i have the 450mt for a bit more than 5 months now, and i have clocked in around 8800km, so for anyone interested, here is my opinion so far. Its very well built, i had a versys 650 before and decided i wanted something more offroad capable while still being able to travel. I had a car crash onto me and the thing took it like a tank, no damage whatsoever other than a slight bent on the steering wheel and some scrathes. Stock it comes with a 14 tooth front sprocket, good for offroad and some mid range speed hooning but i opted for a 15 tooth which allows me to cruise at 110km/h at 6k rpms (it was around 7k rpms stock) A friend gifted me a larger windshield for it and it fully covers me, but stock windshield wind protection is ok I put in a performance air filter from DNA and it made the thing even snappier at low speeds (you can mod the air filter cap to a "stage 2" kinda like the 3 by 3 mod in the drzs and it makes it have an even more enduro like response and an amazing intake noise) Aftermarket options are FILLED, you can easily spend another 5k on top of it in performance and accesories (full titanium exhausts with ecu remaps and even more aggresive cams even a big bore kit to make in into a 480cc, the list feels endless) Its average fuel consuption on mountain twisty roads (mostly in 3rd gear, about 6-7k rpms) while chasing a V-strom 650 and being chased by a cf 700mt was right below 5 litres per 100 The cst tyres are perfectly fine in dry conditions but once it gets wet things get tricky, one twist of the throtle and you are drifting, so thats something that needs to be changed now that winter is approaching (after the 8000km mark they started slipping on dry roads aswell when you want it to do so, fun but a bit sketchy) Its top speed is a bit of a let down for some, but me, being a big boned food enthusiast, while having a top box and a larger windshield on it, was able to clock 163km/h, which i find perfectly reasonable It can pass cars in the highway at speeds of 100-120km/h by opening the throtle but anything higher than 140 and its smaller engine is showing its lack of horsepower (when compared to 650s, which again, is to be expected) It feels light, playful and happy to be close to the redline while still being torqy at low rpms, its exhaust note is intoxicating, the brakes have a nice bite to them, not too strong of a bite but definately strong enough it likes to be on loose gravel roads and sandy parts but i feel like the suspension is not the best for bigger rocky roads, maybe thats a skill issue tho since i heard from another youtuber that "the suspension feels good in rough terrain if you are going fast enough" I raced a himalayan 450 from stop light to stop light and it didnt really compare, i kinda walked away once we changed to 2nd gear (the himalayan driver was my dealerships mechanic and even he admited the 450mt is the "more complete" option of the 2) I kinda just wrote whatever came to my mind but i will be more than happy to answer if anyone has any questions
Thanks, Nothing better then a real life, Im not getting paid or sponsored Review! Just read another one on it. Dude put 10000 km on it road to turkey an back or some shit, a German dude. He beat the piss out of it, didnt baby it at all an held together like a champ. He loved it.
The big brands didn't build THAT BIKE because they feared it would cannibalize sales of their more expensive bikes (and it would) but now the situation is worse, somebody else is eating their lunch.
this is what I've been saying. You can have me as a buyer at a better price with different features that I actually need...or I can keep waiting. Seems I won't be waiting long. Even if I don't buy a cfmoto 450...I'm INCREDIBLY HAPPY they are in the market. We are almost assured to have better prices and better features (like cruise control on a freaking transalp 750...HONDA??) that should have been there from the beginning.
I live in south east Queensland, Australia and I see a 450 MT more than I see a T7 these days, it looks like they have out Honda’d Honda, perfectly average, does everything it needs to do, but does not have many down points, which puts it high on the list for a lot of people
I live there to, I own the 450MT. It reminds me of the klr650 but better power to weight ratio and better suspension, and lots of little extras. Like he said, the tyres are slippery off road. It's $4k to $6k cheaper then a second hand T7. The price makes it hard to beat. I would be interested in the KLE500 if it comes out with 50hp and is the same weight or lighter.
@@RickThePeasantthat's the bike I'm interested in as well. If everyone's right with their assumptions of the engine choice, and they put good suspension on it, the KLE will be a very solid contender.
In an environment where big-name brands are closing showrooms as their bikes have become prohibitively expensive, emerging brands like CF Moto, AJP and Kove sell to a willing seam of adventure enthusiasts who value ability over brand name. The rising price of big-brand adv bikes, the escalating insurance and an ageing demographic of riders mean many of us are looking to downsize from our GSAs to something that delivers the opportunity to travel and have fun but is light on the wallet and our failing hips and knees too.
It feels like riders are now starting to lean towards bikes that meet their riding needs, and not just have the longest feature list (and associated cost). The best upgrade I can do to my current bikes to make me a better rider, is to run more fuel through them. Cheaper and more fun than trying to buy skills. That said, I am not immune to wanting the new and shiny.
Once the cheaper brands have to start doing their own RnD and put some proper research into the bikes they make, and gain experience form years of racing at the top level to turn that into better bikes, then the cost of these bikes will go up or the time and tech will just stand still
Weight an keeps running, bash it about a bit, pick it up, dust it off, jump on highway an cruise at 70 mph ish without being buzzzzzed off the bike. Ill buy it
I consider this a "shots fired" video. I hope other manufacturers see this and realize that they better step up their game. If I didn't already have 2 great bikes I would definitely add this one to the stable. Thanks for the reasearch and hard work you put into this video, as well as all the previous videos.
Had mine two months now and I love it just dose everything so well plus £5700 on the road even more smiles not bothered about the badge on the tank for me it’s about getting out there
Older guy, living in Asia, mostly riding 250cc bikes here. I looked for years for an ADV bike for my European riding. Requirements: simple and reliable, light, 45 ish hp, working suspension (have the Honda bubble gum suspension Rally 300-$$$ fixed), brakes, tubless tires......There was nothing out there. I am not as price sensitive as some might be. No one made the bike I wanted/"needed". My friend and I bought two MT450 s. My only disappointment is the too short gearing of the 6th gear. In Europe, I need to be able to do 120-130 kmh on the main highways. At 130, the MT450 sits at 7000 rpm, with 8500 red line. With my 75kg frame, old man slow riding style, I could use a bit softer front springs. Better tires, and the bike is good to go. Up to you, but I would suggest dropping the budget bike classification you use. It's inexpensive, it's just a normal bike at a great price. Nice vid.
same here mate - older expat in Philippines now. I converted an old Dominar to be an ADV spec as much as possible - but the vibrations would trigger my joints after a long ride. So the 450MT with 2 cylinders sounded like the perfect answer when I first heard of it. 4 months riding it now - it's great. Roads here are so bad it's a rarity to exceed 100kph so the 450 is fine - and yes a 15T was the first quick fix I did :)
@djangounhinged7634 Yes, up to 100kmh, the MT450 is perfect. I already did the 15t. Since we have two MT450s, one 14, one 15, I get back to back feedback. I like the 14t for acceleration and tight trails. 15t only drops rpm 450 ish. I would want to see closer to 1000 in 6th gear. Most everyone views and reviews this bike in the dirt. This is an adv bike. It needs to be able to comfortably run 120-130 for western roads. For dirt adventures, i got my fixed up/mod Rally 300, 155kgs. It rips now. For road oriented riding, I have the Vstrom 250sx, sweet bike for Asia. Stay safe.
You litterly described honda nx500 which is 500 eur more expancive. Once you change your tiers you will have the same price. You could also go for benelli, royal, bmw, kove. all those options are good.
Amazing?! Nah, it's formulaic and repetitive of every other YT channel who duplicate the same old tired format. Retro intro, history lesson, the (sometimes annoying) voiceover, slo mo cutaway close ups, expert presenting to camera, dramatic music, controversial points made to provoke discussion in the YT comments, some actual racing/riding/rallying - and then FINALLY we get to the main event, The Real Reason, The Big MoneyMaker - in this case, the Dec event, subtly tacked on the end, to take advantage of the feel-good feels you're supposed to have as a result of the drama-ama docu-tainment dramatic music and special FX rounding up the pre-amble to the financial finale. Get yer wallets out.
There is no denying that its a great bike new and has really captured the market. From my personal experience as a mechanic the reservations I have with CFMoto and Chinese manufacturers in general is everything made in China is never made to last long term. Now this isnt even going to be a consideration or issue for everyone but its something worth considering when it comes to resale value or if you are looking at keeping the bike for a long time. Most people are going to be happy paying that price and ride away on a new bike that looks good, works great and will be relatively trouble free for the warranty period with regular use. After the warranty period is up is when the issues with build quality and materials used to make the bike start to show up. The Chinese have a totally different midset and culture to engineering and this translates directly to the quality of products they produce. They are proud nationalists with a China first ruthless capatalists mindset and its about market capture and profit for the company and state. The Japanese manufacturers while still trying to make a profit have a tradition and culture of quality in craftsmanship and pride attached to what they do and produce. It is why you will see plenty of old Japanese motorcycles still being used daily or ridden regularly relatively trouble free. You will never see a chinese scooter, motorcycle, atv or utv thats been regularly used older than 10 years out on the farm, trail or road that hasnt had major issues or serious repairs done to them. They are simply not designed or made to last that long. Maybe I will be proven wrong by these new generation of bikes out of China but only time will tell.
