The exact product range and dealer network vary by market. CFMOTO’s current global materials describe a presence in more than 100 countries and regions 1215.

1989–1997: Origins

CFMOTO traces its history to February 1989, when a father-and-son team established a small motorcycle-parts workshop in Wenzhou, China 315. This workshop became the foundation of what would eventually become Zhejiang CFMOTO Power. One of the company’s early strategic decisions was to develop its own engine technology rather than remain solely a component manufacturer. In September 1997, CFMOTO successfully developed its first liquid-cooled engine, marking a significant milestone in the company’s transition toward independent powertrain development 34.

1998: First complete motorcycle

In May 1998, CFMOTO released its first complete two-wheeled vehicle 3. This represented a major shift in the company’s business model; instead of primarily supplying components, CFMOTO began developing and selling complete vehicles under its own brand.

2000s: Entry into powersports

During the early 2000s, CFMOTO expanded into larger-displacement engines and recreational vehicles. The company identifies 2005 as the year it launched its first all-terrain vehicle (ATV), which eventually became one of the most important segments of CFMOTO’s international business 37. CFMOTO’s off-road expertise subsequently became particularly relevant in export markets such as Europe and North America.

2007: International expansion

In 2007, CFMOTO established CFMOTO Powersports in the United States, its first overseas subsidiary 5. This was a pivotal step in transforming CFMOTO from primarily a Chinese manufacturer into an international powersports company.

2013: KTM relationship begins

In 2013, CFMOTO became KTM’s exclusive distributor in China and a CKD manufacturing partner 610. This relationship was significant because KTM was already an established European performance-motorcycle manufacturer, while CFMOTO was rapidly developing its own manufacturing and engineering capabilities. CFMOTO later deepened this relationship through further manufacturing and joint-venture activities.

2017: Public listing

CFMOTO was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in August 2017, using the stock abbreviation 春风动力 and stock code 603129 112. The listing provided the company with additional access to capital as it expanded its motorcycle, off-road, and international operations.

2018–2020: KTM joint venture and manufacturing expansion

The relationship with KTM developed substantially during this period. CFMOTO and KTM established a joint venture and developed manufacturing operations in Hangzhou 28. The CFMOTO-KTMR2R joint factory began production in 2020 2. Historical corporate reports also document CFMOTO’s investment relationship with KTM during this time. The partnership helped CFMOTO gain deeper exposure to high-performance motorcycle engineering and international product development, while simultaneously providing KTM with manufacturing capacity and market presence in China.

2020: ZEEHO

In December 2020, CFMOTO introduced ZEEHO, an electric-mobility brand focused on urban electric two-wheelers 8. This marked a broader strategic transition toward electrification alongside CFMOTO’s traditional gasoline-powered motorcycles and off-road vehicles.

2021 onward: MotoGP

CFMOTO entered the Moto3 category of the MotoGP World Championship in 2021 9. The company’s motorsport involvement subsequently expanded into Moto2. According to current company overviews, CFMOTO participated in Moto3 from 2021 and expanded its participation to both Moto2 and Moto3 in 2024.

2023: Mexico and Yamaha

CFMOTO established CFMOTO Mexico Power in 2023, with manufacturing operations in Monterrey, Mexico 14. In the same year, CFMOTO and Yamaha reached an agreement to establish a joint venture in Zhuzhou, China, named ZHUZHOU CF YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. (ZCYM).

2024: Major global milestones

The year 2024 was particularly significant for CFMOTO. The company announced that cumulative ATV production had surpassed one million vehicles. Its partnership with the Spanish Aspar Team also produced a major motorsport achievement: CFMOTO won the Moto3 Riders’, Teams’, and Manufacturers’ World Championships in the 2024 season, described by the company as a historic triple championship 9. In January 2024, CFMOTO completed the acquisition of GOES, a European off-road vehicle brand, intended to strengthen its position in the international off-road market.

2025–2026: Moving further upmarket

CFMOTO has increasingly emphasised technology, performance, international design, and premium positioning rather than competing solely on price. The company reported strong international expansion in 2025 while continuing to invest heavily in R&D and production capacity. Its international manufacturing footprint includes facilities in China, Thailand, and Mexico 1314. In 2026, CFMOTO announced a long-term strategic partnership with Brembo concerning motorcycle performance and braking technology, indicating a strategy to collaborate with established international suppliers for higher-end products.

CFMOTO operates as a comprehensive powersports company rather than solely a motorcycle manufacturer. Its main business areas encompass motorcycles, off-road vehicles, engines, and electric mobility.

Motorcycles

CFMOTO produces motorcycles across multiple categories, including naked/street, sport, adventure/touring, classic/retro, cruiser, scooter, small-displacement, and large-displacement performance models. Its current international motorcycle families include MT, SR, CL, NK, SC, PAPIO, and TR-G, although availability varies by country 711.

