ADV: CFMOTO 450MT LAUNCHES
CFMoto might be a relatively new player in the Dirt Bike market, but the company got off the ground in 1989. OK, still no where near as established as the Japanese brands, but this Chinese manufacture is coming in hot, with what could be a game changing adventure model at a crazy-good price.
The official NZ launch of the new CFMOTO 450MT Adventure machine coincided with the 1st of May. This also coincided with an annoyingly important local government meeting that I could not skip, meaning I did not make it along for a test ride. So, for now I will give you a brief, based on what the importer has sent me. But again, I want to reiterate I have not ridden this bike yet, but have planned to collect a test model at the end of the month to have a real shake down, which I am really looking forward to.
So to kick off, MT (which encompasses a whole range of different models) stands for Multi-function Touring. The 450MT is the brands ‘hard-core’ adventure bike, looking to focus more on off-road than the traditionally seen on-road focus of the large ADV bikes out there. I have not ridden the Yamaha Tenere 700 sadly, but the 450MT gives me Tenere vibes, which I am not at all mad about. The Tenere, upon it’s release, was a bike I said I would buy without even riding it. And this 450MT, to me at least, fits right in that same vein. Difference being I will be riding this one so we’ll see if it performs as good as it looks.
For a relatively low cc engine, CFMOTO have gone with a parallel twin-cylinder engine, with a double balance shaft and 270 degree crankshaft angle. Normally you would expect a single cylinder, but heading down the twin track should give the engine a lovely torquey delivery and super smooth rev range. It will also add weight, and getting a good balance of the two is something I hope CFMOTO have taken into consideration. Add to that a 17 litre gas tank, they claim you can stretch out to 350km in distance, which is great for those who like to stay off the beaten path.
Through an act of pure smarts, the brand have opted to go with KYB suspension, and I couldn’t be happier. The 41mm USD front fork is coupled with a link rear shock., plus the 20 clicks of adjustment available should provide something that resembles a decent handling setup. Whether the spring rate and shim stacks are up to the task of serious off-road riding – all I can say is I hope so.
Now take all those bits and pieces, and mount them to a Chrome-moly steel frame and you have what could be a real game changer in the off-road ADV market. The marketing says this frame uses the same material as the KTM 790ADV, but with a dry weight of ‘only’ 175kgs. Honestly, I was hoping the 450MT would come in at around 150kg max dry. Add 15kg of fuel and engine fluids, suddenly you’re up to 190kgs on a bike that looks like it should weigh much less. Though we all know weight doesn’t necessarily equate to bad – after all, weight does increase stability. But having to pick up 190kgs off the ground is no joke either. Again, actually riding the bike will be the telling tail, as the specs say it is designed with a low centre of gravity.
So for now, download the brochure below from CFMOTO that has a little more technical specs inside…if nothing else, do if for the price tag of $9999.00, which seems insane for the amount of bike you get.
And I will be back with a more in-depth review after I get to spend some time on the 450MT and see if I can send it deep into the off-road world, where I really hope is the place this bike performs at it’s best.
Might need to ask the CFMOTO team to swap out those stock tyres first.