CFMoto is a well known and established brand in the ATV and QTV Market and have a lot of reputation for building relatively cheap ATVs/QTVs for a good(-ish) quality. You cant compare it to a Polaris and such, but for the price, its good quality. However, im totally with you on the long term quality of the bike. If you look at market prices for T7s, GSAs (850/900/1250/1300) and such, they are incredibly stable and dont loose a lot of value, even after the warranty is over. With CFMoto only time will tell how well they perform after, but having worked on a CFMoto a few days ago, the steel/aluminium is just a bit softer then i would like it to be, the bolts are not that well built as for example on a T7 or Africa Twin, the plastic is a bit brittle when its cold and the clips break easily. BUT for the price, i was positivly suprised how well its built
In my experience it's not necessarily the engine that's the problem. They use inferior alloys and steels in manufacturing. Corrosion and failure of critical components like frames and suspension components is common after a few years. Electrical problems and wiring loom faults are also common and expensive to fault find and repair. Just generally after a few years more and more problems start to come up at the end of the day anything is fixable but it all starts to add up until the cost of repair vs value of the bike scale tips and they get parted out or simply given up on
I recently watched a video where a I believe a Chinese fellow (the video had English sub titles) tore down a CF Moto 450 motor and it had aluminum crank/main bearings..I have no idea if this is common in modern engines but it struck me as a possible weakness..I thought crankshaft/piston rod bearings were usually a beryllium/copper alloy of some sort..?
@@AzPauly It goes against what we would naturally think a good bearing material would be but aluminium alloy is commonly used these days as a crankshaft bearing. They are usually steel backed bearings with either silicon or manganese and chromium added to the alloy depending on the application
Great video. I test rode the Himi 450, then test rode the 450MT. I put a deposit on the CFMOTO and now have had it about 6 weeks. For me it's just about perfect.
@@gillescafedjian1381 Sure They just dont want to, at this point. Anyone can make reliable machines, it a matter of craftmanship, taking pride in your work... Ethics Something NONE of the chinese companies have. They have great engineers and workers, but as usual their buisness practices will be unethical, shady and not worth spending money on.
@@Surpriseify @benplaysbass2491 1 hour ago CFMOTO fixed the camshaft issues with the Austrian made 790 engine. What a world we live in where a Chinese brand is sorting out the issues created by a European manufacturer
I took mine on a 400KM road trip. Covered it in 5 hours. The dimensions, the weight distribution, THE PULL at 6th Gear was awesome!!!! It was an exhausting ride but fun!!! I was close to getting a Versys-X and then this babe came out. Gave it a couple of months coz i was pretty sure someone is going to put this bike through its paces. The moral of the story is...Sometime.....God does answer your prayers.
Your assessment is 100% spot-on. And this is why they are selling like hotcakes. Everyone my dealer gets in has been pre-sold, and it's been the case since they went on sale in Australia over 6 months ago. Here are 4 things for CFMoto to now offer in future model years to really crap on the competition even further: Cruise Control (already available on other models that cost less than the 450MT); Quick Shifter (already available on other models that cost less than the 450MT); Navigation (already available in Chinese models); an Overdrive Gear or Mode to reduce revs once you get to highway speeds. This is a very good adventure bike, no need to say 'for the money'.
Got my 450MT a few weeks ago. Needed something to bring back the joy after my R1150R went in for another gearbox repair. Riding this bike is a revelation to me, everything better than the BMW except the bonkers top end power. Handles much better and the gearbox and engine are a peach. Quality wise compared to the BMW, it has a couple of cheap plastic places and the stickers could be better but overall better thought out as clearly a lot went into the design and production. Needs another gear for the road work so I'll stick another tooth on the front sprocket instead. Japan must be nervous. The Extras market is enormous. Been riding since 1975 and remember the Japanese selling cheap reliable bikes that destroyed home markets (CB175 was my treachery). This is a very good bike. I found this review very cliched. It compares and doesn't judge independently. A good review will assess what is valued.
With the overload of wannabes with an adv bike & a GoPro on the tube your intelligent & credible reviews are a benchmark Lel! Side note - my old 2015 BMW 650GS Sertao has an abs on/off button on the left handlebar too…makes life easy
Everything you said is true, I’ve done 10,000klm on mine and taken it to places I wouldn’t have dreamed and it performed flawlessly and the only thing I’ve done to it was put on some decent tyres. For $9k AUD you can’t go wrong, and I love the sound of it 👌🏼
I have a 690 and 701 Enduro (in the US and UK respectively). I love the light weight and skinny profile plus massively powerful engine and all round capability. Sadly, an already expensive bike needs another £2/3k spent on protection kit and a decent rally tower. Factor that in and the CF 450 is barely half the price. What’s not to like. Not for me any time soon but two years ago I might well have picked this.
Great video. I rode the 450MT right after it was released in China as I travel to China often. I also own CFMoto800MT explorer and Aprilia Tuareg 660. Your take on MT450 is bang on!
This was a fantastic video, very insightful and with in-depth information on CFMOTO and where it sits in the market. I’m excited for this bike to come to the states. I’ve already put money down on one at my dealer. I think it will be fun to ride and I won’t be afraid to drop it like I am with my GS that costs 4x more. Thank you for this excellent video.
My gut feeling is a ~20% capacity increase to a 550cc, bring the motor up to 40Kw of power and 55Nm of torque, and a 20L tank for a little more distance for touring, with slightly better gearing giving less rpm on the highway, and still able to keep it sub 200kg, then that may be the right in the middle of the ball park for all-round commuting and long-distance adventure riding, that the market is looking for - in my honest opinion. I will not be surprised if the Chinese bring something like this to market in the next year or two, as they garner more and more feedback from their customers. Time will tell, but it shows how much the Chinese have been paying attention the past 10-20 years and are gauging the market, somewhat better than legacy manufacturers.
@@BrakeMagazine indeed, and the tech is getting better too, which means the future looks bright for this sector, though maybe not so much if you're a legacy manufacturer selling bikes at 2x to 3x that CFMoto price...
Why you limit yourself to only 20L? Ask for 200L or, better, 400L. What's in your heads guys to dream about so huge tanks? I'd like to discover this secret...
They can't make enough of these for the Australian market, FB groups are full of people waiting months for their orders. I can't wait for this segment to get properly competitive 😁
Unsurprisingly, fantastic video. Insightful, honest, well-produced. I came to this bike not from middleweight ADVs but from the previous gen small ADVs and you are spot on about why bikes like the 390 ADV and Himalayan 411 don’t feel like Japanese/European enduro-inspired ADVs. The 450MT is everything you say it is and it is wild now seeing the 400-450 ADV segment at EICMA.
I appreciate you calling out the bigger brands for putting shit suspension on their adventure bikes... cough... Yamaha. I work at a Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki dealer and stare at these bikes everyday while I currently have a deposit at a competing dealer for a CFMoto 450MT (Ibex here in the states). Looking forward to getting mine.
@MusicMath123 I was an auto mechanic for years before moving to a powersports dealership. Bikes are way easier to work on than modern passenger vehicles.
@@sailor4365 Well it is fully adjustable KYB suspension not just "CFMoto suspension" if that was meant to be a derogatory statement? If you watched the video he takes the time to mention how it being very good out of the box vs the stock suspension on the Yamaha T7 being mediocre. Back that up with the many other reviewers that own and ride T7's and say the CFM has better suspension out of the box than the T7. I myself have ridden a friend's T7 off-road and was unimpressed with its performance. So are you mad because a company is offering something better on their bike?
So excited for the next couple of years, I’m due a change after 5 years on the 310gs, (your old press bike btw!), I’ll be getting something 450, and I think I’ll be spoiled for choice. Keep up the good work!
You explain the character of any bike spot on. As you say: There is no weak point. The bike equivalent of Middle of the Road. They'll sell in thousands. Happy days, Günter/Nürnberg
Have you ever worked on a 20 year old motorcycle? I'm not sure these will stand the test of time, especially when it comes to parts availability. I can't even find shop/technical manuals for some Chinese bikes.
Don't want to like it, but it looks like a nice package. Sad that KTM didn't have this epiphany, or better, before wrecking the company. Looking forward to your review of an eventual BWM F450 GS.
What a fantastic review, dialogue eloquent and superb edit! The CF Moto is a compelling single bike for an adventurer, or a great addition to a garage. Yes please!
Excellent review comments! It is amazing how many great bikes are available now and I find very interesting that India and China are offering what so many of us want. They are doing what the Japanese companies used to do. Like many, I look forward to your review of the new Himalyan 450 and Bear 650.
