In my country, where the 450MTs were globally launched, and where most people ride 100-150cc mopeds and scooters, you can now see 450MTs on a daily basis commuting around Manila. CFMOTO tell me that their main problem is keeping them in stock! I've just ridden the 450MT again in the real world (i.e. not at the launch event) and am stunned at how light it feels between the legs compared to the Himalayan 450. That snatchy fueling is really the main niggle for me, and maybe the clutch feel, which has completely no feedback. I'm a Royal Enfield fan, but I think for riders for whom single-cylinder character, retro looks, or heritage is not a concern, the 450MT just offers the best package at the best price for a small adventure tourer. The feeling of weight on the Himmy is a serious question mark for me as a potential owner, and maybe a distant second are the vibes and the laggy throttle. The Scrambler is a lovely bike as well but not in the same league as the 450MT and Himmy for overall capability.
The feeling of weight in Himalayan completely goes off if you can park the bike relatively straight. The main issue and it is constant irritant when you try to take it of the side stand. Having said that for me specificially I like the Honda NX500 because of its Weight Management. I do not have access to CFMoto in India.
I just don't understand why Kawasaki never made a KLR650 twin. Or why any of the Japanese manufacturers haven't made a small displacement parallel twin enduro? I want a simple, basic enduro to go on trails, but I don't want a single cylinder engine with it's huge vibration and pitter-padder sound. The Tuareg 660 and the CF Moto MT450 are the only good small displacement parallel twin dirtbike enduros.
I traded in my RE Classic 500 for the new Himalayan and couldn't be happier! I don't know if you've seen the black and gold trim in person but it looks amazing and I'm getting lots of compliments. Did 400km in the Alps last weekend with my wife and luggage: power and comfort are absolutely enough for us (we're pretty light). Gas mileage is amazing, we got 3.0L/100km. The drawbacks I'm seeing for now: - Vibes in the footpegs after 5000rpm (mitigated with rubber pegs and good motorcycle boots) - Tiny mirrors. - Feeling heat from the engine on my legs at city speeds + fan turns on all the time. Stock radiator protection may be too restrictive. - Temperature indicator is overly optimistic, it was saying 20C when we clearly felt 13C... - Have to keep the phone screen on for the Google Maps mirroring feature. - Stock headlight isn't bright enough even though it's LED. - No stock hand guards and I can't find any that fit with a two point mouting system (the RE ones are out of stock everywhere). - Brakes are way better than on the old himalayan but still not as good as the Honda's. - Basically all accessories are hard to find right now. And most of the ones that were advertised when the bike was announced have not come out yet, which is disappointing. RE keeps doing that, for example the side cases for the Super Meteor only just came out, a year and a half after the bike was released. Most early adopters have already bought luggage by now... I know it's quite a long list but it's a great bike and I love it! 😂
Great feedback, thanks! I agree that the Himalayan - especially in black & gold, as you say - is very good looking, on a par with the Triumph, but I just feel that up close it looks and feels a bit 'old', hence the number 3 slot. They're all very good bikes, though, and I'd be happy with any of them, tbh :)
Hi, I had a CF Moto NK250 and whilst I enjoyed riding it I had a huge problem with the amount of engine heat and fan turning all the time as well which really spoiled the riding experience. Shame, I was hoping it would be a problem that they fixed on later bikes. Maybe a better quality coolant might help.
Regarding the snatchy throttle, most of the 450MT owner recommend to adjust the cable slack to resolve the issue. As for the foot peg being too high, an optional high seat height 850-870 will resolve the issue for taller rider. Good review!
It doesn’t totally resolve it but it does help. Apparently it’s an issue with the fueling and at low rpms it’s jerky no matter what you do. However There is a fix for the 800 ibex mt that might work for this bike as well. It resets the tps and another sensor and totally eliminated the snatchiness of the throttle
@@RocketMan_Moto True, china brand bike will lack the refinement for now. Hopefully everything will improve in the future. For that price, I'll able to accept it.
I had the 800mt and now the 450mt and both atre jerky. I have all updates, dna air filter, exhaust decat, throtle reset and none fixed the issue. It made it rideable in ttaffic jam, but still really bad when compared to my other bikes. The 450mt after adjust the chain to minimum slack and throtle cable with no slack made it acceptable and I am happy with it. I wouldn't buy another 800mt again, but the 450mt is amazing and I would buy again when compared.
I have owned a grey/black 450mt for 3 weeks now in Australia, I have just done the 1000km run in period and can verify 99% of the throttle snatch can be adjusted out via the cable slack, the high seat gives extra leg room between the pegs. I also have a 23 Africa twin and the 450mt is an excellent bike for the money and in general.
How do you like the gear ratios, specifically 6th gear on the freeway? Is it rideable for extended periods? Do they sell new sprockets to gear it taller? In one review, the person said the gears are super close ratio, and 6th gear turns about 6,000 rpms at 60mph. Is that right?
Himalayan 450 owner here (and an owner of old 411 too). I appreciate your honesty and am not gonna say anything about your comments because you didn’t say anything bad or untrue. Anyway, I am riding primarily off road, and was thinking between 450MT and a Himalayan. I was honestly leaning a little bit more towards the MT, BUT, where I live (Dubai), it is a bit strange market. So Himalayan came and costs exactly 4000€ here when you convert, at the moment. In the meantime, 450MT is not yet available, but they said at the dealer it is gonna arrive end of August and going to cost somewhere between 6000-7000€. As much as I was inclined a bit towards the CFMoto, at that price difference it was a no brainer for me. And another very important thing to consider, might be different in other markets, but here in UAE, there is a rather large Enfield community of amazing people, while CFMoto, has none. So I went with the Enfield. If I was buying a bike in Europe (where I am from), most probably it would have been 450MT
I totally get that. Prices do vary wildly around the world. REs are very competitively priced in their home market, whereas bikes that are cheap for us in Europe are hit by huge import duties, depending on the country. In any event, I'd be happy with any of the 4 bikes here. Thanks for your input (and for not being mean, lol)
The Himalayan is the best looking motorcycle on the entire market right now (not counting fancy cruisers). It's stunning. I think it's one of the nicest looking motorcycles ever manufactured. It's on par with the Ducati 916, the 2002 Ninja, the 1999 Yamaha R1, and all the Triumph Tiger 800, 850, and 900 models. The Himalayan looks like it was designed in the late 1990's, and in the late 1990's, every motorcycle looked beautiful. Most bikes today are just so atrocious! Today's motorcycles are so ugly that I think they are designed with algorithms and random number generators on a CAD program. Have you seen the new Yamaha bikes? The people at Royal Enfield, Triumph, Indian, and CF Moto, are the only people who seem to understand how to design a beautiful motorcycle. The other big manufacturers are making horrendous looking debris; it's so frustrating waiting for this "dark ages" of motorcycling to end, so we can resume the look of the 1990's bikes. The CF Moto MT450 looks good. But the stacked headlight isn't a good design. It looks good, but it would look absolutely amazing if they mounted the lights horizontally like the Triumph Tiger. The Triumph Tiger has the best looking front end of any adventure bike, along with the African Twin.
I own Himalayan 450 since few months. I choose it over triumph scrambler as in my test ride it was stalling on second great before ecu update and buzz in highway speeds. Apart from heat in city traffic there is not much to complain on Himalayan and it's go anywhere stance is a plus and plenty of service centers compared to triumph in my country
I agree that the number of dealers close by is a big factor. If I were in a different country/continent, I'm sure my ranking would be different. Thanks for your input :)
I agree with your comments. I find the throttle snatchy at low speeds, I’m booked in for first service and told them to take the play out of throttle, great little engine with plenty of punch. Im 183cm and 87 kgs, fits me like a glove.
Yes, apparently the cable can be adjusted and this helps. Hope they get it sorted for you, because it's a great 'little' bike. Thanks for your input :)
Currently, I have a CB500X and was contemplating upgrading to the NX500. However, like many enthusiasts, I've spent considerable time evaluating the newly released 450 offerings. Making a purchase without firsthand experience can be daunting, so I decided to visit my local CFMoto dealer for a test ride of the 450SR, which features a similar motor to the 450MT, it was an absolute joy to ride. This positive experience led me to place a fully refundable deposit for the 450MT, which I am excited to pick up soon. The fun ride of the 450SR was a significant deciding factor for me. Additionally, the local CFMoto dealer assured me that they've sold numerous bikes with the same 450 motor without encountering any major issues. The value for money, combined with the extensive network of CFMoto dealers and the attractive 3-year warranty, further influenced my decision, especially compared to Honda's offerings. I also wanted to mention that positive reviews like yours have been incredibly helpful throughout this process. Keep up the great work on your channel!
May I ask why do you want to replace your CB500X? It's still a bike on my mind although I understand it's not an ADV by any means compared to Himalayan & 450MT.
The triumph is a great looking bike. I met some guys off road last weekend who were riding the mt450, they were with some guys riding aprillia Tuaregs and said they had no trouble keeping up and going anywhere the Tuareg could go.
@@RocketMan_Moto I used a BX Meteor for a few weeks in the early 90s. The gearchange was like stirring a pen round in some yoghurt and just hoping for the best. Hated it at the time but would love one now.
Lol, I get that. I’d love to have my BX back for a few days. By today’s standards - some might say even by the standards in the 90s - it was terrible, but I loved it. I fitted a sunroof myself, cutting out the hole with my Black & Decker jigsaw😂
Agree with you 98%, as I'm not as tall as you, I have no issues with feeling cramped on the MT. The MT also comes stock with folding mirrors and folding gear shifter and GPS/phone mount crossbar and an adjustable windshield height function - all these are great haves for off-road riding and cost factor saving considerations when compared to the other brands. Shame about no cruise control.
Ive got a grey 450mt on order can't wait just hoping it turns up ! My dearly hasn't a clue when its coming , demand is very high apparently in England ❤
Great timing! I am going be taking the 450MT for a test ride in a couple of hours. I want something to do gravel roads and a bit of single track. Also, I want to save some mileage on my other bikes. The CF Moto appeals the most in this class. I will ride the Himalayan too. The Honda is a lot more expensive (in New Zealand) and the Triumph is not off-road enough. Nice review!
@@RocketMan_Moto I have had short (30min) ride on it now. There was a queue to test ride it. I agree with everything in the review. For my height (174cm), the layout is pretty good. I could ride it long distances without any issues. The throttle is a bit snatchy. It's not terrible. But, there was excessive throttle play. I think the snatchiness could be tamed pretty easily. Apart from that, it's very surprising in a good way. The engine is really good. It's very smooth and it doesn't really matter what revs it is doing. It is pretty stable on the road. The suspension could possibly be backed off a little. I didn't get to ride it off-road.
