Who is CFMOTO and Why Does it Matter? A Detailed Overview

CFMOTO first caught my eye with the 700CL-X Sport. A Chinese motorcycle manufacturer selling a café racer with Brembo brakes and a set of electronic aids was interesting enough. Now it has adventure twins, three-cylinder road bikes and four-cylinder sport bikes, and I’m paying closer attention.

It’s easy to find histories of American, European and Japanese motorcycle companies. Chinese manufacturers can take more work, especially when the company name, export brand and local distributor all differ.

I’ve lived in China, speak Mandarin, and have visited Hangzhou, where CFMOTO is based, a few times. I have a personal connection to the place, but I’m not an authority on CFMOTO or China. My experience there taught me to be cautious about generalisations about a massive country and complex society.

Next time I go to Hangzhou, I still hope to visit the factory, if they’ll let me in. Until then, here’s what the company reports, what it actually makes, and what its partnerships mean for you.

For another Chinese manufacturer with a different approach, see my Kove company overview.

Overview of CFMOTO

CFMOTO is a Chinese powersports manufacturer based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. It dates its beginnings to 1989 and makes motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. It also has an electric two-wheeler business under ZEEHO.

The listed company is Zhejiang CFMOTO Power Co., Ltd. (浙江春风动力股份有限公司). It joined the Shanghai Stock Exchange in August 2017 under stock code 603129. Its 2025 annual report names Lai Minjie (赖民杰) as chair and Lai Guogui (赖国贵) as the ultimate controlling shareholder.

Company measure	Reported figure
2025 revenue, across the group	RMB 19.75 billion, up 31.3% from 2024
Employees at the end of 2025	8,738 across the parent and principal subsidiaries
2025 petrol motorcycle sales	295,900
2025 electric two-wheeler sales	551,200

Those totals show the size of the business. They don’t establish the reliability of a particular bike. A manufacturer’s annual sales and your local dealer’s ability to supply a replacement part answer different questions.

CFMOTO sells road motorcycles in the US, too. The 2026 US motorcycle brochure includes sport, naked, cruiser and adventure models. Some have different names there: the 450MT is the Ibex 450, while the 675SR-R is the 675SS.

For company information, start with CFMOTO’s Chinese website. For a bike you’re considering buying, use your country’s official distributor, because the global catalogue doesn’t tell you which version your dealer sells.

About the name CFMOTO

You might be wondering where the name “CFMOTO” comes from. That’s how they write it — all capitals (not “CFMoto” as some magazines report it).

The full official Chinese name for CFMOTO is 浙江春风动力股份有限公司, which translates to Zhejiang Chunfeng Power Co., Ltd..

The core of the name is the first four characters 浙江春风. The rest means “power company limited by shares”.

You pronounce these four characters zhèjiāng chūnfēng according to the Pinyin pronunciation system. Literally it means “Zhejiang (a region) Spring Wind Power”. It’s a poetic name (as are many Chinese company names), but translated it might confuse non-Chinese speakers into thinking it’s a wind power company, that focuses on the wind of spring!

Because non-Chinese speakers often find it hard to pronounce Chinese company names, a typical approach is to use acronyms for either company names or the founders’ names. In this case, they took CF from chunfeng, and call it CFMOTO for international audiences.

Main motorcycles CFMOTO produces

CFMOTO’s range is wide enough that the badge alone tells you little about the bike. A 450MT, a 675SR-R and a 1250TR-G have different engines, purposes and ownership costs. The letters are a quicker way to get your bearings.

Family	What it means in the range	Models to know
NK	Naked road bikes	450NK, 675NK, 800NK
SR / SS	Faired sport bikes; SS names appear in the US	450SR / 450SS, 500SR VOOM, 500SR, 675SR-R / 675SS, 750SR-S
MT / Ibex	Adventure and touring bikes	450MT / Ibex 450, 700MT, 800MT / Ibex 800 variants, 800MT-X, 800MT-ES, 1000MT-X
CL / CL-X	Cruisers and retro road bikes	450CL-C, 550CL-C, 700CL-X variants
TR-G	Large touring motorcycles	1250TR-G
PAPIO, scooters and ZEEHO	Small road bikes, petrol scooters and electric two-wheelers	XO PAPIO, SC/AURA scooters, ZEEHO AE models

The 450 twins: a whole range from one engine family

CFMOTO’s 450 range includes the 450SR and SR-S sport bikes, 450NK naked, 450MT adventure bike and 450CL-C cruiser. The twin-cylinder platform lets CFMOTO offer several quite different bikes at a capacity that fits learner rules in some markets.

The 450MT is particularly relevant to readers here. Its Australian specification lists a 449 cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crank, and a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel. Those wheel sizes give you more dirt-oriented tyre choices than a road bike’s 17-inch pair. Read my 450MT review and guide for the riding and buying detail.