CFMOTO fixed the camshaft issues with the Austrian made 790 engine. What a world we live in where a Chinese brand is sorting out the issues created by a European manufacturer 😮
I didn‘t know they fixed it, but my thought was „at least they know what NOT to do with a motor“. 890 adv here with a broken needle bearing and glitter nailpolish oil /blocked transmission at 2400km.
1:10 Your knowledge needs a little updating. -China - correct 👍 -KTM engines... Incorrect. -Builds some KTM models - Builds the 790 (only) - Builds some quads - builds a vast model line of quads and side by side farm and recreation vehicles and a fairly full range of motorcycles, really only missing dedicated off road classes. CFMOTO has a Technology Partnership with KTM, where CFMOTO has 51% and KTM 49% of the deal. Your summary of the 450MT is perfect 👌👌👌👌 I've never wanted an adventure bike before, preferring to stick with my Enduro bikes, but I simply could not ignore the $9500 Australian price for the MT. It is, as you say, genuinely good at everything, not amazing at any one thing, but good at them all! It will happily chase road bikes on a range road, it will thunder down gravel roads and not scare you and you can actually ride technical single track to the point where it will be your fitness and skill level that dictates whether you get through or not. This is the reason it's just become the most sold single bike model in Australia this year... A sales year that started in March 😳
J'en ai une. Je pense qu'elle est moyenne partout ce qui pour un Trail veut dire bien faite donc bonne ! pour expliquer : moins bonne qu'une routière sur route MAIS pas mauvaise donc possible de faire de gros trajets. Moins bonne qu'une enduro en off-road MAIS honnêtement je suis ancien enduriste et l'on peut passer des trucs incroyables, elle est suffisamment stable et maniable le moteur est parfait en couple et puissance. Elle remplit les cases d'une moto d'aventure sans les inconvénients d'une grosse cylindrée plus cher et plus lourde.
@@Danger_mouse I have one. I think it's average everywhere which for a Trail means well made therefore good! to explain: less good than a road bike on the road BUT not bad so possible to do long journeys. Less good than an enduro in off-road BUT honestly I am a former enduro rider and we can do incredible things, it is sufficiently stable and manageable the engine is perfect in torque and power. It fills the boxes of an adventure bike without the disadvantages of a large displacement more expensive and heavier. it's easy with google translate ....have a good day
I've had mine since late June and absolutely love it. It is my 1st adventure bike and the price and low seat height were major factors in me buying it. Unfortunately I've had a horrible last few months and haven't ridden it so I hope that all changes now. I'd love to be at you meet up but I'm in Australia so can't make it.
@ I want a dual sport for some green lane type stuff. A 300L was on my list but the CF having the extra bit of power would make travelling to and from the trails a bit more bearable for me. I have a dealer nearby and the price is very good 👍🏻
I’ve ordered one! I tried a RE Himalayan and a CRF 300 Rally. I don’t like how the RE looks, the engine lacked character and the CRF300 Rally was just too off-road focused. The 450MT just seemed to be the ideal “do it all” bike for me. It looks good, sounds good and rides really nicely. Just got a 3 or 4 month wait to get one 😢
Best review of CF moto 450 MT I´ve seen congratz I would like it to have a little bit more power (It could be solved) and a little bit less weight (more dificult to solve) and it would be mega
Thanks for the insights. I'm a bit concerned about a few service intervals, as they are a bit short: - Oil change 5.000 km - spark plugs 10.000 km And with a dry weight of185 kg it comes with a full tank pretty close to the weight of my T7. I'm looking forward to the Suzuki DR-Z4S with 151 kg and I don't mind 5 gears only.
Fun...and well done. Now I'm looking forward to the US delivery of my MT in a couple months even more after watching. Cheers from the mountains of Utah!
I sont get the appeal of the big bikes. I get that westerners are physically big but the 1200+ cc bikes dont make sense no matter how big one is. Super big, super heavy even without luggage. And people see guys like Pol Tarres or Adam Riemann or Chris Birch do amazing things and think they can do the same. 800-900cc and under 210 kgs is a sweet spot imo. Heck even a 600-700cc is so much more capable than the 1200cc + bikes.
I get that. I like the big bikes, they're super fun to ride if you can. I would say that some of them are a fair bit easier than you'd expect, especially the GS & KTM. Also, for a long time the mid-sized bikes were a massive compromise. It's only since 2018 that the gap closed.
As always, you excel with intelligent, thoughtful content that hits the nail on the head. Well done! Now if I can only get the wife on board for yet another motorcycle! LOL
I think you did a very careful and considerate test. I would hate for my part of the Western market (US) to have water thrown on the party before it even gets started, but it could likely happen. Many parts and electronics on CFMoto bikes could be subject to massive tarrifs and in some cases make the bikes illegal. I hope that doesn't happen. I will say this about my part time residency in Baja, CFMoto has gone absolutely all in for Mexican market spending millions on big facility in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Mexico.. so if I can't get bike in US it will still be available in Mexico, slightly cheaper price because dealers in United States are doing the Tenere 700 and Transalp game of big added markup and huge variations in state taxes.. matter what the ultimate outcome, CFMoto has been straight forward about challenging a crowded market and looks like they are letting product do the talking, some real regular propaganda but for the most part demo bikes or self purchased reviews and none are terrible
The Kove 800 Rally X is going to be a more rewarding riding experience all round - but I still think the KTM 990 is where I end up next. I have been to the Shoreditch location but I live in LA I will catch you at that location one day.
I feel like the Honda CB500X/ NX500 is this bike. If Honda just slapped on some tubeless spoked rims and fettled with the engine so it wasn't A2 licence friendly (a few more BHP), they'd have a real contender in this bike category, arguably the best one. I'm glad these smaller brands are making the big guns think though, We need a shake up in the bike market.
For what it's worth, I owned a cb500x with full rally raid kit on and now own a CF moto and while the Hondas a very nice bike it's not in the same ball park for weight management and dynamic ability. It's the designed in balance of the CF moto which makes it so good, in my opinion.
Agree with the not enough time on a test ride. I rode this at last year's ABR and was SO disappointed. We only got to ride on road, the throttle was incredibly snatchy and I just didn't enjoy it. Rode the Himmy 450 off and on road at ABR and home and found it to be the bike for me. Now have one. Took less than a month from ordering to delivery which was great.
Cheers from Patagonia Argentina biker paradise San Carlos de Bariloche... 1st.. Really accurate review.. ❤ every though.. Straight ton the bone ! i coudnt really agree Moore with you... 2. it got me really sad your review because you and me have exactly the same appreciation for the bike, and it makes me confirm that i should own it... but ..... I did create a Facebook group for it a year before it got to our country and in all that time I was totally about it ..sold .sold.. But.. When it came to cf moto Argentina theynprice tag it at us$ 13,000 and like I do know like you know what the bike really sits at . I quit ! I went to the R E hima 452 for the less absurd tag price of us$ 7.500 I know I should be on the Mt and even I took a trip to Chile to test drive it tree month prior it got to Argentina an I was sold out on it. Now ill wait for the kove 800 that will sell for about Us$ 14.500 .. then the mt will not make sense here at all.. time will prevail .. I guess .
At $13,000 I am not surprised you passed on the CFMoto. I have one but it's not a $13k bike. Himalayan 452 is a decent bike too and I would be happy at $7500. I am using mine mostly as a commuter to get a bit of value from the stock tyres and waiting for bits although I have done some local trails when it's dry. Now I have the luggage rack, thicker sump guard and 15tooth sprocket I look forward to some big trips in the spring when I get some better tyres. Overall I am barely using my Tiger 1200 or my KTM350exc - could the CFMoto replace both!!?? That would leave room for a sportsbike ...😈
I'm so tempted by one of these. I ride a big adventure bike and would like to downsize for all the usual reasons. T7 would be the obvious choice for me but you gave to spend a lot to get the better bolt'ons, a fact that irritates me. CFMOTO have done what appears to be a great job of this, and it's even available as a larger capacity MT-X800 which I was pouring over at the bike show. Time will tell for me, but I definitely need to ride one.
I tested the bike but only on road. Engine is surprisingly good for a 450, noise is great (if you care), throttle a bit snappy. Is a good package BUT for me is too small as a single bike and I would prefer a smaller bike for local rides. Is great they are starting to make bikes for the short people tough. Maybe the Kove 800 is the answer as is much lighter and has more power. No dealer around to check this theory unfortunately.
Rephrasing my comment: my “problem” with this bike is that despite being great is still as big and heavy almost like a Touareg without the punch. I can get a second hand Aprilia for 10-11K and have one bike for TET, easy trails and road touring.
Great review, as always. I’ve never understood how 1300 cc’s make an adventure bike (just way WAY too heavy for me). Bikes in this class SHOULD be what manufacturers are targeting, IMO (but not everyone has a bad back and knees, lol).
For my next bike (want something reliable, durable, for the next years) I would be between this one, and a DR650 with some mods (Acerbis tank, exhaust, bar risers, etc). When the moment comes, it'll be a pretty difficult decision.