@@RocketMan_Moto I probably will buy one. You can't actually get one here yet. It's all pre-order and I think the first batch is pretty much sold out. I should really try and get a test ride on the Himalayan too. It's the only other one I am considering.
I rode the Himalayan a couple of days ago (just as I was putting together this video), but was less convinced by it than I was by the CF Moto. It's noticeably more top heavy, less 'nimble'...
Thanks for posting the comparison review. First up, telling off on the way. You reckon, RM, that it needs a quick shifter! No it doesn’t. A 450 with ok performance and bottom end torque does not need that complexity, although fitting cruise control wound not go amiss. It won’t be long before calls are being made for shifters to be fitted to 250’s. Completely irrelevant unless said bike is being used in anger; a race track. Otherwise that little CF Moto 450 MT is worth a test ride. My only concern would be potential unreliability and warranty concerns.
Given the engine is already on the 450SR, 450NK and CLC450 that is available in the market for 1-2 years. Reliability shouldn't be much of a major concern compare to Himalayan brand new Sherpa engine. Warranty varies to each region I suppose.
@@RocketMan_Moto I had a quick shifter on my 2022 KTM 390 Adventure, it was brilliant to have especially as the bike was a little lacking in overtaking power, being able to whip up the gears was really fun.
“Enfields are built like a gun but I’m not buying a gun.” 😂 I love my Enfields but you’re right, they are getting closer to others in price including the excellent Benelli TRK which would be another value proposition in this sector.
Excellent video, you are eloquent, your statements are well argumented. I hesitate between himalayan and 450mt, but I'm becoming increasingly inclined toward 450 mt... Greetings from Croatia!
The video i was waiting for, and perfect timing for me. I rode the speed 400 (too much vibration to my taste) and struggling to find a demo mt450 (i only sat on one) (which is on top of my current list). I am not surprised by your conclusion. Thx
@@RocketMan_Moto Last week I finally could test one, now my own has been ordered (I could have in blue very quickly but, like you, I prefer the gray -> at least 3 months of wait, but I dp have a bike and in no rush). By the way it seems via the smartphone connection, you can DL and push and upgrade for the throttle issue
I've considered all of those motorcycles and came to the same conclusion, great review the 450mt is supposed to be available this month in the USA was going to inquire in a couple weeks if not I will go for the NX thanks for sharing
Just booked a Test-ride for the NX500 and am really excited. Your video helped me a lot in deciding which bike is the best choice for me, a new rider looking to buy his first bike! Looking forward to taking it up the Douro Valley on some nice scenic twisties once I've built up enough confidence! Cheers and greetings from Porto 🙂
I haven't had the chance to ride the 450MT but have ridden the 450 Himalayan and the Triumph 400 scrambler. The Triumph as you point out is not really an off road tool but to my eyes it looks the best. The Himalayan is a vast improvement on the 411(which I own) but it's price has gone up significantly, the things I didn't like was the side stand really leans over too far and is heavy to pull it upright and the engine produces a lot more vibes. The Honda is not really in the running for me as it's too expensive and a bit bland looking.
I sat on the Himalayan 450 yesterday after testing the CFMoto 450 and couldn't pull it off the sidestand until the salesman helped. Ridiculously top heavy and that with an empty fuel tank. Evan though they're the same weight the CF is FAR better balanced.
@@garyoneill8868 It is actually not very top heavy but it is mostly how they have set the side stand. But it is a definite miss. you do not feel the weight that much if you try to take it off the center stand. Knowing Enfield they will soon come with a recall to change the side stand
Exceptionally well done video! All four are nice machines and difficult to choose...I agree the CFMoto is the one that gets the heart pumping. Not the first review to mention the snatchy throttle down low which could be a problem in technical off road riding and hopefully this can be resolved. Not sure the slack adjust is the answer...The colorway choices are a bit polarizing with the blue/white over the top and the Grey a bit too reserved but the grey would have to be my choice also.....I am especially appreciative of the tubeless tire spec on the 450MT as I do a good amount of off-road.
Running high octane gasoline, that also dulls throttle response. It might be worth a try, running premium fuel. You want to run premium fuel in motorcycles, because they get so incredibly hot at low speeds, and the entire fuel tank heats up. You can actually notice a decrease in power and a softer exhaust note with less rasp, when you switch to high octane fuel. Most people don't realize this, but high octane fuel cuts the horsepower and torque down, and makes for a more "gentle" engine feel. High octane fuel has the effect of retarding the timing, and retarding the timing reduces the throttle response. High octane fuel is more stable though, and it resists pinging (spark knock) (detonation) and it keeps your engine from getting damaged during intense heat and when lugging up hills. Motorcycle engines are extremely tough, but it's not worth the risk of using 87 octane fuel when you're running super high compression.
My choice as well. Im lucky over here in the states, I live where there are 3 established CF Moto dealers all within 30 minutes of my house. So I have the dealer support.
Great review. Thorough and objective for what you want and need. I went the CF Moto as well and agree with all your comments. A lot of the issues with the CF Moto can I think be adjusted apart from the screen font size. I found the throttle very snatchy and the seat too low. I’ll adjust the cable. I have a high seat on order as well as the larger touring screen.
Thanks for your input and kind comments. I'm sure most of the niggles I pointed out can be resolved, it's just a pity they couldn't do it in the factory :)
What about the ultra low gear ratios on the CF Moto MT450 enduro? I really love the bike, and I would consider buying one. I like the look of the Himalayan 450 more, but the Himalayan just has a ton of vibration, compared to the ultra smooth twin cylinder MT450. The only issue is, someone said that the MT450 turns 6,000 rpms at 60mph. That's basically full race gearing, not road gearing. I'm so perplexed why they wouldn't put an overdrive 6th on the bike for extended highway driving, because it's not a race bike. I am wondering if I could put a 10 tooth smaller sprocket on the rear. I wonder if a custom sprocket can be made by a CNC engineering shop?
Most reviews mention the "jerky" or "snatchy" throttle at low rpm, just as this one does. Fortunately, a recent video by Solid in Australia says the problem has been solved with a *new EFI map* downloadable from CFmoto.
I think the tall seat is a must for most people. I can’t understand anyone wanting a bigger screen than this on an ADV, I want wind on my body! I really want this bike!
I test rode a CF Moto 450MT today, the snatchy throttle still exists. From a standing start and jump on the throttle it also misses. It's a smooth bike overall, not super exciting but seems solid. You are right the font size on the screen is too small, especially for someone in their late 40's, easy fix CFMOTO.
Great review, the 450 MT is a very interesting bike. More so, If you take into account that the engine is a KTM design whose launch in a KTM was halted last minute last year as to not canibalize the KTM 390 range.
I think when KTM sees the sales of CF450MT will be very sad to cancel their 500cc twin project. I was expecting that bike a lot cause most of us dont need a 2xx kilo bike. And a KTM500cc twin with maybe 55CV and 175kg dry would have nailed it. And is a different beast than a 390 mono.
I have the Himalayan and my mate had the MT 450. I must say the MT is smooth to ride, but the Himi has so much character, is tuff, and is a joy on and off road
You made an interesting point on pricing. Asking where the 1000 € in the NX 500 are , but mentioning the triumph 900 at 300% the cost. You video is great, a joy to hear proper English... Et quelle agréable surprise de découvrir vos videos francophones. Ceci expliquant cela 👍
Merci! En effet, j’ai réalisé quelques vidéos en français (j’ai vécu 35 ans à Lille), mais malheureusement cela me prenait trop de temps par rapport au nombre de vues, finalement assez décevant🤔
I find the different perceptions people have of whether a bike is big or small interesting. I have done quite a bit of long distance touring on scooters and a Honda XR150L in Asia (admittedly no motorways) and find them fine. Here in Oz I have a CB500X an tbh it feels like a top heavy tank to me in comparison as I do like the lighter bikes. However here you need a more solid, powerful bike due to the higher road speeds whether you like it or not. Anything much smaller would be dangerous and I guess the same would apply in Europe. The 450MT looks fantastic to my eyes and would be more suitable as a small ADV bike than my CB500X I suspect.
I have a deposit in on the 450MT, or Ibex as they will call it in the US. I recently bought a 300 NK and asked the dealer to take the slack out of the throttle cables before delivery, and I do not notice any throttle jerkiness. Regardless, I have now read that an OTA engine remap was issued in Australia at least, to address the jerky low-speed throttle manners. Thanks for a great video!
I’m planning to ride down through the TET from the UK and then across the Atlas Mountains and back - I’ve tried the Himalayan 450 it was great except the stock tyres were no good off-road; need to try the CF Moto out as it might be the one to go for, it has the right tyres and some nice accessories as standard as well as the low seat height I need!
Triumph 400x all the way! the motor and everything feels so much better after break-in. My first ride I too thought the gearing was way too short, however after break in it seems the gears relax a bit and now it think it's perfect! I also noted a huge difference when i changed the tires to a bit taller- it really helped the highway speeds in 6th. Having said that, even with a Puig wind screen I don't adore being on highways doing 70 for hours on this (or any) bike, it is much more fun to ride back roads. With proper tires it is absolutely an off-road beast! those stock anakees are almost worthless offroad in anything wet, but some dual sport tires makes this bike shine off road!
I have to disagree with you on the off road capabilities. I ride my 400X on forest roads and gravel roads all around the Algarve and it is very agile. It reminds me of my CRF250L, just heavier. I did put Mitas Enduro Trail tires on at 3500km and they improved its off road capabilities even more. BTW, I’m 63 and have no problem in the dirt on my Scrambler. I also like the tarmac capabilities as well. It handles the twisties along the N120 extremely well, even with the Trail tires. Also great bike for riding around The Monchique Mountains. It definitely isn’t good for long distances. But it’s not made for that.
I seriously don't see myself getting more than 500cc. The lineup of bikes in this video is more than adequate for my riding style. I like all of them. But, if I had to pick one, I'd choose NX500. I'm biased on Honda. lmao. Such a great bike maker.
I am not sure how a BMW F750GS is a "budget" option. A used one is twice as expensive as any of the brand-new bikes shown in this video. Also, if you buy a 450cc bike, you are not really going for a touring bike. I'm sure it can do 400 km of on/off, no problem.
I also had put a deposit on the Triumph 400X, and eventually went for a test ride then cancelled my order. I wasn't overly impressed and I certainly didn't like the vibes. In the UK, the CF Moto is only £100 more with a 4 year warranty which resets every time you get your bike serviced by a CF Moto dealer.
