CFMOTO 450MT 2024 on test - lightweight A2 touring enduro with potential!

CFMOTO has made significant progress since its founding 35 years ago. The Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, with 3,000 dealers worldwide and over 5,500 employees, is emerging as a strong competitor in 2024. This year, the company is even participating in Moto2 and Moto3. The brand new CFMOTO 450MT (Multi-Function Touring) is the latest addition to their diverse lineup: an adventure motorcycle with a parallel twin engine targeting the A2 market, joining the 650MT, 700MT, and 800MT models. Despite its 449.5 cc displacement, the purposeful design of a larger bike is complemented by a range of features, including adjustable KYB suspension with long travel, 220 mm ground clearance, and a 21-inch/18-inch front/rear wheel combination suitable for off-road riding. The bike also boasts a 5-inch color display, Bosch traction control, dual-channel ABS, and an adjustable rally-style windshield. The price is an impressive 5990 euros in Germany.

Our journey to the remote island of El Nido in the Philippines, involving four flights and 29 hours of travel, allowed us to test whether the new 450MT performs as well as it looks. Our test primarily took place on dusty trails in intense heat, providing a true adventure for both the motorcycle and rider.

The 449.5 cc parallel twin engine with a 270° crankshaft is developed and manufactured by CFMOTO in China. While the engine is already utilized in the 450SR and 450NK models, CFMOTO has made adjustments to the camshaft, intake system, fuel supply, and exhaust to enhance its performance. This has resulted in a peak output of 42 hp at 8500 rpm and a maximum torque of 42 Nm at 6500 rpm. Although the MT may have slightly less peak power compared to its counterparts, it offers more torque in the lower and medium speed range. In contrast, the 450RS delivers 48 hp at 10,000 rpm and 39.3 Nm at 7750 rpm.

The MT is designed with simplicity in mind, lacking riding modes for power control and featuring a basic mechanical throttle without ride-by-wire technology. This straightforward approach minimizes the risk of technical issues in remote areas but also results in a responsive throttle, especially at lower revs. Once the throttle is engaged, the power delivery is smooth, and the bike feels ready to accelerate instantly. Despite the 42 hp output, the twin engine surprises with its agility, accompanied by a distinctive exhaust note.

Once I hit speeds above 50 km/h, I naturally shifted into fifth or sixth gear and let the well-distributed torque take over while I relaxed and enjoyed the ride. The roads in the Philippines can quickly change from smooth pavement to gravel, so maintaining relatively low speeds is key. The CFMOTO MT feels right at home in the 70-80 km/h range, with its engine performing best between 4000 and 7000 rpm. This makes it easy to cruise through local traffic in a laid-back manner.

In countries where a 450cc bike is considered large, like the Philippines, you may need to rev higher and shift more frequently to keep up with faster traffic. However, when pushing the MT450 to higher speeds, especially in the top gears, you may notice some vibrations and noise, although performance remains steady. During one rare instance where we reached 130 km/h, we observed that vibrations could potentially become bothersome at this speed. It's likely that the MT450 is not designed to exceed 150 km/h.

On rough terrain, the digital throttle response of the CFMOTO MT challenges the Chinese-made CST Ambro rubber. However, the lack of grip adds a fun element, allowing the MT to make the rear end dance. The torque from the 450cc engine in the low and mid-range provides real power on the dusty trails we tested, making it easy to control the rear end with traction control off. Nevertheless, lifting the front wheel to overcome obstacles is not as simple as it seems in the promotional photos, especially with a full 17.5-liter tank.

The chassis components are all new and specifically designed for the 450MT. They include a tubular steel frame with a detachable subframe that can be easily replaced if damaged. The KYB suspension offers 200 mm of travel both front and rear, with full adjustability at the rear according to the specifications. However, I only found options for adjusting rebound damping and spring preload on the rear shock. The 450MT boasts an impressive ground clearance of 220 mm, just 10 mm less than the Royal Enfield Himalayan. The spoke wheels have a 21-inch diameter at the front and 18 inches at the rear, with a reported dry weight of 175 kg for the MT. Despite the long suspension travel, the seat height is only 820 mm and can be lowered to 800 mm, making it easy to handle for smaller riders. For comparison, Honda's CRF 300 has a seat height of 885 mm, KTM's 390 Adventure 855 mm, and the Himalayan 825 mm.

