KTM-derived CFMoto 800MT adventure bike breaks cover

SINCE signing an industrial partnership and joining forces back in 2017, the KTM and CFMoto partnership has extended as far as the Chinese firm producing KTM bikes in its own facility.

Now though, we can see the first fruits of the labour in the form of this KTM 790 Adventure-derived 800MT. We already saw this machine earlier in the year, although back then it was adorned in a not-so-fetching dazzle camo paint-job. These images seem to show the machine in 100 percent finished form, decals and all.

KTM 790 Adventure on and off-road review

Obviously, the machine leans more heavily on KTM’s know-how than it does on CFMoto’s, meaning the frame, engine, and suspension are all very similar to that of the Austrian adventurer. The main difference between the two models comes in the form of the swingarm, seeming to be of box section design and the bodywork.

A big difference between the two models is the fuel tank of the bike, with the CFMoto losing the underslung item found on the donor bike and instead opting for a more convention tank, mounted in the normal way. It’s not totally clear why this has been done, although it could be a request from KTM to better differentiate the models. It could also be due to production costs – as a more conventional fuel tank is probably slightly cheaper to manufacture. Whatever the reason, it will probably make itself felt when riding off-road.

That underslung tank and the low CoG that comes with it makes the 790 Adventure one of the easiest to ride and enjoyable mid-weight adventure bikes on the market.

The styling of the bike is very sleek, with a neat and modern looking front end making the bike look like it’d fit right in with the European market, although it’s not clear if it will reach these shores or not.