If you’ve been tossing up between CFMOTO’s 800MT and 800MT-X and haven’t had the chance to ride them back-to-back, you’d be forgiven for thinking the difference is mostly cosmetic. Same engine, similar price point, same badge. Job done.
It isn’t.
These two bikes might share the MT moniker, but they deliver very different riding experiences. Depending on what you actually want out of adventure riding, the decision becomes surprisingly clear.
Under the skin, the 800MT Explore and the 800MT-X look closely related, and at a glance they are. Both are built around CFMOTO’s KTM-derived 799cc LC8c parallel-twin platform, both run Bosch electronics, and both share the same core engine architecture.
The 800MT-X produces 95hp (70kW) at 8,500rpm and 87Nm of torque at 6,750rpm. The 800MT Explore, by comparison, makes 91hp (67kW) at a higher 9,250rpm and 75Nm at 8,000rpm. That’s a modest 4hp advantage to the MT-X, but the more important difference is its 12Nm torque advantage, delivered much lower in the rev range. The result is an engine that feels stronger and punchier, while the MT has longer legs and feels more composed on the highway.
Shared hardware includes a six-speed gearbox, power-assisted slipper clutch, a bi-directional quickshifter — which is slick on both bikes — and Bosch EFI.
Electronics are another area where CFMOTO has been very deliberate in separating these two bikes. The 800MT Explore positions itself as the high-tech flagship, loaded with road-focused safety and convenience systems, while the 800MT-X takes a more stripped-back, rally-inspired approach that prioritises off-road usability over outright electronic depth.
The Explore runs an extensive six-mode ride system, covering Sport, Rain, Off-Road, Off-Road+, All-Terrain and All-Terrain+. Each mode alters throttle response, traction control intervention and ABS behaviour, giving the rider a huge amount of control over how the bike behaves on road and off. Notably, the more aggressive off-road modes allow reduced or disabled traction control and, in the case of All-Terrain+, front and rear ABS deactivation.
By comparison, the MT-X keeps things far simpler with just three modes — Standard, Rain and Off-Road — reflecting its focus on riding feel rather than constant electronic adjustment. On the MT-X, traction control and rear ABS can be easily disengaged, but front ABS remains active. That’s a curious decision, considering you can cut ABS on both ends of the MT Explore.
Both bikes run Bosch cornering ABS and traction control supported by a six-axis IMU, but again the intent differs. The Explore’s system is more comprehensive and road-safety oriented, while the MT-X’s setup is designed to be effective without becoming intrusive when surfaces deteriorate.
The biggest electronic point of difference is safety tech. The 800MT Explore is equipped with a rear-facing radar system providing blind-spot detection, lane-change assist and rear-collision warning, all displayed directly on the dash. The MT-X does without radar entirely, meaning there’s simply less to go wrong when you’re a long way from anywhere.
Dashboard design mirrors this split. The Explore uses a large 8-inch horizontal touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, navigation and voice control, while the MT-X runs a slimmer 7-inch vertical TFT more in keeping with a rally bike. Both use CFMOTO’s T-Box system for connectivity, over-the-air updates and security features.
The suspension philosophy is where the difference between the two really starts to diverge. The Explore runs a more road-oriented setup, with 43mm KYB inverted forks offering 160mm of travel, fully adjustable and tuned for stability, comfort and long days in the saddle. The MT-X steps things up significantly with beefier 48mm YU’AN USD forks and a full 230mm of travel — a 70mm increase that immediately points to a bike designed to cope with bigger hits and rougher terrain.
That approach continues at the rear. The Explore uses a KYB monoshock with 150mm of travel, prioritising comfort and control, while the MT-X runs a fully adjustable YU’AN piggyback shock with 230mm of travel, better suited to repeated off-road punishment. The extra travel delivers 240mm of ground clearance and a taller 870mm seat height, versus the Explore’s 190mm and more accessible 825mm.
On the road, the difference is noticeable. The Explore delivers a smoother, plusher ride, while the MT-X feels firmer but still compliant. As speeds increase, the MT-X’s firmer setup comes into its own, and if you’re riding hard on sealed roads, the MT-X is actually the more controlled handler.
Off-road, the MT-X is genuinely impressive and, in both intent and execution, sits very close to KTM’s 790 Adventure R. It does without KTM’s WP suspension and gives up a little finesse and bottoming resistance, but straight out of the box it’s still a seriously capable off-road platform. The Explore, by comparison, feels soft and will bottom out quickly if you try to carry speed through rough terrain or hit anything hard.
Where the difference really shows off-road is rider effort. The MT-X requires less rider input to maintain pace, while the 800MT demands more focus and more correction to get through the same terrain at the same speed. That difference becomes more apparent as the terrain gets rougher.
Suspension aside, the fuel tank design plays a big role here too. The KTM-style low-slung tanks on the MT-X aid balance and eliminate the top-heavy feel that plagues many big-bore adventure machines. Wheel size reinforces that dynamic, with the MT-X running a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, while the 800MT sticks with a more road-friendly 19/17 setup.
Where the MT-X pulls away off-road, the 800MT claws ground back on bitumen. It’s more comfortable, offers better wind protection and simply feels less dirt bike. You can sit on the MT and cruise for hours, whereas the MT-X has an attitude about it — it doesn’t feel right poking along and clearly wants to be ridden harder. I like that, but if you want to cover big miles, the MT is the easier bike to live with.
This isn’t a simple “which is better” comparison. Both bikes are good at what they’re designed to do. As an all-round adventure bike, though, I preferred the MT-X. The performance gap off-road is far greater than the gap between the two on the road, and I value the MT-X’s punchier engine and stiffer suspension. It’s not that far off the MT in terms of road manners, and the trade-off is worth it.
So impressed was I, in fact, that the moment I got home I fired off an email to CFMOTO Australia asking what an MT-X would cost me. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but I’d be surprised if there isn’t one in my shed at some point.
That said, if you’re mainly racking up road miles with the occasional dirt road thrown in, the MT is the smarter pick. Load either bike up and ride from Sydney to Darwin on mostly blacktop and you’ll arrive fresher on the MT, simple as that. It’s also cheaper, comes standard with crash bars and pannier racks, and offers more electronic features.
CFMOTO is clear that the 800MT Explore is road-focused and the 800MT-X is dirt-focused. We’ve all heard that line before, only to discover the “off-road” bike is little more than a roadie with longer suspension and different graphics. That’s not the case here. These are genuinely different machines with very different skill sets — and that leaves you with one simple question:
How dirty do you want to get?
