CFMoto 450MT Review in the Motorcycle Paradise of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria, located off the coast of Morocco, entices with its diverse landscapes, mild temperatures, and unbelievably fantastic roads for motorcycling. It's no wonder the island is called "the little continent," as the terrain varies dramatically across regions—from barren rock deserts and lush grasslands to cactus-filled valleys, steep gorges, and even cool pine forests. Geographically part of Africa, the Canary Islands enjoy European-level currency and infrastructure, being a part of Spain. We chose Gran Canaria for an early winter getaway to kick off the 2025 season, testing some exciting bikes like the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, and Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ in this spectacular and demanding environment.

Our starting point for this journey was Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where we rented motorcycles from Canary Ride. The rental company offers an impressive selection of over 70 bikes at its locations on Gran Canaria and Tenerife. This range includes everything from large machines like the brand-new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure to smaller, nimble bikes like the Ducati Scrambler or the Honda CL 500. During our week-long tour, we tested various motorcycles and for the last day, we opted for an interesting mix: alongside the BMW R 1300 GS ADV and the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, we chose the CFMoto 450MT. Why did we make this choice?

Gran Canaria is renowned for its rugged landscapes, winding roads, and narrow passages. Often, these roads are single-lane or barely two-lane, with patches of poor surface quality and blind corners. During peak season, the challenge is compounded by numerous tourist vehicles that frequently appear in the middle of the road. In this demanding terrain, opting for a lighter motorcycle pays off. A nimble, small bike makes it significantly easier to navigate tight roads, stay safely in your lane, and react quickly in critical situations. Even turning around on Gran Canaria's steep mountain roads becomes much less of a sweat-inducing task with a lighter motorcycle.

The CFMoto 450MT is a lightweight adventure bike, tipping the scales at 196.5 kg during our test. With a bit over 40 horsepower, it offers a balanced blend of agility and comfort, which really pays off on longer rides. Sure, there are lighter machines, especially in other segments, but the 450MT remains a full-fledged adventure bike—a crucial advantage when it comes to long-distance comfort or mounting panniers. Unlike smaller naked bikes, the CFMoto 450MT allows for carrying luggage while still delivering the agility that's particularly useful in Gran Canaria's mountainous terrain.

Before hitting the winding roads of Gran Canaria, we started our journey in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where we rented bikes from Canary Ride. The rental company has an impressive range of over 70 motorcycles at its locations on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, from the latest BMW R 1300 GS Adventure to nimble rides like the Ducati Scrambler and the Honda CL 500. During our week-long tour, we tried different bikes and for the last day opted for an intriguing mix: alongside the BMW R 1300 GS ADV and the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, we also chose the CFMoto 450MT. Why this decision?

The CFMoto 450MT proved to be an exceptionally accessible motorcycle right from the start. With a seat height of 800 mm, it is relatively low for an adventure tourer, which is particularly beneficial for shorter riders. Its typical adventure tourer geometry with a tall front gives it a mature appearance, and the adjustable windscreen can be tweaked on the go to optimize wind protection. The 17.5-liter fuel tank provides enough range to hit all the spots on Gran Canaria without needing a fuel stop. For our tour, Canary Ride equipped the bike with a practical top case, making it easy to carry luggage. The first leg to the winding roads in the mountains took about 45 minutes—a smooth and enjoyable ride. But the true character of the CFMoto 450MT only revealed itself once we reached the island's intricate interior roads...

After leaving the highway, you enter what Gran Canaria is renowned for: a true paradise for twisty road enthusiasts. Instantly, you're immersed in the countless twists and turns that define the island's landscape. The extremely tight corners often offer almost racetrack-like asphalt, inviting you to glide through at thrilling lean angles. In the higher regions, the asphalt can get a bit rough due to frost and weather conditions, but the majority of roads are in excellent shape—perfect for savoring the riding pleasure. This is where the CFMoto 450MT showcased its riding dynamics.

The CFMoto initially requires a bit more input through its wide handlebars to lean the large 21-inch front wheel into a curve. However, after a slight tilt into the corners, it remains consistently stable. The long 200 mm suspension travel at both the front and rear provides comfort, smooths out bumps, and remains composed even during sporty riding. To achieve even more stability, we adjusted the suspension to be slightly firmer, which proved to be a clear advantage at higher speeds and in corners. However, the Chinese adventure tourer reveals a more significant weakness in tight corners.

The heart of the CFMoto 450MT is a twin-cylinder engine with a displacement of 449.5 cc. It delivers 42 horsepower at 8500 rpm and a peak torque of 42 Nm at 6500 rpm. Unlike many bikes in this displacement class that rely on single cylinders, the twin-cylinder engine of the CFMoto offers a higher rev range. It demands revs when you want to ride more sportily: you need to keep it between 6000 and 7000 rpm, especially if, like me, you're trying to keep up with more powerful machines. However, thanks to its predictable power delivery and low vibrations, the engine performs well even at higher revs. The issue does not lie here.

