450MT vs Himalayan 450 vs Scrambler 400X - Detailed Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- I have overthought my choice between these CFMOTO 450MT, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, and Triumph Scrambler 400x to death, so I'd like to share my findings with you.
Here's the link to the comparison spreadsheet: drive.google.com/open?id=1K7g...
Videos mentioned:
450MT air filter: • Air Filter removal/ins...
Scrambler 400X air filter: • Triumph Scrambler 400 ...
Himalayan 450 air filter: • DIY Air Filter Replace...
FortNine T7 review: • Is the Yamaha Ténéré 7...
Interview with Royal Enfield Lead Concept Designer: • Why Does Himalayan 450...
Podcast with Siddarth Lal about Himalayan: • #BuiltByTheHimalayas |...
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:31 Setting aside my biases
1:13 THE BEST BIKE IS...
3:34 What we won't discuss yet
3:54 Service intervals/specs comparison
4:08 Each bike's place in off-road family tree
5:25 Engine, throttle response, and vibrations
7:44 Weight and adventure touring capability
9:53 Instrument cluster
10:50 The 450s Off-road
13:32 Air filter access
13:46 Robustness
14:21 High countershaft/anti-squat
15:56 Scrambler 400x off-road
16:58 Spare parts and accessories
17:48 Seat height
18:25 Ergos
18:47 Handling in the twisties
19:12 City and commuting
20:02 Pothole absorption
20:30 Engine heat
20:36 Touring
21:34 Seat comfort
21:42 Top speed
22:14 Fuel economy
22:56 Gearbox
23:15 Brakes
23:49 Clutch pull
24:08 Style/aesthetics
25:13 Which will I buy?
29:25 Follow your heart!
30:13 What did I miss?
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Website: www.aaronpalabyab.com
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aaron [at] aaronpalabyab.com 
Авто/Мото
Check the description for links to the comparo spreadsheet and all the videos mentioned in this review! Thanks for watching.
thanks for spreadsheet 👍
As an owner of himalayan 450, this motorcycle will surely get into your heart.
Ansioso pela chegada dela no Brasil 🇧🇷. Tive uma 411
@@motoeoffroadtb estou na espera. Demorando demais pra lançar aqui
@@ademarmneto e só sobra pra nós ver vídeo gringo sem saber oque tão falando 😂
Bestttt bessttt and the best , you feel it when u own one.✅
bro, it's my dream bike wanna get one as soon as i can I'm 22 year old from gujrat, India, wann explore whole mother indian with this beast, it's a dream for me.
Man, you cover so much details. From when I was still a 450MT fanboy downloading Chinese reviews from Bilibili, downloading both owner's manual PDFs, to seeing and loving the clean kaza brown Himmy and searching for every issue the Indians have in different forums! When I first get the Himmy out of its stand on the MotoMakinaShow, I thought I will live with this, I love the bike anyways. After 2 months, it's an advantage to stand the bike on an incline and offroad. I hope to push myself to better write and tell stories like you!
Ey bro! Been watching your videos as well. Love that Kaza Brown. Appreciate your input as an early Himmy 450 owner.
We've been waiting sooo long for someone to give a proper comprehensive review. Thank you for this one. Wonderful point. I love the way you do these reviews.
Motorcycle rider for 20+ years. Here is the deal. These bikes are not the bloated overweight and unnecessary overpowered money pit, battle ships, like the Tiger 900, IBEX, or GS. They are nimble, tough, relatively simple construction. Easy to ride, especially in the dirt. They are NOT beginner bikes..far from if you ride it how they are intended. Their weight is all on top, which makes them top heavy and unbalance...but for a good reason. Learn how to handle the top heavy nature of these bikes and you have a great class of motorcycle in the stable. Thanks!
Wym they are not beginner bike lmao they are perfectly alright for a beginner bike
@@AswathReacher just keep reading past that point ....
