Hatto heads to the CFMOTO 1000MT-X launch and puts it to the test over two gruelling days in the Vic High Country. Here is his in-depth expert review... Photos: Fstyle Photo

Hatto jumps on the big bird from sunny Cairns to chilly Melbourne, heads to the High Country and spends a few days at the launch of the new CFMOTO 1000MT-X Adventure Bike. Here is his comprehensive road and off-road in-depth expert review…

My first experience with CFMOTO’s adventure range came at the launch of the 450MT, and that ride genuinely changed my perspective on the new generation of motorcycles coming into our industry. I loved the little 450; it was fun, capable and honest, and I remember thinking you could ride one of these to Cape York every weekend through the dry season. The Australian market clearly agreed, with the 450MT quickly becoming one of Australia’s most successful adventure motorcycles.

Then came the CFMOTO 800MT-X. I rode it through Victoria’s beautiful Otway region and came away impressed by how far CFMOTO had evolved as a manufacturer. The quality, engineering and overall riding experience had reached a level that demanded attention. What has never surprised me is the success of the CFMOTO adventure range in Australia.

Check out our past CFMOTO adventure bike long term staff project bikes here…

A large part of that success comes down to the people in the brand. The team at Mojo motorcycles, the CFMOTO importers, are not just motorcycle industry professionals, they are passionate riders themselves. When introducing a relatively new brand, success is about far more than the motorcycle, it’s about dealer support and commitment to customers…

I have shared great adventures with Mojo General Manager Matt Riley over the years. Matt’s passion for motorcycles is genuine, and I firmly believe that passion forms the backbone of CFMOTO’s Australian adventure bike success story. So the success of CFMOTO’s adventure range in Australia hasn’t surprised me, but I must admit, I initially questioned CFMOTO’s decision to enter the 1000cc adventure market. I’ve always admired CFMOTO’s lighter adventure bikes because they’re easy to ride, approachable and genuinely fun, so I wondered whether moving into the 1000cc category meant abandoning that philosophy.

“It became clear that the 1000MT-X is far more than an enlarged 800MT-X”.

At first glance, it would be easy to think the 1000MT-X was simply an 800MT-X with a larger engine, upgraded brakes and suspension and a couple of extra kilograms. But how wrong I was. From the moment I rolled out of the gates on day one, it became clear that the 1000MT-X is far more than an enlarged 800MT-X. Over the next two days, it took me somewhere completely unexpected. The experience left me genuinely excited and, as I write this report, I’m reliving those warm and cold moments of the adventure all over again.

As I left the beautiful tropical winter of Cairns for the bitter cold of Victoria, I was excited to catch up with the CFMOTO team and my fellow motorcycle journalists. Those relationships are one of the great privileges of this job.

Left to Right: CFMOTO 1000MT-X in Nebula Black, Tactical Green and Aerolite Grey

The launch was based at Cammeray Waters Lodge in Victoria’s countryside, surrounded by some excellent adventure-riding terrain. Our first morning began with a technical briefing and a chance to get familiar with the 1000MT-X’s extensive electronics package, riding modes, controls and menus. Thankfully, the large TFT display is intuitive, easy to read and simple to navigate.

The 1000MT-X comes in two configurations, with the LS (low seat) developed to make the big adventure bike more accessible to shorter riders. Its 830mm seat height is 40mm lower than the standard model’s 870mm, achieved through revised suspension that reduces travel from 230mm to 190mm. Otherwise, it retains the same fully adjustable suspension, brakes, wheels and electronics package as the standard model. At 173cm tall, I opted for the LS and found it suited me perfectly.

“At 173cm tall, I opted for the LS and found it suited me perfectly.”

With the bikes sorted, Victoria delivered the full winter experience. The first day was wet, cold and overcast, with conditions finally beginning to dry later in the afternoon. Having recently returned from Iceland, I thought I was prepared for a cold Victorian winter adventure, but I was not! The 1000MT-X’s heated seat and grips quickly proved their worth and riding long distances in bitterly cold conditions without them now frankly seems unnecessary.

The tyre-pressure and tyre-temperature monitoring immediately caught my attention. Watching the data change in real time while riding was fascinating and gave me a better understanding of how the tyres were performing as conditions changed throughout the day. The smartphone integration is equally impressive. Riders can create and save their own riding modes, allowing preferred settings to be stored and managed through the CFMOTO app. Between the rider modes, tyre data, navigation, music and connectivity functions, there are plenty of opportunities to tailor the bike to your own preferences.

Great road manners, with good feel and great brakes and suspension. Tarmac touring is great.

My only criticism is that the switchgear can initially be a little overwhelming. Modern adventure motorcycles are packed with features and controls and the 1000MT-X is no exception, although with more time on the bike I’m sure operating them would become second nature. We covered more than 300km on day one, through conditions ranging from wet dirt roads and slippery tracks to grippy granite, greasy bitumen and mildly technical climbs and descents. Throw in a sprinkle of Victoria’s four seasons in one day and it was exactly the kind of environment needed to evaluate an adventure motorcycle.