I own a 450MT, and it reminds me of the KLR650 New Edition, another bike I've owned. Their key attribute is the same, It does nothing wrong and it's a reasonable price.
Good comparison to the Aprilia tuareg 660, I went with the Himalayan 450 before the MT was released at the same price. I was really attracted to the Twin but stayed with RE. Will be interested in your comparison when you get the opportunity.👍
excellent! don’t understand why people want to compare this and the himalayan, the only thing they have in common is the price point! If your next bike can equally have 1 or 2 or more cylinders, then it looks to me you aren’t clear about what your application is…
CF Moto racing is where they're are making history. Only an Aprilia 457 adv bike will topple the 450MT. So glad I've had mine for six months. Great review btw, must have been hard not to say 'unicorn'.
In comes the GS 450 next year. And finally, we might have a new segment on the market where bikes are more affordable to buy, less heavy, and easier to handle.
You can not expect any more for that Price. CF Moto did a great job. For me there are just a few things which i don’t like. Service Intervall of 5000km, the tires ,the dealer Network and it’s a Little Heavy for a 450 🤷🏻♂️. But it’s still a great bike for the Money
Maybe it is an unpopular opinion, but i think for this engine bike is too heavy. It is 175 of dry weight and it not capable as it could be on road. I had husky 401 with basically the same engine type, but it had weight of 152 kg. And if you decat pipe, with fuelx lite ecu and proper air filter - this bike would turn into a beast, with top speed of 200 km/h. And if you slap 60/40 tyres it is actually very capable off road too. I haven't got any problem with any terrain, although i was abusing it very strong.
It depends on what you're using it for. It's heavier than I expected, but the reality is if you want it light and cheap, it's got to give some of the other stuff, like BOSCH ABS up.
I get where you're coming from. I find it carries the weight well i.e. low down. I guess the alternative is AJP PR7 or 690/701? But that circles back to Llewellyn's point about the CF being an ADV, not an enduro. Kove 800 maybe?
It is heavy underpowered and bulky because it is made for the stupid A2 license holders, as every dam bike from 300 to 500cc. Doubt if they make more than 10% of the actual bikers.
Great video. I support what they’re doing but have to share some anecdotal experiences. An Italian rider friend sent me a voice message saying his friend has one and has the following issues: front brake stopped working; clutch busted; punctured the engine case due to stock sump guard (common with oem); and the KYB suspension isn’t great (said the stock T7 susp is much better. I also got to experience the MT 450 this past weekend and its front brake locked up. Sample of two but I’m optimistic.
I disagree on the suspension, but it’s likely that your friend means softer when he says better. The stock sumpgaurd is thin like most bikes inc. T7 & KTM, BMW. The other two are a bit disappointing. There are also some good stories here of people riding a long way without issue. ☺️ Also, what the heck happened to brake for it to Lock Up?
Hey @Brake Magazine, I see atm anb old review of RE Himalayan. Is it possible to make a review of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan, the 450 one? Even better, to make comparison between CFMoto 450 MT and RE Himalayan 450? I know, there are tons of reviews, but tbh I like your way of presenting bikes.
I currently have an XL600V, and I'm thinking of buying a CRF300L, a DR650 or the 450MT. Mainly commuting, commutes might include sections of the TET or similar :D Sometimes longer, non-highway rides. Maybe some off-road weekends. I'll be going above 120km/h rarely if at all. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Llewellyn, your review is so timely for me. I'm considering trading in my '21 CRF300L Rally for either the Himalayan or the 450 MT. I appreciate your well reasoned perspective. Thank you.
Wow. That just highlighted everything “wrong” with my CB500X and why I’m going to “upsize” soon. Don’t get me wrong, I love the bike, but it’s really a commuter bike cosplaying as an ADV bike. If Honda had given it a different frame than the other two CB500 models with just slightly more upright ergos and spoked wheels, I wouldn’t be shopping. Which is why Honda won’t. Of course, the allure of more HP is there but then comes all the tech and the menus and the weight. This sounds like a good bike to me. The only issue is that it’s kind of an unknown and limited dealer support, whereas there are I think 3 Honda dealers within 2 hours of me, one being across town
CFMoto is akin to what Honda, Kawasaki, and other Japanese bikes were in the 70s and 80s; they are capturing the market share of major brands that hesitate to produce similar models.
Great review… it appear these may very well come to South Africa… have yet to see one, but they do list dealers which stock thier SXS vehicles However I am will be looking out for your thoughts on the new 450 Himi as Dave calls it Bring it on.. would love to be at the Dakar event… please share coverage of that too👍
i have the 450mt for a bit more than 5 months now, and i have clocked in around 8800km, so for anyone interested, here is my opinion so far.
Its very well built, i had a versys 650 before and decided i wanted something more offroad capable while still being able to travel.
I had a car crash onto me and the thing took it like a tank, no damage whatsoever other than a slight bent on the steering wheel and some scrathes.
Stock it comes with a 14 tooth front sprocket, good for offroad and some mid range speed hooning but i opted for a 15 tooth which allows me to cruise at 110km/h at 6k rpms (it was around 7k rpms stock)
A friend gifted me a larger windshield for it and it fully covers me, but stock windshield wind protection is ok
I put in a performance air filter from DNA and it made the thing even snappier at low speeds (you can mod the air filter cap to a "stage 2" kinda like the 3 by 3 mod in the drzs and it makes it have an even more enduro like response and an amazing intake noise)
Aftermarket options are FILLED, you can easily spend another 5k on top of it in performance and accesories (full titanium exhausts with ecu remaps and even more aggresive cams even a big bore kit to make in into a 480cc, the list feels endless)
Its average fuel consuption on mountain twisty roads (mostly in 3rd gear, about 6-7k rpms) while chasing a V-strom 650 and being chased by a cf 700mt was right below 5 litres per 100
The cst tyres are perfectly fine in dry conditions but once it gets wet things get tricky, one twist of the throtle and you are drifting, so thats something that needs to be changed now that winter is approaching (after the 8000km mark they started slipping on dry roads aswell when you want it to do so, fun but a bit sketchy)
Its top speed is a bit of a let down for some, but me, being a big boned food enthusiast, while having a top box and a larger windshield on it, was able to clock 163km/h, which i find perfectly reasonable
It can pass cars in the highway at speeds of 100-120km/h by opening the throtle but anything higher than 140 and its smaller engine is showing its lack of horsepower (when compared to 650s, which again, is to be expected)
It feels light, playful and happy to be close to the redline while still being torqy at low rpms, its exhaust note is intoxicating, the brakes have a nice bite to them, not too strong of a bite but definately strong enough
it likes to be on loose gravel roads and sandy parts but i feel like the suspension is not the best for bigger rocky roads, maybe thats a skill issue tho since i heard from another youtuber that "the suspension feels good in rough terrain if you are going fast enough"
I raced a himalayan 450 from stop light to stop light and it didnt really compare, i kinda walked away once we changed to 2nd gear (the himalayan driver was my dealerships mechanic and even he admited the 450mt is the "more complete" option of the 2)
I kinda just wrote whatever came to my mind but i will be more than happy to answer if anyone has any questions
What an awesome comment. Pinned for a while. Hope we get some good questions going (Y)
Thanks, Nothing better then a real life, Im not getting paid or sponsored Review! Just read another one on it. Dude put 10000 km on it road to turkey an back or some shit, a German dude. He beat the piss out of it, didnt baby it at all an held together like a champ. He loved it.
Mine on std tyres & gearing is doing 5800rpm at 100kph.
i like this bike very much.. i have a V-Strom 650 xt and i would buy the MT450 if it wasn't for highway travel ..
Why does the long original comment remind me of Ai script .
The big brands didn't build THAT BIKE because they feared it would cannibalize sales of their more expensive bikes (and it would) but now the situation is worse, somebody else is eating their lunch.
And I am sooo happy for that. One is coming my way.
this is what I've been saying. You can have me as a buyer at a better price with different features that I actually need...or I can keep waiting. Seems I won't be waiting long. Even if I don't buy a cfmoto 450...I'm INCREDIBLY HAPPY they are in the market. We are almost assured to have better prices and better features (like cruise control on a freaking transalp 750...HONDA??) that should have been there from the beginning.
this.
Kawasaki wake up and release a front wheel and a box. Maybe they will come for the dessert.
Good.
450MT owner here... Agreed 100% Great video man!
Your channel is awesome!!! Best regards from your neighbor country! Gaaas.
@@etdbsub0 oh, i didnt expect to find a fan here :D thanks for watching my stuff, man! happy rides!
Yup ✌️😎 owner also
@@OFFroadOFFcourse bragging about owning a bike built by slave labor
@@DB-sd3cw i wonder where the phone/computer you used to write this comment was made...
I live in south east Queensland, Australia and I see a 450 MT more than I see a T7 these days, it looks like they have out Honda’d Honda, perfectly average, does everything it needs to do, but does not have many down points, which puts it high on the list for a lot of people
That is a great assessment. Out honda’d Honda.