Thanks for doing the review. I've been riding a CB500x (2017) for the last 2 years as a new rider doing quite a bit of off roading. I was on the fence about either spending a lot of $'s on the Rally raid upgrade or go for a T7 as there isn't much else in this mid range weight bracket. This 450Mt seems to fit into a massive gap in the market with CB500x size and power but decent suspension. another plus is that CFMoto have a reasonably big dealer network in Australia. Time to book a test ride I think.
Another great review, why do you not have a hundred thousand subscribers? I find my self drawn to all these bikes. The triumph is so desirable, the Honda, well enough said, and the CF Moto not only looks the part but rides well . I just do not believe that I could live with 40 horsepower. So that being said I’m going to buy a used Vstrom 650. I hope I don’t regret it. Thanks for all your efforts
Thank you for your kind words, much appreciated. 100k subs would be nice, if only to have the plaque to hang in my garage :) Like you, I would be happy with any of these bikes, they're all very good.
It's ashame about the fuel economy on the CF Moto 450mt. For an adventure bike I was expecting to get at least 400km but seems it falls short at just 350km per tank. The RE 450 brags 450km per tank. With the price of fuel having a vehicle that's economical and can take you where you need to go is a big deal maker for me. Thanks for sharing.
average 4.4L/100km after 2189km including off road ,learning wheelie ,country road and 400km of highway If you can keep the rpm under 6500 during cruising it will go about 420-430km before dry and cruise along in highway at 100kph the fuel consumption is 3.8L/100km shown on the screen
Yes the ratios are close but the engine happily revs all through to redline, I have replaced the front sprocket from 14t to 15t that makes 5250rpm at 100kmh and still very lively in the dirt.
I know it’s not apples to apples, but I test road the CFmoto 650 Adventura and found that fit and finish was lacking. I thought a 5 yrs old Japanese bike would hold up better and longer than the cfmoto 650. I do believe they are improving.
I agree. The 850 MT I tried nearly 2 years ago wasn’t anything special, but progress made with the 450 is tangible. At least on the outside; time will tell how the components stand up. Thanks for your input👍😊
Cross-spoke wheels on the CFMoto. Good-looking bike. My favourite in this test. A booster plug would solve the low-down snatchiness. Assuming one is available. Why is the font so small on the typical dash? My KTM 390 Duke's is dreadful. CFMotos are reliable, so I've been told by people in Thailand. An acquaintance rode a CFMoto from China to England with no issues, and that was ages ago, and they improved since then. I'd probably buy the NX of these four having said all this. Only, I wouldn't buy any of them. I wouldn't say no to a Royal Enfield Scram for use around Chiang Rai. I don't need a screen. Good review. Nick
Yes, I paid my local CF Moto dealership a visit when this bike first arrived. Too physicall bulky for me. The CB 500x is physically smaller, for the same weight.
I had the CFMoto, and the throttle twitchiness at low speeds with the stiff suspension Was just too much at first. I was able to soften the suspension, and that took some of the twitchiness away (because the stiff suspension would vibrate when the hand was on the throttle). I sold mine before even getting the first maintenance, so possibly the throttle got fixed at that time. I wish that it was sized for an average-sized man, 5'10 ". I would love to have both feet on the ground fairly flattish!
Great review, and thank you for sharing. I'm a 411 owner, and aren't really in the market for a bike change. I purchased the Himalayan based on its fantastic reviews, looks and charm. I also considered that my biker mate was going to be riding his C125 Super Cub on our 3k mile camping trip around Europe. However, the C125 was written off by just over a month ago, and said mate is planning to replace it with a CB300R (once his arm heals and insurance pays out). So, if I was buying today (and influenced by both your review and Nathan the postman's), I honestly think I would go for the CFMoto. It really does seem to cover all of the bases, including cost, looks, rideability and equipment. Maybe, I'll give the Himalayan a few years work before I look to change 🤔
Hi there, yeap I am with on this one CF450 is my pick too, as there is a local dealer here in Colchester I think this is the one for me The 450 engine has been around for will in its sport guise and no reports of problems with that Yes resale may be a problem, so may hold off until nice "pre loved" ones come on the market Great vid as ever. Thanks
@@RocketMan_Moto Just an up[date, loving my new bike, BMW R1250R, )Preloved 23 model) after all that hunting and testing, totally left option in the end! But again thanks for all the reviews and tips, nearly got the Speed Twin 1200, but then this £16500 bike with 2800 miles was mine for 11500
The 450MT is clearly a good motorcycle after the tests and I really like it. But I am interested in two things: 1. Servicing and availability of spare parts, given that it is manufactured in China. The concern relates to a possible political tightening, e.g. between the EU and China and trade sanctions (am I paranoid?). 2. How can the 800m seat height be set on the 450MT? Does this just go down like the Hilalaya? I am about 172 cm tall, and a height of 800 mm would suit me best.
Came across a guy with a 1 month old cm450 this week with the recovery guys out trying to fix it. Apparently it started running on one cylinder after a period of "a burning smell". sounds like a burnt out coil maybe? Made me instantly discount the cfmoto as a potential 2nd bike.
Not good, but to be fair, you come across horror stories about every make of car/bike, if you look for them. Warranties are there for a reason… Thanks for sharing, though👍😊
Thanks for posting, I found it very interesting to hear your views on this quartet. I would be interested to see what you think of the Aprilia Tuareg 660 as compared to the four bikes you have tried here and your Triumph Tiger. It is somewhere in between these two ends of the spectrum. I have a 660 in a collection of bikes. It is a "do it all" bike for me.
Great review. I tried the Triumph 400 recently, though I haven’t tried the the new Himalayan I’m guessing I’m going to really like the 450MT - I’m booked to try it shortly and can’t wait. Tried your bike the Rally Pro 900 which was superb but I find these modern adv bikes far too big and ungainly as I get older. Like to get my feet down and feel genuinely comfortable which I now value much more than huge power and top speed. I hear good things about the bigger screen for the MT450 which is now available - should sort that buffeting.
A bigger screen and possibly the taller rally seat - at least for taller riders like me - is all the MT needs really. I hear you re. size of the Tiger. They are very imposing and heavy, but once you're riding them, this is actually an advantage in terms of stability and comfort. Can't have it all ways, I guess. Safe riding :)
@@RocketMan_Moto one of my other bikes is a mk speed triple and it’s like a lump of granite, though fine once moving. My xs850 is the same though much lower down, whilst my 955i Daytona is at least 100lbs lighter than both - the MT450 is almost a toy in comparison!
To me it looks clear that cfmoto designed a direct competitor to the cb500x (nx500), which has been for years considered the reference machine in this class (or invented it perhaps), and cfmoto did it well. In that sense, a customer scenario of a -1 motorbike only in the garage, commute and occasional touring use, I'd still go for the CB/NX. Is a1000£ more worth the peace of mind of having a honda garage in the middle of spain/morocco/norway etc? or the resale value , or finding a good second hand one? for now, for me, answer is yes. in a few years, this will change and they did a good job.
Wouldn't it be the same having, both, 45 hp? I have a KLR 650 2014 (42 hp) and traveled at 120 km/h from Buenos Aires to Cuzco, Perú. 9,600 km. No regrets if you understand what you are riding.
@@RocketMan_Moto oh wow you're quick to answer on comments. Just came here as I recently fell in love with the MT 450 and the german reviews don't do it for me anymore. There even seems to be far more variety in english reviews. The MT ticks all my boxes. I come from a VanVan 125 and want to step up my game a little next year. For now just she is on the top of my list and there even is a dealership relatively close by.
If you put knobblies on the Tiger 900 Rally it is surprisingly capable off road. I'm distinctly average off road, and the Tiger outstrips my limited talents.
What a good combo! Thanks! I'm seriously doubhting between the CF Moto and the Honda. I had a coulpe of Hondas before(Vfr, Hornet)and tried plenty and all of them where good bikes. CF Moto looks more agile and more fun, but long term is a questionmark as you mention. I do more road than dirt and that balances to the Honda... but NX doesnt atracts me... I yet have to test both and decide!
@@RocketMan_Moto Today I'm gona take a first look of the MT at the dealer. Hope they have a test bike available. BTW: have seen some of your videos and when I heard your thoughts about the Speed Twin... It feels so familiar to me and my Ducati Sportclassic 1000. I'm on my late 50's and I`m doing so little kms each year in that great machine... Probably I'm gona sell her soon 😪
I miss my Speed Twin, even though I never rode it much. There's a new one coming in a few weeks, but from the spy shots I've seen, it seems to be just Öhlins shocks (which I put on mine anyway) and a different dash :(
@@RocketMan_Moto So I allready tested the MT. Pretty much impressed. In general very aligned with your opinions. The throttle was not as bad as I thought, maybe because I'm used to a big Ducati Desmodue thats bit of jerky. Suspensions where to stiff for me, no time to explore the adjustments, think it can be solved. Engine was best, no vibrations, progressive, and fun to ride. Clunch is extremly soft but in my opinion a bit lack of sensibility, its good to dont have to efford but you need feel and manage progression also, not only on/off. I'm seriusly considering this bike for a multi-porpouse use that include commuting, twisties excursions for fun, travel (out of highways), bumpy roads and easy offroad. In Madrid dealers are all sold out, no bikes till late november in the best case. Positive is I'll have more time to see reports with certain amount of milage, an unknown territory in this bike. Thanks againg for your valuable review and comparison.
CF Moto one way is the winner. Regarding the level of the foot p you can change the seat for the 865 cm high, and the jerky problem whether CF Moto will remap the ECU or sending to the specialists to do it, that should sort those 2 issues, whereas the wind screen after market parts will do it. Hey you have awesome voice!!!!!
@ but it weighs the same as each other. Matter of fact, cf moto doesn’t have a center stand or crash bars. Take them out from the himmy or add them to the cfmoto now who weighs more? What’s interesting to see tho, and I hope you get to review them, is the upcoming 2025 390 adventure r and the 2025 kle adventure bike from Kawasaki. Also I forgot to mention the 2025 bmw f 450gs.
There is a lot of vibration at higher speeds, but it’s no worse than the other 3. The engine is quite capable of cruising at 120, but you would probably need a bigger windscreen to make it tolerable for you😉
@@RocketMan_Moto Aah ok cool. I'm sure aftermarket solutions will come out. Even with the default windguard turned to the highest position it's still not enough?