I began in Standard mode before experimenting with Wet mode as conditions deteriorated. Wet mode proved excellent on sealed roads, with one unexpected moment involving a wet white line immediately demonstrating just how effectively the electronics manage traction. In the dirt, however, I gravitated towards All-Terrain mode. With full power and reduced electronic intervention, the bike came alive.

Whether riding on fast, flowing dirt roads or tackling single trail, the CFMOTO 1000MT-X is not cumbersome or lazy.

The chassis balance is exceptional. Turn-in is neutral and predictable, while the front end delivers tremendous confidence and grip. Once the bike is into a corner, throttle application feels natural and connected, making controlled slides easy and putting an enormous grin inside my helmet.

The 1000MT-X is powered by a 946.2cc liquid-cooled DOHC eight-valve parallel-twin producing 83kW at 8500rpm and 105Nm at 6250rpm, with CFMOTO claiming more than 90 per cent of peak torque is available between 5500 and 8000rpm.

Power is from a Liquid-cooled, DOHC eight-valve parallel twin, 946.2cc, EFI, 92.5 x 70.4mm bore x stroke, with a 13.5:1 compression ratio. Output is 83kW @ 8,500rpm and 105Nm @ 6,250rpm. The bike weighs 222kg wet.

On the bike, the engine is significantly different in character from CFMOTO’s smaller adventure offerings. It’s silky smooth, incredibly tractable and loaded with usable torque, without demanding constant gear changes. That broad spread of torque gives you plenty of control over the bike. Whether driving out of corners, controlling wheelspin on loose surfaces or negotiating technical terrain, small throttle inputs let you adjust your line, manage traction, balance the chassis or drive forward with confidence. This isn’t an engine that demands constant gear changes.

“It’s silky smooth, incredibly tractable and loaded with usable torque, without demanding constant gear changes”.

The connection between the throttle and rear wheel is outstanding, with torque available exactly where an adventure rider needs it. That relationship between your right hand and the rear tyre is one of the strongest aspects of this motorcycle.

“I loved the fact that a tank gave us 500 kilometres plus range of fuel, awesome.”…

The 1000MT-X LS runs fully adjustable KYB suspension at both ends, with a 48mm USD fork and monoshock offering 190mm of travel. That’s 40mm less travel than the standard 1000MT-X’s 230mm, part of the revised suspension set-up that gives the LS its lower ride and seat height. A 20-position steering damper provides another level of adjustment.

One rocky hill climb highlighted just how good the suspension package is. The climb featured loose rocks on top of more loose rocks, embedded obstacles and several fast changes of direction – exactly the conditions that can expose the weaknesses of a heavier adventure bike. The 1000MT-X handled it beautifully and without fuss.

“The harder I attacked braking zones, rough terrain, high-speed corners and obstacles, the more capable the KYB package felt”…

Descending the same terrain revealed a slight tendency for the fork to move deeper into its stroke than I personally prefer, particularly over drop-offs. For my riding style, I’d be looking for a little more support from the front-end, although the amount of suspension adjustment available means there’s plenty of scope for fine-tuning. As our lead rider Paul remarked during the launch, the harder you ride this bike, the better the suspension performs. I found much the same thing. The harder I attacked braking zones, rough terrain, high-speed corners and obstacles, the more capable the KYB package felt.

The 1000MT-X LS runs fully adjustable KYB suspension at both ends, with a 48mm USD fork and monoshock offering 190mm of travel.

Braking is handled by Brembo, with dual 320mm front discs and four-piston radial calipers, backed by cornering ABS. Feel through the front brake is excellent, giving you plenty of confidence on both sealed and unsealed surfaces. Combined with the bike’s stability, that makes it easy to place the 1000MT-X where you want it.

The ABS calibration also impressed me. Unlike some adventure bikes, it retained a useful level of feel on dirt without becoming intrusive. The gearbox worked well across both road and dirt riding, while the slipper clutch added confidence on slippery corner entries, where engine braking could otherwise unsettle the bike. The quick-shifter also worked nicely, although I often found myself reverting to traditional gear changes and simply enjoying the ride.

Day two included a specially prepared 4WD park with hill climbs, descents, jumps and technical sections, giving us the opportunity to explore the 1000MT-X’s off-road capabilities more thoroughly. I spent some extra time in the tighter, slower sections to assess its low-speed handling and manoeuvrability. This was something I’d wondered about before the launch: could the 1000MT-X retain the agility and approachable nature I’d enjoyed so much in CFMOTO’s smaller adventure bikes?

