CFMOTO 550MT and 550MT-X revealed: bigger twin, 30 per cent more power than the 450MT
Motorcycle News ·
CFMOTO has revealed its long-awaited follow-up to the 450MT at EICMA in Milan, and there are two of them. The road-focused 550MT and the dirt-focused 550MT-X both use a new parallel twin that CFMOTO says makes around 30 per cent more power than the 450MT’s engine.
That matters here. The 450MT has been a huge success in Australia, with distributor Mojo confirming more than 4,000 deliveries since May 2024, according to MCNews.
The engine
Both bikes share a new 526cc parallel twin making a claimed 40 kW (54 hp) at 8,500rpm and 52 Nm at 6,000rpm. Both also get a bi-directional quickshifter. That extra performance should help most when overtaking, riding two-up or carrying luggage on the open road.
550MT-X: the off-road one
The 550MT-X is the bike most 450MT owners will be looking at. It uses a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel with fully adjustable KYB suspension, giving 230 mm of travel at the front and 220 mm at the rear. Ground clearance is 250 mm.
The headline figure is weight. CFMOTO claims 172 kg dry and 183 kg ready to ride, which it says is 3 kg less than the 450MT despite the bigger engine. We will want to see how CFMOTO measures that before reading too much into it.
- Engine: 526cc parallel twin, 40 kW (54 hp) at 8,500rpm, 52 Nm at 6,000rpm
- Wheels: 21-inch front, 18-inch rear, spoked
- Suspension: fully adjustable KYB, 230 mm front and 220 mm rear travel
- Ground clearance: 250 mm
- Weight: 172 kg dry, 183 kg ready to ride (claimed)
- Brakes: single 320 mm front disc
- Electronics: engine modes, Off-Road mode that turns off traction control and rear ABS, bi-directional quickshifter
- Display: 6.2-inch portrait TFT with MotoPlay
It also gets narrow bodywork and a one-piece seat to make it easier to move around when standing on the pegs.
550MT: the touring one
The 550MT is aimed at riders who spend most of their time on sealed roads. It runs a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel and gets a much bigger electronics package.
- Wheels: 19-inch front, 17-inch rear
- Fuel tank: 23 litres
- Seat height: adjustable, 800–820 mm
- Electronics: three ride modes, IMU-based cornering ABS and traction control, cruise control, rear detection system
- Display: 8-inch screen with Apple CarPlay
- Other: smart key, bi-directional quickshifter, optional electronic clutch version
The 23-litre tank should give it a long range for touring, and the optional electronic clutch will make stop-start traffic easier.
Will they be LAMS approved?
NZ magazine BRM reports that the 550MT-X will be LAMS approved in New Zealand. CFMOTO has not yet confirmed LAMS status for Australia, where approval is assessed separately. We will update this story once Mojo confirms local details.
What about the 450MT?
CFMOTO has not said whether the 550s will sit alongside the 450MT or replace it. Before the launch, MCNews said it believed the 550MT would effectively replace the 450MT.
Price will be the big question. Much of the 450MT’s appeal has been value, so how close the 550s stay to its price will decide how well they sell.
Price and availability
CFMOTO has not announced Australian or New Zealand pricing or delivery dates for either model.
Sources
- BRM: CFMOTO unleashes new 550MT and 550MT-X adventure bikes
- Visordown: CFMOTO 550MT and 550MT-X revealed
- MCNews: CFMOTO 450MT sales success sets stage for 550MT debut
Images: CFMOTO, via BRM. Details checked 4 November 2026. Confirm details with the dealer before you buy or ride.