It's OVERWHELMING under powered for Americans' roads, especially in the mid west, where people drive 100 mph, with steep mountain inclines
But it perfectly for Asian and European countries where it's clustered and everything is just smaller
Mountains in the mid-west?? Lol@@funyun
I just noticed that the personality of MOST buyers/owners of Himalayan are not loud. Just like the bike, they prefer to ride and enjoy the scenery, but are equally capable on tough roads if needed to get to their destination. 🍺👍
👍 I got a meteor 350cc. Don't want the new himmy. A 411 will do fine . Looks nicer ❤
I suppose it depends from region to region. Here in India from where the company is (now). RE owners are super proud and will DOG on any other bike brand :)
So, it's situational. Of course this isn't all RE owners but I can say 80-90% owners.
@@yohaan9 and vice versa i guess,i guess people will throw hate at re no matter what,vibration,no vibration,uses the same engine,doesn't use the same engine,looks retro,doesn't look retro. the ceo must be under pressure all the time 😂😂😂
@@vkrishna0612 aare people will always hate. Fact is their 650's are really good bikes and the new 450 engine is good too. I'm wondering if the 350 engine will be replaced by the 450.
RE fanbase is toxic lekin. Sadly :(
@@yohaan9 not just re fan base, re haters too 😂, every other country seems to love the whole re line up, but our country hates that they use the same engine. just because re is open about.
This is how you do a comparison video. A lot of youtubers could learn a great deal from this. I highly commend your work and think this one of the best comparison videos on RUclips period!
Great work and God bless. 👍🏿
Thanks Aaron, great review. I think you covered most if not all of the items that are pertinent. I'm an experienced but older rider 5'10", 178cm, and have owned 8 motorcycles from 1973 until last year. I like the idea of the 450MT based on its price, reasonably low weight and ADV chops, not perfect for on-road or off, but capable at both. I will use it for local routes in the mountains and deserts of the SW USA and for a long trip I plan to Ushuaia. I think this will be the best bike for me. CFMoto is pretty common in Latin America and the USA due to all the CFMoto ATV dealers. I prefer the twin power plants over the thumpers as the vibes bother my arthritic wrists. I'm excited to finally test drive one in a couple of weeks (late in coming here). Great English as well... salamat, love your beautiful country and friendly people
By a country mile, the best comparison of these bikes that I've seen so far - thank you!
Thank you! I'm sure this was a much awaited video for a lot of us!
I've watched so many videos that break these bikes down, but no one has been so detailed and honest in their review. Hats off to you, great great work!!!
I am from India, Bought my first bike (Himalayan 450) ever 4 months ago. In love with it man, its beautiful. Like you said that bike spoke to me and sometimes you listen to your heart and not the specifications.
Ansioso pela chegada dela no Brasil 🇧🇷. Tive uma 411
Excelent, really detailed, and pertinent review. Keep the good work man. Greetings from Colombia, South America.
dude I've been waiting for so long for you to review the scrambler 400x, great video man!
Absolutely amazing review / comparison!!
Love that you compared these three. Also some of the most comprehensive information I've seen anywhere online, bravo!
I was talking to Engineer brother about this and we both agreed we would go for the Enfield. They have been making bikes forever and even the old bad Enfield's had unmatched durability. I would trust Royal Enfield to build a bike that will last.
Excellent review, thank you. The CF is not widely available in the UK for a test at present, but I've tried the other two, and your assessment is 100% accurate: I found myself nodding along with your comments frequently. Good luck with the Himi - I'm a rider of similar height, but will be waiting for a lowering kit to become available before I place my order.
Great production man. You have some awesome insights on these bikes and bring up some valid points.
I've been searching out all the scrambler videos I can find on YT (in all classes - 400, 900 & 1200). This has been the most engaging by far. Thank you. New subscriber here. (I'm still confused af as to what to get for my next bike).
I actually find the Scrambler 400X more engaging to ride than the Scrambler 900, hehe. Scrambler 900 has very long gears so a totally different character, very smooth, refined, and relaxed. Better on the open road for sure, but not as fun elsewhere.
I've got the 1200XE and it's a big, tall and heavy bike. It's great for open road touring and a bit of gravel but would be hopeless in countries with bad roads and lots of congestion. It's also a bit big for riding round town, I love mine but it depends where you will be riding, your skill level and your own height. I always think the best thing to do is narrow your search down and go for a ride on each then buy the one that puts the biggest smile on your face. It usually stands out.
