Positioning: CFMoto Uses the KTM 990 Engine Before KTM Builds a 990 Adventure

The 1000 MT-X is the first motorcycle in the world to use the 946 cc LC8c twin from KTM’s parts book in an adventure bike—even before a KTM 990 Adventure, which has not yet been announced. Bore and stroke, at 92.5 mm / 70.4 mm, as well as the 13.5:1 compression ratio, are identical to the KTM 990 Duke and 990 RC R. CFMoto does not officially confirm the engine relationship, but the technical specifications speak for themselves.

The 1000 MT-X uses touring-oriented tuning. Maximum torque arrives at 6,250 rpm instead of the 6,750 rpm of the sportier KTM 990 Duke, favoring touring and off-road riding. The 1000 MT-X largely adopts its frame and chassis geometry from the 800 MT-X, made possible by the identical engine mounting points of the LC8c block.

Its competitors include the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin at €16,449, 102 hp and 231 kg fully fueled; the BMW F 900 GS starting at €13,750 plus additional charges with 105 hp; and the KTM 890 Adventure R starting at €16,985 plus additional charges with 105 hp and 215 kg.

The 1000 MT-X is by far the least expensive motorcycle in its displacement class—and comes with more standard equipment than any of those competitors.

Engine: 946 cc, 113 hp, 105 Nm—Touring Character, Early Torque, 56 kg Engine Weight

The liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin produces 113 hp at 8,500 rpm and 105 Nm at 6,250 rpm. According to CFMoto, the engine weighs approximately 56 kg. Bosch fuel injection, 13.5:1 compression ratio, wet anti-hopping clutch, six-speed transmission, bidirectional quickshifter standard.

The touring-oriented calibration, with maximum torque arriving earlier than on the 990 Duke, is intended to make the engine easier to modulate off-road and on long-distance rides. CFMoto claims a top speed of 208 km/h. Stationary noise is 88 dB(A) at 4,250 rpm—meaning no Tyrol riding restriction.

Payload is 243 kg, calculated from the 465 kg gross vehicle weight minus the 222 kg curb weight. That is substantial for an adventure bike in this class.

Chassis & Brakes: Fully Adjustable 48 mm KYB, 230 mm of Travel, Brembo Standard—An Upgrade Over the 800 MT-X

Up front is a fully adjustable 48 mm KYB USD fork with 230 mm of travel. At the rear is a fully adjustable KYB monoshock, also with 230 mm of travel. Ground clearance is 240 mm on the standard version. An aluminum swingarm works within a tubular-steel trellis frame.

The chassis geometry and frame design are adopted from the 800 MT-X, reducing development costs and following the proven approach KTM itself used when moving from the 790 to the 890 Adventure.

The braking system uses Brembo four-piston radial fixed calipers with dual 320 mm front discs. At the rear is a Brembo two-piston caliper with a 260 mm disc.

That is a significant upgrade over the J.Juan braking system used on the 800 MT-X. A Bosch 6-axis IMU supports multi-stage adjustable cornering ABS. Traction control can be adjusted through three levels. Rear-wheel ABS can be deactivated for off-road riding.

Electronics & Equipment: Five Riding Modes, 8-Inch TFT, Apple CarPlay, Heated Grips and Seat, Cruise Control—All Standard

Five riding modes are available: Standard, Rain, Offroad, All-Terrain, and an individually configurable Master mode, which can be unlocked through the optional T-Box. Engine response and TCS intervention are adapted in each mode. Offroad mode deliberately permits more rear-wheel slip.

An 8-inch TFT touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Google navigation. TPMS displays both tire pressure and tire temperature. Three-stage heated grips and a three-stage heated seat come standard. Cruise control. Bidirectional quickshifter. One-hand-adjustable windscreen. Adjustable hand levers. Full LED lighting.

Also standard are an aluminum skid plate, handguards, USB-A, and USB-C.

