CFMoto: Rising Star in the Chinese Motorcycle Industry

CFMoto is a leading Chinese motorcycle manufacturer that has created a global sensation with its technologically advanced and powerful motorcycles. By providing strong and reliable vehicles at an affordable price, this company has quickly established a strong presence on the world stage. From Fifth Avenue in New York to the Australian outback, the presence of CFMoto motorcycles showcases their quality, innovative capability, and global recognition.

CFMoto's journey began in 1989 from a small, old motorcycle parts factory in China. The business was started by the owner, Lai Guogui, and his son. During the early days of China's economic rise, the domestic motorcycle market was dominated by high-tech and high-performance foreign brands like Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki.



After the 1990s, although domestic motorcycle manufacturers in China were producing air-cooled engine motorcycles, there was a strong preference across all social classes for quieter, more powerful, and affordable water-cooled engine motorcycles from abroad. The letters "CF" in CFMoto stands for "Chunfeng" in Chinese, which translates to "spring wind" in English. The company's owner, Lai Guogui, aimed to bring spring to the Chinese motorcycle industry, and this initiative began in 1997.
Lai Guogui and his research team successfully developed their first water-cooled engine after nearly three years of effort. This innovation significantly transformed the domestic motorcycle landscape. Armed with their newly acquired technical skills and the first water-cooled engine-powered scooter, CFMoto made its debut in 1998.





A significant turning point for CFMoto came after the year 2000 when they decided to produce complete vehicles. With expertise in engine design, CFMoto began manufacturing motorcycles, quads, and all-terrain vehicles. In 2003, CFMoto launched its first scooter model, the CF 150, which immediately achieved success in the Chinese market. By providing high-quality vehicles at lower prices compared to other foreign and domestic manufacturers, CFMoto gained a strong reputation.


One of the biggest steps in their global expansion was officially entering the European market in 2007. By partnering with distributors in various countries, CFMoto gained insights into the needs and expectations of international customers. While domestic manufacturers were busy copying European models and selling them at lower prices to satisfy customers, CFMoto was paving the way for new innovations. Eventually, in 2009, CFMoto designed the first 650cc V-twin engine in China, which led to the launch of the NK650 roadster two years later.


Another significant milestone in CFMoto's history was its partnership with Austrian manufacturer KTM. In 2013, CFMoto partnered with KTM, which not only strengthened CFMoto's presence in international markets but also enriched CFMoto with KTM's technical expertise. A product of CFMoto's technological prowess is the CF1250J model motorcycle. This is the most powerful and largest engine bike ever built by a Chinese company, used by police and security agencies in various states.

CFMoto follows the Zero Defect policy as part of its production strategy, ensuring the highest performance of its motorcycles. The company has proven its commitment by participating in various racing events. In 2024, CFMoto became the first Chinese motorcycle manufacturer to win in Moto 3. Additionally, the famous Austrian design firm KISKA designs CFMoto motorcycles. Committed to producing high-quality and well-designed motorcycles, CFMoto won the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2024 for their cutting-edge design. In September 2023, CFMoto entered into a joint venture with the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha to produce motorcycles in China. The main goal of this partnership is to leverage Yamaha's technical expertise and CFMoto's production capacity to strengthen their technological prowess and expand their presence in international markets.



CFMoto's research team, comprised of 6,000 employees and 200 renowned engineers from five different countries, is dedicated to developing high-performance motorcycles with advanced technology. CFMoto, which produces 800,000 engines and 600,000 vehicles annually, has several notable innovations, including the introduction of advanced electronic fuel injection systems, the production of powerful and fuel-efficient engines, and the integration of state-of-the-art electronic systems for a better driving experience. Due to its technical expertise, the company has been able to establish a large market in 100 countries across Europe, America, and Asia. In 2023, CFMoto's global sales increased by 22%, and in the same year, the company sold 100,000 units of two-wheeled vehicles, showcasing its global presence.