Very interesting, thanks. CFMoto is not sold here in Thailand. RE Himalayan is first coming in Nov! Suspect price will be as NX if you want tubeless wheels (yes please). Scrambler 400X is only around 4800EU here Honda 500NX (ex X) is extremely popular here, around 5700EU. I hope you will give us an update on how you get on with your Tiger 900R Pro, is the vibrations something that bother you at high speeds on the motorways?
Snatchy & Jerky throttle response at low speed is the very turn off for me. A pain in the city. Perfect out of the urban areas. But I need to be able to use it in both environments. For the rest is exactly what I am looking for. Will test ride as soon as I can. Thanks for your insights!
Thanks for great video mate. I casually looking for replacement of my old XT660R, and this looks to be pretty close to what I am looking for - light, inexpensive not overpowered. It is hard to get them for rent here in Czech though...
When your video switched from the MT to the NX, looking at the dash it was like going from the 21st century to the 20th century, or like first looking at a Rembrandt painting and then at a B&W photo from 1912. Not sue if I'd trust a Chinese vehicle in long term, though the MT does look good. Thanks for the comparison.
I went trough this choice and have the RE since last week...something about the triumph didnt felt right (it is the prettiest), the honda is just a rebadge i considered buying 2nd hand, between the RE and CF, I think anyone looking at this price point will be happy with both...the cf has better extras and looks like a tipical adventure ( i actually disliked that, looked like marketing designed the bike to tick boxes) but felt unecessary bigger, the RE looked nicer (IMO and live looks different) the side stand thing doesnt bother me and the bike feels very easy to pick up, is nibble enough, smaller than the cf (total volume) and feels shorter than the triumph, the suspension soaks everything (novice offroader), and for now Im very happy with my choice...small note Portugal is pretty mountainous (just not that high) you dont have to go to the pireneus, but you are in the flatter part
Great review and well laid out points, as always. CF Moto is on the rise and once they prove themselves with quality they may be contender to some of the proven brands. Dealer network, warranty on paper (as you said) and lack of knowledge on repair and upkeep on these bikes, are and will remain to be until resolved, or until the brand proves itself as worthy of spending money on. Of course, this is reflected by the incentives in pricing, 20% less is quite a big of a discount, but I will still take Honda any day than any others mentioned. Reliability is something that, in my book, is worth paying for extra, and not easy to accomplish.
Don't forget the CFMoto is a 270° engine, unlike the 180° parallel twin (yawn) Honda. But what if Honda were finally to upgrade all their 500 engines to a 270° crank design? That ancient parallel twin unit needs retiring!
I loved the look of my 2021 Himalayan but sold it after a year because I hated the engine. The bike was in the shop for two months awaiting parts. A good bike but only a lowercase “g”.
all these good reviews on the cf moto but you can't get a test ride in the uk plus you have to wait along time for delivery, I wouldn't take the chance.
@@RocketMan_Moto I have taken some of the slack off already, I had it in first 2 days then haven't experienced it until yesterdays ride, it's definitely fueling, stalled 3 times on traffic clutched-in then downshifted to 2nd engine died, also clutched-in then revving abruptly, it sounds like it chokes then engine dies.
The small text on the dash is probably a software issue, and could be upgraded as a free of charge service, if the factory agrees with you - worth a try, maybe :-)
That was a great review mature, well written not repetitive and i appreciate focus on fit and finish. I agree that the cf Moto is the best it’s a proven engine it sounds fantastic and it’s not as boring or expensive as a Honda. I like the centre stand factory crash bars and luggage and tubeless rims. I think they do a lager screen and I hear all the accessories are extremely cheap. I love my CRF300 Rally but it is small and slow. I’m sure there will be upgrades for the fuelling and they may do a large text option for the TFT. The MT may be my next bike.
It's a good choice. The throttle issue can, according to comments here that owners have posted, be fixed by adjusting the cable. It is a more exciting bike than the sensible Honda.
I'd also go for the CFmoto, it looks like the little brother of the Yamaha 700 Tenere which is one of the nicest looking 'off road road bikes'..what seals a deal for me is getting a bike serviced,is it going to be a faff.?
Rather off-topic but how would you compare it to the 390 ADV, we don't have highway for bikes so having a single cylinder is fine! I'm looking forward to 2025's version of the 390
Like you I own the Triumph Tiger 900 RP…..but I ordered a CFM 450 this week as a “second option bike” Only reason for me is hopefully weight…picking it up from gravel riding any hopefully I’ll also see some lighter maneuvering fun! BTW I love my Tiger
Honestly... yes! As you probably know, I have a 2024 Tiger 900 RP and love it, but if I needed the cash, I would definitely consider downsizing to the 450MT. OK, you don't get cruise control or a heated seat, but other than that it's a very nice 'little' bike :)
Tested myself the cfmoto 450mt and agree generally. But chinese brands even though have made huge steps are still far from the refined engines and gearboxes of the Japanese. So the price difference is justified in my opinion.
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In my country, where the 450MTs were globally launched, and where most people ride 100-150cc mopeds and scooters, you can now see 450MTs on a daily basis commuting around Manila. CFMOTO tell me that their main problem is keeping them in stock!
I've just ridden the 450MT again in the real world (i.e. not at the launch event) and am stunned at how light it feels between the legs compared to the Himalayan 450. That snatchy fueling is really the main niggle for me, and maybe the clutch feel, which has completely no feedback.
I'm a Royal Enfield fan, but I think for riders for whom single-cylinder character, retro looks, or heritage is not a concern, the 450MT just offers the best package at the best price for a small adventure tourer. The feeling of weight on the Himmy is a serious question mark for me as a potential owner, and maybe a distant second are the vibes and the laggy throttle. The Scrambler is a lovely bike as well but not in the same league as the 450MT and Himmy for overall capability.
Completely agree. Thanks for your balanced, objective input👍😊
The feeling of weight in Himalayan completely goes off if you can park the bike relatively straight. The main issue and it is constant irritant when you try to take it of the side stand. Having said that for me specificially I like the Honda NX500 because of its Weight Management. I do not have access to CFMoto in India.
I just don't understand why Kawasaki never made a KLR650 twin. Or why any of the Japanese manufacturers haven't made a small displacement parallel twin enduro? I want a simple, basic enduro to go on trails, but I don't want a single cylinder engine with it's huge vibration and pitter-padder sound. The Tuareg 660 and the CF Moto MT450 are the only good small displacement parallel twin dirtbike enduros.
@starseeddeluxe the yamaha tene re 700 is also twin engine and so is the transalp. In Poland tenere and transalp are cheaper than aprilia.
@@Ride_XP it’s a shame the MT is ugly!!
I traded in my RE Classic 500 for the new Himalayan and couldn't be happier! I don't know if you've seen the black and gold trim in person but it looks amazing and I'm getting lots of compliments. Did 400km in the Alps last weekend with my wife and luggage: power and comfort are absolutely enough for us (we're pretty light). Gas mileage is amazing, we got 3.0L/100km.
The drawbacks I'm seeing for now:
- Vibes in the footpegs after 5000rpm (mitigated with rubber pegs and good motorcycle boots)
- Tiny mirrors.
- Feeling heat from the engine on my legs at city speeds + fan turns on all the time. Stock radiator protection may be too restrictive.
- Temperature indicator is overly optimistic, it was saying 20C when we clearly felt 13C...
- Have to keep the phone screen on for the Google Maps mirroring feature.
- Stock headlight isn't bright enough even though it's LED.
- No stock hand guards and I can't find any that fit with a two point mouting system (the RE ones are out of stock everywhere).
- Brakes are way better than on the old himalayan but still not as good as the Honda's.
- Basically all accessories are hard to find right now. And most of the ones that were advertised when the bike was announced have not come out yet, which is disappointing. RE keeps doing that, for example the side cases for the Super Meteor only just came out, a year and a half after the bike was released. Most early adopters have already bought luggage by now...
I know it's quite a long list but it's a great bike and I love it! 😂
Great feedback, thanks! I agree that the Himalayan - especially in black & gold, as you say - is very good looking, on a par with the Triumph, but I just feel that up close it looks and feels a bit 'old', hence the number 3 slot. They're all very good bikes, though, and I'd be happy with any of them, tbh :)
Hi, I had a CF Moto NK250 and whilst I enjoyed riding it I had a huge problem with the amount of engine heat and fan turning all the time as well which really spoiled the riding experience. Shame, I was hoping it would be a problem that they fixed on later bikes. Maybe a better quality coolant might help.
Regarding the snatchy throttle, most of the 450MT owner recommend to adjust the cable slack to resolve the issue. As for the foot peg being too high, an optional high seat height 850-870 will resolve the issue for taller rider.
Good review!
It doesn’t totally resolve it but it does help. Apparently it’s an issue with the fueling and at low rpms it’s jerky no matter what you do. However There is a fix for the 800 ibex mt that might work for this bike as well. It resets the tps and another sensor and totally eliminated the snatchiness of the throttle
Thanks. Yes, I’m sure a bit of fettling will improve things, but these are issues that really should be ironed out in the factory🤔
@@IAmYourReflection hopefully there will be an OTA update for 450MT to resolve the issue just like 800MT
@@RocketMan_Moto True, china brand bike will lack the refinement for now. Hopefully everything will improve in the future. For that price, I'll able to accept it.
I had the 800mt and now the 450mt and both atre jerky. I have all updates, dna air filter, exhaust decat, throtle reset and none fixed the issue. It made it rideable in ttaffic jam, but still really bad when compared to my other bikes. The 450mt after adjust the chain to minimum slack and throtle cable with no slack made it acceptable and I am happy with it. I wouldn't buy another 800mt again, but the 450mt is amazing and I would buy again when compared.
I have owned a grey/black 450mt for 3 weeks now in Australia, I have just done the 1000km run in period and can verify 99% of the throttle snatch can be adjusted out via the cable slack, the high seat gives extra leg room between the pegs. I also have a 23 Africa twin and the 450mt is an excellent bike for the money and in general.
Thanks for your input :)
This is good to know about the throttle! 450 MT happy camper blk thanks for your input!
How do you like the gear ratios, specifically 6th gear on the freeway? Is it rideable for extended periods? Do they sell new sprockets to gear it taller? In one review, the person said the gears are super close ratio, and 6th gear turns about 6,000 rpms at 60mph. Is that right?