I live there to, I own the 450MT. It reminds me of the klr650 but better power to weight ratio and better suspension, and lots of little extras. Like he said, the tyres are slippery off road. It's $4k to $6k cheaper then a second hand T7. The price makes it hard to beat. I would be interested in the KLE500 if it comes out with 50hp and is the same weight or lighter.
@@RickThePeasantthat's the bike I'm interested in as well. If everyone's right with their assumptions of the engine choice, and they put good suspension on it, the KLE will be a very solid contender.
And I've got one in South East Queensland on order
@@cdilga a lot of them have been sold in Toowoomba. Tall windscreen, larger foot peg base, crashbars, and bark busters were must haves.
In an environment where big-name brands are closing showrooms as their bikes have become prohibitively expensive, emerging brands like CF Moto, AJP and Kove sell to a willing seam of adventure enthusiasts who value ability over brand name. The rising price of big-brand adv bikes, the escalating insurance and an ageing demographic of riders mean many of us are looking to downsize from our GSAs to something that delivers the opportunity to travel and have fun but is light on the wallet and our failing hips and knees too.
It feels like riders are now starting to lean towards bikes that meet their riding needs, and not just have the longest feature list (and associated cost). The best upgrade I can do to my current bikes to make me a better rider, is to run more fuel through them. Cheaper and more fun than trying to buy skills. That said, I am not immune to wanting the new and shiny.
Once the cheaper brands have to start doing their own RnD and put some proper research into the bikes they make, and gain experience form years of racing at the top level to turn that into better bikes, then the cost of these bikes will go up or the time and tech will just stand still
You don’t know what you’re talking about
@@GrIrTi that does not apply to Japanese manufacturers.
Weight an keeps running, bash it about a bit, pick it up, dust it off, jump on highway an cruise at 70 mph ish without being buzzzzzed off the bike. Ill buy it
Surely Brake Magazine's viewership is about to explode; the content is too good not to.
Fingers crossed!
I consider this a "shots fired" video. I hope other manufacturers see this and realize that they better step up their game. If I didn't already have 2 great bikes I would definitely add this one to the stable. Thanks for the reasearch and hard work you put into this video, as well as all the previous videos.
Cheers Big Dave.
Had mine two months now and I love it just dose everything so well plus £5700 on the road even more smiles not bothered about the badge on the tank for me it’s about getting out there
You're riding a machine built by slave labor.
Amen.
Older guy, living in Asia, mostly riding 250cc bikes here. I looked for years for an ADV bike for my European riding. Requirements: simple and reliable, light, 45 ish hp, working suspension (have the Honda bubble gum suspension Rally 300-$$$ fixed), brakes, tubless tires......There was nothing out there. I am not as price sensitive as some might be. No one made the bike I wanted/"needed".
My friend and I bought two MT450 s. My only disappointment is the too short gearing of the 6th gear. In Europe, I need to be able to do 120-130 kmh on the main highways. At 130, the MT450 sits at 7000 rpm, with 8500 red line. With my 75kg frame, old man slow riding style, I could use a bit softer front springs. Better tires, and the bike is good to go.
Up to you, but I would suggest dropping the budget bike classification you use. It's inexpensive, it's just a normal bike at a great price. Nice vid.
Ceux qui font plus de route mettent un pignon de sortie de boite avec une dent de plus.
Use 15t
same here mate - older expat in Philippines now. I converted an old Dominar to be an ADV spec as much as possible - but the vibrations would trigger my joints after a long ride. So the 450MT with 2 cylinders sounded like the perfect answer when I first heard of it. 4 months riding it now - it's great. Roads here are so bad it's a rarity to exceed 100kph so the 450 is fine - and yes a 15T was the first quick fix I did :)
@djangounhinged7634 Yes, up to 100kmh, the MT450 is perfect. I already did the 15t. Since we have two MT450s, one 14, one 15, I get back to back feedback. I like the 14t for acceleration and tight trails. 15t only drops rpm 450 ish. I would want to see closer to 1000 in 6th gear.
Most everyone views and reviews this bike in the dirt. This is an adv bike. It needs to be able to comfortably run 120-130 for western roads.
For dirt adventures, i got my fixed up/mod Rally 300, 155kgs. It rips now. For road oriented riding, I have the Vstrom 250sx, sweet bike for Asia. Stay safe.
You litterly described honda nx500 which is 500 eur more expancive. Once you change your tiers you will have the same price. You could also go for benelli, royal, bmw, kove. all those options are good.
Amazing video. Production quality is wild
Amazing?! Nah, it's formulaic and repetitive of every other YT channel who duplicate the same old tired format. Retro intro, history lesson, the (sometimes annoying) voiceover, slo mo cutaway close ups, expert presenting to camera, dramatic music, controversial points made to provoke discussion in the YT comments, some actual racing/riding/rallying - and then FINALLY we get to the main event, The Real Reason, The Big MoneyMaker - in this case, the Dec event, subtly tacked on the end, to take advantage of the feel-good feels you're supposed to have as a result of the drama-ama docu-tainment dramatic music and special FX rounding up the pre-amble to the financial finale. Get yer wallets out.
@ Alright mate
Thanks man, kind words.
This comment is gold. I’m gonna pin it so the whole world can see 😂
@synthnseq Can't wait to see your totally fresh take on bike tests and all the positive comments they inspire.
There is no denying that its a great bike new and has really captured the market. From my personal experience as a mechanic the reservations I have with CFMoto and Chinese manufacturers in general is everything made in China is never made to last long term. Now this isnt even going to be a consideration or issue for everyone but its something worth considering when it comes to resale value or if you are looking at keeping the bike for a long time. Most people are going to be happy paying that price and ride away on a new bike that looks good, works great and will be relatively trouble free for the warranty period with regular use. After the warranty period is up is when the issues with build quality and materials used to make the bike start to show up. The Chinese have a totally different midset and culture to engineering and this translates directly to the quality of products they produce. They are proud nationalists with a China first ruthless capatalists mindset and its about market capture and profit for the company and state. The Japanese manufacturers while still trying to make a profit have a tradition and culture of quality in craftsmanship and pride attached to what they do and produce. It is why you will see plenty of old Japanese motorcycles still being used daily or ridden regularly relatively trouble free. You will never see a chinese scooter, motorcycle, atv or utv thats been regularly used older than 10 years out on the farm, trail or road that hasnt had major issues or serious repairs done to them. They are simply not designed or made to last that long.
Maybe I will be proven wrong by these new generation of bikes out of China but only time will tell.
un moteur neuf coute moins de 1500€ ....
CFMoto is a well known and established brand in the ATV and QTV Market and have a lot of reputation for building relatively cheap ATVs/QTVs for a good(-ish) quality. You cant compare it to a Polaris and such, but for the price, its good quality.
However, im totally with you on the long term quality of the bike. If you look at market prices for T7s, GSAs (850/900/1250/1300) and such, they are incredibly stable and dont loose a lot of value, even after the warranty is over. With CFMoto only time will tell how well they perform after, but having worked on a CFMoto a few days ago, the steel/aluminium is just a bit softer then i would like it to be, the bolts are not that well built as for example on a T7 or Africa Twin, the plastic is a bit brittle when its cold and the clips break easily. BUT for the price, i was positivly suprised how well its built
In my experience it's not necessarily the engine that's the problem. They use inferior alloys and steels in manufacturing. Corrosion and failure of critical components like frames and suspension components is common after a few years. Electrical problems and wiring loom faults are also common and expensive to fault find and repair. Just generally after a few years more and more problems start to come up at the end of the day anything is fixable but it all starts to add up until the cost of repair vs value of the bike scale tips and they get parted out or simply given up on
I recently watched a video where a I believe a Chinese fellow (the video had English sub titles) tore down a CF Moto 450 motor and it had aluminum crank/main bearings..I have no idea if this is common in modern engines but it struck me as a possible weakness..I thought crankshaft/piston rod bearings were usually a beryllium/copper alloy of some sort..?
@@AzPauly It goes against what we would naturally think a good bearing material would be but aluminium alloy is commonly used these days as a crankshaft bearing. They are usually steel backed bearings with either silicon or manganese and chromium added to the alloy depending on the application
Great video.
I test rode the Himi 450, then test rode the 450MT. I put a deposit on the CFMOTO and now have had it about 6 weeks. For me it's just about perfect.
i just hope the new KLE 500 will be similar to this ..
Because what I need most is reliability and Japanese usually know how to do that ...
Agreed. If it comes in at 400lbs I'm all in.
About reliability, chineses sent mens in space and bring them back. They know how to do that too if they want.
@@gillescafedjian1381 Sure
They just dont want to, at this point.
Anyone can make reliable machines, it a matter of craftmanship, taking pride in your work... Ethics
Something NONE of the chinese companies have. They have great engineers and workers, but as usual their buisness practices will be unethical, shady and not worth spending money on.
@@Surpriseify Nice xenophobia...great comment from the 1980's... do keep up to the present decade thanks.
