There is an adventure-bike class in which the Yamaha Ténéré 700, Honda XL750 Transalp, and KTM 790 Adventure have been competing for years. They cost between €10,000 and €14,000, and all of them are excellent motorcycles. CFMoto has entered this class with an equipment list that would cost considerably more from Yamaha, Honda, or KTM.

Blind-spot radar standard. Apple CarPlay standard. Heated grips and heated seat standard. Fully adjustable KYB suspension standard. Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires from the factory. Five-year warranty. All for under €11,000.

After an initial ride review, ADAC described the CFMoto 800MT as “currently the most technically sophisticated and highest-quality motorcycle of Chinese origin.”

That was in 2023. The Explore is the further-developed flagship of this model family.

CFMoto and KTM: What the Partnership Means

CFMoto, based in Hangzhou, China, has been a production and distribution partner of KTM for years. That means CFMoto manufactures KTM motorcycles for the Asian market and, in return, has access to KTM technology and KTM manufacturing standards.

The 799 cc parallel twin in the 800MT family is not a direct KTM derivative—but it was developed in an environment familiar with KTM quality standards. That explains part of the quality ADAC identified in its first 800MT ride review in 2023. What does that mean for buyers? CFMoto is not an inexperienced newcomer. The brand has been present in Europe for several years with an organized dealer network.

The 800MT family has gone through several model versions since 2022 and has become CFMoto’s best-known product in Germany. The 800MT Explore is the flagship of that lineup.

The Engine: 91 hp, 75 Nm, Torque Peak at 8,000 rpm

799 cc. Parallel twin. DOHC. Liquid-cooled. 91 hp at 9,250 rpm. 75 Nm at 8,000 rpm. This engine has a higher rated engine speed than the classic adventure twins in this class. The Yamaha T7’s CP2 produces 73 hp and 68 Nm at 6,500 rpm. The Honda XL750 Transalp twin produces 92 hp and 75 Nm at 7,250 rpm. The CFMoto twin revs slightly higher and, according to reports on earlier model generations, was not optimally tuned in the midrange.

A midrange torque dip was one criticism ADAC mentioned in its 2023 800MT ride review: “Unrefined throttle response combined with a torque dip in the midrange.” The Explore version uses optimized torque delivery, and since fall 2025, throttle response has finally been properly sorted.

PASC stands for Power Assisted Slipper Clutch: both assist for lighter clutch operation and slipper function for improved rear-wheel stability during downshifts.

A bidirectional quickshifter comes standard.

Six-speed transmission. Chain drive. An A2 version restricted to 35 kW is available.

KYB Suspension: The Most Important Quality Feature

Up front is a fully adjustable 43 mm KYB USD fork. At the rear is a fully adjustable KYB monoshock. Kayaba, or KYB, is the same manufacturer that supplies original-equipment suspension components to Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki. The CFMoto 800MT Explore therefore leaves the factory with suspension components from the same supplier used by its Japanese competitors.

That is no coincidence. It is a deliberate quality statement that this is a bike to be taken seriously. The frame is made from chrome-molybdenum steel and is lighter than its predecessor. The swingarm is aluminum.

The spoked wheels use tubeless tires: 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear. Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires come standard—a mixed-use tire designed for asphalt and light off-road riding. The 90/90-21 front and 150/70-18 rear sizes are adventure-bike standards.

Wheelbase is 1,531 mm. Seat height is 825 mm. That works for riders from around 1.75 meters tall with adequate ground contact. Ready-to-ride weight is 231 kg. For a fully equipped adventure tourer with a luggage system, that is acceptable.

Electronics: What the Equipment List Actually Means

A 6-axis IMU provides the data foundation. Bosch cornering ABS. Lean-angle-sensitive traction control. Wheelie control. Four riding modes: Sport, Rain, Offroad, and Custom, with the latter individually configurable. Cruise control.

These features are the electronics standard also offered by motorcycles such as the Yamaha T7 World Raid and Honda XL750 Transalp. Where the 800MT Explore goes further is blind-spot radar. An ADSR radar sensor at the rear provides lane-change warning. TPMS comes standard. Apple CarPlay comes standard. The 8-inch TFT includes integrated navigation.

Blind-spot radar is the feature that otherwise does not exist in this price class. The BMW R 1300 GS, at more than €20,000, offers it as an option. The Yamaha T7 World Raid, at €13,200, does not have it. The CFMoto 800MT Explore, at €10,499, includes it as standard. If you regularly change lanes on the highway with luggage and a passenger and rely on warning systems, that is a tangible everyday advantage.

Equipment: What Really Comes Standard

Heated grips come standard. Heated rider and passenger seats come standard. Height-adjustable windscreen standard. Centerstand standard. Crash bars standard, according to an Austrian dealer listing. Auxiliary lights standard. Self-canceling turn signals. USB and 12V power outlets in the cockpit. This is the equipment package of a fully loaded adventure tourer—and it comes standard.

The luggage system is either optional or standard depending on the dealer, so confirm before purchase. Total luggage capacity with the side cases is 63 liters, plus an optional 36-liter top case.

The 800MT-ES: The New Flagship You Need to Know About

In June 2026, CFMoto introduced the 800MT-ES. It costs €10,499 in Germany plus additional charges and comes standard with electronically controlled suspension—Intelligent Suspension System with three modes—expanded Bosch stability control, and a radar detection system. It is the new flagship of the 800MT family.