A very thorough comparison, reminds of the kind of detail you would get from a bgrockmoto review. Especially the addition of a spreadsheetm really impressive!
Awesome review. We are a new channel and we just tested the 450MT (which will come out tomorrow) and we agree to all your points throughout, but the way you deliver it is so articulate. We learned a lot from you and your video and we’ll definitely use that on our next content. ❤❤❤
Good luck guys! Thanks for swinging by. ☺️
Love that you covered the intangibles. Awesome comparison!
Just came across this video. What a well delivered and informative review. You have a new subscriber, well done👍
Excellent review; the ‘has short legs, but wants to show you how fast it can run,’ comment, put a smile on my face. As a Ducati XDiavel S owner, my dream bike is a Honda X-ADV scooter.
That's how every motorcycle review should look like, great job!
Wow! I happen to stumble onto this channel. Aaron, thank you for this balanced and insightful comparison review. I am now subscribed and will check out all your other videos posted.
Greetings from the North Cascades of Washington state.!Great review. You do such great reviews! No blather, swagger or arrogance. Thank you!
Good analyse, I went with the Himalayan, then the MT was released at the same price here in Au. The 270deg twin, dual balancer was something I have been hoping for, but I think the 452 is the right choice for the travels & roads I hope to do over the next few years, while I still can. Time will tell, but hay I don't think either would be a bad choice. Cheers
First of all sorry for my broken English.
And my opinion, RE Himalayan 450 is the best except the offroad experience. I’ve rode it, for me the power a bit more than expected, manage to put a big smile on my face along my 304km journey, the suspension setup something that we need to address, bring above-average level of comfort yet you still can bring it to the winding road, attacking the corners, and this bike will bring another smile, maybe on your eyes, because you mouth already smile earlier when you got on this bike earlier.
P/s : i’ve never rode CF 450MT, and i will never try to do so because of my love towards Himalayan 450 😂😂😂
one of the most if not the most comprehensive review of the 450MT and the others.
This was a great in depth review awesome stuff!
Brilliantly comprehensive review sir !!
You definitely put a lot of effort into this video, food for thought 👌
I'm intrigued by the Himy and 450MT, but I enjoy the off-road prowess of my 300 Rally and it has been flawless.
Plenty of Honda dealers here in Aus. Royal Enfield dealers also.
As for CF Moto, the nearest one to me is about 2 hours away...
Wow! Man this video is awesome. Great detailed analysis and review. Many thanks! 🤘🔥💪
Got 1300 km on my MT450 here in Poland. Got unlucky and my clutch lever was delivered without the pivot bushing. Replaced in 5 days, so that is ok.
The biggest compliment for me of my MT450 is the short final gearing. At that 125 kmh the motor spins at 7000 on a motor with 8500 red line. Don't like that at all, there is plenty of power for taller 5th and 6th gear.
The fueling off idle is shit (let's be honest here). The ecu needs a good, clean tune.
Skid plate is paper thin.
I am 178 cm and 75 kgs. I soften the front, increased the preload out back a bit. Feels good now, but the front is "firm".
Rest of the bike is very good. All the little features, all the little adjustments I was able to do with stock parts, so nice.
Again, you do a very nice job with your vids. I hope you become a big success. Thx .
Great review Aaron. Really well done!
Excellent Aaron. Congratulations!
Awesome review mate, great breakdown in all bikes, what they do and who would benefit from these bikes, in the real world, I have the Himmi, and yes looked at all the bikes that you have reviewed, looking forward to your next review on the Himmi, you hit the nail on the head, I’m happy riding the Himmi, and it’s my second go-to-bike, I Indulged myself to have that off road fun.
