CFMoto vs. Kawasaki: 5 Key Factors to Consider

For many years, the motorcycle hierarchy in America was well-defined: Europe excelled in performance and design, Japan offered reliability and good value, and the U.S. dominated the cruiser segment. Chinese motorcycles, however, were associated with negative characteristics, such as manufacturing flaws, poor craftsmanship, inferior components, and underwhelming performance. Reliability was also a significant issue, particularly for American consumers, who lacked a strong dealer network for these Chinese bikes compared to the established brands from markets like Japan.

Consequently, a motorbike manufactured in China would likely draw ridicule from all riding companions for the unfortunate individual who arrives on one. However, there is substantial evidence that those days are behind us, as CFmoto, based in Hangzhou, now has hundreds of dealers across the country, significant buying offers, and the most up-to-date technology that riders could desire. As a result, buyers now encounter a challenging choice when considering a potential CFmoto purchase compared to one from Kawi, a nickname commonly used by the community for Kawasaki.

On the other hand, theformerly-hated CFmoto bikesare recognized for highly appealing prices, well-equipped bicycles, and modern design. On the other hand, Kawasaki offers dependability, an extensive dealer network, and excellent post-purchase service. The comparison isn't simple since both companies are at different points in their development, but we'll try to analyze it. Neither option is clearly right or wrong; it ultimately comes down to what the buyer values most and the trade-offs they are ready to make.

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Kawasaki is more widely recognized as a brand

Kawasaki has over five decades of presence in the United States, starting with its first location in 1966; this is why the brand has developed a dedicated fan base in the country that CFmoto is still unable to match. Moreover, Kawasaki has created some truly iconic motorcycles such as theNinja H2R, H1 Mach III, and theNinja ZX-10R, among others. Numerous models have also experienced significant success in motorsport, with several legendary race wins attributed to Kawi motorcycles. Two notable instances are the 2006 MotoGP Assen victory and Jonathan Rea's winning streak during the 2010s.

On the other hand, CFmoto's parent company, Zhejiang Chunfeng Power Company, Limited, has only officially been a business entity since 2003, although it has been operating in some capacity since 1989. This indicates that CFmoto has had significantly less time to build its reputation and establish itself, and it hasn't really shown much success (or even interest) in entering the motorsport scene.

Consequently, CFmoto has significantly less "street credibility" compared to a Kawasaki model, regardless of how impressive the specifications of its motorcycles may be. However, for buyers open to overlooking this, CFmoto motorcycles can frequently offer an outstanding value in terms of cost, as we will explore more later. But first, let's discuss parts availability and the dealer networks of each brand.

Kawasaki offers a more extensive dealer network and better parts support.

It should be clear to those who purchase CFmoto motorcycles that obtaining parts could present a bit more of a challenge compared to Kawasaki owners. This is anticipated, largely due to Kawasaki's extensive dealer network and the significant aftermarket support that Japanese established manufacturers offer. Nevertheless, CFmoto recognizes this as a significant concern for both new and current customers. Therefore, it's worth acknowledging — the company created a specific website,CFmoto USA Parts, to assist buyers in obtaining parts for their particular motorcycle.

The website enables owners to search based on the production year and the specific model. You can also choose your desired trim level, although these options are listed in the same dropdown menu as other models, which might cause some confusion. CFmoto's parts site also offers clothing, accessories, and, notably, diagrams for their part kits. In our view, each part kit should include a free diagram.

Overall, it's a positive move forward. However, Kawasaki still leads in terms of dealerships, with over a thousand locations in the U.S., compared to CFmoto's approximately 600. Having a nearby dealer offers many buyers a sense of security, knowing that (in the worst-case scenario), their vehicle won't be abandoned in a driveway while waiting for parts to arrive from across the globe.

CFmoto has better prices

It's not much of a mystery that the main appealing factor of CFmoto motorcycles is their cost. For instance, the 300 SS and 300 NK, both 300 cc sport bikes (with the SS featuring a stylish body kit and the NK being a naked variant), have a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price of $4,599 and$4,199 respectively. This does not account for a destination freight surcharge of $400; this increases the overall out-the-door cost for a NK to about $4,599 in early 2026. Now, compare this to the most affordable 300 cc motorcycle from Kawasaki, which is the KLX300, having a 2026 base MSRP of $5,449 and a delivery charge of $650.

This raises the minimum cost for a Kawasaki 300 cc motorcycle to $6,099, which is $1,500 higher than a comparable model from CFmoto. It should be noted that several CFmoto motorcycles include an undisclosed "setup" fee that isn't listed on their website when this text was written. Nevertheless, CFmoto offers an impressive value proposition, as they significantly lower their prices compared to competitors — this isn't just true for Kawasaki. Other well-priced CFmoto models are the Papio, starting at $3,299, the 450CL-C, priced at $5,799, and the CFX-2e, which begins at $1,599. All of these MSRP figures are current as of early 2026 and do not include destination or setup charges, which may differ between dealers.

CFmoto offers limited aftermarket choices

When we state that CFMoto provides limited aftermarket options, we are referring to both parts and modifications, which the community often calls "mods." There are some available, including from brands like Akrapovic and Vandemon — but these are not as extensive as those offered for Kawasaki models. As with the other points we've mentioned, this is likely due to demand.

Fewer individuals purchase CFmoto motorcycles compared to Kawasaki models, and not every motorbike buyer customizes their vehicle or seeks additional components. Consequently, there is reduced overall demand for aftermarket parts and modifications for CFmoto bikes, leading to fewer companies producing such items. Many people are unaware of the complex and time-consuming nature of manufacturing motorcycle (or vehicle) parts.

Initially, there is research and development, then the design process, followed by machining, milling, and production. In addition, there is marketing, storage, shipping, and installation. Furthermore, because CFmoto is a relatively new brand, the company is expected to continue refining its designs; components and modifications created for one model year may not be used in the following year. All of this indicates that Kawasaki will offer significantly better aftermarket support, at least in the coming years, compared to CFMoto.

The resale value of CFmoto and Kawasaki motorcycles remains consistent.

Another issue that motorcycle buyers often worry about — regardless of whether the bike is made in America, Japan, or China — is its resale value. As is common with most vehicles, motorcycles typically lose around 10% (and sometimes more) of their original price the moment they are driven off the dealership lot, and then continue to decrease by 5 to 10% each year after that, until their value stabilizes around the fifth year. After this point, the bike's worth is mainly influenced by its condition, how well it has been maintained, and the number of miles on the odometer — but the depreciation during the initial years is generally unavoidable.

Anything that doesn't adhere to this formula is more of an exception rather than the standard. This also applies to CFmoto and Kawasaki, as both brands maintain their values quite similarly during the first five years after purchase. Naturally, this excludes the halo Ninja H2R model from Kawasaki; that particular bike actually retains its value quite effectively, all things considered.

Take the Kawasaki KLX300 and CFmoto 300SS from before as an example. When they were new, these motorcycles had price tags of $5,449 and $4,599 respectively, not including delivery charges. By early 2026, Ninja models are being sold for approximately $3,200; meanwhile, CFmoto models from the same year are close behind, hovering around the $3,000 mark. This does not necessarily mean this trend will keep going; it's possible that as the bikes age and dependability becomes an issue, Kawi models could maintain their value more effectively. Alternatively, the situation might be entirely different; we don't have enough information yet to make a solid statement on this. For now, consistent resale value is a positive point for both manufacturers.

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