On the sunny beaches of the town of El Nido in Palawan, on the southern tip of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, a new motorcycle was presented to the world that is set to shake up the entry-level adventure bike segment: the CFMOTO 450 MT.
Until recently, entry-level adventure bikes were equipped with only the bare essentials, sometimes even with undemanding off-road characteristics. CFMOTO is determined to change this with the 450MT, as it comes equipped as standard with features that we would normally find on bikes costing twice as much.
The specifications follow the formula of other off-road-oriented ADVs on the market, with the bike having a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel. It’s also clear that CFMOTO wanted the bike to be above its price range, fitting spoked rims (think BMW GS or Aprilia Tuareg 660). It also has a 41 mm adjustable KYB front suspension and a monoshock equipped with a link.
In terms of performance, the 450 MT stands out from other bikes in the 400 to 500 class due to its engine. It is equipped with the same 449 cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected twin-cylinder as the 450NK and 450SS.
However, in the 450 MT, it is tuned to deliver 44 horsepower and 44 Nm of torque – more than enough for good off-road performance and suitable for maintaining a fast pace on the open road.
When you turn the key, you’re greeted with a stylish animation on the color TFT screen. Everything on this bike feels well put together, and it’s clear that CFMOTO has taken build quality much more seriously. And with the push of the starter, the twin-cylinder, according to RideaPart press colleagues, has a surprisingly high exhaust note for a stock bike that complies with the latest emissions standards.
The new CFMOTO 450MT is due to arrive in Europe this year, where Motociclismo magazine will be testing the new Chinese model. We’ll stay tuned for all the news.