The optional T-Box with 4G module adds live tracking, geo-fencing, ride data, and Master mode activation. The CRAFTED version adds bronze-colored wheels and fork, a gray engine cover, and additional protective components.

Ergonomics & Versions: 875 mm Seat Height, Slim Fuel Tank, Comfort Version From Summer 2026—Not for Shorter Riders Without Modification

Standard seat height is 875 mm. That is typically high for an enduro and challenging for riders under 1.75 meters. The fuel tank extends downward along the sides to lower the center of gravity and provide knee clearance off-road. Fuel capacity is 22.5 liters.

The seat is deliberately flat to make rapid weight shifts easier. The footpegs have serrated teeth with removable rubber inserts. There are several versions: The Standard has an 875 mm seat height, 230 mm of suspension travel, and 240 mm of ground clearance. The Low version has an 830 mm seat height, 190 mm of suspension travel, and 200 mm of ground clearance. A Comfort version with an approximately 835 mm seat height has been announced for summer 2026. Optional seats are available at +15 mm and −20 mm.

Colors are Aerolite Grey and Tactical Green for the regular version, plus a separate color scheme for the CRAFTED special edition. The 800 MT-X sister model is considered well suited to riders taller than 1.75 meters.

Costs: €9,999 Introductory Price Through June 1, 2026 / €10,999 Regular Price—Up to €6,000 Less Than the Competition

The €9,999 introductory price applies through June 1, 2026 and is limited to a specific number of motorcycles. The regular price afterward is €10,999.

For comparison in Germany, the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin costs €16,449, the BMW F 900 GS starts at €13,750, the KTM 890 Adventure R starts at €15,985, and the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro starts at €15,595.

Even at its regular price, the 1000 MT-X undercuts every one of these motorcycles by at least €2,750 while including more standard equipment: Brembo brakes, Pirelli Rally STR tires, heated grips and seat, and Apple CarPlay all come standard.

The warranty is five years / 40,000 km and applies to all new CFMoto motorcycles purchased from April 1, 2026. Pricing for the optional luggage system has not yet been announced.

Verdict

113 hp, 105 Nm, Brembo, 230 mm KYB suspension, five riding modes, cornering ABS, Apple CarPlay, heated grips and seat, Pirelli Rally STR, 222 kg, five-year warranty—at an introductory price of €9,999.

That is a serious challenge to the established competition. Buy the package at the introductory price and you get one of the most attractive adventure-bike deals of the year. If you prefer to play it safe, wait until more road tests are available.

 

Quick Check

+ 946 cc LC8c twin based on KTM 990 architecture: 113 hp, 105 Nm—touring-oriented tuning with early peak torque at 6,250 rpm

+ Brembo four-piston radial front calipers with dual 320 mm discs; Brembo two-piston rear caliper with 260 mm disc—upgrade over the 800 MT-X’s J.Juan system

+ Fully adjustable 48 mm KYB USD fork; fully adjustable KYB monoshock; 230 mm suspension travel at both ends

+ 240 mm ground clearance on Standard version; tubeless-compatible 21/18-inch wire-spoke wheels

+ Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR standard, 90/90-21 front / 150/70-18 rear—unlike the 800 MT-X’s CST original-equipment tires

+ Bosch 6-axis IMU; multi-stage adjustable cornering ABS; three-stage TCS; switchable rear ABS

+ Five riding modes: Standard, Rain, Offroad, All-Terrain, Master; T-Box required for Master mode

+ 8-inch TFT touchscreen; Apple CarPlay; Google navigation; Bluetooth

+ TPMS standard; three-stage heated grips; three-stage heated seat; cruise control

+ Bidirectional quickshifter standard

+ Aluminum skid plate and handguards standard

+ 22.5-liter fuel tank; more than 450 km of claimed range; 208 km/h top speed

+ 222 kg ready to ride; 243 kg payload with 465 kg gross vehicle weight—high for an adventure bike

