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CFMoto has brought its largest-capacity model yet to the UK: the 1000MT‑X. Priced at £8,699 plus on‑the‑road fees, the bike aims to deliver near‑premium hardware and genuine off‑road capability while undercutting several established rivals.
Price and market positioning
The 1000MT‑X joins UK dealers with a headline price of £8,699, roughly £1,700 above the 800MT‑X. That places it well below many European alternatives — about £1,300 cheaper than a base KTM 790 Adventure and several thousand pounds less than a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro — making CFMoto’s offering notable for its cost-to-spec ratio.
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CFMoto is presenting the bike in two factory colorways in the UK — Aerolite Grey and Tactical Green — with touring additions such as black and silver aluminium panniers, heated seats, taller screens and a centre stand available as paid options.
Powertrain, electronics and chassis
At the heart of the 1000MT‑X sits a liquid‑cooled, parallel‑twin engine with a displacement listed at 946.2cc. The DOHC, eight‑valve unit produces around 110bhp at 8,500rpm and delivers peak torque of about 77.4 lb‑ft (105 Nm) at 6,250rpm. Drive is through a six‑speed box with a wet slipper clutch and a bi‑directional quickshifter as standard.
Electronics are handled by a Bosch MSE 9.0 package with an IMU, bringing cornering ABS, three‑stage traction control and cornering‑sensitive rider aids. The cockpit centres on an 8‑inch TFT touchscreen, full LED lighting and both USB‑A and USB‑C charging (18W). Buyers can add CFMoto’s optional T‑Box to unlock a customizable “Master” mode among the bike’s five ride presets: Rain, Standard, Off‑road, All‑terrain and Master.
The chassis mixes high‑spec components: fully adjustable 48mm KYB USD forks up front, a fully adjustable KYB monoshock at the rear and an aluminium swingarm. Brake hardware is supplied by Brembo, with twin 320mm front discs and radial calipers up front and a 260mm rear disc.
Two ride heights and off‑road geometry
CFMoto will offer the 1000MT‑X in two configurations. The standard setup gives 190mm suspension travel and an 830mm seat height; the taller specification increases travel to 230mm and raises the seat to 870mm. Corresponding ground clearance ranges from 200mm to 240mm. Wheel sizes follow adventure convention with a 21‑inch front and an 18‑inch rear, fitted as standard with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres.
First impressions on the road
We spent a day riding the 1000MT‑X in South Wales, with mornings on tarmac and afternoons at the tight, technical trails of Enduro World. Nick Plumb — off‑road racer and Dakar finisher — led the road loop.
The taller bike feels spacious in the saddle. On the 870mm seat version you sit high, which can make flat‑footing tricky, but it provides relaxed lower‑body ergonomics and a commanding view. The quickshifter and gearbox proved accurate and user‑friendly through town and on winding B‑roads.
At higher speeds the engine shows strong, linear performance. It pulls cleanly through the rev range and copes well with overtakes without frequent gear changes. There is, however, a mildly choppy throttle response at low speeds and a traction control strategy that can feel overcautious — even on intermediate settings it sometimes limits power exiting slow corners.
Handling is a strength. Despite the 21‑inch front wheel, the bike changes direction with little effort, helped by a low centre of gravity and wide bars. The suspension soaks bumps without feeling wallowy, and the Brembo brakes bring precise lever feel that encourages confident trail braking into slower turns.
One practical gripe on the road: the stock screen proved too short for comfortable high‑speed touring, directing turbulence toward the helmet. The taller optional screen is a modest extra but likely worth it for regular motorway miles.
Off‑road performance at Enduro World
For the dirt section we rode the bike on the stock Pirelli tyres through sand, gravel and rocky sections. The low‑slung fuel tank helps keep mass centered, which made transitions between seated and standing riding effortless. In steep climbs the 1000MT‑X’s torque proved useful — the engine yields more peak torque than KTM’s 790 and 890 models — but effective use often required switching traction control off.
The bike’s off‑road ABS behaved predictably on descents, allowing controlled front wheel rotation without dumping lever pressure — a characteristic that echoes modern KTM systems and speaks well of CFMoto’s electronics tuning. In hands capable of exploiting its limits, the 1000MT‑X tackled the venue’s challenges with composure.
Practical features and everyday use
Comfort features include heated grips and a heated seat, an adjustable windscreen and a 22.5‑litre fuel tank that, paired with a claimed dry weight of 199kg and a kerb weight of 222kg, suggests respectable touring range. Tyre pressure monitoring is standard, and the adjustable screen can be operated one‑handed — a small but welcome convenience.
Verdict
CFMoto’s 1000MT‑X offers a compelling mix of capability and value. It delivers many components and features found on pricier European rivals — high‑spec suspension, Brembo brakes, a large TFT display and IMU‑based electronics — while undercutting them on price. Criticisms are relatively minor: the low‑speed throttle could be smoother, the traction control sometimes too intrusive, and taller riders may want the optional screen.
Viewed against the broader market, the 1000MT‑X doesn’t read like a budget model that’s had corners cut. It feels like a fully formed adventure motorcycle aimed at riders who want legitimate off‑road ability and long‑distance comfort without the premium price tag.
Key specifications
| Engine | Twin‑cylinder inline, liquid‑cooled, EFI, 8 valves, DOHC |
| Capacity | 946.2cc |
| Power | 110bhp @ 8,500rpm |
| Torque | 105 Nm (77.4 lb‑ft) @ 6,250rpm |
| Fuel capacity | 22.5 litres |
| Gearbox | 6‑speed, slipper clutch, bi‑directional quickshifter |
| Suspension (f/r) | 48mm fully adjustable KYB USD forks / fully adjustable KYB monoshock |
| Brakes | Twin 320mm front discs with radial Brembo calipers; 260mm rear disc |
| Electronics | Bosch MSE 9.0 with IMU, cornering ABS, traction control, IMU‑based aids |
| Seat height / ground clearance | 830–870mm / 200–240mm |
| Kerb weight | 222kg |
| UK price | £8,699 + OTR |