Looking forward to your next review Aaron 👍
Many thanks for the video... I was exactly looking for this comparison...
beautiful comparison!!!! Thank you
Well done Aaron. I just tripped over channel and I too was faced with exactly the same decision. I have owned the, then new, RE650 Interceptor and the CFMOTO 800MT and still own a Triumph Thruxton R (as well as BMW's 1200/900s and Ducatis) so you can see I too had that dilemma! I ended up buying the RE450 without riding any of the above 450's so I really took a punt. I was swayed by that RE 'story' (I was in the press trade so attended a few launches) and the overall principle of simplicity. The biggest part of my decision was dealer backup and very poor resale for the CF which will obviously improve in the future.
I've got my Z900 for over 6 years and want to have a second bike for ADV experience. Thanks for the excellent comparison. I think I'll get the 450MT to experience the cross plane parallel twin.
I have to say after watching 20mins of this 30 min clip, I agree with all comments about the Himi. A well done and unbiased review. Thanks,
Excellent review sir. Thank you. The CF Moto looks interesting to me but I’ll stick with my little Kawasaki 400 because it’s cheap. And it only took me 3 gallons to get to Yosemite from Concord California. I’m not blown away from the performance, but I’m blown away by the fuel efficiency.
The longer I look at it, the more I like the Himie. I think it's one of the best looking bikes currently on sale, and it's one of the best looking bike in many years as well. Royal Enfield did very right when designing the bugger! 🤗
Excellent review and I agree with almost all your comments! I've got my eye on the Himy especially that Black and Gold. I've test ridden one and think it handles and performs beautifully for a 450 single, yes, a few footrest vibes but not an issue for me who grew up on British singles. I think both the Triumph 400s look top quality but the Himy is 'more' bike and I like the nakedness too. The CF is too modern looking for me and it's a single I'm after with a longish stroke. If I do take the plunge, the Himy will replace my Hunter 350 which is also a great little bike! I've subscribed so will look forward to your next review on the Himy. All the best, Phil (UK)
Excellent review and sensible advice!
You put alot into this review. And it was excellent.
Thanks for this informative video. I would drop the front forks on the MT about 20mm through the yolks to improve the front end feel especially if the rear suspension lowering option on the shock position is used.
Thank you for this review from Jakarta, Indonesia 😊
Thank you. I really like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.
Hi Aaron, greetings from 🏴 I’ve just found your channel, it’s excellent, I think I’m after an MT too, after a lifetime of Triumphs and currently on an old Himmie! I’ll work my way through your back catalogue!
In India CF Moto came in with a big bang, but fell flat on its face when compared with KTM, Royal enfield, Bajaj, triumph.
CF Moto engines are incredibly bad , after about 10,000 kms they are not the same as above mentioned good brands, C. Moto is a Chinese company which pays more attention to profits, compare to quality.
I KNOW ALL THIS BECAUSE I HAVE OWNED CF MOTO 650MT AND THE ENGINE BLEW UP AT 2595 KMS, AFTER ONE YEAR LONG LEGAL BATTLE COURT RULED IN MY FAVOUR AND I WAS RETURNED EVERY SINGLE PENNY.
Later, I purchased Royal Enfield interceptor 650 And 79,560 kms in 3.2 years later it’s still running like new.
I'm buying the RE bullet. Best looking of the bunch and has the suspension upgrade that the other RE650's need.
@@arnohag1A classic 650 is on the way. Not to hold you off or something.
another hallucination made up story by an indian 😁
and how exactly is this "blew up" means, like pistons jammed or blew up like in the movie or something?
that's because you shouldn't buy a 650mt, which is a model that is infamous, and every brand has it's infamous models, even honda.
you should try out the 800mt or models containing the 450 engine, which is designed 100% by CFmoto and has won tons of fans.
Creo que me acabo de decidir por la GRAN HIMALAYAN 450 .. GRAN VIDEO Y ANALISIS .. SALUDOS DESDE MÉXICO 🇲🇽
Jack of all trades, master of none. Its better to have multiple motorcycles instead of one do it all motorcycle. Having a 411 owner for relaxed ride and a TVS Apache 200 for fun rides. Life is good!
Very nicely done, sir. Great info and thought process. We all obsess, don't we? I love the 450MT, but have head of the front end issue as well. I'll see how this issue develops, as I am in the U.S. and would use a bike like this as a longer distance higher speed bike...
