Short answer: Yes — CFMOTO has become a genuinely good value brand, especially over the last several years. Today’s models are well-built, loaded with features, and backed by a real warranty, thanks in large part to a long-running partnership with Austrian motorcycle maker KTM. They’re priced below the big Japanese and American names while offering comparable capability, which is exactly why CFMOTO is the largest line we carry at Empire Cycle & Powersports. Like any vehicle, they reward regular maintenance — but the old “cheap import” reputation is well out of date.
Here’s the honest rundown, from the team that sells and services them every day.
Is CFMOTO a good brand?
Yes — modern CFMOTO is a legitimate, well-regarded brand that competes directly with the established players on features and value. Reviewers regularly note that the build quality of bikes like the 800NK “rivals that of any Japanese brand,” and dealers describe CFMOTO as offering premium features without the premium price. The brand of a decade ago had more rough edges; the CFMOTO you buy today is a very different, far more refined machine.
Who makes CFMOTO, and where is it made?
CFMOTO is a powersports manufacturer founded in China in 1989, and it now builds vehicles at facilities in China, Thailand, and Mexico. It’s a large, established global company — not a fly-by-night importer. It designs and produces motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides sold in over 100 countries, with a growing dealer and parts network in the United States.
What’s the deal with CFMOTO and KTM?
CFMOTO has partnered with Austrian premium brand KTM for over a decade, and that relationship is a big reason its modern bikes are so good. CFMOTO builds certain KTM models and, notably, produces KTM’s 799cc LC8c parallel-twin engine — the same basic engine found in the KTM 790 Duke and 790 Adventure. Modified versions of that KTM-developed engine power CFMOTO models like the 800NK and Ibex 800. The partnership brought modern engine designs, better materials, and tighter quality control to the whole lineup. In short: you’re getting European-influenced engineering at a value price.
Are CFMOTO vehicles reliable?
Modern CFMOTOs (roughly 2018 and newer) are considered dependable, and owner reports back that up — with the usual caveat that maintenance matters. Earlier models occasionally had minor electrical or cosmetic quibbles, but newer units are far more consistent. Reviewers point to CFMOTO engines running well past 100,000 kilometers, and everyday owners report years of trouble-free use. As with any powersports vehicle, staying on top of routine service — oil, belts, and basic upkeep — is the single biggest factor in long-term reliability, regardless of brand.
What warranty does CFMOTO come with?
CFMOTO backs its vehicles with a real factory warranty: two years on most motorcycles, and one year on ATVs and side-by-sides. That two-year motorcycle coverage is actually longer than several bigger-name brands offer as standard. Off-road models carry a one-year limited warranty, with shorter coverage windows on wear items like belts, tires, brakes, and batteries — which is typical across the industry. Extended-coverage plans are also available.
Why is CFMOTO cheaper than the big brands?
CFMOTO’s lower price comes mostly from efficient global manufacturing and a value-first strategy — not from cutting the things that matter. You’ll often find features that are optional (or unavailable) on rivals — think full cabs with heat and air conditioning, touchscreens, and included winches — bundled in as standard at a lower price. It’s the same reason a loaded CFMOTO side-by-side can undercut a comparably equipped Can-Am, Polaris, or Kawasaki by thousands. You’re paying for the machine, not the badge.
Is a CFMOTO right for me?
If you want strong capability and modern features without paying flagship prices, CFMOTO is absolutely worth a serious look — which is why it’s the biggest line on our floor. CFMOTO makes a wide range: motorcycles from beginner-friendly to adventure and naked bikes, plus ATVs and side-by-sides. Because we sell and service so many of them, our techs know these machines inside and out, and we stock parts to keep you riding.
See CFMOTO at Empire
Come see why CFMOTO has earned its spot as our top-selling line. Browse the full CFMOTO inventory, schedule a test ride, or text us at 509-498-3541 with any questions about a specific model. And remember — every price on our site is Up Front: freight, setup, and our documentation fee are already included, so only sales tax and title/registration are added.
Empire Cycle & Powersports — Spokane Valley, WA. Your Inland Northwest CFMOTO dealer, plus new and pre-owned motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and snowmobiles, all with Up Front Pricing.