Top 5 things we love about the CF Moto 800 MT
Chinese motorcycle giant CF Moto has made massive inroads into the global motorcycle market and continues its upward trajectory, offering riders old and new a comprehensive range of bikes to suit any kind of riding. We check out the 800 MT range and why it's fast becoming one of the most chosen machines in the range.
The CFMOTO 800MT is a tech-heavy and focused adventure motorcycle. As the flag-bearer of CFMOTO’s adventure lineup, the MT elevates standard touring specs with impressive tech and spec levels. It pairs premium hardware and software to make long-distance highway cruising effortless. It competes directly in the mid-weight adventure (ADV) market segment, going head-to-head with established rivals such as the Yamaha Ténéré 700, Honda XL750 Transalp, Suzuki V-Strom 800, and KTM 790 Adventure.
Related: How does the CF Moto 800 NK compare to the KTM 990 Duke?
In this fiercely competitive space, the 800MT carves its niche by offering top-tier touring electronics and high-end features at a significantly lower price point. The CFMOTO 800MT-X shifts the platform away from standard road touring into a lean, dirt-focused middleweight rally bike. Here are the top five standout features that make the 800MT range a compelling choice:
What is the difference between a CF Moto 800 MT Explore and a BMW F900 GS Adventure?
1. KTM-Derived 799cc Parallel-Twin Engine
Under the hood sits the LC8c-derived twin-cylinder engine (the same motor architecture powering the KTM 790 platform). Outputting 95 hp and 87 Nm of torque, it delivers crisp low-end power and punchy mid-range acceleration. CFMOTO refined the throttle mapping for smooth fuel delivery across all riding modes, avoiding the jerky low-speed response that can plague dirt riding.
2. True Off-Road Ergonomics & Low-Slung Tank
Borrowing a clever design cue from rally raid bikes, the 800MT-X uses a low-slung, saddle-shaped 22.5-litre fuel tank. Carrying weight lower down drastically improves balance, making the bike feel much lighter on technical trails. Paired with a slim, flat rally seat and 240 mm of ground clearance, standing up and shifting your body weight off-road feels completely natural.
3. Fully Adjustable Long-Travel Suspension
Unlike road-biased adventure bikes, the MT-X features robust, fully adjustable long-travel suspension with 230 mm of travel front and rear. It soaks up deep ruts, rocks, and jumps without bottoming out, giving riders genuine confidence off the pavement.
4. High-End Tech Suite Out of the Box
CFMOTO packs the bike with standard electronics that are usually expensive add-ons for competitors:
Bosch 6-Axis IMU: Powers cornering ABS and traction control.
Up/Down Quickshifter: Seamless clutchless shifts.
7-inch Vertical TFT Display: Rally-style layout with Bluetooth connectivity and navigation support.
Rider Comforts: Cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS), and selectable ride modes come integrated from the factory.
5. Unbeatable Price-to-Performance Ratio
The headline feature is value. It delivers near-premium European middleweight ADV performance at a price tag thousands less than its direct rivals. Even fully kitted with options like crash bars, luggage, and heated grips, it remains far cheaper than most base-model competitors. Think of the Explore as CFMOTO’s long-distance highway cruiser and the MT-X as their dirt-focused rally weapon.