+ 88 dB(A) stationary noise—Tyrol-compliant

+ CRAFTED special edition: bronze wheels, bronze-colored fork, gray engine cover

+ 5-year / 40,000 km warranty for motorcycles purchased from April 1, 2026

+ €9,999 introductory price through June 1, 2026; €10,999 regular price—up to €6,000 less than the Africa Twin

 

– Still few real-world road tests available

– 875 mm standard seat height: unsuitable for riders under 1.75 meters without the Comfort version or a lower seat

– Comfort version with 835 mm seat height not announced until summer 2026—not available at market launch

– €9,999 introductory price is limited and valid only through June 1, 2026; regular price is €1,000 higher

– Whether the engine calibration solves the torque-dip problem from the 800 MT-X remains open

– Long-term reliability of the KTM 990-based engine in a CFMoto has not yet been established

– Luggage pricing has not yet been announced; T-Box accessory required for Master mode

– CFMoto’s dealer network is growing but remains smaller than Honda’s, BMW’s, or Triumph’s

 

Technical Specifications: CFMoto 1000 MT-X (2026)

Country of manufacture: China (CFMoto; LC8c-based engine identical in basic architecture to KTM 990 Duke / 990 RC R)

Engine: Liquid-cooled 946.2 cc parallel twin, DOHC, 8 valves; 92.5 mm bore, 70.4 mm stroke, 13.5:1 compression ratio; Bosch EFI; wet anti-hopping clutch; 6-speed transmission; engine weight approx. 56 kg

Power: 113 hp (83 kW) at 8,500 rpm

Torque: 105 Nm at 6,250 rpm

Riding Modes / Electronics: Standard, Rain, Offroad, All-Terrain, Master via T-Box; Bosch 6-axis IMU; multi-stage adjustable cornering ABS; three-stage TCS; switchable rear ABS; bidirectional quickshifter; cruise control; TPMS

Versions: Standard: 875 mm seat height, 230 mm suspension travel, 240 mm ground clearance; Low: 830 mm, 190 mm, 200 mm; Comfort: approx. 835 mm from summer 2026; optional seats +15/−20 mm

Frame: Tubular-steel trellis frame; aluminum swingarm adopted from 800 MT-X

Front suspension: 48 mm KYB USD fork; fully adjustable; 230 mm travel

Rear suspension: KYB monoshock; fully adjustable; 230 mm travel

Ground clearance: 240 mm on Standard version

Front brakes: Brembo fixed four-piston radial calipers; dual 320 mm discs; cornering ABS

Rear brake: Brembo two-piston caliper; 260 mm disc; switchable ABS

Wheels: Tubeless-compatible aluminum wire-spoke wheels; 21-inch front / 18-inch rear

Tires: 90/90-21 front; 150/70-18 rear; Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR standard

Display: 8-inch TFT touchscreen; Apple CarPlay; Google navigation; Bluetooth; TPMS; USB-A and USB-C

Comfort: Three-stage heated grips; three-stage heated seat; cruise control; one-hand-adjustable windscreen; adjustable hand levers; serrated footpegs with removable rubber inserts

Protection: Aluminum skid plate standard; handguards standard; CRAFTED special edition with additional protective components

Weight: 222 kg ready to ride; 199 kg dry

Gross Vehicle Weight: 465 kg; payload approx. 243 kg

Seat Height: 875 mm Standard / 830 mm Low / approx. 835 mm Comfort from summer 2026

Fuel Capacity: 22.5 liters; more than 450 km of claimed range

Stationary Noise: 88 dB(A) at 4,250 rpm—Tyrol riding restriction does not apply

Colors: Aerolite Grey, Tactical Green; CRAFTED special edition

Price (Germany): €9,999 introductory price through June 1, 2026, limited; regular price €10,999

Warranty: 5 years / 40,000 km for all new motorcycles purchased from April 1, 2026