Boasting that it will “redefine adventure touring”, CFMoto's new 450MT actually promises an easy-to-handle, twin-cylinder, simple and inexpensive (to buy and insure) motorcycle capable of going off-road. This is what the ADV world needs.
As CFMOTO Motorcycles unveils its latest model – the 450MT – a versatile off-road motorcycle “for thrills and off-road exploration”, we ask ourselves a few questions: Does the world need a dirt bike? 450 cc adventure? Answer: Yes. The one with basic specifications and dare we say it with basic aspirations? Answer: Yes. An adventure bike MUCH cheaper than most others on the market and half the price of a 450 EXC-F? Oh yes.
For what? Because in a motorcycle world (parts and motorcycles) dominated by the ying and yang of people who don't want to pay ever higher prices but who also deplore the manufacturing origins of everything, the new 450MT from CFMoto is both a natural conclusion and the antithesis.
If you didn't already know, CFMoto is in partnership with Pierer Mobility, or part of the KTM Group family as we could say. They work together sharing some manufacturing and parts, distribution, marketing, and generally you'll now see CFMoto machines in dealer showrooms (or next to them) alongside KTM bikes.
If you don't want to pay the price or need the impressive specs and performance of these Austrian-sourced machines, whether adventure bikes, enduro, motocross or anything else, your options for a new set of wheels are increasingly non-European and non-European. Japanese.
This of course means Asia and specifically China which, due to its enormous industrial scale and ability to produce goods more cheaply, can produce a bike like the 450MT which ticks most of the boxes for a fraction price.
To be clear, the CFMoto 450MT isn't close to the same specs as, say, a KTM 890 Adventure R Rally Edition, despite the KYB suspension. But for half the price of a KTM 450 EXC-F, it's a simple but credible option if you want to buy a new adventure bike and don't have or feel the need to brag about it. lots of experience or money in the bank. .
Check 450MT prices in Europe:
Germany: 5,990,- EUR
Austria: 6,799,- EUR
Switzerland: 5,990,- CHF
Great Britain: 5,699,- GBP
Spain: 5,990,- EUR
Finland: 8,690,- EUR
What do we think?
Well, ignoring an extraordinary amount of hyperbole in the press (*see list below), like any new cheap alternative, the 450MT deserves a place in the world. Not everyone wants to take the risk of buying used bikes (insert: yes, but you could buy a mint condition used bike for that money), certainly not everyone can afford to buy lots of new bikes, so why not?
CFMoto's new 450 model doesn't lack impact for all the reasons above. If all you want is a dual-purpose, easy to ride, capable, low seat height, basic and simple ADV bike, then the 450MT has arrived on your radar.
Reports from runners we trust who'I've tested it, I say it's smooth, simple, comfortable, capable enough and basically ticks all the boxes you'd expect from a smaller capacity adventure bike. As media outlets and cycling journalists around the world flood the airwaves with details of the media launch, most are pointing the finger at the 450MT.'Simplicity is key.
It comes with a few electronic bells or whistles (lots of people ask for it off-road), just switchable Bosch ABS and traction control, that's it. You want the screen to be a little higher, a basic manual adjustment to the side is all you have here. Do you want to enable or disable ABS or traction control? Then click the on/off switch.
A smart TFT display unit and LED lights are the technology literally on display, operated by handlebar controls, but China does that sort of thing pretty well doesn't it, we expected it at least.
We can't ignore the fact that at the other end of the adventure motorcycle scale, compared to the 450MT, are some incredible motorcycles – we tested the Ducati DesertX Rally and we loved it. Motorcycles which, straight from the showroom, can take part in a prologue to the Erzbergrodeo or the Rallye du Maroc.
For a scale to be complete, it must obviously include everything. The CFMoto is simply a new part of this vast spectrum of adventure bikes. An important point too, as we are sure the sales figures will show this in the coming months. Apologies for the mixed visual data metaphors!
Highlights of the 450MT specification:
- Steel trellis style frame
- 450 cc parallel-twin engine designed for low-end torque (peak torque at 6,250 rpm)
- KYB pendant light
- TFT display unit
- Aluminum crankcase guard/lower engine guard
- 21″/18″ spoked alloy wheels (tubeless)
- Off-road footrests
- BOSCH dual-channel switchable ABS and traction control system
- Seat height 820 mm / adjustable up to 800 mm / High seat 870 mm optional in accessories
- CF-SC slipper clutch
- KYB adjustable suspension
- Adjustable rally-style windshield
* List of hyperboles taken from press materials. Take from it what you will.
Designed to push the limits, intelligently equipped for off-road escapades, exhilarating on every journey, designed to be the ultimate companion whatever the terrain, a landmark evolution in design, meticulous attention to detail…
Colors: Zephyr Blue and Tundra Grey, first bikes available from May 2024.
More information: www.cfmoto.com
