFMoto 800MT-X at about R180,900 and the road-biased 800MT Explore at about R200,900. So the 1000MT-X costs roughly R19,000 more than the 800MT-X, for more power, KYB suspension and Brembo brakes. That is a smaller step than in Britain.
In Britain the bike has a four-year warranty and a service interval of 12 months or about 15,000 km. We could not confirm the South African warranty or service terms. Get them in writing, along with the price of the first three services. On a new model from a growing brand, the warranty and the dealer matter as much as the bike.
There are no CFMoto listings on Scooter125 yet. You can see what the adventure bikes for sale cost today, and compare.
What it costs to run
Petrol is at a record. The October 2026 adjustment, effective 7 October, is projected to take inland 95 unleaded to about R30 a litre.
CFMoto has not published a consumption figure. Bennetts expects it to return a little over 5 litres per 100 km, and Motorcycle News quotes a tank range of about 500 km. We have used 5.2 litres per 100 km as a planning figure. It is an estimate.
- A full 22.5 litre tank costs about R675.
- Range is roughly 430 km.
- Fuel costs about R1.56 a kilometre.
- A 40 km round-trip commute costs about R62 a day, or roughly R1,370 over 22 working days.
The range is one of the bike’s strengths for South African distances. More than 400 km between fills covers almost any stretch in the Karoo or the Northern Cape without carrying extra fuel.
Licence requirements in South Africa
South Africa has two motorcycle licence codes. Code A1 covers bikes up to 125cc from age 16. Code A covers everything else from age 18. The 1000MT-X needs a full Code A, and a car licence does not cover it.
This is not a first bike. It weighs 222 kg and makes 83 kW. A newer rider who wants a CFMoto adventure bike should look at the 450MT first. Our guide to what a motorbike licence costs in South Africa covers the fees and the tests.
1000MT-X versus the alternatives
Motorcycle News lined the CFMoto up against five bikes at British prices. The CFMoto is £8,898 on the road. The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is £10,108, the Honda Africa Twin £13,399, the KTM 890 Adventure R £13,599, the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro £14,695 and the Ducati DesertX £14,995. The gaps in South Africa are just as wide. Local prices below are what we could confirm, and they change often.
Ducati DesertX
The new DesertX has an 890cc V-twin with 81 kW, similar KYB suspension and Brembo brakes, and is advertised here at about R323,000. It is more polished, and it carries a badge the CFMoto cannot match. It also costs over R120,000 more. Read our 2026 Ducati DesertX review.
BMW F 900 GS
An 895cc twin with 77 kW, a 21 inch front wheel and about the same weight. It launched in South Africa from R242,900. The BMW has less power and less standard equipment, but it has the biggest adventure dealer network in the country and strong resale value. Browse the BMW adventure bikes for sale.
Yamaha Ténéré 700
A 689cc twin with about 54 kW, listed from about R259,950. It is lighter, simpler and has a long record for reliability. It also has far less power, basic electronics and none of the CFMoto’s comfort features, for R60,000 more. See the Yamaha motorbikes for sale.
Honda XL750 Transalp
A 755cc twin with 67 kW, listed new on Scooter125 from around R229,999. The Honda is the safe choice, with easy manners and Honda’s dealer support. Its suspension and brakes are a class below what the CFMoto offers. See the Honda adventure bikes for sale.
KTM 890 Adventure R
The bike the CFMoto most resembles, down to the low-slung tank. The KTM has the sharper off-road reputation. The CFMoto has more power and costs much less. Our KTM 690 Rally review covers a lighter option from the same brand.
CFMoto 800MT-X
The 1000MT-X’s closest rival may be its smaller brother, at about R180,900. It has the same frame and looks almost identical, with a 799cc engine making about 70 kW. If you can stretch to the 1000, the stronger engine and better suspension and brakes look worth the difference.