@@Surpriseify @benplaysbass2491
1 hour ago
CFMOTO fixed the camshaft issues with the Austrian made 790 engine. What a world we live in where a Chinese brand is sorting out the issues created by a European manufacturer
I took mine on a 400KM road trip. Covered it in 5 hours. The dimensions, the weight distribution, THE PULL at 6th Gear was awesome!!!! It was an exhausting ride but fun!!! I was close to getting a Versys-X and then this babe came out. Gave it a couple of months coz i was pretty sure someone is going to put this bike through its paces. The moral of the story is...Sometime.....God does answer your prayers.
Your assessment is 100% spot-on. And this is why they are selling like hotcakes. Everyone my dealer gets in has been pre-sold, and it's been the case since they went on sale in Australia over 6 months ago. Here are 4 things for CFMoto to now offer in future model years to really crap on the competition even further: Cruise Control (already available on other models that cost less than the 450MT); Quick Shifter (already available on other models that cost less than the 450MT); Navigation (already available in Chinese models); an Overdrive Gear or Mode to reduce revs once you get to highway speeds. This is a very good adventure bike, no need to say 'for the money'.
Got my 450MT a few weeks ago. Needed something to bring back the joy after my R1150R went in for another gearbox repair. Riding this bike is a revelation to me, everything better than the BMW except the bonkers top end power. Handles much better and the gearbox and engine are a peach. Quality wise compared to the BMW, it has a couple of cheap plastic places and the stickers could be better but overall better thought out as clearly a lot went into the design and production. Needs another gear for the road work so I'll stick another tooth on the front sprocket instead. Japan must be nervous. The Extras market is enormous.
Been riding since 1975 and remember the Japanese selling cheap reliable bikes that destroyed home markets (CB175 was my treachery). This is a very good bike.
I found this review very cliched. It compares and doesn't judge independently. A good review will assess what is valued.
With the overload of wannabes with an adv bike & a GoPro on the tube your intelligent & credible reviews are a benchmark Lel! Side note - my old 2015 BMW 650GS Sertao has an abs on/off button on the left handlebar too…makes life easy
Thanks mate. That's really kind.
Also, what a bike that is!
@ yeah mate a bit of a forgotten legend small adv bike of the past…80,000km on her & it still eating the off road!
@@thedougies8322 Yes!
I agree, this is why I own the Tundra Grey CF Moto 450 MT. It puts a smile on my face ✌️😀
Everything you said is true, I’ve done 10,000klm on mine and taken it to places I wouldn’t have dreamed and it performed flawlessly and the only thing I’ve done to it was put on some decent tyres. For $9k AUD you can’t go wrong, and I love the sound of it 👌🏼
Amazing production, Great to Llewellyn's work really getting recognized. Great intro, valuable history, and solid bike review.
I have a 690 and 701 Enduro (in the US and UK respectively). I love the light weight and skinny profile plus massively powerful engine and all round capability. Sadly, an already expensive bike needs another £2/3k spent on protection kit and a decent rally tower. Factor that in and the CF 450 is barely half the price. What’s not to like. Not for me any time soon but two years ago I might well have picked this.
Great video. I rode the 450MT right after it was released in China as I travel to China often. I also own CFMoto800MT explorer and Aprilia Tuareg 660. Your take on MT450 is bang on!
This was a fantastic video, very insightful and with in-depth information on CFMOTO and where it sits in the market. I’m excited for this bike to come to the states. I’ve already put money down on one at my dealer. I think it will be fun to ride and I won’t be afraid to drop it like I am with my GS that costs 4x more. Thank you for this excellent video.
You're welcome.
My gut feeling is a ~20% capacity increase to a 550cc, bring the motor up to 40Kw of power and 55Nm of torque, and a 20L tank for a little more distance for touring, with slightly better gearing giving less rpm on the highway, and still able to keep it sub 200kg, then that may be the right in the middle of the ball park for all-round commuting and long-distance adventure riding, that the market is looking for - in my honest opinion. I will not be surprised if the Chinese bring something like this to market in the next year or two, as they garner more and more feedback from their customers. Time will tell, but it shows how much the Chinese have been paying attention the past 10-20 years and are gauging the market, somewhat better than legacy manufacturers.
I don't disagree with any of this. Would be a surprise if we don't start to get 550-600 twins that are pretty light soon.
@@BrakeMagazine indeed, and the tech is getting better too, which means the future looks bright for this sector, though maybe not so much if you're a legacy manufacturer selling bikes at 2x to 3x that CFMoto price...
550cc and 20L carried down low would be the sweet spot IMO. I'm just hoping to see it in a 160kg single cylinder version.
Why you limit yourself to only 20L? Ask for 200L or, better, 400L.
What's in your heads guys to dream about so huge tanks? I'd like to discover this secret...
@@podunkman2709 They wanna ride a long way, where there is no fuel.
They can't make enough of these for the Australian market, FB groups are full of people waiting months for their orders. I can't wait for this segment to get properly competitive 😁
Correct, was at the Canberra dealer last week and he has sold 55 and has 15 on back order. Japan asleep at the wheel.
Parts are becoming relatively available as well maybe not from dealer but you'll see original ones in ali or your local online shop app.
Sell ya mine for 22k 😂😂😂
I own 1,totally satisfied with it performance and price only run me about SG9k
Unsurprisingly, fantastic video. Insightful, honest, well-produced. I came to this bike not from middleweight ADVs but from the previous gen small ADVs and you are spot on about why bikes like the 390 ADV and Himalayan 411 don’t feel like Japanese/European enduro-inspired ADVs. The 450MT is everything you say it is and it is wild now seeing the 400-450 ADV segment at EICMA.
Thanks! That was wild and very exciting. Stoked to have bikes that open the industry up more.
I'm glad I brought my dr650 while it was still available, I've yet to see any modern bike that would make me want to replace it
26 thousand miles on my 07 drz and over 50k on my africa twin. I won't be switching because cf moto put a twin in a body kit on the market
😂 You having a bad day man. You're tearing up these comments 😂
@@CaptLawrenceexcept it’s a twin
@@matthewowen5944 yeah I misspoke. Changes nothing I took it on the interstate and it still revs like a single coming onto redline surprisingly fast.
Long live the mighty DR.
I appreciate you calling out the bigger brands for putting shit suspension on their adventure bikes... cough... Yamaha. I work at a Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki dealer and stare at these bikes everyday while I currently have a deposit at a competing dealer for a CFMoto 450MT (Ibex here in the states). Looking forward to getting mine.
You must be a hell of a mechanic if you work for ALL big four.
@MusicMath123 I was an auto mechanic for years before moving to a powersports dealership. Bikes are way easier to work on than modern passenger vehicles.
I'm sure CFMoto suspension is better than all the adventure bikes by other brands. Internet is a strange place.
@@sailor4365 Well it is fully adjustable KYB suspension not just "CFMoto suspension" if that was meant to be a derogatory statement? If you watched the video he takes the time to mention how it being very good out of the box vs the stock suspension on the Yamaha T7 being mediocre. Back that up with the many other reviewers that own and ride T7's and say the CFM has better suspension out of the box than the T7. I myself have ridden a friend's T7 off-road and was unimpressed with its performance. So are you mad because a company is offering something better on their bike?
Yeah, that's pretty common here in Europe. Multi franchise dealers with technicians working across all brands is a thing.
So excited for the next couple of years, I’m due a change after 5 years on the 310gs, (your old press bike btw!), I’ll be getting something 450, and I think I’ll be spoiled for choice. Keep up the good work!
Stock tyres needs immediate change. Compromising the full potential of the bike.
True
Heck, yeah! Great review. I am a former A class mxer in the US who really appreciates your review.
FYI, my last name is
BRAKE😊
Hell yeah man! If you’re into ADV and that good at Moto I think you’ll enjoy this 🙌
You explain the character of any bike spot on. As you say: There is no weak point. The bike equivalent of Middle of the Road. They'll sell in thousands. Happy days, Günter/Nürnberg
Have you ever worked on a 20 year old motorcycle? I'm not sure these will stand the test of time, especially when it comes to parts availability. I can't even find shop/technical manuals for some Chinese bikes.
In the US with current events, even if you get those parts, the prices are going to be outrageous.
Don't want to like it, but it looks like a nice package. Sad that KTM didn't have this epiphany, or better, before wrecking the company.
Looking forward to your review of an eventual BWM F450 GS.
Ktm effed up by canceling the 490adventure twin 😢
Amen.
What a fantastic review, dialogue eloquent and superb edit! The CF Moto is a compelling single bike for an adventurer, or a great addition to a garage. Yes please!
Excellent review comments!
It is amazing how many great bikes are available now and I find very interesting that India and China are offering what so many of us want. They are doing what the Japanese companies used to do. Like many, I look forward to your review of the new Himalyan 450 and Bear 650.
100%. I think the Japanese are about to hit the market hard though. There are rumours...
"Builds KTM engines" isn't the selling point some think it is.
