Meet the KTM 790 Adventure’s Chinese Cousin

After months of speculations and anticipation, CFMoto has finally (officially) introduced the MT800 to the world. Last month, the bike was snapped sans camouflage, and not much has changed since then, except that the bike will also be available in a road-biased avatar.

The MT800 is based on the KTM 790 Adventure and uses the same parallel-twin 799cc, liquid-cooled engine that belts out 95.1PS and 88Nm. CFMoto hasn’t announced the performance figures yet and we expect the MT800 to be tuned slightly differently than the Austrian machine.

CFMoto seems to have taken a completely different approach for its ADV than what KTM did. While the 790 Adventure that has been conceptualised using the brand’s motorsport learnings and is an out-out-out trail basher that can do some touring as well, the CFMoto bike seems to be quite the opposite. From the top-heavy front-end and wide body to the 19/17-inch wheel setup, the MT800 focuses more on touring with occasional rough-roading.

That said, there’s a tarmac-biased variant available as well. It gets alloy wheels with road-focused tyres, a bigger windscreen and even misses out on the bash-plate seen on the off-road focused variant. Both bikes, however, are tour-ready with auxiliary lights, some crash protection and provision to mount luggage.

KTM, like many major two-wheeler manufacturers across the globe, have been teaming up with big Asian brands to tap in new, growing markets. Speaking of the KTM-CFMoto partnership, the Austrian brand has now handed over the 790cc parallel-twin motor to the Chinese brand and continues to focus on the 890cc engine, and is already working on a heavily updated 890 Adventure. With the 790’s engine, CFMoto will be introducing a whole new range of products that will act as good entry in the middleweight segment, while KTM’s 890 platform will act as a step-up from the CFMoto bikes, KTM boss Stefan Pierer said in a recent interview.

Also Read: KTM’s 490s Are A Go For 2022 Launch

As for the MT800, CFMoto hasn’t announced the launch date or the countries where this bike will be launched first. CfMoto’s innings in India were cut short with the BS6 transition, however, we are positive that the ADV could be launched in India later this year and could be priced around Rs 13 lakh. If and when launched, the bike will take on the likes of Ducati Multistrada 950, the BMW F 850 GS and even the Triumph Tiger 900, and in case you are wondering how the Brit ADV fares in Indian conditions, check out our road test review here.