Thank you for this!
I watched a video yesterday, the lead designer for the 450 RE said the lean was due to changes in the suspension geometry after the rest of the bike geometry had been decided.
Good video by the way, very balanced review
Great job doing this review. I'm also torn between the Himi and the MT. However because I'll be using the bike as a commuter, I'm leaning on the Himi as I've heard from some owners of the MT that they're getting a fuel consumption of only 17 kms per liter significantly lower than the Himi. I also like the bloodline of the Himi. Can't wait to purchase one. I'm just waiting it out for some of the kinks to be improved. Cheers. Ride safe.
To give some perspective, Honda Transalp and Suzuki 800DE give the mileage at around 20kmph, which are also twin cylinder engines.
So why does a MT450 give so less mileage whole being lower in weight than Himmy450? If someone knows why please educate us all.
Excellent vid! Thanks!
Well done, fun video. Thanks!
Thank you. Best review I have seen covering these 3 bikes, and I have watched plenty! The bike I chose was the Himalayan 450 and with just over 1000km now run on this bike I think it was a great choice with many significant improvements on my old 411. The side stand is definitely an issue - I have extended mine 35mm which has been a big improvement. I can't understand how RE got that so wrong. Have yet to take it off road but I feel confident it will perform well with all the improvements in suspension, braking and power delivery.
The side stand had to be like that due to center stand offered in himmy which others don't so it make it go to an angle to fit it other wise it will collide with center stand.
@@hdslytro387 Yes, the extension I have made to my side stand now makes it contact the center stand when both are retracted however I now find the bike much easier to get upright from when it is resting on its side stand. I still feel it is a design element that RE could have resolved without too much effort.
Great review, you have to love your bike no matter it's specs. You said it well, it has to speak to you.
Great review! Very detailed and opinion is backed up with logical explanations. Himalayan 450 fits my riding preference.
Excellent review of these bikes
I like your personal taste opinions. Sometimes being good on paper just doesn't sing too😂
Today I brought the New Himalayan 450 ❤
What a review! 😍
Really great review!!! I own a 411 Himalayan and moving from the UK to Australia, so selling up. I've test ridden the 450MT and I agree with everything you say about the bike.
I do think that the suspension setup on the MT would potentially solve some of the handling issues, and I think people are reporting better fuel economy than what the spec says.
Anyway, for me, the Himalayan is a massive disappointment and isn't the bike I wanted them to make. Too many compromises.
Yes, I own the 411 Himi as well. It is definitely a dog. I do think the new 450 will solve all those issues.
@@LordHolley You might have misunderstood the OP. I think he likes the old one and hates the new one.
Can't wait for next year until the new 390 Adventure of KTM comes out to do a comparo with the MT and Himy. Hope you also include ease of basic maintenance for owners like oil change, checking the spark plug, battery changes etc.
Great vid as always bro! Just wanted to correct the fuel consumption on the mt. Been getting at least 25kml on mixed city, hiway, trail, traffic back on the stock 14t sprocket. Now on the 15t (which is only a very cheap $20 upgrade), not only am I getting 28kms per liter, it also solved the jerkiness of the 1st/2nd gear. Some guys on fb are even reporting 31kms per liter 🙂 welcome back to the dirt side and ride tayo soon!
Thanks for the input bro!
what a great video! congrats
Thank you for this wonderful review! I have booked the Scram 400x as my first bike. It will also be the only bike I will have(for city commutes, weekend rides and touring) . You are the only person Ive seen on YT choosing the Himalayan with a reason being other than "Its a Royal Enfield". Watching your video reassured me of my choice of going with Scram 400x. Thank you so much
Je vous remercie pour votre analyse, j'ai testé l’Himalayan 450 que sur la route et je l'ai trouvée très agréable, j'attends de pouvoir tester la CF moto 450mt dans les mêmes conditions, cela me permettra de faire le choix de la moto qui tiendra compagnie à ma moto guzzi v85tt. Grand ✌ de la Haute Savoie en France.
It's still in their early days, but I am looking forward to reviews when ridden with hard panniers and/or soft luggage.