Himalayan 450 owner here (and an owner of old 411 too). I appreciate your honesty and am not gonna say anything about your comments because you didn’t say anything bad or untrue. Anyway, I am riding primarily off road, and was thinking between 450MT and a Himalayan. I was honestly leaning a little bit more towards the MT, BUT, where I live (Dubai), it is a bit strange market. So Himalayan came and costs exactly 4000€ here when you convert, at the moment. In the meantime, 450MT is not yet available, but they said at the dealer it is gonna arrive end of August and going to cost somewhere between 6000-7000€. As much as I was inclined a bit towards the CFMoto, at that price difference it was a no brainer for me. And another very important thing to consider, might be different in other markets, but here in UAE, there is a rather large Enfield community of amazing people, while CFMoto, has none. So I went with the Enfield. If I was buying a bike in Europe (where I am from), most probably it would have been 450MT
I totally get that. Prices do vary wildly around the world. REs are very competitively priced in their home market, whereas bikes that are cheap for us in Europe are hit by huge import duties, depending on the country. In any event, I'd be happy with any of the 4 bikes here. Thanks for your input (and for not being mean, lol)
The Himalayan is the best looking motorcycle on the entire market right now (not counting fancy cruisers). It's stunning. I think it's one of the nicest looking motorcycles ever manufactured. It's on par with the Ducati 916, the 2002 Ninja, the 1999 Yamaha R1, and all the Triumph Tiger 800, 850, and 900 models.
The Himalayan looks like it was designed in the late 1990's, and in the late 1990's, every motorcycle looked beautiful. Most bikes today are just so atrocious! Today's motorcycles are so ugly that I think they are designed with algorithms and random number generators on a CAD program. Have you seen the new Yamaha bikes?
The people at Royal Enfield, Triumph, Indian, and CF Moto, are the only people who seem to understand how to design a beautiful motorcycle. The other big manufacturers are making horrendous looking debris; it's so frustrating waiting for this "dark ages" of motorcycling to end, so we can resume the look of the 1990's bikes.
The CF Moto MT450 looks good. But the stacked headlight isn't a good design. It looks good, but it would look absolutely amazing if they mounted the lights horizontally like the Triumph Tiger. The Triumph Tiger has the best looking front end of any adventure bike, along with the African Twin.
I own Himalayan 450 since few months. I choose it over triumph scrambler as in my test ride it was stalling on second great before ecu update and buzz in highway speeds. Apart from heat in city traffic there is not much to complain on Himalayan and it's go anywhere stance is a plus and plenty of service centers compared to triumph in my country
I agree that the number of dealers close by is a big factor. If I were in a different country/continent, I'm sure my ranking would be different. Thanks for your input :)
I agree with your ranking. Looks like the CFMoto is the new kid on the block. Great video as always .
Thanks 👍
I agree with your comments. I find the throttle snatchy at low speeds, I’m booked in for first service and told them to take the play out of throttle, great little engine with plenty of punch. Im 183cm and 87 kgs, fits me like a glove.
Yes, apparently the cable can be adjusted and this helps. Hope they get it sorted for you, because it's a great 'little' bike. Thanks for your input :)
Currently, I have a CB500X and was contemplating upgrading to the NX500. However, like many enthusiasts, I've spent considerable time evaluating the newly released 450 offerings. Making a purchase without firsthand experience can be daunting, so I decided to visit my local CFMoto dealer for a test ride of the 450SR, which features a similar motor to the 450MT, it was an absolute joy to ride. This positive experience led me to place a fully refundable deposit for the 450MT, which I am excited to pick up soon. The fun ride of the 450SR was a significant deciding factor for me. Additionally, the local CFMoto dealer assured me that they've sold numerous bikes with the same 450 motor without encountering any major issues. The value for money, combined with the extensive network of CFMoto dealers and the attractive 3-year warranty, further influenced my decision, especially compared to Honda's offerings.
I also wanted to mention that positive reviews like yours have been incredibly helpful throughout this process. Keep up the great work on your channel!
Thanks for your input and kind words of encouragement :)
the thing i love most about this 450 engine is its sound. how amazing damn.
It does have a surprisingly beefy sound for a 450
Honda has 5 year warranty
May I ask why do you want to replace your CB500X? It's still a bike on my mind although I understand it's not an ADV by any means compared to Himalayan & 450MT.
The triumph is a great looking bike. I met some guys off road last weekend who were riding the mt450, they were with some guys riding aprillia Tuaregs and said they had no trouble keeping up and going anywhere the Tuareg could go.
I can believe that, the 450MT surprised me by how good its engine & suspension felt. Thanks for your input :)
Ha ha ha this is the first bike review I’ve ever seen that references a Citroen BX. Lovely. Cheers for another great video.
I guess many viewers won’t have a clue what a BX is, but I had a 16TRS in the early 90s. Weird brakes, but surprisingly rapid for the time😊
@@RocketMan_Moto I used a BX Meteor for a few weeks in the early 90s. The gearchange was like stirring a pen round in some yoghurt and just hoping for the best. Hated it at the time but would love one now.
Lol, I get that. I’d love to have my BX back for a few days. By today’s standards - some might say even by the standards in the 90s - it was terrible, but I loved it. I fitted a sunroof myself, cutting out the hole with my Black & Decker jigsaw😂
I think I see more and more reviews for CF MOTO 450, maybe it will be a popular bike. Thanks for sharing :)
I definitely think it’s worth considering. Great little bike. Thanks for your input 👍😊
Agree with you 98%, as I'm not as tall as you, I have no issues with feeling cramped on the MT. The MT also comes stock with folding mirrors and folding gear shifter and GPS/phone mount crossbar and an adjustable windshield height function - all these are great haves for off-road riding and cost factor saving considerations when compared to the other brands. Shame about no cruise control.
Yes, very well equipped. Thanks for your input👍😊
Ive got a grey 450mt on order can't wait just hoping it turns up ! My dearly hasn't a clue when its coming , demand is very high apparently in England ❤
Good choice👍😊The dealer here said if I ordered now, I’d get it in September. But only the blue one. Grey is October😳
I've just spent thirty minutes testing the CFMoto 450MT on some rural hills and I was very, very surprised. What a package!
My thoughts exactly - a surprisingly good bike!
Great timing!
I am going be taking the 450MT for a test ride in a couple of hours.
I want something to do gravel roads and a bit of single track. Also, I want to save some mileage on my other bikes.
The CF Moto appeals the most in this class. I will ride the Himalayan too. The Honda is a lot more expensive (in New Zealand) and the Triumph is not off-road enough.
Nice review!
The CF Moto is currently best in class, imo. Enjoy the test ride😊👍
@@RocketMan_Moto I have had short (30min) ride on it now. There was a queue to test ride it.
I agree with everything in the review.
For my height (174cm), the layout is pretty good. I could ride it long distances without any issues.
The throttle is a bit snatchy. It's not terrible. But, there was excessive throttle play. I think the snatchiness could be tamed pretty easily.
Apart from that, it's very surprising in a good way.
The engine is really good. It's very smooth and it doesn't really matter what revs it is doing.
It is pretty stable on the road. The suspension could possibly be backed off a little.
I didn't get to ride it off-road.
Sounds as though you enjoyed it. Do you think you'll buy one?
@@RocketMan_Moto I probably will buy one.
You can't actually get one here yet. It's all pre-order and I think the first batch is pretty much sold out.
I should really try and get a test ride on the Himalayan too. It's the only other one I am considering.
I rode the Himalayan a couple of days ago (just as I was putting together this video), but was less convinced by it than I was by the CF Moto. It's noticeably more top heavy, less 'nimble'...
Thanks for posting the comparison review. First up, telling off on the way. You reckon, RM, that it needs a quick shifter! No it doesn’t. A 450 with ok performance and bottom end torque does not need that complexity, although fitting cruise control wound not go amiss.
It won’t be long before calls are being made for shifters to be fitted to 250’s. Completely irrelevant unless said bike is being used in anger; a race track. Otherwise that little CF Moto 450 MT is worth a test ride. My only concern would be potential unreliability and warranty concerns.
Lol, I think shifters should be on all bikes. Love ‘em😊
Why would it be unreliable ? It’s not a BMW !
Given the engine is already on the 450SR, 450NK and CLC450 that is available in the market for 1-2 years. Reliability shouldn't be much of a major concern compare to Himalayan brand new Sherpa engine.
Warranty varies to each region I suppose.
@@RocketMan_Moto I had a quick shifter on my 2022 KTM 390 Adventure, it was brilliant to have especially as the bike was a little lacking in overtaking power, being able to whip up the gears was really fun.
Quick shifter is no more complex than cruise control. Either won't happen on this bike because it's a cable throttle.
“Enfields are built like a gun but I’m not buying a gun.” 😂
I love my Enfields but you’re right, they are getting closer to others in price including the excellent Benelli TRK which would be another value proposition in this sector.
I tried the TRK about 5 years ago (before I was a RUclipsr), but found it very heavy. Thanks for your input :)
Excellent video, you are eloquent, your statements are well argumented. I hesitate between himalayan and 450mt, but I'm becoming increasingly inclined toward 450 mt...
Greetings from Croatia!
Thank you :) All the bikes here are good, but as I said in the video, my preference would be for the CF Moto.
The video i was waiting for, and perfect timing for me. I rode the speed 400 (too much vibration to my taste) and struggling to find a demo mt450 (i only sat on one) (which is on top of my current list). I am not surprised by your conclusion. Thx
Glad to be of help. I hope you get to try the 450MT soon, it's worth the wait. Thanks for your input :)
@@RocketMan_Moto Last week I finally could test one, now my own has been ordered (I could have in blue very quickly but, like you, I prefer the gray -> at least 3 months of wait, but I dp have a bike and in no rush). By the way it seems via the smartphone connection, you can DL and push and upgrade for the throttle issue
Great video 📹 👍
Clear comparisons, very objective and clear voice tone, at a normal understandable pace.
Glad it was helpful!👍😊
I've considered all of those motorcycles and came to the same conclusion, great review the 450mt is supposed to be available this month in the USA was going to inquire in a couple weeks if not I will go for the NX thanks for sharing
Thanks, Michael. MT would be my first choice, then NX👍😊
Just booked a Test-ride for the NX500 and am really excited. Your video helped me a lot in deciding which bike is the best choice for me, a new rider looking to buy his first bike!
Looking forward to taking it up the Douro Valley on some nice scenic twisties once I've built up enough confidence! Cheers and greetings from Porto 🙂
I would be perfectly happy with the NX, hope you enjoy your test ride :)
I haven't had the chance to ride the 450MT but have ridden the 450 Himalayan and the Triumph 400 scrambler. The Triumph as you point out is not really an off road tool but to my eyes it looks the best. The Himalayan is a vast improvement on the 411(which I own) but it's price has gone up significantly, the things I didn't like was the side stand really leans over too far and is heavy to pull it upright and the engine produces a lot more vibes. The Honda is not really in the running for me as it's too expensive and a bit bland looking.