CFMOTO fixed the camshaft issues with the Austrian made 790 engine. What a world we live in where a Chinese brand is sorting out the issues created by a European manufacturer 😮
I didn‘t know they fixed it, but my thought was „at least they know what NOT to do with a motor“. 890 adv here with a broken needle bearing and glitter nailpolish oil /blocked transmission at 2400km.
I love Mine. Bought it here in Guatemala. Wonderful on and off road
1:10 Your knowledge needs a little updating.
-China - correct 👍
-KTM engines... Incorrect.
-Builds some KTM models - Builds the 790 (only)
- Builds some quads - builds a vast model line of quads and side by side farm and recreation vehicles and a fairly full range of motorcycles, really only missing dedicated off road classes.
CFMOTO has a Technology Partnership with KTM, where CFMOTO has 51% and KTM 49% of the deal.
Your summary of the 450MT is perfect
👌👌👌👌
I've never wanted an adventure bike before, preferring to stick with my Enduro bikes, but I simply could not ignore the $9500 Australian price for the MT.
It is, as you say, genuinely good at everything, not amazing at any one thing, but good at them all!
It will happily chase road bikes on a range road, it will thunder down gravel roads and not scare you and you can actually ride technical single track to the point where it will be your fitness and skill level that dictates whether you get through or not.
This is the reason it's just become the most sold single bike model in Australia this year... A sales year that started in March 😳
J'en ai une. Je pense qu'elle est moyenne partout ce qui pour un Trail veut dire bien faite donc bonne ! pour expliquer : moins bonne qu'une routière sur route MAIS pas mauvaise donc possible de faire de gros trajets. Moins bonne qu'une enduro en off-road MAIS honnêtement je suis ancien enduriste et l'on peut passer des trucs incroyables, elle est suffisamment stable et maniable le moteur est parfait en couple et puissance. Elle remplit les cases d'une moto d'aventure sans les inconvénients d'une grosse cylindrée plus cher et plus lourde.
@bernardleon9062
My apologies, I can't translate your reply.
Merry Christmas
He agreed with you 😂
@BrakeMagazine
Thank you 🙂👍
(Couldn't get my phone to copy the text and translate it)
And great summary of the bike. 👌
@@Danger_mouse I have one. I think it's average everywhere which for a Trail means well made therefore good! to explain: less good than a road bike on the road BUT not bad so possible to do long journeys. Less good than an enduro in off-road BUT honestly I am a former enduro rider and we can do incredible things, it is sufficiently stable and manageable the engine is perfect in torque and power. It fills the boxes of an adventure bike without the disadvantages of a large displacement more expensive and heavier. it's easy with google translate ....have a good day
I've had mine since late June and absolutely love it. It is my 1st adventure bike and the price and low seat height were major factors in me buying it. Unfortunately I've had a horrible last few months and haven't ridden it so I hope that all changes now. I'd love to be at you meet up but I'm in Australia so can't make it.
Bit far for that meet up! I am coming to Australia next year for the Adventure Moto Big Bore Ride!
@BrakeMagazine nice I'm going haven't heard about that. When and where is it on
From north of Sydney in a big loop, down to the Vic High Country and back up. It's gonna be a great ride.
@@BrakeMagazine that sounds awesome I might have to look into it. Thank you
Perfect timing. Just looking at ordering one
Oooh! Tell me why!
@ I want a dual sport for some green lane type stuff. A 300L was on my list but the CF having the extra bit of power would make travelling to and from the trails a bit more bearable for me. I have a dealer nearby and the price is very good 👍🏻
I’ve ordered one! I tried a RE Himalayan and a CRF 300 Rally. I don’t like how the RE looks, the engine lacked character and the CRF300 Rally was just too off-road focused. The 450MT just seemed to be the ideal “do it all” bike for me. It looks good, sounds good and rides really nicely. Just got a 3 or 4 month wait to get one 😢
@ this review has convinced me to order it. Perfect for what I want and I didn’t realise they had such an accomplished history which is reassuring
why did not ordered yet?
Best review of CF moto 450 MT I´ve seen congratz
I would like it to have a little bit more power (It could be solved) and a little bit less weight (more dificult to solve) and it would be mega
The MC world needs to look out! The Chinese are listening to the RIDERS.
Yup.
man, that offroad button, I would like that on every bike from now on. =)
Thanks for the insights.
I'm a bit concerned about a few service intervals, as they are a bit short:
- Oil change 5.000 km
- spark plugs 10.000 km
And with a dry weight of185 kg it comes with a full tank pretty close to the weight of my T7.
I'm looking forward to the Suzuki DR-Z4S with 151 kg and I don't mind 5 gears only.
Valid points. Oil change at 5K isn't horrendous though. Spark plugs at 10k is a really weird one.
@@BrakeMagazine gsxr has every 12.
@@MoodSwingZX Sure, but it's small high rev engine.
Fun...and well done. Now I'm looking forward to the US delivery of my MT in a couple months even more after watching. Cheers from the mountains of Utah!
Trump will put a 100% tariff on them.
I got the himalayan 452 hanle black tubeless, that is a great bike. I'm in love with it
If I had a dealer here I’d have one for sure. Superb review as always. You’re the best. Second to none.
Where is here? And thanks. Kind words.
Dang, best 450mt video tbh, and I have owned the bike since May the 2nd and have watched a ton of vids before and after release. Kudos
THanks! Hope you're enjoying it!
450MT owner, best bike i have ever had!
Great vid. Great channel. Over this bike. Support the brands that built the segment. Chip chip.
I sont get the appeal of the big bikes. I get that westerners are physically big but the 1200+ cc bikes dont make sense no matter how big one is. Super big, super heavy even without luggage. And people see guys like Pol Tarres or Adam Riemann or Chris Birch do amazing things and think they can do the same. 800-900cc and under 210 kgs is a sweet spot imo. Heck even a 600-700cc is so much more capable than the 1200cc + bikes.
I get that. I like the big bikes, they're super fun to ride if you can. I would say that some of them are a fair bit easier than you'd expect, especially the GS & KTM. Also, for a long time the mid-sized bikes were a massive compromise. It's only since 2018 that the gap closed.
Big respect for that Olympia Rally prize!! 🏆 😊👏👏
I think i found my next bike, after getting my licence. Currently running a Malaguti Dune X, which is actually a Derbi Terra. Also a very fun bike.
As always, you excel with intelligent, thoughtful content that hits the nail on the head. Well done! Now if I can only get the wife on board for yet another motorcycle! LOL
😂😂 Good luck. 😉
I think you did a very careful and considerate test. I would hate for my part of the Western market (US) to have water thrown on the party before it even gets started, but it could likely happen. Many parts and electronics on CFMoto bikes could be subject to massive tarrifs and in some cases make the bikes illegal. I hope that doesn't happen. I will say this about my part time residency in Baja, CFMoto has gone absolutely all in for Mexican market spending millions on big facility in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Mexico.. so if I can't get bike in US it will still be available in Mexico, slightly cheaper price because dealers in United States are doing the Tenere 700 and Transalp game of big added markup and huge variations in state taxes.. matter what the ultimate outcome, CFMoto has been straight forward about challenging a crowded market and looks like they are letting product do the talking, some real regular propaganda but for the most part demo bikes or self purchased reviews and none are terrible
Very good video. I kinda wish it was a bit smaller/lighter for the engine size but maybe that’s impossible while still being solid on road.
The Kove 800 Rally X is going to be a more rewarding riding experience all round - but I still think the KTM 990 is where I end up next. I have been to the Shoreditch location but I live in LA I will catch you at that location one day.
Start ordering the KTM. But keep in mind, KTM is in trouble.
I bought one.
Solid review 👍🏼
Thanks!
I feel like the Honda CB500X/ NX500 is this bike. If Honda just slapped on some tubeless spoked rims and fettled with the engine so it wasn't A2 licence friendly (a few more BHP), they'd have a real contender in this bike category, arguably the best one. I'm glad these smaller brands are making the big guns think though, We need a shake up in the bike market.
For what it's worth, I owned a cb500x with full rally raid kit on and now own a CF moto and while the Hondas a very nice bike it's not in the same ball park for weight management and dynamic ability. It's the designed in balance of the CF moto which makes it so good, in my opinion.
Agree with the not enough time on a test ride. I rode this at last year's ABR and was SO disappointed. We only got to ride on road, the throttle was incredibly snatchy and I just didn't enjoy it. Rode the Himmy 450 off and on road at ABR and home and found it to be the bike for me. Now have one. Took less than a month from ordering to delivery which was great.
Thank you for this video and for calling out the established brands for their excuses.
I'm really interested in this bike, I'm only worried about reliability but only time will tell
Fantastic review. Multi depth on all levels.
Cheers from Patagonia Argentina biker paradise San Carlos de Bariloche...
1st.. Really accurate review.. ❤ every though.. Straight ton the bone ! i coudnt really agree Moore with you...