Brilliant work thank you.
Nice and fair review, I understand your choice. I chose the 400x, and after 4000 km every small ride is still just a lot of fun. I have done longer +500 km day trips, and while it´s very comfortable, the lack of wind protection and limited luggage capacity mean it´s certainly no adventure bike. The initial succes of the Triumph 400´s also cause issues with accessories and spare parts delivery, but for the same reason I expect lots of third party products to become available in the near future. The fun is not only for me, the looks and sound of the Scrambler puts a smile on peoples faces along the road as well :-)
I like my Himalayan, I had a few issues with it, but ignoring those the bike is good. Finishing couls he better, but it's mostly when you look at the details. The 450MT looks really good, but I'm more into the looks of the Himalayan. The Scrambler is for people looking for something retro cool... I would probably have gone for it if it wasn't so tall 😂
Bought the new Himalayan back here in India, riding with after market accessories(MOTOTORQUE), havent faced any problems yet completed 1500kms and first service, if you plan to get after market accessories make sure you are Bolting the bolts at right torque specs, and yeah there are vibes that I feel, but I dont mind them as they are just fine not much to be worried about, the engine has this kinda raspy character which you cant say is rough but kinda smooth raspy not sure what I am saying at this point difficult to explain, I like it though, enjoying it!!!!
Absolutely excellent video. Well articulated and you covered EVERYTHING. Well done!
Very well done video my man!
G'day Aaron, I'm an Aussie 450MTowner living here in the Philippines. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy watching your vids. I thought I'd bring up something that no reviewers of the bike are mentioning, that's the fact that here in the Philippines the bikes do not have the "T-BOX" which makes the RIDE APP virtually useless. The main disappointment for me is that I can't download the updated software to fix the choppy throttle issue which is quite severe on my bike. I find it ironic that CFMOTO chose the Philippines to debut this great little bike but deprive us of the opportunity to bring it even closer to being perfect. Wake up CFMOTO, Asia is a huge market, bikes sold in Australia and other countries have the technology so why are we being deprived?
@@pez6056 I’ve just heard about this! Man that is a shame. I’ve just ridden one with the sprocket change and it still felt quite jerky to me.
@@Ride_XP Thanks for the reply Aaron. I watched a vid from an Aussie MT owner, and it took him all of five minutes to update his software and solve the fueling issue on his bike, no more choppy throttle. Apparently the dealers here will be able to update the software, but the shop in Cebu where I purchased the bike was unable to do it when I picked it up, I think it was something to do with CFMOTO not having provided them with the software. I live on Panglao Island Bohol, so it will mean doing approximately 200klm round trip including ferry rides to get the job done when they are able to do it. Please CFMOTO, feel our pain here in the Philippines and provide your loyal riders (I also own an early model 650MT) with a solution to this issue.
My 2022 Himalayan 411 will be a forever bike for me. I love simple. I want a Triumph 400s for fun around town and will end up getting a Can-Am Spyder so my wife and I can ride comfortably together on long trips.
I own the scrambler 400x and of the two himmy and scram I think I'll always take the scrambler since most of the time I'll be in the city or out on the highways with bits of b or c roads and softroads so it perfectly matches the most use case scenario
The overall vehicle height gives a commanding position and it appeals a lot more when you just drive cruising in 50 60mph range
I'm biased but I'll take the Triumph
Himalayan is capable but there is no chance I'll use the extremities it is built for.. and if I have to I'll prefer the xpulse 200 it is even smaller and lighter but not less capable than any of these 450s
great video from the philiphines...greatings from Malaysia
Outstanding review, balanced yet honest and delivered in word perfect English. I’ll probably still go for the 450mt but am looking at the Kove 800x before a final decision. Lightweight adventure bikes are the future.
my suggestion would be, if u already own single / twin choose the opposite, for the first bike, just test ride it. but singles provide bit more character for a first bike, when its get old eventually irreplaceable unlike twins.
