The motorcycle that manages to find the balance between affordability and a high-end feeling

The balance between affordability and luxury feel is a difficult one to walk. This is particularly true for European bicycle manufacturers, as they are generally at the more expensive end of the segment. That leaves us with Asian and American bike makers, the latter of which tend to stick to high-capacity bikes that rarely cost less than $10,000.

In the first case, Japan and China dominate the value for money motorcycle segment and offer many such bikes. Most of these fall into the middleweight segment and promise MSRPs approaching $10,000, while offering high-end equipment and features on par with much more expensive offerings. However, one bike reigns supreme here. This is what it is.

To give you the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article comes from authoritative sources such as CFMoto USA.

The CFMoto Ibex 800 offers the balance between affordability and a high-end feel

Price: $10,299

In a sea of ​​affordable high-end bikes, the CFMoto Ibex 800 E easily takes the cake. This is a middleweight adventure touring bike, priced at just $10,299. That makes it cheaper than the smaller Yamaha Tenere 700 and Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. Yes, the Honda XL750 Transalp undercuts it, but the extra $300 you spend here is really justified with an arsenal of extra parts. That includes crash protection and auxiliary lighting as standard, along with a rear-facing radar.

The 675NK also offers solid value

Apart from that, CFMoto’s 675NK is another motorcycle that almost nails the balance between affordability and a high-end feel. It’s a new-for-2025 launch that gives you an inline-triple powerhouse, class-leading standard features and a futuristic design that isn’t fugly. The icing on the cake is the ultra-aggressive MSRP of $7,499, which is comfortably cheaper than all its rivals. Heck, the price is only $600 and $900 more than the Honda CB500F and Aprilia Tuono 457.

And Triumph’s latest motorcycle offers a great price under $10,000

Finally, we’d also like to give a shoutout to the new Triumph Trident 800. At $9,995, this is one of the best-priced premium middleweight Naked Bikes available. Not only do you get plenty of performance here (113 horsepower and 62 pound-feet), but you also get things like cornering ABS and traction control. You can expect the build quality to also be better than the Japanese and Chinese bikes in this price range, as is usually the case with Triumphs.

The CFMoto Ibex 800 E has an army of high-end features

All accessible via a tablet-sized instrument panel

This is where the ‘high-end’ feeling comes into play. The Ibex 800 E is perhaps the most premium motorcycle you can buy under $10,500. That becomes clear as soon as you swing a leg over it. You’re greeted by a huge 8-inch TFT touchscreen instrument cluster, armed with Apple CarPlay via Bluetooth. That means you can not only check your notifications and control devices, but also enjoy full-size map navigation. In addition, CFMoto has added other details such as a tire pressure monitoring system, heated grips and cruise control.

Then you have the rider aids. You can choose from six riding modes (Sport, Rain, OffRoad, OffRoad Plus, AllTerrain and AllTerrain Plus), all of which instantly recalibrate throttle mapping, ABS and traction control. Wheelie control is integrated into the traction control, while a two-way quickshifter helps you move through the gears without using your left hand. Finally, a unique safety feature is the rear radar system that provides blind spot detection and rear collision warning. Currently, no other middleweight motorcycle – in any segment – ​​has a radar. That’s a lot of high-end stuff for the moolah.

CFMoto Ibex 800 E Main features

• Traction control

• ABS when cornering

• Driving modes

• TPMS

• USB ports

• rear radar

• 8-inch TFT screen

• Heated grips

• Cruise control

• Two-way quick shifter

• Apple CarPlay

• All LED lamps with additional lamps

• Collision protection

A proven KTM-sourced engine powers the CFMoto Ibex 800 E

Peak power: 95 hp

As the 800 suggests in its name, the Ibex is a true middleweight. Thanks to the partnership between KTM and CFMoto, you’ll find a Team Orange-produced 799cc, parallel-twin engine with no shortage of power or torque. All of that is also well spread across the rev range, which we can confirm after riding the KTM 790s. Oh, and it’s an underplayed melody here, so fidelity should be better.

We also checked ownership ratings and so far there have been no major engine problems with the Ibex 800. All the power reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission, and if you drive sensibly you can get about 45 miles per gallon in mixed conditions. That means a theoretical range of over 200 miles.

CFMoto Ibex 800 E engine specifications

Adjustable suspension helps the CFMoto Ibex 800 fulfill its adventure touring purpose

The Ibex 800 E is an adventure touring car through and through. And as such, you don’t get an off-road-focused underpinning package. Up front is a set of KYB upside-down forks with full adjustability and 6.3 inches of travel, while the rear has an adjustable monoshock with 5.9 inches of travel.

This is paired with a set of 19/17-inch wire wheels shod with Michelin Anakee dual-purpose tires. These hoops also house two 320mm front and 260mm rear disc brakes, clamped by J.Juan calipers. These should be enough to slow the Capricorn down as he tips the scales at 509 pounds wet. The whole thing is tied together by a tubular steel chassis derived from KTM’s 790 platform.

Main dimensions CFMoto Ibex 800 E