Completely agree. Thanks for your input👍😊
I sat on the Himalayan 450 yesterday after testing the CFMoto 450 and couldn't pull it off the sidestand until the salesman helped. Ridiculously top heavy and that with an empty fuel tank. Evan though they're the same weight the CF is FAR better balanced.
I agree it's very heavy. This is what I mean really when I refer to it as 'industrial'
@@garyoneill8868 It is actually not very top heavy but it is mostly how they have set the side stand. But it is a definite miss. you do not feel the weight that much if you try to take it off the center stand. Knowing Enfield they will soon come with a recall to change the side stand
Exceptionally well done video! All four are nice machines and difficult to choose...I agree the CFMoto is the one that gets the heart pumping. Not the first review to mention the snatchy throttle down low which could be a problem in technical off road riding and hopefully this can be resolved. Not sure the slack adjust is the answer...The colorway choices are a bit polarizing with the blue/white over the top and the Grey a bit too reserved but the grey would have to be my choice also.....I am especially appreciative of the tubeless tire spec on the 450MT as I do a good amount of off-road.
It certainly is well-equipped. Tubeless and folding mirrors👍😊
Running high octane gasoline, that also dulls throttle response. It might be worth a try, running premium fuel. You want to run premium fuel in motorcycles, because they get so incredibly hot at low speeds, and the entire fuel tank heats up. You can actually notice a decrease in power and a softer exhaust note with less rasp, when you switch to high octane fuel.
Most people don't realize this, but high octane fuel cuts the horsepower and torque down, and makes for a more "gentle" engine feel. High octane fuel has the effect of retarding the timing, and retarding the timing reduces the throttle response.
High octane fuel is more stable though, and it resists pinging (spark knock) (detonation) and it keeps your engine from getting damaged during intense heat and when lugging up hills. Motorcycle engines are extremely tough, but it's not worth the risk of using 87 octane fuel when you're running super high compression.
My choice as well. Im lucky over here in the states, I live where there are 3 established CF Moto dealers all within 30 minutes of my house. So I have the dealer support.
Sounds perfect! Have you managed to reduce the throttle snatchiness?
@@drzrider3440 do they have any yet?
Great review. Thorough and objective for what you want and need. I went the CF Moto as well and agree with all your comments. A lot of the issues with the CF Moto can I think be adjusted apart from the screen font size. I found the throttle very snatchy and the seat too low. I’ll adjust the cable. I have a high seat on order as well as the larger touring screen.
Thanks for your input and kind comments. I'm sure most of the niggles I pointed out can be resolved, it's just a pity they couldn't do it in the factory :)
What about the ultra low gear ratios on the CF Moto MT450 enduro? I really love the bike, and I would consider buying one. I like the look of the Himalayan 450 more, but the Himalayan just has a ton of vibration, compared to the ultra smooth twin cylinder MT450. The only issue is, someone said that the MT450 turns 6,000 rpms at 60mph. That's basically full race gearing, not road gearing. I'm so perplexed why they wouldn't put an overdrive 6th on the bike for extended highway driving, because it's not a race bike. I am wondering if I could put a 10 tooth smaller sprocket on the rear. I wonder if a custom sprocket can be made by a CNC engineering shop?
Most reviews mention the "jerky" or "snatchy" throttle at low rpm, just as this one does. Fortunately,
a recent video by Solid in Australia says the problem has been solved with a *new EFI map* downloadable from CFmoto.
Yes, I’ve been told that the latest update works wonders👍
They're running the bike lean at low RPMS to get through Euro emissions, which causes jerky throttle...have to get it mapped out.
Yes. Apparently, adjusting the throttle cable helps a bit?? Thanks for your input :)
I think the tall seat is a must for most people.
I can’t understand anyone wanting a bigger screen than this on an ADV, I want wind on my body!
I really want this bike!
It’s a good bike. Great engine 👍
I test rode a CF Moto 450MT today, the snatchy throttle still exists. From a standing start and jump on the throttle it also misses. It's a smooth bike overall, not super exciting but seems solid. You are right the font size on the screen is too small, especially for someone in their late 40's, easy fix CFMOTO.
Thanks for your input👍😊
Great review, the 450 MT is a very interesting bike. More so, If you take into account that the engine is a KTM design whose launch in a KTM was halted last minute last year as to not canibalize the KTM 390 range.
Thanks. Yes, definitely my number 1 pick among small-capacity adventure bikes at the moment👍😊
I think when KTM sees the sales of CF450MT will be very sad to cancel their 500cc twin project. I was expecting that bike a lot cause most of us dont need a 2xx kilo bike. And a KTM500cc twin with maybe 55CV and 175kg dry would have nailed it. And is a different beast than a 390 mono.
Good point
I have the Himalayan and my mate had the MT 450. I must say the MT is smooth to ride, but the Himi has so much character, is tuff, and is a joy on and off road
Thanks for your input. Ride safe👍😊
Just picked up a new NX500 last weekend and love it. We may eventually get 450MT in Canada and I do like the TFT layout a lot better than the NX500.
The NX is a great bike. Enjoy :)
Hi, thanks for the review on CFMoto 450MT. I already order a grey low fender one and I got a long queu to have the bike. Can't wait to ride it soon.
Nice choice, Erik. It’s a great bike, worth the wait👍😊
You made an interesting point on pricing. Asking where the 1000 € in the NX 500 are , but mentioning the triumph 900 at 300% the cost.
You video is great, a joy to hear proper English... Et quelle agréable surprise de découvrir vos videos francophones. Ceci expliquant cela 👍
Merci! En effet, j’ai réalisé quelques vidéos en français (j’ai vécu 35 ans à Lille), mais malheureusement cela me prenait trop de temps par rapport au nombre de vues, finalement assez décevant🤔
I find the different perceptions people have of whether a bike is big or small interesting. I have done quite a bit of long distance touring on scooters and a Honda XR150L in Asia (admittedly no motorways) and find them fine. Here in Oz I have a CB500X an tbh it feels like a top heavy tank to me in comparison as I do like the lighter bikes. However here you need a more solid, powerful bike due to the higher road speeds whether you like it or not. Anything much smaller would be dangerous and I guess the same would apply in Europe. The 450MT looks fantastic to my eyes and would be more suitable as a small ADV bike than my CB500X I suspect.
The 450 MT doesn’t feel that different to a CB500X / NX500, tbh
I have a deposit in on the 450MT, or Ibex as they will call it in the US. I recently bought a 300 NK and asked the dealer to take the slack out of the throttle cables before delivery, and I do not notice any throttle jerkiness. Regardless, I have now read that an OTA engine remap was issued in Australia at least, to address the jerky low-speed throttle manners. Thanks for a great video!
Thanks for the heads-up re. the software update. Enjoy your Ibex😊👍
I’m planning to ride down through the TET from the UK and then across the Atlas Mountains and back - I’ve tried the Himalayan 450 it was great except the stock tyres were no good off-road; need to try the CF Moto out as it might be the one to go for, it has the right tyres and some nice accessories as standard as well as the low seat height I need!
If I had a long distance ahead of me, I think I would take either the MT or the NX.
Finally Yamaha launches it's T4. Great.
New T7 round the corner, apparently
@@RocketMan_MotoI'm sure it will be brilliant and even more expensive than current one 😢
Yes, Yamahas are getting very expensive
Triumph 400x all the way! the motor and everything feels so much better after break-in. My first ride I too thought the gearing was way too short, however after break in it seems the gears relax a bit and now it think it's perfect! I also noted a huge difference when i changed the tires to a bit taller- it really helped the highway speeds in 6th. Having said that, even with a Puig wind screen I don't adore being on highways doing 70 for hours on this (or any) bike, it is much more fun to ride back roads. With proper tires it is absolutely an off-road beast! those stock anakees are almost worthless offroad in anything wet, but some dual sport tires makes this bike shine off road!
Sounds as if you got the right bike for you! Thanks for your input😊👍
I have to disagree with you on the off road capabilities. I ride my 400X on forest roads and gravel roads all around the Algarve and it is very agile. It reminds me of my CRF250L, just heavier. I did put Mitas Enduro Trail tires on at 3500km and they improved its off road capabilities even more. BTW, I’m 63 and have no problem in the dirt on my Scrambler. I also like the tarmac capabilities as well. It handles the twisties along the N120 extremely well, even with the Trail tires. Also great bike for riding around The Monchique Mountains. It definitely isn’t good for long distances. But it’s not made for that.
Not great on the A22, either😉
I seriously don't see myself getting more than 500cc. The lineup of bikes in this video is more than adequate for my riding style. I like all of them. But, if I had to pick one, I'd choose NX500.
I'm biased on Honda. lmao. Such a great bike maker.
I agree. I have owned several Hondas (and still run an ADV 350), and have been more than happy with them all👍😊
These bikes are good for local rides. Riding LD to Pyrenees or Alps on a budget F750GS will do.
There are better bikes for distance, yes👍
I am not sure how a BMW F750GS is a "budget" option. A used one is twice as expensive as any of the brand-new bikes shown in this video. Also, if you buy a 450cc bike, you are not really going for a touring bike. I'm sure it can do 400 km of on/off, no problem.
I also had put a deposit on the Triumph 400X, and eventually went for a test ride then cancelled my order. I wasn't overly impressed and I certainly didn't like the vibes. In the UK, the CF Moto is only £100 more with a 4 year warranty which resets every time you get your bike serviced by a CF Moto dealer.
I would take the CF over the 400X
Thanks for doing the review. I've been riding a CB500x (2017) for the last 2 years as a new rider doing quite a bit of off roading. I was on the fence about either spending a lot of $'s on the Rally raid upgrade or go for a T7 as there isn't much else in this mid range weight bracket. This 450Mt seems to fit into a massive gap in the market with CB500x size and power but decent suspension. another plus is that CFMoto have a reasonably big dealer network in Australia. Time to book a test ride I think.
Thanks, Ian. The MT would probably make for a decent upgrade over your 500X👍
Another great review, why do you not have a hundred thousand subscribers? I find my self drawn to all these bikes. The triumph is so desirable, the Honda, well enough said, and the CF Moto not only looks the part but rides well . I just do not believe that I could live with 40 horsepower. So that being said I’m going to buy a used Vstrom 650. I hope I don’t regret it. Thanks for all your efforts
Thank you for your kind words, much appreciated. 100k subs would be nice, if only to have the plaque to hang in my garage :) Like you, I would be happy with any of these bikes, they're all very good.
It's ashame about the fuel economy on the CF Moto 450mt. For an adventure bike I was expecting to get at least 400km but seems it falls short at just 350km per tank. The RE 450 brags 450km per tank. With the price of fuel having a vehicle that's economical and can take you where you need to go is a big deal maker for me.
