2026 CFMoto 1000MT-X – First Look
CFMoto announces its flagship ADV
CFMoto has announced the latest addition to its budding ADV family of motorcycles, the 2026 CFMoto 1000MT-X. The 1000MT-X is the Chinese brand's flagship ADV, making use of what it says is an "all-new" 946.2cc Parallel-twin engine. While not specified by CFMoto or KTM, the 946.2cc displacement matches KTM's LC8c 947cc size when calculating 92.5mm bore and 70.4mm stroke, precisely. Additionally, physical appearance remains remarkably close by visual comparison.
The CFMoto 1000MT-X follows an identical design language to its current MT siblings, which globally includes the 450MT, 700MT, 800MT Sport, 800MT Explore, and 800MT-X. North America is currently only receiving the Ibex 450 and Ibex 800 E, both using the Ibex name as opposed to MT.
The 800 and 1000 ADV machines share an identical design language as well as chassis components. What differs is performance. With the 946.2cc LC8c Parallel-twin as its engine, the 1000MT-X produces a claimed 111.3 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 77.4 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm. The 800MT-X, which uses the 799cc KTM powertrain originally launched in the 790 Duke and 790 Adventure motorcycles, offers respectable figures, though the additional 148cc results in an extra 17.4 horsepower and 13.2 lb-ft of torque. Of course, this is made possible as CFMoto is the manufacturing partner for KTM’s 799cc platform.
CFMoto is making use of a similar strategy to what we witnessed with the evolution of the KTM 790 Adventure and KTM 890 Adventure platforms. Much is shared between those two Austrian machines, which can also be said of the 800MT-X and 1000MT-X motorcycles. The tubular-steel frame and aluminum swingarm appear to be carried over. Likewise, the fully adjustable KYB 48mm fork and monoshock provide 9 inches of travel at each end. A set of 21-/18-inch tubeless wire-spoke wheels are standard and mounted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR rubber.
Braking comes from Brembo 4-piston calipers working with 320mm rotors. In the rear, a dual-piston Brembo unit grasps a 260mm disc. A Bosch six-axis IMU offers a complete suite of rider aids, starting with five adjustable ride modes. These modes dictate how the multi-level cornering ABS and traction control behave. Also included are an 8-inch touchscreen display, TPMS, bi-directional quickshifter, heated grips and saddle, and cruise control.
Additionally, a skid plate and hand guards are standard. The low-slung 6-gallon fuel tank is another KTM hand-me-down, not only allowing an extended range but also lowering the bike’s center of gravity, as the KTMs and now CFMoto are some of the few ADV motorcycles to utilize such a design.
We are hopeful that the 2026 CFMoto 1000MT-X will arrive in North American dealerships at some point. As such, we also anticipate that the 1000MT-X will arrive with the Ibex moniker, if it does enter our market. We will update this story as additional pricing and information becomes available.
2025 CFMOTO Ibex 450 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Twin-cylinder inline, liquid-cooled, EFI, B Valves, DOHC |
Displacement | 946.2cc |
Bore x Stroke | 95.2×70.4 mm |
Max Power | 111 hp at 8,500 rpm (claimed) |
Max Torque | 77.4 lb-ft. at 6,250 rpm (claimed) |
Fuel System | BOSCH EFI |
Compression Ratio | 13.5:1 |
Transmission | CF-SC slipper clutch, 6-speed, wet, multi-plate |
Throttle Type | Mechanical throttle |
Chassis | Tubular steel frame |
Swingarm | Aluminum alloy |
Rim | Wire-spoked rims (tubeless) |
Front Tire | 90/90 R21 CST |
Rear Tire | 150/70 R18 CST |
Front Suspension | KYB, φ48 upside down suspension, preload, compression and damping adjustable; 9 inches of travel |
Rear Suspension | KYB, multi-link rear suspension, preload, compression and rebound adjustable; 9 inches of travel |
Front Brake | Φ320mm single disc, four-piston caliper, Brembo |
Rear Brake | Φ240mm single disc, single-piston caliper, Brembo |
ABS | BOSCH dual-channel ABS (rear ABS switchable) |
Traction Control | BOSCH TCS |
Wheelbase | 60 inches |
Seat Height | 32.7 inches / 34.3 inches (two position) |
Fuel Capacity | 5.94 gallons |
Dry Weight | 489.4 pounds (claimed) |
Battery | 12V 11.2Ah |
Headlight | LED |
Taillight | LED |
Signal Light | LED |
Instrument | 8-inch curved TFT display, CFMOTO Ride App connectivity |
Charging Port | 18w USB Type-A & Type-C |
Colors | Zephyr Blue / Tactical Green |
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A lifelong interest in anything with two wheels, Nic combined his passion for motorcycling with a rare and mysterious skill known as typing to join the motojournalism ranks. Motorcycle.com's Senior Editor and sometimes club racer displays an unrivaled desire to sample baked goods across the globe and partake in post-track day celebratory pizza.
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I wouldn't buy a KTM for the same reason I wouldn't buy CFMoto. Cheap Chinese materials.
China has become with stunned American facilitation an existential economic threat to the United States. To buy an essential item from the Chinese Communist state is bad enough, but to voluntarily buy an expensive toy, is simply irrational!
Buying Chinese products supports the Chinese military!
I have noted this before but here goes. The average KTM rider is way harder on their machines than nearly everybody else. I don't think there ever was a serious engine issue. Guys just run the crap out of them. And as good as Honda is/was, those 70s and 80s enduro bikes were shot engine wise before 20K. But then you just restore them and get going again. KTM's problem was their silly leadership. Now we will see out the new management goes.