Awesome review, especially throwing these bikes around Luzon... those roads and tracks are more like most of the world than a lot of US reviews I've seen. I really like that you stress that so much of your preference for the RE is in intangibles, without throwing any unreasonable shade on the CFMoto offering. I note you also highlight a lot of small things that could be worked on for future model updates to really make these bikes shine. Which got me thinking.
At first glance it's really impressive how well the 450MT stacks up, given how solid the 411 is at being what it is, and how much the 450 seems to improve on it in so many ways. I realised though that while the obvious comparison to the 411 is there, it's misleading. RE have tried to retain what people like about the 411, but when you look at it, the Himi 450 is even more of a ground-up design than the 450MT. RE might have leant on its prior acquisitions to put together the right team for the job but make no mistake, the Himi 450 is a huge leap into the unknown for them. The engine design is by far the most modern thing RE has ever tackled, and while it might not put out class-leading power on paper, I think the fuel efficiency it manages while still making plenty of useful torque in that characteristic tractor-like curve points to some serious engineering work. On top of that, the stressed-member frame is completely new to RE and doing it for the first time on something being marketed for adventure before proving you can build a street bike that doesn't fall apart is ambitious. Even the suspension setup is trying to walk the knife-edge of delivering modern and plush performance while remaining cost-effective - which may well be why they've used the chain drive geometry to increase the anti-squat forces provided by the motor, keeping the suspension design more straightforward.
One thing that seems apparent since the Himi 450 has hit is that RE are rapidly adopting far more modern technologies and approaches to design, engineering and manufacturing than they've ever entertained before, and they're showing they aren't afraid to apply those to older models - for example, some 350cc bikes are hitting showrooms now sporting newer-generation straight-through catalytic converters for better efficiency. I think this rapid modernisation bodes extremely well for both the Himalayan and its new 450cc engine as testbeds for their future plans, and would be an encouraging sign that they are invested in them for the long haul as development platforms.
The 450MT has a lot going for it. Building an affordable, yet high-tech and feature-rich adventure bike on a smaller parallel twin, especially one geared towards road touring with offroad capability being a bonus, is just ideal product design in today's market. Its light weight is a technical accomplishment. Every aspect of it seems to have had at least some thought put into it, and the fact that it provides so much value for the cost gives it a broad market appeal. I think after a couple of model revisions we could see CFMoto deliver a legitimate contender as an ADV at an absolutely unexpected price point; unfortunately the fuel efficiency is concerning. It's not a dealbreaker for its use as a tourer, but it's extremely concerning for its chances at seeing any major updates. I highlighted the Himi's efficiency before, and it's hiding something a little more interesting behind it. India is currently leading the world in its regulation of motorcycle exhaust, and the design factors in an engine that reduce exhaust emissions also tend to reduce power but increase fuel efficiency. These new 2024 lines of Triumph and Royal Enfield motorcycles have been designed knowing they would need to meet BS VI Phase 2 standards, I believe the most restrictive standards currently applied to motorcycles in the world. These are a slightly relaxed version of the strictest standards that will ever be applied to two- and three-wheeled motor vehicles before the effective ban on new fossil fuel vehicles in 2035. Meanwhile there has been no word that I can find of CFMoto bringing a 450 parallel twin to market that complies with India's stringent standards. It's a question mark over the future of the bike, as these standards will likely start to come into effect in the rest of the world towards the end of the decade. It would be a tremendous shame to see the 450MT make so many waves and then disappear in just a few short years. But if they can't build a better 450 twin, it was doomed before it even came to market.
However, even with all of that, it's always the intangibles. if the 450MT is the bike you want right now then damn the emissions. Just don't hold out for any huge model updates unless something changes in the next 12 months or so. And definitely don't buy it - or the Triumph or the Himalayan, for that matter - for what you might be able to make it one day, when the parts exist. Because they just might not.
Excellent comparisons. Really helping me with my choice. Bizarrely I’m moving towards a Honda CRF300 Rally. Mainly because there’s a Honda Dealership in the country I live in (Montenegro) and its reputation for reliability. Otherwise I was thinking about the Himalayan 450. The MT does make more sense but not for my needs. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts or your subscribers thoughts on what I should be considering. I’m probably looking more for a trail bike than an adventure bike, so weight is a consideration. Living in beautiful Montenegro, I have the whole country to explore, so riding a couple of hours on the main roads then going on rough roads is the usage.