The answer was yes. Despite its 222kg kerb weight, the 1000MT-X never felt like an oversized adventure bike trying to pretend it was something else. Later, we entered Trentham State Forest, where conditions became extremely slippery. Some sections were so greasy they tested even the most experienced riders in the group, yet the front-end grip remained predictable and confidence-inspiring.

“Despite its 222kg kerb weight, the 1000MT-X never felt like an oversized adventure bike trying to pretend it was something else”.

The 1000MT-X never felt like a tank and, whether tackling technical climbs, negotiating tight turns or picking my way through difficult terrain, I never felt as though I was wrestling with a big-bore adventure bike. The biggest surprise for me wasn’t a particular specification or performance number, but how good I felt at the end of each day. After more than 300km of demanding adventure riding, much of it off-road, I could easily have continued for another 100km or more. Fatigue simply wasn’t an issue.

The ergonomics, wind protection, suspension and smooth power delivery combine to make the 1000MT-X LS genuinely enjoyable to spend long days on. The LED lighting also deserves praise. We spent significant time riding after dark, giving us a rare opportunity on a launch to properly assess the lights in real-world conditions, and their performance was excellent.

“It should be comfortable over long highway kilometres, handle rough back roads and dirt tracks and still be enjoyable when the road starts to twist and turn”.

What really appeals to me about the 1000MT-X LS is its versatility. Adventure bikes are supposed to give you the freedom to go somewhere, and I could easily see myself loading this one with luggage and disappearing for weeks to explore Australia or even taking it overseas. For me, a great adventure bike needs to wear many hats. It should be comfortable over long highway kilometres, handle rough back roads and dirt tracks and still be enjoyable when the road starts to twist and turn. Just as importantly, I want to be able to share those experiences with my partner.

 

 

The 1000MT-X LS ticks those boxes remarkably well. There’s ample comfort, power and carrying capacity to make two-up touring a realistic proposition, and it’s a motorcycle I’d happily put my partner on the back of and head off into the unknown. I can picture arriving at a campsite, country pub or small hotel after a day on the road, removing the luggage and heading back out to explore the local area. With the bags off, the bike would be ready for a completely different mission – perhaps a quick burn along a mountain road, a forest trail or simply a ride to see what’s over the next hill. That ability to switch from long-distance tourer to adventure explorer is one of the 1000MT-X LS’s greatest strengths.

There’s so much adjustment available through the electronics, suspension and rider modes that after two days I feel I’ve only scratched the surface of what the bike can offer. I arrived in Victoria wondering whether CFMOTO really needed to move into the 1000cc adventure category. Instead, the 1000MT-X feels like a natural extension of the range, bringing considerably more performance and long-distance ability without becoming cumbersome when the bitumen ends. And I loved the fact that a tank gave us 500 kilometres plus range of fuel, awesome.

At $18,990 ride away, with no price difference between the standard and LS versions, the 1000MT-X enters an already broad CFMOTO adventure range. It’s $2000 more than the $16,990 800MT Explore and just $500 above the $18,490 800MT-ES, while stepping up to the 946.2cc twin with 83kW and 105Nm, a 22.5L tank and the more off-road-focused 21/18-inch wheel combination. After two cold Victorian days filled with mud, slippery tracks, rocky climbs, water crossings and some great riding, one thought kept coming back to me: I think I could buy one.

 

2026 CFMOTO BikeReview 1000MT-X Specifications

www.cfmoto.com.au

Price: From $18,990 Ride Away
Colours: Nebula Black, Tactical Green, Aerolite Grey
Claimed Power: 83kW @ 8,500rpm
Claimed Torque: 105Nm @ 6,250rpm
Wet Weight: 222kg
Fuel Capacity: 22.5L
Fuel Consumption (Claimed): N/A
Fuel Range: 500km+

Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC eight-valve parallel twin, 946.2cc, EFI, 92.5 x 70.4mm bore x stroke, 13.5:1 compression ratio. Gearbox: 6-speed Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper clutch.

Chassis: Aluminium-alloy 
Rake: N/A Trail: N/A
Suspension: KYB 48mm USD front forks, fully adjustable, 230mm travel (LS: 190mm) (f). KYB monoshock, fully adjustable, 230mm travel (LS: 190mm) (r).
Brakes: 320mm dual discs with Brembo radial calipers, Bosch cornering ABS (f). 260mm single disc with Brembo 2-piston caliper, Bosch cornering ABS (r).
Wheels & Tyres: 90/90 R21 Pirelli STR (f), 150/70 R18 Pirelli STR (r).

Dimensions:
Length: 2288mm
Width: 945mm
Height: 1426-1476mm
Wheelbase: 1525mm
Seat Height: 870mm (LS: 830mm)
Ground Clearance: N/A

Instruments & Electronics: 8-inch TFT display, Bosch ABS and cornering ABS, Bosch three-stage adjustable traction control, LED headlight with DRL, LED taillight and indicators, optional T-Box.

Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.

 

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