At the North American launch of the IBEX 950, CFMOTO did not hesitate to compare its new adventure bike with well-established benchmarks in the category: the Honda Africa Twin, KTM 890 Adventure R and Ducati DesertX.
An ambitious comparison that, on paper, certainly caught my interest.
With its generous equipment, muscular engine and specifications that could rival those of its competitors, CFMOTO seemed intent on playing directly in the big leagues.
Having had the chance to ride each of these motorcycles, I was particularly curious to discover what this new IBEX had to offer.
And I have to admit that my expectations were high!
Yet my first few rides left me wanting a little more.
Not that the bike was bad—quite the opposite! But I was looking for that little something that separates a good motorcycle from one that truly makes us want to ride.
Then, as the kilometres added up, I began to understand what CFMOTO was trying to offer with this IBEX 950.
What if its greatest strength was precisely that it was not trying to outdo its competitors?
Does a motorcycle absolutely have to impress us to be a good motorcycle?
After spending time aboard the IBEX 950, I would be inclined to say no!
Right from the start, the first thing that struck me about this motorcycle was how approachable it was. Despite its displacement and adventure-bike dimensions, the IBEX 950 remains relatively easy to get comfortable with. Its reasonable height and ergonomics quickly make you feel at home in the saddle. A considerable advantage for riders who find some adventure bikes in this category a little too imposing.
Mechanical Confidence
When it comes to the engine, the IBEX 950 certainly has no shortage of power. It has plenty in reserve and pulls strongly when asked. The gearing is relatively tall. You have to let the revs climb and hold each gear a little longer to take full advantage of the engine’s lively response. This characteristic probably contributes to the impression of generous power delivered without harshness.
It pulls hard, but without being harsh!
In terms of build quality, it is hard to find much fault with CFMOTO. Assembly quality is there. The bike feels solid and robust, two particularly welcome qualities in a machine designed for adventure. However, some plastic components, notably those near the footpegs, were already showing signs of wear after just 2,000 km. A detail that raises a few questions about their long-term durability.
Generous Equipment
The IBEX 950 also offers an appealing equipment list.
Highlights include fully adjustable KYB suspension, an adjustable steering damper and a multimedia system compatible with Apple CarPlay.
These features show that CFMOTO is not simply trying to offer an affordable motorcycle, but a machine capable of competing with the established models in this category.
On the other hand, plenty of technology does not necessarily mean ease of use.
The instrumentation displays a tremendous amount of information, sometimes even a little too much for my taste. Navigating the various menus is not particularly intuitive and takes some getting used to.
Personally, I prefer an interface that lets me quickly find the information I need rather than having to work through a multitude of menus.
A Few Everyday Annoyances
Like any motorcycle, the IBEX 950 also has its little flaws.
Managing the heat given off by the engine is certainly something to consider. Deflectors are available to improve rider comfort, but they obviously do not eliminate the source of the problem.
The cockpit layout also deserves a few comments. The arrangement of the adjustable windshield can complicate the installation or positioning of a GPS, a detail that becomes particularly important when you regularly use your motorcycle for travelling.
The mirrors also deserve a few comments. Although they are adjustable and folding, handling them is rather cumbersome. Repeated repositioning tends to loosen them, forcing the rider to stop and get out the tools to tighten them. Not particularly practical when you regularly alternate between roads and trails!
But beyond these details, it was mainly the bike’s overall behaviour that left me wanting a little more.
The IBEX 950 is capable, stable and reassuring. However, I did not find it particularly communicative.
In gravel corners, the front end offered good grip and inspired confidence, enough to encourage me to gradually pick up the pace. Yet on a few occasions, it lost traction without really warning me that I was approaching its grip limit.
In several other situations, I tended to push harder simply because the bike was not giving me much information about what was happening beneath the wheels.
Was it a matter of tyres, suspension or chassis geometry? It is difficult to single out one culprit.
One thing is certain: despite its sound, reassuring handling, I would have liked the IBEX to tell me more about what was happening between the tyres and the ground.
And beyond this technical aspect, I was also missing that little something that makes us want to extend a ride simply for the pleasure of riding.
So Where Does the IBEX 950 Fit In?
This is probably where this motorcycle becomes particularly interesting.
For a rider who finds a Honda Africa Twin, KTM 890 Adventure or Husqvarna Norden 901 too tall or too imposing, the IBEX 950 could be an excellent solution.
It offers generous engine performance, solid construction, comprehensive equipment and, above all, an approachable nature that could make all the difference for many riders.
At around $17,550, it sits in a particularly competitive segment. It does not revolutionize the category, nor does it necessarily redefine our expectations of an adventure motorcycle.
But is that really what we are asking of it?
Our Verdict
The CFMOTO IBEX 950 did not give me a real WOW moment. It does not have the character of a Ducati DesertX or the playful side of a KTM 890 Adventure R.
But as the kilometres added up, I came to understand that it had other strengths.
Its physically approachable dimensions, reassuring handling, generous engine performance and comprehensive equipment make it a particularly interesting motorcycle for riders who want to move up to a larger-displacement adventure bike without necessarily ending up with an intimidating machine that seems to have been designed for a basketball player!
And that is probably where CFMOTO hit the mark.
So, does a motorcycle absolutely have to impress us to be a good motorcycle?
Certainly not.
The IBEX 950 may not have made me fall in love, but it convinced me that it deserves its place among the big adventure bikes.
Not a game changer, but a serious, well-equipped motorcycle that certainly deserves its place in the segment!
Strengths
- Predictable handling.
- Engine power.
- Comprehensive equipment.
- Approachable.
Weaknesses
- Limited rider feedback.
- Gives off a lot of heat.
- The dashboard displays too much information.