Thanks again for your expert insight!
Voge 300 Rally. Pretty much the same as Honda CRF for 4k. Nathan The Postman has a bunch of videos about it. Can’t go wrong with Honda but Voge 300 is an interesting motorcycle for the price, if you’re on a budget. Hope this was helpful.
@@dragutinvukelic8891 the Voge looks good. My concern would be dealership support. Not even sure where to buy in this region.
Do you know how reliable they are?
@@MontenegroRealEstate if that’s the case I would go for Honda then. It’s pricey but maintenance cost and resale values are great. Happy purchase.🤘
@@dragutinvukelic8891 can you believe I’ve found a Voge dealer in Podgorica. Including the ABS it’s literally half the Honda. Chatting with the salesman while watching the RUclips reviews. I think I’ll be ordering the white and Blue Voge. Thanks for the prompt. Had a look at the Honda then decided the Himalayan 450 better value but supplied in Serbia. The Voge is the perfect option. Buying to take off road and green lanes.
@@MontenegroRealEstate Happy trails man!🤘
Great video thanks for that. The choice now on makes and models compared to when I started in the mid eighties is amazing. I can't believe how little Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki feature these days. The Chinese are doing what the Japanese did in the 70's. Thumping the old brands.
Hello Aaron, great video as expected. I will always be grateful for your input, because you have extremely similar points of view. Good luck with your great choice, the himmy.
I would like to ask if you would share your tips for maintaining chrome, engine and tank when being so close to the harsh sea salt.
I live a few meters away from the sea and I just bought a Continental GT Mr. Clean. It’s my first bike but im scared it becomes too rusty due to the salt in the breeze
We were lucky enough to get two MT450s, serial number in the low thousand so one of the first off the production line. We love the bikes - there's nothing bad about it. Sure, there's things that would be an improvement, for instance cruise control would be a nice addition for version 2, and maybe a slightly less thirsty engine. But the benefits are a very low seat, the engine sound, plenty of power, all the things they have thought about, e.g. when you work on the bike everything just makes sense - things are accessible, things aren't over engineered and use simple but effective solutions, it's REALLY well built. The 450MT is already a classic, it's a trendsetter.
I'm actually going to buy a cfmoto 450mt. All 3 are beautiful imo, the triumph is classically good looking, yet modern. The 450 mt looks the most modern and from the reviews the best value and most capable... But I personally the Himalayan is by far the best looking ❤️😎👌
Thank you for the great review and opinion, I’ve been consuming a lot of reviews about these 2 models. I think you are right regarding the design. The Himalayan 450 has that kind of retro vibe, makes me think about the Ducati Desert Sled. The MT looks too modern and actually more like a “toy” rather that a grown man moto, specially the blue and white variant, if that makes any sense.
Great review! I’m not in the market but the CF Moto looks good. I have a dialed in 701 Husqvarna that’s been great but I’m always looking. I’m looking forward to your next video.
An outstandingly complete comparison! I'd be interested to know how
a larger windshield would affect the light front end of the CFmoto at highway speeds.
I think you had it right when you said all the bikes were good, a person just has to pick the one that best fits their riding needs. I have a Zongshen RX4 imported by the California Scooter Company. It is a single cyl. 450 cc with 40 hp in the same category as the three bikes you reviewed. It spoke to me when I wanted something bigger than my 229 cc dual sport. The cfmoto is interesting only because of the twin cyl. engine right now, but I would not turn down a ride on any of the three bikes. They all sound like fun for what they were meant for.
i thought you would pick the triumph for the style , but they are all different , very well explained as to how many differences there are between them , here in the uk - chinese bikes are spare part nightmare sometimes ;;
Thank you. Probably all the same reasons I want to buy the Himi over the other two. I already have a Hunter as my daily commuter but Himi will let me explore more. 😊
Keep the nice work bud
Nice comparo sir! ❤❤❤