Thanks for sharing.
I often don’t have the time to measure fuel economy in a meaningful way on these QuickTests, so your input on the subject is appreciated😊👍
Chinese technology. It is way harder to make good engine than most of u guys think.
Fuel mileage tends to go up after break in period
True👍
average 4.4L/100km after 2189km including off road ,learning wheelie ,country road and 400km of highway If you can keep the rpm under 6500 during cruising it will go about 420-430km before dry and cruise along in highway at 100kph the fuel consumption is 3.8L/100km shown on the screen
Yes the ratios are close but the engine happily revs all through to redline, I have replaced the front sprocket from 14t to 15t that makes 5250rpm at 100kmh and still very lively in the dirt.
I think many owners do that. Thanks for your input :)
I know it’s not apples to apples, but I test road the CFmoto 650 Adventura and found that fit and finish was lacking. I thought a 5 yrs old Japanese bike would hold up better and longer than the cfmoto 650. I do believe they are improving.
I agree. The 850 MT I tried nearly 2 years ago wasn’t anything special, but progress made with the 450 is tangible. At least on the outside; time will tell how the components stand up. Thanks for your input👍😊
The snatchy throttle has been corrected in an OTA (over the air) update recently
Good to hear. Thanks :)
regarding the feuling at low rpm, thats probably an emmisions thing its getting more and more common on new bikes. an ecu flash should fix this.
Yes, Euro 5 regulations😉
Cross-spoke wheels on the CFMoto. Good-looking bike. My favourite in this test. A booster plug would solve the low-down snatchiness. Assuming one is available. Why is the font so small on the typical dash? My KTM 390 Duke's is dreadful. CFMotos are reliable, so I've been told by people in Thailand. An acquaintance rode a CFMoto from China to England with no issues, and that was ages ago, and they improved since then. I'd probably buy the NX of these four having said all this. Only, I wouldn't buy any of them. I wouldn't say no to a Royal Enfield Scram for use around Chiang Rai. I don't need a screen.
Good review. Nick
Thanks for your feedback, Nick👍😊
Amazing and super well informed brief about the new kids against the old ones!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it👍😊
Yes, I paid my local CF Moto dealership a visit when this bike first arrived. Too physicall bulky for me. The CB 500x is physically smaller, for the same weight.
So you went for the 500X? How do you like it?
@@RocketMan_Moto No. I am waiting for the 2025 ktm 390. I reckon that might be the unicorn.
At 20-30kgs lighter
@@rod1449 No such thing as a unicorn
I can dream
I had the CFMoto, and the throttle twitchiness at low speeds with the stiff suspension Was just too much at first. I was able to soften the suspension, and that took some of the twitchiness away (because the stiff suspension would vibrate when the hand was on the throttle). I sold mine before even getting the first maintenance, so possibly the throttle got fixed at that time. I wish that it was sized for an average-sized man, 5'10 ". I would love to have both feet on the ground fairly flattish!
Wow, that’s interesting feedback. Thanks! Any idea what bike you’re going to get now?
Great review, and thank you for sharing. I'm a 411 owner, and aren't really in the market for a bike change. I purchased the Himalayan based on its fantastic reviews, looks and charm. I also considered that my biker mate was going to be riding his C125 Super Cub on our 3k mile camping trip around Europe. However, the C125 was written off by just over a month ago, and said mate is planning to replace it with a CB300R (once his arm heals and insurance pays out). So, if I was buying today (and influenced by both your review and Nathan the postman's), I honestly think I would go for the CFMoto. It really does seem to cover all of the bases, including cost, looks, rideability and equipment. Maybe, I'll give the Himalayan a few years work before I look to change 🤔
As I said, I'd be happy with any of these bikes, including the Himalayan. Enjoy :)
Nice review. Ordered my cfmoto just waiting on delivery
Best of this bunch. Very good engine. When will yours be coming?
Hi there, yeap I am with on this one CF450 is my pick too, as there is a local dealer here in Colchester I think this is the one for me
The 450 engine has been around for will in its sport guise and no reports of problems with that
Yes resale may be a problem, so may hold off until nice "pre loved" ones come on the market
Great vid as ever. Thanks
Yes, great bike. At least after a ‘quick test’. Thanks for your input, Flexy👍😊
@@RocketMan_Moto Just an up[date, loving my new bike, BMW R1250R, )Preloved 23 model) after all that hunting and testing, totally left option in the end!
But again thanks for all the reviews and tips, nearly got the Speed Twin 1200, but then this £16500 bike with 2800 miles was mine for 11500
Sounds as if you got yourself a bargain there😳 Great choice. Enjoy👍😊
The 450MT is clearly a good motorcycle after the tests and I really like it. But I am interested in two things: 1. Servicing and availability of spare parts, given that it is manufactured in China. The concern relates to a possible political tightening, e.g. between the EU and China and trade sanctions (am I paranoid?). 2. How can the 800m seat height be set on the 450MT? Does this just go down like the Hilalaya? I am about 172 cm tall, and a height of 800 mm would suit me best.
Came across a guy with a 1 month old cm450 this week with the recovery guys out trying to fix it. Apparently it started running on one cylinder after a period of "a burning smell". sounds like a burnt out coil maybe? Made me instantly discount the cfmoto as a potential 2nd bike.
Not good, but to be fair, you come across horror stories about every make of car/bike, if you look for them. Warranties are there for a reason… Thanks for sharing, though👍😊
thanks for your videos. pleasure to hear a well educated man ;) et en plus parfaitement multilingue !!
Merci à vous :)
Thanks for posting, I found it very interesting to hear your views on this quartet. I would be interested to see what you think of the Aprilia Tuareg 660 as compared to the four bikes you have tried here and your Triumph Tiger. It is somewhere in between these two ends of the spectrum. I have a 660 in a collection of bikes. It is a "do it all" bike for me.
Thanks. I’d love to review more Aprilias, but unfortunately the dealer here never has any demo bikes🙁
Great review. I tried the Triumph 400 recently, though I haven’t tried the the new Himalayan I’m guessing I’m going to really like the 450MT - I’m booked to try it shortly and can’t wait. Tried your bike the Rally Pro 900 which was superb but I find these modern adv bikes far too big and ungainly as I get older. Like to get my feet down and feel genuinely comfortable which I now value much more than huge power and top speed. I hear good things about the bigger screen for the MT450 which is now available - should sort that buffeting.
A bigger screen and possibly the taller rally seat - at least for taller riders like me - is all the MT needs really. I hear you re. size of the Tiger. They are very imposing and heavy, but once you're riding them, this is actually an advantage in terms of stability and comfort. Can't have it all ways, I guess. Safe riding :)
@@RocketMan_Moto one of my other bikes is a mk speed triple and it’s like a lump of granite, though fine once moving. My xs850 is the same though much lower down, whilst my 955i Daytona is at least 100lbs lighter than both - the MT450 is almost a toy in comparison!
Lol, yes very manageable
To me it looks clear that cfmoto designed a direct competitor to the cb500x (nx500), which has been for years considered the reference machine in this class (or invented it perhaps), and cfmoto did it well. In that sense, a customer scenario of a -1 motorbike only in the garage, commute and occasional touring use, I'd still go for the CB/NX. Is a1000£ more worth the peace of mind of having a honda garage in the middle of spain/morocco/norway etc? or the resale value , or finding a good second hand one? for now, for me, answer is yes. in a few years, this will change and they did a good job.
I agree. In fact, I would choose the 450MT over the NX500 now. Thanks for your input :)
Good review. I tested 450 MT also and it was good, but too small engine if you want to ride highways. Would you test Voge 525 DSX?
It’s on my list👍😊
Wouldn't it be the same having, both, 45 hp?
I have a KLR 650 2014 (42 hp) and traveled at 120 km/h from Buenos Aires to Cuzco, Perú. 9,600 km. No regrets if you understand what you are riding.
I briefly sat at 116kmh yesterday and it had plenty of power and speed left. What speeds would you like to sit at on highway?
450 to 500 cc THAT IS NOT A BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!!
@@garyoneill8868 I currently have a KLR with which I can cruise at 130 and overpass at 150 w/out killing it.
Adjust the slack out of the throttle cable sorts the twitchy throttle
So it seems. Thanks for your input👍😊
@10.11 Has somebody left the handbrake off those cars in the dealership😅
Haha, yes I thought that! Some very strange parking decisions😂
Are you James May? You sound just like him. Either way great review.
Thanks. I get the James May comment on a regular basis😊
@@RocketMan_Moto oh wow you're quick to answer on comments. Just came here as I recently fell in love with the MT 450 and the german reviews don't do it for me anymore. There even seems to be far more variety in english reviews. The MT ticks all my boxes. I come from a VanVan 125 and want to step up my game a little next year. For now just she is on the top of my list and there even is a dealership relatively close by.
The MT is a very good bike. It would be my choice in this segment👍
If you put knobblies on the Tiger 900 Rally it is surprisingly capable off road. I'm distinctly average off road, and the Tiger outstrips my limited talents.
I’d like to try that, but I use the motorway too much for knobblies, unfortunately
What a good combo! Thanks! I'm seriously doubhting between the CF Moto and the Honda. I had a coulpe of Hondas before(Vfr, Hornet)and tried plenty and all of them where good bikes. CF Moto looks more agile and more fun, but long term is a questionmark as you mention. I do more road than dirt and that balances to the Honda... but NX doesnt atracts me... I yet have to test both and decide!
The 450MT is more exciting, the NX500 more ‘safe’/reliable??
@@RocketMan_Moto Today I'm gona take a first look of the MT at the dealer. Hope they have a test bike available. BTW: have seen some of your videos and when I heard your thoughts about the Speed Twin... It feels so familiar to me and my Ducati Sportclassic 1000. I'm on my late 50's and I`m doing so little kms each year in that great machine... Probably I'm gona sell her soon 😪
I miss my Speed Twin, even though I never rode it much. There's a new one coming in a few weeks, but from the spy shots I've seen, it seems to be just Öhlins shocks (which I put on mine anyway) and a different dash :(
@@RocketMan_Moto So I allready tested the MT. Pretty much impressed. In general very aligned with your opinions. The throttle was not as bad as I thought, maybe because I'm used to a big Ducati Desmodue thats bit of jerky. Suspensions where to stiff for me, no time to explore the adjustments, think it can be solved. Engine was best, no vibrations, progressive, and fun to ride. Clunch is extremly soft but in my opinion a bit lack of sensibility, its good to dont have to efford but you need feel and manage progression also, not only on/off. I'm seriusly considering this bike for a multi-porpouse use that include commuting, twisties excursions for fun, travel (out of highways), bumpy roads and easy offroad. In Madrid dealers are all sold out, no bikes till late november in the best case. Positive is I'll have more time to see reports with certain amount of milage, an unknown territory in this bike. Thanks againg for your valuable review and comparison.