If you are considering an 800MT Explore and can wait, compare it with the 800MT-ES before buying. For approximately €500–€600 more, you get electronically controlled suspension that the 800MT Explore does not offer.

Price and Warranty: The Argument

€10,499 plus additional charges. From April 1, 2026, CFMoto.de communicates a five-year warranty up to 40,000 km for all new CFMoto motorcycles. That is the longest motorcycle warranty in this comparison. For context, Yamaha offers two years. BMW offers two years. Honda offers two years. CFMoto offers five years. That is a statement of confidence in the company’s own quality—and a strong purchasing argument for riders who remain hesitant about buying a Chinese brand.

Verdict: The Price Argument Is Strong—the Question Is Long-Term Experience

The 2026 CFMoto 800MT Explore offers more standard equipment than any other motorcycle in its price class. Blind-spot radar, KYB suspension, Apple CarPlay, heated grips, heated seats, Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, 8-inch TFT—everything included, everything standard.

ADAC described the foundation of this model family as the best Chinese motorcycle on the market. Five-year warranty. €10,499. That is the package. The remaining question—as with every newer brand entering a new market—is long-term resale value and the density of the dealer network in your area.

Before buying: locate your nearest CFMoto dealer, check service capacity, take a test ride, and evaluate the revised midrange torque delivery for yourself.

 

Quick Check

+ Blind-spot radar (ADSR) standard: unique in this price class

+ 43 mm KYB USD fork

+ KYB monoshock, both fully adjustable: OEM quality comparable to Japanese competitors

+ Apple CarPlay standard: smartphone integration at no extra charge

+ 8-inch TFT with integrated navigation standard

+ Heated grips and heated seats for rider + passenger standard

+ Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR standard: high-quality mixed-use tires

+ Centerstand standard

+ 5-year / 40,000 km warranty from CFMoto as of April 1, 2026: longest warranty in this test series

+ PASC clutch + bidirectional quickshifter standard

+ 6-axis IMU: cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, 4 riding modes

+ A2 version with 35 kW available: same equipment, less power

+ €10,499: outstanding equipment-to-price ratio

+ ADAC (2023): “most technically sophisticated and highest-quality motorcycle of Chinese origin”

 

– Midrange torque dip documented on the predecessor by ADAC in 2023; now corrected

– CFMoto dealer network smaller than Japanese manufacturers: locate your nearest service partner before buying

– Resale value less certain than with established brands due to the company’s shorter market presence in Germany

– 231 kg ready to ride: at the upper end of the class; Yamaha T7 200 kg, Honda XL750 Transalp 208 kg

– Luggage system: optional or standard depending on dealer—confirm before purchase

– 800MT-ES, introduced June 2026 at €10,499: new flagship with electronic suspension—compare Explore vs. ES before buying

 

Technical Specifications: CFMoto 800MT Explore (2026)

Make / Model: CFMoto 800MT Explore (2026; 799 cc parallel twin; adventure/touring enduro; full license / A2 35 kW restricted version available); manufacturer: CFMoto, Hangzhou, China; KTM technology partner

Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin; 799 cc; 91 hp (67 kW) at 9,250 rpm; 75 Nm at 8,000 rpm; PASC slipper clutch; 6-speed transmission; chain drive; bidirectional quickshifter standard

Frame: Chrome-molybdenum steel, lighter than predecessor; aluminum swingarm; 1,531 mm wheelbase

Front suspension: 43 mm KYB USD fork; fully adjustable for spring preload, compression, and rebound damping

Rear suspension: KYB monoshock; fully adjustable

Brakes: J.Juan braking system; Bosch ABS; cornering ABS; 6-axis IMU-supported

Wheels / Tires: Tubeless spoked wheels; 21-inch front / 18-inch rear; Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, 90/90-21 front, 150/70-18 rear

Weight / Seat Height: 231 kg ready to ride; 825 mm seat height; length 2,234 mm; width 853 mm; height 1,475 mm

Fuel Tank / Consumption: 19.2 liters; approx. 5.0 L/100 km; range approx. 350 km; top speed approx. 195 km/h

Electronics: 6-axis IMU; cornering ABS, switchable for off-road use; traction control; wheelie control; 4 riding modes—Sport/Rain/Offroad/Custom; cruise control; ADSR blind-spot radar standard; TPMS; 8-inch TFT display; Apple CarPlay; integrated navigation; Bluetooth

Standard Equipment: Heated grips; heated rider + passenger seats; height-adjustable windscreen; centerstand; crash bars; auxiliary lights; self-canceling turn signals; USB + 12V. Luggage system with 63-liter capacity: standard or optional depending on dealer—confirm before purchase

A2 Version: Restricted to 35 kW / approx. 48 hp; same electronics, same equipment; confirm with dealer

Stationary Noise: Not published; Tyrol limit 95 dB(A)

Warranty: 5 years / 40,000 km from CFMoto.de as of April 1, 2026; commercial use excluded

800MT Family 2026: 800MT Touring—base model; 800MT Explore—this model, flagship through May 2026; 800MT-X—off-road-oriented, approx. €9,440; 800MT-ES—new June 2026 model with electronic suspension, €10,499

Competitors: Yamaha Ténéré 700: €11,624; 73 hp; 200 kg; 23-liter tank on WR version. Honda XL750 Transalp: approx. €11,500; 92 hp; 208 kg. KTM 790 Adventure: approx. €12,500; 95 hp; 211 kg. CFMoto: more equipment than all of them at the lowest price, with compromises in weight and brand establishment.

Price (Germany): €10,499 plus destination charges