Off-road vehicles

Off-road vehicles represent one of CFMOTO’s historical strengths. The company manufactures ATVs, utility side-by-sides, sport side-by-sides, and recreational or work-oriented off-road vehicles. The principal families include:

• CFORCE: ATV range
• UFORCE: Utility-oriented side-by-side range
• ZFORCE: Sport/recreational side-by-side range 7

CFMOTO has emphasised its off-road business for more than two decades, and the CFORCE range has become a key element of its international identity.

Engines and components

CFMOTO develops and manufactures core components, including motorcycle and off-road vehicle engines, frames, chassis components, and other powertrain-related parts. This vertical integration allows the company to develop proprietary platforms rather than functioning purely as an assembly manufacturer. The company describes its capabilities as covering R&D, manufacturing, and sales of complete vehicles and core components 15.

Electric mobility

Through ZEEHO, CFMOTO has expanded into electric motorcycles and urban electric mobility 8. ZEEHO is positioned separately from the traditional CFMOTO motorcycle brand but remains part of the broader corporate ecosystem.

MT Series

The MT family is primarily oriented toward naked and street performance, emphasising aggressive styling, road performance, and everyday usability.

SR Series

The SR family represents CFMOTO’s sport and performance motorcycles. These models are central to CFMOTO’s effort to establish itself as a serious performance brand rather than merely a value-oriented manufacturer.

CL Series

The CL family focuses on classic and cruiser-inspired motorcycles. For example, the CL-C range combines modern mechanical technology with retro styling. The 450CL-C uses a liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine and modern electronic features while deliberately incorporating classic design cues 11.

NK Series

The NK name is associated primarily with naked motorcycles and has historically been one of CFMOTO’s most recognisable street-bike families.

800MT / Adventure family

CFMOTO has developed a substantial presence in the adventure-touring category, particularly with the MT adventure range. These motorcycles target riders seeking long-distance road capability combined with off-road or mixed-surface performance.

TR-G

The TR-G family represents the company’s large touring motorcycles. Models such as the 1250TR-G incorporate features including cruise control, quickshifters, electronically supported rider systems, radar-based assistance, and large TFT displays, demonstrating CFMOTO’s entry into technologically sophisticated touring segments.

A defining aspect of CFMOTO’s modern history is its relationship with KTM. Commercially beginning in 2013, when CFMOTO became KTM’s exclusive distributor in China and a CKD manufacturing partner, the relationship subsequently evolved into deeper industrial cooperation and joint manufacturing 610. It is important to note that CFMOTO is not simply a rebadged KTM entity; it maintains its own brand, product development organisation, manufacturing facilities, and engineering programmes. However, cooperation with KTM has involved technology transfer, manufacturing, and joint development, particularly visible in motorcycles utilising technology associated with KTM’s LC8c platform. For CFMOTO, the partnership provides access to European performance-motorcycle expertise, while for KTM, it offers manufacturing capacity and access to the Chinese market 2.

CFMOTO has also developed an industrial relationship with Yamaha. In September 2023, the companies announced an agreement to establish ZHUZHOU CF YAMAHA MOTOR CO., LTD. (ZCYM) in Zhuzhou, China. This demonstrates CFMOTO’s ability to maintain relationships with multiple major international motorcycle companies while pursuing its own independent brand strategy.

CFMOTO places significant emphasis on vertical integration and independent R&D. Its global headquarters in Hangzhou encompasses approximately 280,000 square metres across two campuses, where facilities manufacture engines, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, and electric vehicles 1315. Beyond China, the company operates international facilities and R&D operations. Its current international strategy includes manufacturing or operational presence in China, Thailand, Mexico, Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia 1314. CFMOTO states it maintains branches, plants, and R&D centres in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia to support its global expansion.

CFMOTO’s development strategy has shifted from manufacturing relatively simple motorcycles toward developing sophisticated proprietary platforms. Key technological areas include liquid-cooled DOHC engines, electronic fuel injection, ride-by-wire systems, traction control, ABS, quickshifters, cruise control, TFT instrumentation, connected functions, radar-assisted rider systems, advanced chassis development, and electric powertrains. This engineering progression traces back to the development of its first liquid-cooled engine in 1997 4. A notable example of newer-generation engineering is the 675 three-cylinder engine platform, introduced as an internally developed middleweight performance engine.

Motorsport is a major component of CFMOTO’s brand strategy, operating under the philosophy of “race to develop, race to promote”. Racing is utilised both to refine engineering capabilities and to build international brand recognition.

MotoGP / Moto2 / Moto3

CFMOTO entered Moto3 in 2021 and later expanded into Moto2 9. The company’s greatest achievement to date occurred in 2024, when CFMOTO and Aspar won all three Moto3 championships: Riders’, Teams’, and Manufacturers’. Following this success, CFMOTO and Aspar extended their partnership through 2031. Since the partnership began in 2024, the company has reported more than 40 podium finishes and 21 victories across Moto2 and Moto3.

Rally raid

CFMOTO operates the CFMOTO Thunder Racing Team, which competes in international rally-raid events including the Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship. This programme is primarily associated with CFMOTO’s off-road vehicles and is intended to demonstrate durability and performance in extreme conditions.