I'd take the CF Moto, but when the weather's bad & I'm in the shed, tea in hand, I'd prefer to be cleaning & looking at the Triumph...
That just about sums it up. Why not get both? :)
@@RocketMan_Moto Such a boomer thing to say lol. Us youngins' can't even buy cheap houses haha
A bit of difference between a €6k bike and a house😉
this is best 450MT review now!!! and for the Royal Enfield fan, RE is not bad just other is better LOL
😊👍
CF Moto one way is the winner.
Regarding the level of the foot p you can change the seat for the 865 cm high, and the jerky problem whether CF Moto will remap the ECU or sending to the specialists to do it, that should sort those 2 issues, whereas the wind screen after market parts will do it.
Hey you have awesome voice!!!!!
Thanks for your input and kind comment re. voice :)
It’s built like a gun in terms of reliability? Or it shoots bullets? If it’s referring to reliability then definitely.
Maybe because it weighs as much as a Howitzer🤔
@ but it weighs the same as each other. Matter of fact, cf moto doesn’t have a center stand or crash bars. Take them out from the himmy or add them to the cfmoto now who weighs more? What’s interesting to see tho, and I hope you get to review them, is the upcoming 2025 390 adventure r and the 2025 kle adventure bike from Kawasaki. Also I forgot to mention the 2025 bmw f 450gs.
thanks for the great review mate. currently torn between this or CB500X. if it wasn't for the jerky throttle, this would be a shoe in.
Yes, the throttle is disappointing
@@RocketMan_Moto is it something that can be fixed after? the rest of the moto has such potential I wouldn't even mind
People here have said that the throttle cable can be adjusted to reduce the jerkiness
In your opinion, is there a lot of vibration on the 450mt at 120kmph on the highway? Does is struggle at that speed?
There is a lot of vibration at higher speeds, but it’s no worse than the other 3. The engine is quite capable of cruising at 120, but you would probably need a bigger windscreen to make it tolerable for you😉
@@RocketMan_Moto Aah ok cool. I'm sure aftermarket solutions will come out. Even with the default windguard turned to the highest position it's still not enough?
Not for me, but I’m tall (187cm)
@@RocketMan_Moto ah ok, I'm 180... so I might be alright.
Could well be. You need to try it :)
Very interesting, thanks.
CFMoto is not sold here in Thailand.
RE Himalayan is first coming in Nov! Suspect price will be as NX if you want tubeless wheels (yes please).
Scrambler 400X is only around 4800EU here
Honda 500NX (ex X) is extremely popular here, around 5700EU.
I hope you will give us an update on how you get on with your Tiger 900R Pro, is the vibrations something that bother you at high speeds on the motorways?
Yes, prices can vary significantly depending on where you are in the world. Tiger update coming soon. Thanks for your input :)
Damn, the 500NX for 5.7K is remarkable. In my country, it costs 8K.
Snatchy & Jerky throttle response at low speed is the very turn off for me.
A pain in the city. Perfect out of the urban areas.
But I need to be able to use it in both environments.
For the rest is exactly what I am looking for.
Will test ride as soon as I can.
Thanks for your insights!
You might change your mind when you ride it. I believe the jerky throttle response can be addressed by adjusting the cable.
Thanks for great video mate. I casually looking for replacement of my old XT660R, and this looks to be pretty close to what I am looking for - light, inexpensive not overpowered. It is hard to get them for rent here in Czech though...
If I were in the market for a small(ish) all-rounder, the CF is the one I’d go for
When your video switched from the MT to the NX, looking at the dash it was like going from the 21st century to the 20th century, or like first looking at a Rembrandt painting and then at a B&W photo from 1912. Not sue if I'd trust a Chinese vehicle in long term, though the MT does look good. Thanks for the comparison.
Lol yes, the MT does make other bikes in the segment look (and feel) a bit ancient. Thanks for your input 👍😊
The dash in the NX is fully modern, color, same as Transalp. Why does it look ancient?
It’s a simplified version of the Transalp’s
If the nx500 looked like the mt450 that would be perfect.
Ride safe 👍
The MT’s engine is punchier too, though
I went trough this choice and have the RE since last week...something about the triumph didnt felt right (it is the prettiest), the honda is just a rebadge i considered buying 2nd hand, between the RE and CF, I think anyone looking at this price point will be happy with both...the cf has better extras and looks like a tipical adventure ( i actually disliked that, looked like marketing designed the bike to tick boxes) but felt unecessary bigger, the RE looked nicer (IMO and live looks different) the side stand thing doesnt bother me and the bike feels very easy to pick up, is nibble enough, smaller than the cf (total volume) and feels shorter than the triumph, the suspension soaks everything (novice offroader), and for now Im very happy with my choice...small note Portugal is pretty mountainous (just not that high) you dont have to go to the pireneus, but you are in the flatter part
Nothing wrong with the Himalayan, all 4 of these bikes are very good. Thanks for your input and enjoy. Yes, the Algarve is relatively flat :)
Great review and well laid out points, as always. CF Moto is on the rise and once they prove themselves with quality they may be contender to some of the proven brands. Dealer network, warranty on paper (as you said) and lack of knowledge on repair and upkeep on these bikes, are and will remain to be until resolved, or until the brand proves itself as worthy of spending money on. Of course, this is reflected by the incentives in pricing, 20% less is quite a big of a discount, but I will still take Honda any day than any others mentioned. Reliability is something that, in my book, is worth paying for extra, and not easy to accomplish.
I totally understand your reasoning. Thanks for your input👍😊
Don't forget the CFMoto is a 270° engine, unlike the 180° parallel twin (yawn) Honda. But what if Honda were finally to upgrade all their 500 engines to a 270° crank design? That ancient parallel twin unit needs retiring!
Good point👍😊
CFMoto engine is also an inline twin, which means a parallel twin
@@NalinKhurb Yes, but the Honda has a 180° firing order, which initially I didn't make clear.
Who cares it is 270, 180 or 60. We expect performance. No 450cc is the engine gives pleasure to ride. 500-600cc is required.
I don't agree: I'd rather be on a light 450 off road than a cumbersome 900. That said, for the ride home, I'd take a litre bike anytime :)
I loved the look of my 2021 Himalayan but sold it after a year because I hated the engine. The bike was in the shop for two months awaiting parts. A good bike but only a lowercase “g”.
I've heard they can be temperamental and parts availability can be an issue.
all these good reviews on the cf moto but you can't get a test ride in the uk plus you have to wait along time for delivery, I wouldn't take the chance.
Shame
great bike got it a month ago and it's already accessorized, but i really hope cfmoto fix the fueling issue sooner rather than later.
According to comments other owners have left here, it’s just a question of adjusting the throttle cable??
@@RocketMan_Moto I have taken some of the slack off already, I had it in first 2 days then haven't experienced it until yesterdays ride, it's definitely fueling, stalled 3 times on traffic clutched-in then downshifted to 2nd engine died, also clutched-in then revving abruptly, it sounds like it chokes then engine dies.
Thanks for your input. Hope you get it sorted soon👍😊
The small text on the dash is probably a software issue, and could be upgraded as a free of charge service, if the factory agrees with you - worth a try, maybe :-)
In principle it’s a quick fix, I agree, but in practice…😉
@@RocketMan_Moto It would annoy me, but I ride the Triumph 400x, so I am OK ;-)
Good choice👍
Yes, Triumph made all the right decisions with the 400's - the 400x is a nice "café scrambler" 😂❤
Agreed!
That was a great review mature, well written not repetitive and i appreciate focus on fit and finish.
I agree that the cf Moto is the best it’s a proven engine it sounds fantastic and it’s not as boring or expensive as a Honda. I like the centre stand factory crash bars and luggage and tubeless rims. I think they do a lager screen and I hear all the accessories are extremely cheap. I love my CRF300 Rally but it is small and slow.
I’m sure there will be upgrades for the fuelling and they may do a large text option for the TFT. The MT may be my next bike.
It's a good choice. The throttle issue can, according to comments here that owners have posted, be fixed by adjusting the cable. It is a more exciting bike than the sensible Honda.
I'd also go for the CFmoto, it looks like the little brother of the Yamaha 700 Tenere which is one of the nicest looking 'off road road bikes'..what seals a deal for me is getting a bike serviced,is it going to be a faff.?
That's the big question. CF Moto is largely unproven, at least here in Europe. Thanks for your input :)
Rather off-topic but how would you compare it to the 390 ADV, we don't have highway for bikes so having a single cylinder is fine!
I'm looking forward to 2025's version of the 390
I’ve not ridden the KTM 390 (rubbish dealer here), so can’t comment, unfortunately.
Have you really tested the RE450? I can't find that on your channel.
Tested it on Wednesday, video coming soon :)
Why you use a spanish video? Where you from? I'm talking 10:27
You record that?
I’m a UK expat currently living in Portugal
Like you I own the Triumph Tiger 900 RP…..but I ordered a CFM 450 this week as a “second option bike” Only reason for me is hopefully weight…picking it up from gravel riding any hopefully I’ll also see some lighter maneuvering fun! BTW I love my Tiger
Great call, I was thinking of doing the same👍😊
how does it stack up against transalp 750 regarding engine heat?
Same. Transalp hardly produces any heat.
Thanks!
Service intervalls are 5000 km for the cf moto?
Resale value of a used one, if possible to sell it privately?
Yes, that is one negative: oil change every 6 months or 5000km. We will have to see how residuals hold up. Thanks for your comment :)
Nice review! I sold my '23 tiger 900 rally pro, which i loved, but needed the money....do you recomand the cfmoto 450mt as a good cheap substitute?
Honestly... yes! As you probably know, I have a 2024 Tiger 900 RP and love it, but if I needed the cash, I would definitely consider downsizing to the 450MT. OK, you don't get cruise control or a heated seat, but other than that it's a very nice 'little' bike :)
@@RocketMan_Moto appreciated! all the best!
How do you adjust calipers? I need to learn, is there a special screw ?
It’s called winding back. Are you encountering problems?
Tested myself the cfmoto 450mt and agree generally. But chinese brands even though have made huge steps are still far from the refined engines and gearboxes of the Japanese. So the price difference is justified in my opinion.
Thanks for your input😊👍