Don’t assume every 450 has the same tune or equipment. The cruiser uses belt final drive, while the adventure and sport bikes use chains. Check the exact model, model year and market rather than carrying one bike’s specifications across the whole family.

The 675 triples: naked and faired road bikes

The 675SR-R and 675NK put CFMOTO’s own inline-three engine in a faired sport bike and a naked road bike. CFMOTO Australia lists the SR-R at 70 kW (94 hp) and 70 Nm (52 lb-ft). Both models appear in its 2025 and 2026 parts catalogue.

An inline triple gives the engine a different sound and power delivery from the brand’s twins. Your main choice between the two bikes is riding position and wind protection: the SR-R has a fairing and lower bars, while the NK has an upright road-bike layout. The US calls its faired model the 675SS; compare local specifications before treating the names as identical equipment packages.

The 500 and 750 fours

The 500SR VOOM has a 499 cc inline four, twin round lights and underseat exhausts. Its Australian specification lists 58 kW (78 hp), or 61 kW (82 hp) with ram air, and 49 Nm (36 lb-ft). The higher figure depends on pressurised intake air at speed; use the unassisted figure for a straightforward comparison.

CFMOTO announced Australian deliveries for May 2025, so the VOOM has moved beyond a China-only launch. CFMOTO also lists a separate 500SR in its Chinese catalogue. Don’t drop the VOOM suffix and assume you’re describing the same bike.

The 750SR-S takes the four-cylinder format up to 749 cc. CFMOTO now has Chinese and Australian product pages for it, but rollout timing still differs by country. A product listing supports researching the bike; confirm a delivery date with your dealer before planning around one.

The 650 and 700 bikes: how CFMOTO built its export range

The 650NK naked, 650MT adventure tourer and 650GT sport tourer helped establish CFMOTO outside China. Their 649 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin has an 83 × 60 mm bore and stroke, dimensions familiar from Kawasaki’s 650 twins. Matching dimensions don’t prove that two manufacturers have a licensing agreement.

Treat the 650 family as established model history, with availability depending on country and remaining stock. Restricted versions also differ from full-power bikes, so use the local specification and approval list when buying a learner motorcycle.

The 700 family includes the retro 700CL-X Sport and related CL-X versions, alongside the more touring-oriented 700MT. The similar number doesn’t make them the same motorcycle with different panels.

CFMOTO also developed 650-class escort and police bikes, including the CF650G and CF650J. These are part of the company’s manufacturing history, rather than a guide to what you’ll find in an export-market showroom.

The 800 and 1000 adventure bikes

CFMOTO’s 799 cc bikes use the KTM LC8c-derived parallel-twin platform. The road-oriented 800MT variants and 800NK naked established it in CFMOTO’s range. The engine’s 285-degree crank gives it uneven firing intervals, contributing to its V-twin-like sound.

The 800MT name now needs a suffix. Touring and Explore versions aim at road travel, while the 800MT-X has a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel, with a chassis aimed more at mixed terrain. Choose by wheel sizes, suspension and seat height, rather than assuming the newest suffix suits your riding.

CFMOTO Australia announced the MY26 800MT-ES in May 2026, with deliveries scheduled from late May. Its semi-active suspension adjusts damping as conditions change. It also has cruise control, heated grips and seat, and factory alloy luggage in that Australian package.

The 1000MT-X sits above the 800MT-X. Despite the round-number name, its engine displaces 946 cc. The Australian specification lists 83 kW (111 hp), 105 Nm (77 lb-ft) and 222 kg (489 lb) wet, with 21/18-inch wheels.

That extra power helps when carrying luggage or overtaking, but the weight still follows you onto rough tracks. If your priority is low-speed dirt riding, compare it with the smaller 450MT rather than choosing the largest engine by default. The broader context is in the site’s middleweight adventure-bike comparison.

The 1250TR-G luxury tourer

The 1250TR-G is CFMOTO’s large V-twin tourer. Its 1,279 cc engine makes 105 kW (141 hp) at 8,500 rpm and 120 Nm (89 lb-ft) at 7,000 rpm. It has a 12.3-inch display and a touring equipment package built around long-distance comfort.

CFMOTO developed it from KTM’s LC8 V-twin technology. Its role differs from the MT adventure range: this is a substantial road tourer. Check local homologation, distribution and service support before treating a Chinese-market listing as a bike you can buy at home.

CFMOTO and KTM’s partnership

CFMOTO and KTM started working together in 2011 and formed the CFMOTO-KTMR2R joint venture in 2017. CFMOTO took 51% and KTM 49% of that venture. Those percentages describe the joint venture, not ownership of either entire motorcycle company.