When seated on the bike, the wide and soft seat, along with the responsive suspension, adds to the comfort, making it appealing even for shorter riders. At 1.70 meters tall on a good day, even riders as short as 1.65 meters will find the standard seat height comfortable.

While El Nido was a beautiful location, setting new lean angle records on the roads there was not possible. Even in the UK, the standard CST Ambro tire on the CFMOTO 450 MT would lack the necessary feedback for such maneuvers. It was difficult to push the bike to its limits. Although the OEM tires may have a long lifespan, I would recommend swapping them out for higher quality tires to fully unlock the bike's potential.

In addition, the 450MT performed admirably off-road. The majority of our test route consisted of dusty trails, which were not too challenging. When pushed harder, the CFMOTO excelled and the long-travel suspension handled rough surfaces with ease. The torque from the twin engine effortlessly propelled the bike up steep inclines, especially once the traction control was disengaged. While the design is clearly focused on road performance, the bike still demonstrated impressive off-road capabilities, effortlessly navigating through mud, sand, and deep water. Overall, the CFMOTO proved to be a reliable and sturdy off-road bike, especially considering its price point.

However, when pushing the CFMOTO to its limits, it may struggle. The tires lose grip and the suspension shows weaknesses compared to its performance on regular trails. Despite the suspension's lack of refinement, it is important to consider that the rough roads in the Philippines can challenge even the best setups. Some experts may argue that the MT450 is too top-heavy for off-road use, criticize the inability to deactivate the front ABS, and note the limited suspension travel. Nevertheless, the CFMOTO 450MT performs admirably. It can handle mud, accidental leans against rocks, and still deliver reliable performance. This A2 touring enduro is user-friendly off-road. I believe that 90% of customers will appreciate its affordability and reliable performance in all conditions. For the remaining 10% seeking more, they can upgrade the tires, invest in adjustable aftermarket suspension, and transform this adventure bike into a formidable off-road competitor.

The CFMOTO is equipped with a 320 mm single disc and a four-piston brake calliper with dual-channel ABS from Bosch for braking power. The ABS on the rear wheel can be deactivated while riding. The braking performance is adequate on the road, but lacks some bite and feel. It is worth noting that our test bike had very few kilometers on the speedometer, so the braking performance may improve over time as the brake discs and pads wear in.

The ABS functions similarly both on and off-road, intervening early on loose surfaces. This provides added safety for less experienced riders. Unfortunately, we were unable to test high-speed braking or chassis stability due to test conditions and location, but our colleagues in Austria will do so in the summer.

Despite its big bike appearance, the 450MT has a low and comfortable seat, allowing riders to sit more in than on the bike. The wide handlebars and manually adjustable windshield with a ratchet system contribute to a pleasant riding experience. Additionally, the CFMOTO 450MT offers a wide pillion seat and sturdy grab handles for passenger comfort.

Our CFMOTO motorcycle achieved an average fuel consumption of 4.7 l/100 km, which is quite good. However, fuel efficiency could be improved with a more conservative riding style on paved roads. Thanks to the generous 17.5-liter fuel tank, the range exceeds 350 kilometers and could even reach over 400 kilometers.

The dashboard and display are well-organized and informative. The CFMOTO 450MT features Bluetooth connectivity. The main concern lies in the bike's ability to reach and maintain higher speeds without excessive vibration. It should handle speeds of 120 km/h or slightly above without issue, but speeds beyond that may strain the 42 hp twin engine, especially with additional weight like luggage or a passenger.

The TFT display is easy to read and includes two charging options (USB-A and USB-C), adding to the overall quality impression of the bike, which is surprising given its price of under €6,000. The bike comes equipped with features typically found on more expensive models, such as handguards, grab handles, a sturdy luggage rack, an adjustable windshield, off-road footrests with removable rubbers, and distinctive twin headlights. In my opinion, it is a visually appealing motorcycle. While some components may show signs of cost-cutting up close, such as outdated switch units, from a distance, you would never guess that this is an A2-compliant bike priced under €6,000.

Optional accessories include crash bars, engine guards, a larger windshield, and various soft luggage solutions.