The heart of the CFMoto 450MT is its 449.5cc twin-cylinder engine, delivering 42 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 42 Nm at 6,500 rpm to the tarmac. Unlike many motorcycles in this displacement class that opt for single-cylinder engines, the CFMoto's twin demands higher revs to deliver a sporty performance—around 6,000 to 7,000 RPM, especially if you're trying to keep up with more powerful machines like I did. However, thanks to its predictable power delivery and low vibrations, the engine performs well even at higher revs. The issue doesn't lie there.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the engine becomes uncomfortably apparent in more challenging riding situations. The throttle response is quite abrupt when initially applying the gas. This is particularly noticeable at the apex of tight corners or steep hairpins where you're maneuvering at low RPMs and want to accelerate smoothly out of a curve. Even with experienced throttle control, it's hard to avoid the sudden jolt when opening the throttle. This jerkiness can be detrimental in critical moments, especially when there's oncoming traffic or the route is particularly tight and challenging. This isn't a minor issue but something that urgently needs addressing in future model updates.

Another contentious point is the engine sound. It's impressive that the engine, with its small displacement, produces a mature and almost aggressive sound—even with a stock exhaust. For fans of a sporty exhaust note, this might be a plus, but the constant noise level is subjective. Riders who prefer a quieter engine during a relaxed ride and only want to hear more sound at higher revs might find this persistent noise level bothersome over time.

Aside from these criticisms, there are positives to report, especially concerning the interplay between the gearbox and clutch. The transmission shifts smoothly and precisely both with and without the clutch. The assist clutch is particularly light and allows for relaxed handling, even in demanding riding situations.

Our tour took us higher and higher, up to the Picos de las Nieves—the so-called "Snow-Covered Peaks." Although the name is somewhat misleading as it rarely snows there, we found ourselves at nearly 2000 meters above sea level. This altitude not only offers breathtaking views but also brings noticeable climatic differences. A key rule of thumb is that for every 100 meters of elevation gain, the temperature drops by about 1 degree Celsius. This means that on Gran Canaria, you can quickly transition from summer temperatures well above 20 degrees at the coast to the cool mountain air with single-digit temperatures.

For motorcyclists, this is a crucial factor to consider when planning their gear. This year, we relied on IXS products, which have made their multi-layer system the core of their philosophy starting in 2025. All materials are stretchable, and various layers can be quickly added or removed as needed. This concept proved perfect for the fluctuating temperatures of Gran Canaria. Thanks to the versatile layers, we could adapt flexibly to the conditions: from warm 30 degrees at the coast to just 5 degrees in the highlands, we were always well-prepared.

Those who conquer the heights of Gran Canaria should be prepared for just as many downhill rides. The island is crisscrossed with a network of gorges and mountain ranges, creating nearly constant ascents and descents, often with extremely steep sections that are even more challenging than Alpine passes—a unique feature made possible by the absence of snow and ice. These conditions demand a motorcycle that offers stability and control both uphill and downhill. The CFMoto 450MT generally handles this well, but it does reveal some weaknesses, particularly for taller riders and in its braking performance.

The riding position on the CFMoto is generally relaxed, and the seat offers good comfort with its nice contour. However, taller riders might find it a bit limiting: at 1.85 meters tall, my knees frequently bumped against the wider part of the tank when riding downhill, making it difficult to fit into the designated knee cutouts. To avoid this, I had to slide back, which led to a feeling of being too disconnected from the front end, with my arms stretching almost straight to reach the handlebars. These ergonomic compromises become particularly noticeable on longer descents and can be somewhat uncomfortable for riders over 1.85 meters in the long run.

The relaxed ergonomics of the CFMoto 450MT make long days in the saddle a breeze. However, when it comes to the front brake, the feedback isn't as positive. It seems to be designed with off-road capability in mind, resulting in a soft lever feel and a somewhat vague bite point. While the brake is indeed adjustable, on twisty roads with steep descents, you'd wish for more stopping power and sharper feedback. On the flip side, the rear brake is impressive: although positioned slightly high, requiring a bit of a lift from your foot, it offers strong and well-modulated stopping power. Its strength helps compensate for the front brake's shortcomings, ensuring that the overall braking performance of the CFMoto 450MT remains solid—provided you use both front and rear brakes in tandem.

After roughly 250 kilometers of winding curves and conquered elevation, our day tour on Gran Canaria comes to an end. While the CFMoto 450MT revealed some weaknesses throughout the day, the overall riding pleasure remains fantastic. With its solid handling, pleasant ergonomics, comfort, and long-distance capability, it proves to be a reliable companion—and it certainly brings joy in the twisties. The most notable drawback is the unavoidable throttle response issue in tight corners and hairpins. Additionally, the constant roar of the exhaust can be bothersome, though that might be a matter of taste. Over time, you learn to adapt to these quirks, and Gran Canaria's breathtaking scenery compensates for a lot.

Whether it's the Roque Nublo, the island's iconic landmark glowing in the sunlight, or the rugged cliffs of the Valley of Tears in the island's center with their raw, spectacular beauty—Gran Canaria offers an abundance of fantastic spots, views, and routes in a relatively small area. Among the many numbered roads on Gran Canaria, we found the GC-65, a fantastic route with smooth curves and perfect racetrack-like asphalt, the GC-130, which offers stunning views and fun bends, and the famous GC-210 through the Valley of Tears, from which the rougher yet breathtaking GC-606 branches off, to be particularly recommended.

The spectacular blend of riding enjoyment, breathtaking landscapes, and thrilling roads makes Gran Canaria a true paradise for motorcyclists. We recorded our routes with Calimoto, and you can easily follow them via the following links:

• NastyNils' Favorite Tour on Gran Canaria
• Narrow Paths, Dead Ends, and Secret Roads
• The Tour with an Atlantic View: Tour in the West