CFMOTO’s current international brand philosophy is summarised by the tagline: Determined. Progressive. More Fun. The company envisions becoming a premium global powersports brand with a mission to make exploration more accessible and enjoyable 15. This represents a departure from historical perceptions of Chinese manufacturers, as CFMOTO seeks to be viewed as a technology-driven international brand rather than solely a budget option.

Design has become integral to this strategy. CFMOTO has received international recognition including the Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, and IDEA Design Award. Newer models tend to feature distinctive, aggressive styling rather than replicating traditional Japanese or European designs, evident in the sharp bodywork of the MT and SR families and the deliberate retro aesthetics of the CL family.

CFMOTO has transformed from a Chinese exporter into an international powersports brand with products reaching more than 100 countries and regions and a global network of over 7,000 dealers 1215. Key international markets include Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, other Asian markets, and Africa. To support this expansion, the company has established subsidiaries, distribution networks, factories, and R&D operations outside mainland China.

Within China’s motorcycle industry, CFMOTO is considered one of the most internationally ambitious manufacturers. While many Chinese brands historically competed primarily on cost, CFMOTO’s strategy has focused on larger-displacement motorcycles, proprietary engine development, premium styling, international distribution, motorsport, partnerships with global companies, advanced electronics, off-road vehicles, global manufacturing, and electric mobility. This approach has allowed CFMOTO to enter market segments historically dominated by Japanese and European manufacturers.

CFMOTO is frequently compared with brands such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, KTM, BMW Motorrad, Triumph, Ducati, and Royal Enfield. Historically, its strongest advantage was offering high equipment levels and sophisticated technology at competitive prices. Newer models increasingly compete on technology, styling, and performance. Relationships with KTM and Brembo, along with MotoGP participation, are intended to strengthen credibility in higher-performance segments.

CFMOTO’s reputation has evolved considerably. Older models were sometimes viewed primarily as affordable alternatives to Japanese motorcycles, with concerns regarding long-term durability, parts availability, dealer support, resale value, and quality consistency. Over the last decade, CFMOTO has addressed these issues through increased R&D investment, more sophisticated engines, international partnerships, expanded dealer networks, motorsport participation, advanced electronics, higher-quality component suppliers, and international manufacturing. While perceptions still vary by country depending on local dealer and after-sales service quality, the use of globally recognised suppliers and racing success have reinforced its premium ambitions.

CFMOTO functions as a corporate group and powersports ecosystem comprising several distinct entities:

• CFMOTO: The primary global powersports brand covering motorcycles and off-road vehicles.
• ZEEHO: The electric-mobility brand focused on electric two-wheelers 8.
• GOES: A European off-road brand acquired in 2024, maintained with separate positioning to strengthen the global off-road portfolio.

The company also maintains industrial relationships with major international manufacturers such as KTM and Yamaha.

CFMOTO represents a clear example of China’s transition from high-volume manufacturing toward internationally recognised consumer brands in the powersports industry. Its development spans four stages: component manufacturing (1989 onward), independent vehicle manufacturing (1990s–2000s), international expansion (2000s–2010s), and emergence as a global premium brand (2020s) characterised by advanced motorcycles, global R&D, motorsport, electrification, and premium partnerships.

As of 2026, CFMOTO is a large international powersports company with significant operations in motorcycles and off-road vehicles, a growing electric-mobility business, international manufacturing, global motorsport involvement, and partnerships with major European and Japanese companies. Its strategic direction encompasses globalisation, premiumisation, technology, electrification, and motorsport 15. In June 2026, the company announced that its V4 SR-RR achieved a claimed 315.82 km/h Chinese motorcycle speed record, illustrating its aggressive pursuit of the high-performance segment.

CFMOTO’s primary strengths lie in its manufacturing scale, increasingly sophisticated R&D, broad product portfolio, aggressive international expansion, and competitive pricing. Its long-term challenge remains converting technical and manufacturing capability into the brand prestige, customer trust, resale strength, and global after-sales reputation historically enjoyed by major Japanese and European manufacturers. Nevertheless, its evolution from a small parts workshop to a genuine global powersports manufacturer makes it one of the most significant Chinese brands in the international motorcycle and off-road vehicle industry.

1. CFMoto – Wikipedia
2. CFMoto – Wikipedia
3. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
4. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
5. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
6. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global
7. CFMoto – Wikipedia
8. CFMoto – Wikipedia
9. CFMoto – Wikipedia
10. About CFMOTO
11. CFMoto – Wikipedia
12. CFMoto – Wikipedia
13. Where Is CFMOTO Made and Who Owns Them? | ATVs, UTVs, XTVs, Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Off-Road Vehicle Dealer in Oakville and Barrie, ON | Maxxim Motorsports
14. Where Is CFMOTO Made and Who Owns Them? | ATVs, UTVs, XTVs, Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Off-Road Vehicle Dealer in Oakville and Barrie, ON | Maxxim Motorsports
15. Company Overview – CFMOTO Global