KTM’s production-facility page says the partnership handles global production of the 790 Duke and 790 Adventure. This is an actual manufacturing relationship, and the source of the LC8c engine connection in CFMOTO’s 800 range.

It doesn’t mean every CFMOTO is a KTM underneath. The 450 twin, 675 triple and four-cylinder SR models are separate CFMOTO engine programmes. Look at the specific engine and chassis before assuming that parts, maintenance advice or known problems carry between brands.

CFMOTO and Yamaha’s partnership

On 15 September 2023, Yamaha announced an agreement for its Chinese partner Chongqing Jianshe to transfer its interest in Zhuzhou Jianshe Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. to CFMOTO. Yamaha named the proposed business Zhuzhou CF Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (ZCYM), subject to regulatory approvals.

The announced ownership split was CFMOTO 50%, Yamaha 44.23% and the remaining partner 5.77%. CFMOTO’s 2025 annual report lists Zhuzhou CF Yamaha as a joint venture. The agreement concerns motorcycle manufacturing in China. It doesn’t announce a CFMOTO motorcycle using Yamaha’s CP2 engine or a Ténéré 700 technology transfer.

Other CFMOTO partnerships

On 8 July 2026, CFMOTO and Brembo signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement in Hangzhou. The announced work covers braking technology, product development and racing, including support for the CFMOTO Talent Project.

Several CFMOTO bikes already use Brembo or J.Juan components. For a buyer, the question is still what the exact model has: brake hardware, ABS type and local parts supply. A supplier agreement doesn’t guarantee that every bike receives the same brakes.

Recent CFMOTO news: racing, Kalex and the V4

David Alonso won the 2024 Moto3 riders’ world championship with CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar. That’s a racing result in the Moto3 class, distinct from the premier MotoGP class. It’s a reason to follow the company’s racing work, rather than evidence that a showroom bike has the same engine as a Grand Prix racer.

CFMOTO’s 2025 annual report also records its acquisition of a 51% stake in Kalex Engineering GmbH on 31 December 2025 for €5.1 million. Kalex develops racing chassis; the investment gives CFMOTO a much more direct connection to that engineering business.

The V4 SR-RR shown at EICMA 2025 is a prototype with a 997 cc, 90-degree V4. CFMOTO quoted more than 157 kW (210 hp) and a target curb weight below 200 kg (441 lb). Treat these as prototype claims, rather than final specifications for a retail model.

CFMOTO’s Philippine distributor reported a 315.82 km/h (196.24 mph) test run at Shangrao on 15 June 2026. That shows the development programme moving beyond a display bike. The test doesn’t establish a showroom price, delivery date or the specification of a homologated road version.

The 675NK GP also appeared as a concept at EICMA 2025. As of this update, I haven’t confirmed a retail launch for either it or the V4 SR-RR. Keep them separate from the 675NK, 800MT-ES and 1000MT-X when comparing bikes you can order.

What to check before buying a CFMOTO

Company history can get you interested in a brand. The buying decision needs local detail. Ask the dealer who handles warranty claims, where routine parts come from, and what happens when a component isn’t in stock.

Get the maintenance schedule for the exact bike and ask for prices for its major services. Check whether the warranty extension depends on dealer servicing. CFMOTO Australia’s advertised three-year programme has conditions: the basic period is two years, with a possible additional year for qualifying dealer service history.

For resale, look at actual used listings and completed sales in your country. I wouldn’t assign the same resale outlook to every Chinese motorcycle, or assume a low new-bike price guarantees a low total ownership cost.

If your nearest dealer is good and you plan to keep the bike, a CFMOTO can make sense. If parts delays would stop your daily transport, or you’re buying a newly launched model with little owner history, investigate those risks before committing.

China and the [Gnarly] Politics Question

Inevitably, when people hear “China”, their minds may turn to politics. I vote with my wallet, too, based on the product and my view of the company behind it. I can’t settle the whole China question in a motorcycle article.

CFMOTO is a listed company with identifiable controlling shareholders. If ownership influences your purchase, start with its annual report and the actual corporate relationships. A manufacturing joint venture doesn’t mean KTM or Yamaha owns the CFMOTO group.

After living for years in China, I have many Chinese friends, both there and abroad. They helped me understand how differently people relate to the country and its government. An attitude towards a government is different from how you treat its people.

There’s a Chinese saying I like: 《海内存知己，天涯若比邻》. Loosely, “With a close friend in distant lands, the ends of the earth feel like neighbours.” It captures something I felt when I lived there.

For wider reading, I follow Bill Bishop’s Sinocism and Pekingnology. They draw on Chinese and English material and offer far more context than I can fit here.

For the bikes, I’d start with the model that fits your riding and the dealer who’ll look after it. CFMOTO now has enough different motorcycles that you can judge the actual machine, rather than treating the whole range as a single proposition.