CFMoto 450MT Review in the Motorcycle Paradise of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is located off the coast of Morocco and attracts with its diverse landscape, mild temperatures, and unbelievably fantastic roads for motorcycling. It's not called "the little continent" for nothing, as depending on the part of the island, you can ride through barren rocky deserts, lush green grasslands, cactus-filled valleys, steep gorges, and even cool pine forests. Geographically belonging to Africa, the Canary Islands, as part of Spain, boast European-level currency and infrastructure. We used Gran Canaria for an early winter escape to kick off the 2025 season, allowing us to test some exciting motorcycles, including the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, and Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+, in spectacular and challenging environments.

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 motorcycles at its two locations on Gran Canaria and Tenerife. This range spans 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, opted for an interesting mix: alongside the BMW R 1300 GS ADV and the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, we also chose the CFMoto 450MT. Why this choice?

Gran Canaria is renowned for its rugged landscapes, winding roads, and narrow passages. The roads are often single-lane or barely double-lane, with varying surface quality and blind curves. During peak season, the situation is further complicated by numerous tourist vehicles, which often appear in the middle of the road. In this challenging terrain, opting for a lighter motorcycle pays off. With a nimble, small bike, it's much easier to navigate tight streets, maintain your lane, and react quickly in critical situations. Turning on Gran Canaria's steep mountain roads is also far less strenuous with a lighter motorcycle.

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

Before hitting the winding roads of Gran Canaria, the journey there needs to be tackled. Our starting point—and the location of Canary Ride—is in the island's capital, Las Palmas. From there, the route initially takes you through dense city traffic, followed by a short stretch on the highway towards the mountains. Gran Canaria, the third-largest island of the Canaries, is compact enough to explore all regions on a day trip, yet its topography offers great diversity. A highway runs almost entirely along the coast, while the island's interior is accessed by winding roads that lead further into the island's higher regions.

The CFMoto 450MT proved to be an exceptionally accessible motorcycle right from the start of our journey. 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 touring geometry with a high front gives it a mature appearance, and the adjustable windshield can be tweaked on the go to optimize wind protection. The 17.5-liter fuel tank provides enough range to reach all destinations 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 initial leg of the journey to the winding roads in the mountains took about 45 minutes—a pleasant and smooth ride. However, the true character of the CFMoto 450MT only revealed itself when we reached the island's intricate interior roads...

After the highway, you encounter what Gran Canaria is famous for: a true paradise for curve enthusiasts. You immediately dive into the countless twists and turns that define the island. The often extremely tight corners feature almost racetrack-like asphalt, inviting you to glide swiftly at steep lean angles. In the higher regions, the asphalt becomes rougher due to frost and weather conditions, but most of the roads are in excellent condition—perfect for relishing the joy of riding. Here, the CFMoto 450MT demonstrated what it has to offer in terms of handling.

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

At the heart of the CFMoto 450MT is a twin-cylinder engine with a displacement of 449.5 cc. It delivers 42 hp at 8500 rpm and puts a maximum torque of 42 Nm on the road at 6500 rpm. Unlike many motorcycles in this displacement class that rely on single-cylinder engines, the CFMoto's twin-cylinder offers a higher rev range. It demands revs when you want to ride more sportily: you need around 6000 to 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 doesn't lie here.

One of the engine's biggest weaknesses becomes particularly noticeable in more demanding riding situations. The throttle response when initially applying the gas is extremely abrupt. This issue frequently arises at the apex of tight corners or steep hairpins, where you're running at low revs and want to accelerate smoothly out of the roll-off phase. Even with experienced throttle control, it's hard to avoid the jerk when opening the throttle. This jerk can have a negative impact in critical moments, such as when there's oncoming traffic or the road is particularly narrow and challenging. A sudden surge of power at the wrong time can ruin the line and cause you to be pushed out of the corner. While this problem can be somewhat mitigated with careful use of the light clutch and foresight, the constant throttle lag during the likely over 1,000 corners ridden in a day on Gran Canaria can be quite annoying. This is not a mere minor issue but an aspect that urgently needs to be optimized in future model updates.

Another contentious issue 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 sound profile, this might be a plus, but the constant noise level is a matter of taste. Even at low revs, the sound remains loud and penetrating. Those who prefer a quieter engine during relaxed riding and only want more sound at higher revs might find this high noise level disturbing over time.

Aside from these criticisms, there are positive aspects to report, especially regarding the interaction between the gearbox and the clutch. The gearbox shifts smoothly and precisely, both with and without the clutch. The assist clutch is particularly light, allowing 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-Capped Peaks." While the name is somewhat misleading since snow rarely falls here, we found ourselves at nearly 2000 meters above sea level. This altitude not only offers stunning views but also noticeable climatic differences. An important rule of thumb is: for every 100 meters of altitude, the temperature drops by about 1 degree Celsius. This means on Gran Canaria, you can quickly transition from summer temperatures well over 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 the layering system with multiple layers the core of their philosophy starting in 2025. All materials are stretchable, and different layers can be quickly put on or taken off as needed. This concept proved perfect for the changing temperatures on Gran Canaria. Thanks to the versatile layers, we were able to adapt flexibly to the conditions: from warm 30 degrees at the coast to just 5 degrees in the highlands, we were always well-equipped.

Those who climb the heights of Gran Canaria must be prepared for equally frequent descents. The island is crisscrossed by a network of ravines and mountain ranges that seem to interlock. This results in a constant alternation between ascents and descents, often with extremely steep sections that are even more challenging than Alpine passes—a feature made possible by the absence of snow and ice. These conditions require a motorcycle that provides security and control both uphill and downhill. The CFMoto 450MT generally handles this well but also shows weaknesses, particularly for taller riders and in braking performance.

The seating position on the CFMoto is generally relaxed, and the seat provides good comfort with its pleasant contour. However, taller riders may find their limits here: even at my height of 1.85 meters, my knees often hit the wider part of the tank when riding downhill and no longer fit into the designated side cutouts. To avoid this, I have to slide back, which leads to being noticeably disconnected from the front, with my arms almost fully extended to 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.

When riding downhill, the front brake of the CFMoto stands out—but not necessarily in a positive way. It seems to be designed for off-road capability, which is reflected in a soft lever feel and a somewhat vague pressure point. While the brake can be modulated, on winding roads with steep inclines, one might wish for more braking power and more precise feedback. In contrast, the rear brake is impressive: although it is positioned slightly high, requiring the foot to be lifted a bit, it provides strong and well-modulated deceleration. Its strength compensates for the front brake's weaknesses, ensuring that the overall braking performance of the CFMoto 450MT is solid—provided that both the front and rear brakes are used in conjunction.

After about 250 kilometers filled with curves and elevation changes, our day tour on Gran Canaria comes to an end. Although the CFMoto 450MT exhibited some weaknesses throughout the day, the overall riding experience remains fantastic. With its solid handling, comfortable ergonomics, and long-distance capability, it is a reliable companion—and it certainly provides enjoyment in the twisties. The biggest annoyance is the unavoidable throttle lag when accelerating in tight corners and hairpins. Additionally, the constant roar of the exhaust is a downside for me, though that might be a matter of personal preference. Over time, you get accustomed to these quirks, and the breathtaking landscape of Gran Canaria makes up for a lot.

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

The spectacular blend of riding pleasure, stunning landscapes, and exciting roads makes Gran Canaria a true paradise for motorcyclists. We recorded our routes with Calimoto, and you can easily follow them using the links below:

• NastyNils' Favorite Tour on Gran Canaria
• Narrow Paths, Dead Ends, and Secret Roads
• The Tour with Atlantic Views: Western Tour