Full specifications
| Engine | 946.2cc parallel twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight valves |
| Bore and stroke | 92.5 mm x 70.4 mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.5:1 |
| Power | 83 kW (111 hp) at 8,500 rpm |
| Torque | 105 Nm at 6,250 rpm |
| Fuelling | Bosch electronic fuel injection |
| Emissions | Euro 5+ |
| Gearbox | Six-speed, up and down quickshifter |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate slipper clutch, cable operated |
| Frame | Tubular chromoly steel, aluminium swingarm |
| Front suspension | KYB 48 mm upside-down fork, fully adjustable |
| Rear suspension | KYB monoshock, fully adjustable, remote preload |
| Suspension travel | 230 mm front and rear (190 mm on the low version) |
| Front brakes | Twin 320 mm discs, Brembo four-piston radial calipers |
| Rear brake | 260 mm disc, Brembo single-piston caliper |
| ABS and traction control | Bosch cornering ABS, three-stage traction control |
| Wheels | Wire-spoked, 21 inch front, 18 inch rear |
| Tyres | Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 90/90 R21 and 150/70 R18 |
| Length, width, height | 2,288 mm x 945 mm x 1,426 to 1,476 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,525 mm |
| Seat height | 870 mm or 830 mm |
| Ground clearance | 240 mm or 200 mm |
| Kerb weight | 222 kg (199 kg dry) |
| Fuel tank | 22.5 litres |
| Instruments | 8 inch TFT touchscreen |
| Lighting | Full LED |
| Colours | Tactical Green, Aerolite Grey |
| United Kingdom price | £8,699 plus on-the-road charges |
| South African price | No official price published; advertised new at R199,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the CFMoto 1000MT-X in South Africa?
CFMoto South Africa has not published a recommended price. Dealers are advertising new bikes at R199,900. Confirm the price with a dealer.
Is the CFMoto 1000MT-X a 1,000cc bike?
No. The engine is 946cc. It makes 83 kW, or 111 hp, and 105 Nm.
Does the 1000MT-X use a KTM engine?
It uses a CFMoto-built parallel twin that is closely related to KTM’s LC8c engine, which CFMoto manufactures for KTM. CFMoto says the rest of the bike is its own development.
What is the seat height of the CFMoto 1000MT-X?
870 mm on the standard version and 830 mm on the low version. The low version also has 40 mm less suspension travel and ground clearance.
How far will the 1000MT-X go on a tank?
At an estimated 5.2 litres per 100 km, about 430 km from the 22.5 litre tank. British tests quote up to about 500 km at a steady pace.
Is the CFMoto 1000MT-X good off-road?
Yes, for its size. British testers rode it over jumps, logs and steep climbs and praised the suspension and the standing position. The throttle response at small openings and the heavy clutch were the weak points.
What is the difference between the 800MT-X and the 1000MT-X?
They share a frame and look alike. The 1000MT-X has a bigger, more powerful engine, KYB suspension, Brembo brakes and a more advanced Bosch electronics package.
Which licence do I need for a CFMoto 1000MT-X?
A Code A motorcycle licence, which you can hold from age 18.
The verdict
The 1000MT-X is the point where a Chinese adventure bike stops being judged as good for the money and starts being judged as good. Three experienced British testers rode it hard, on and off the road, and each came away rating the engine, the suspension and the brakes against the established names. Motorcycle News called it an affordable big hitter. Bennetts called it a serious bargain.
It has flaws. The throttle needs a software fix, the screen needs replacing with the taller one, the clutch is heavy and the seat will not suit everyone. None of those is expensive to live with.
The real questions in South Africa are the ones a road test cannot answer: how the bike holds up after 50,000 km of corrugations, what parts cost and how long they take to arrive, and what it will be worth in five years. A BMW or a Honda has answers to those. CFMoto is still building its record.
At R199,900 that risk is priced in. The CFMoto costs R40,000 to R120,000 less than the bikes it was tested against, and it comes with equipment they charge extra for. If you are shopping for a mid-size adventure bike, ride this one before you sign for anything else. Then see how it compares with the adventure bikes for sale on Scooter125.
Sources referenced
- CFMoto, 1000MT-X specification sheet and CFMoto South Africa model page
- Motorcycle News, Jon Pearson, “2026-on CF Moto 1000MT-X review”, 28 September 2026
- Bennetts BikeSocial, Ben Purvis and Luke Brackenbury, “CFMoto 1000MT-X (2026) Review”
- Visordown, Simon Hancocks, “CFMoto 1000MT-X (2026) review, spec, features and details”
- MotorcycleSpecs.co.za, “CFMoto 1000 MT-X 2026”
- BikeWorld South Africa and RIDE Motorsport: South African dealer pricing for the 1000MT-X, 800MT-X and 800MT Explore
- ZA Bikers buyers’ guide: rival pricing
- Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, October 2026 fuel price adjustment