2. it got me really sad your review because you and me have exactly the same appreciation for the bike, and it makes me confirm that i should own it... but .....
I did create a Facebook group for it a year before it got to our country and in all that time I was totally about it ..sold .sold..
But.. When it came to cf moto Argentina theynprice tag it at us$ 13,000 and like I do know like you know what the bike really sits at . I quit !
I went to the R E hima 452 for the less absurd tag price of us$ 7.500
I know I should be on the Mt and even I took a trip to Chile to test drive it tree month prior it got to Argentina an I was sold out on it.
Now ill wait for the kove 800 that will sell for about Us$ 14.500 .. then the mt will not make sense here at all.. time will prevail .. I guess .
J'ai verifé et en effet j'ai halluciné sur le prix dans ton pays ! c'est n'importe quoi ! ça enlève tout intérêt à cette machine.
At $13,000 I am not surprised you passed on the CFMoto. I have one but it's not a $13k bike. Himalayan 452 is a decent bike too and I would be happy at $7500.
I am using mine mostly as a commuter to get a bit of value from the stock tyres and waiting for bits although I have done some local trails when it's dry.
Now I have the luggage rack, thicker sump guard and 15tooth sprocket I look forward to some big trips in the spring when I get some better tyres.
Overall I am barely using my Tiger 1200 or my KTM350exc - could the CFMoto replace both!!?? That would leave room for a sportsbike ...😈
Why your country doubles the price of the MT but not the Himy?
I'm so tempted by one of these. I ride a big adventure bike and would like to downsize for all the usual reasons. T7 would be the obvious choice for me but you gave to spend a lot to get the better bolt'ons, a fact that irritates me.
CFMOTO have done what appears to be a great job of this, and it's even available as a larger capacity MT-X800 which I was pouring over at the bike show. Time will tell for me, but I definitely need to ride one.
I tested the bike but only on road. Engine is surprisingly good for a 450, noise is great (if you care), throttle a bit snappy. Is a good package BUT for me is too small as a single bike and I would prefer a smaller bike for local rides. Is great they are starting to make bikes for the short people tough. Maybe the Kove 800 is the answer as is much lighter and has more power. No dealer around to check this theory unfortunately.
Rephrasing my comment: my “problem” with this bike is that despite being great is still as big and heavy almost like a Touareg without the punch. I can get a second hand Aprilia for 10-11K and have one bike for TET, easy trails and road touring.
I rode a MT450 test bike over 2000 miles this summer. It's a fantastic bike.
(Y)
Great review, as always. I’ve never understood how 1300 cc’s make an adventure bike (just way WAY too heavy for me). Bikes in this class SHOULD be what manufacturers are targeting, IMO (but not everyone has a bad back and knees, lol).
For my next bike (want something reliable, durable, for the next years) I would be between this one, and a DR650 with some mods (Acerbis tank, exhaust, bar risers, etc). When the moment comes, it'll be a pretty difficult decision.
The fact that the 450MT is a "Good" bike at the price point it's at... means if it proves durable then it's a great price/performance value.
Dedicated ABS switch... the dream! I have a 2017 CRF1000L with both dedicated ABS and TC switches. They've gone backwards since!
Yup. It's beyond annoying. I want that stuff to stay off when I turn it off too.
I own a 450MT, and it reminds me of the KLR650 New Edition, another bike I've owned. Their key attribute is the same, It does nothing wrong and it's a reasonable price.
Got off the 790 went in the store sat on the 450 and the seating and weight distribution felt exactly the same!
Yup.
Great vido, great channel. Really enjoyed this very good and honest review about this bike. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Yep, that's probably the better video I have saw about that bike. Congrats
Thanks!
Good comparison to the Aprilia tuareg 660, I went with the Himalayan 450 before the MT was released at the same price. I was really attracted to the Twin but stayed with RE.
Will be interested in your comparison when you get the opportunity.👍
Really excited to ride one soon.
excellent! don’t understand why people want to compare this and the himalayan, the only thing they have in common is the price point! If your next bike can equally have 1 or 2 or more cylinders, then it looks to me you aren’t clear about what your application is…
CF Moto racing is where they're are making history. Only an Aprilia 457 adv bike will topple the 450MT. So glad I've had mine for six months. Great review btw, must have been hard not to say 'unicorn'.
Or a Tenere 400... 😉
Tenere 450 Rally, 2 cilinder,55 hp,170kg... 🎉❤🎉😊we can dream
In comes the GS 450 next year. And finally, we might have a new segment on the market where bikes are more affordable to buy, less heavy, and easier to handle.
You can not expect any more for that Price. CF Moto did a great job. For me there are just a few things which i don’t like. Service Intervall of 5000km, the tires ,the dealer Network and it’s a Little Heavy for a 450 🤷🏻♂️. But it’s still a great bike for the Money
Maybe it is an unpopular opinion, but i think for this engine bike is too heavy. It is 175 of dry weight and it not capable as it could be on road. I had husky 401 with basically the same engine type, but it had weight of 152 kg. And if you decat pipe, with fuelx lite ecu and proper air filter - this bike would turn into a beast, with top speed of 200 km/h. And if you slap 60/40 tyres it is actually very capable off road too. I haven't got any problem with any terrain, although i was abusing it very strong.
It depends on what you're using it for. It's heavier than I expected, but the reality is if you want it light and cheap, it's got to give some of the other stuff, like BOSCH ABS up.
I get where you're coming from. I find it carries the weight well i.e. low down. I guess the alternative is AJP PR7 or 690/701? But that circles back to Llewellyn's point about the CF being an ADV, not an enduro. Kove 800 maybe?
I think that's the beauty of so many good bikes
It is heavy underpowered and bulky because it is made for the stupid A2 license holders, as every dam bike from 300 to 500cc. Doubt if they make more than 10% of the actual bikers.
I have 600km on mine. I don't have one complaint about it. The sound is amazing. Love it.
Great to hear.
Great video. I support what they’re doing but have to share some anecdotal experiences. An Italian rider friend sent me a voice message saying his friend has one and has the following issues: front brake stopped working; clutch busted; punctured the engine case due to stock sump guard (common with oem); and the KYB suspension isn’t great (said the stock T7 susp is much better. I also got to experience the MT 450 this past weekend and its front brake locked up. Sample of two but I’m optimistic.
I disagree on the suspension, but it’s likely that your friend means softer when he says better.
The stock sumpgaurd is thin like most bikes inc. T7 & KTM, BMW.
The other two are a bit disappointing. There are also some good stories here of people riding a long way without issue. ☺️
Also, what the heck happened to brake for it to Lock Up?
@@BrakeMagazine Possibly jammed with mud/debris. Or the handlebar adjuster not set properly?
@@BrakeMagazinejust spoke with a friend with one in Mexico and he’s got 10k miles with zero issues
Another fantastic review. I would love a follow through with the Himi 450, if possible. Please!
Nice review. Thanks
You're welcome
Hey @Brake Magazine,
I see atm anb old review of RE Himalayan. Is it possible to make a review of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan, the 450 one? Even better, to make comparison between CFMoto 450 MT and RE Himalayan 450?
I know, there are tons of reviews, but tbh I like your way of presenting bikes.
Really enjoyed this very good honest review about this bike.
Thanks Shaun.
I currently have an XL600V, and I'm thinking of buying a CRF300L, a DR650 or the 450MT. Mainly commuting, commutes might include sections of the TET or similar :D Sometimes longer, non-highway rides. Maybe some off-road weekends. I'll be going above 120km/h rarely if at all. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Great phenomenal content. Always love and appreciate your views and ability to communicate
I appreciate that!
Llewellyn, your review is so timely for me. I'm considering trading in my '21 CRF300L Rally for either the Himalayan or the 450 MT. I appreciate your well reasoned perspective. Thank you.
Wow. That just highlighted everything “wrong” with my CB500X and why I’m going to “upsize” soon. Don’t get me wrong, I love the bike, but it’s really a commuter bike cosplaying as an ADV bike. If Honda had given it a different frame than the other two CB500 models with just slightly more upright ergos and spoked wheels, I wouldn’t be shopping. Which is why Honda won’t. Of course, the allure of more HP is there but then comes all the tech and the menus and the weight. This sounds like a good bike to me. The only issue is that it’s kind of an unknown and limited dealer support, whereas there are I think 3 Honda dealers within 2 hours of me, one being across town
Awesome review thank you for the info.
Bloody good review❤
Couldn’t agree more. Kove is doing the same ito giving us what we ask for instead of bullying us into buying premium bikes.
CFMoto is akin to what Honda, Kawasaki, and other Japanese bikes were in the 70s and 80s; they are capturing the market share of major brands that hesitate to produce similar models.
Thanks. Great review as always.
Do you know how the engine compares to a CB500?
Great review… it appear these may very well come to South Africa… have yet to see one, but they do list dealers which stock thier SXS vehicles However I am will be looking out for your thoughts on the new 450 Himi as Dave calls it
Bring it on.. would love to be at the Dakar event… please share coverage of that too👍