Adventure bikes continue to grow in popularity and the latest addition is CFMOTO’s impressive 450MT. Positioned as an entry-level offering, we took the new model to the Victorian Highlands to test it as part of the Australian media launch.
Before we get into the story of riding in parts of Victoria we can’t name, let’s address the major problem. These bikes are made in China. If that instantly puts you off, you need to get over it.
The build quality is excellent and the price point ensures that CFMOTO bikes are accessible to the average rider. Now back to the riding. We were guided throughout the three-day launch by the expert team at All In Dirtbike Adventures.
These guys knew the trails like the back of their hand and gave us stock bikes to ride, with no modifications. The only change from what you would buy from the dealer was the 26psi tire pressure.
It’s a pretty impressive bike right out of the box, with a fully adjustable KYB front fork and a rear shock that allows for preload and rebound adjustment. There’s also LED lighting, tubeless tyres, a 5.0-inch TFT display, switchable traction control and rear wheel ABS deactivation.
The CFMOTO 450MT also comes with the manufacturer’s TBOX system and Ride app. That’s how we began our first day of riding, in icy conditions, as we left CFMOTO HQ for Yarra Glenn via the highway.
This first section allowed us to familiarize ourselves with the bike before tackling more difficult off-road terrain. Ergonomically speaking, the 450MT is pleasant and the steering triangle is pleasant and relaxed, even for tall riders.
The bike also seems well-suited for touring, and as a bonus, its optional aluminum panniers can be removed and used on the 800MT, should you decide a larger bike is necessary.
The manually adjustable windscreen is very easy to use in flight and provides reasonable protection against head buffeting. The 450MT is powered by the same 449cc parallel twin found in the 450SR and 450NK.
It produces 32.5 kW of power and 44 Nm of torque, which makes it easy to cruise comfortably at highway speeds. The exhaust produces a pleasant punchy note when you press the accelerator and the power is delivered pleasantly throughout the rev range.
There’s just a hint of hunting in the lower section, but it’s more than manageable. Our first off-road session saw some nice dirt trails turn into rocky terrain and sandy surfaces, before encountering some slippery mud.
This was probably some of the toughest terrain on the entire course and the durability and toughness of the 450MT was highlighted when a few bikes ended up lying on their sides. From there we headed off the trails as the light began to fade.
It was here that we found ourselves on one of the few roads we knew in Victoria: the Black Spur. As we weaved in and out of corners, constantly changing direction as we made our way to our accommodation for the night, the 450MT handled well.
The only downside was that sometimes you could notice that the top of the bike was a bit too heavy (not unusual on adventure bikes). After some sleep we were greeted by ice cold seats and temperatures of 1 degree (Celsius).
Despite having put on as many layers of clothing as possible, the idea of riding in the cold didn’t really appeal to us (the pub seemed much better). But duty called and we headed straight for the dirt, tackling the bushes less than a kilometre from our accommodation.
Another day of mixed terrain awaited us, with fire trails, steep rocky terrain and more mud. We put the bike into off-road mode, accessible from a single button on the TFT screen to deactivate the rear ABS and traction control, and off we went.
For us, day two was a highlight, spending more time with the bike off-road, in a variety of conditions and tracks. The bike shone simply because it is not intimidating to ride, nor difficult to handle.
The bike is perfect for beginner adventure riders, while still providing a great experience for more experienced riders. This is helped by the fact that the front and rear suspension offer around twenty clicks of adjustment, allowing it to handle all types of terrain, really well.
If we had one wish, it would be that the front brake (which has an adjustable lever, just like the clutch) had more sensitivity. It just isn’t quite there. Back on the road, we finally made it to Bonnie Doon, but not before dodging a few kangaroos at dusk.
It was a busy day and after filling our bellies, drinking some refreshing drinks and getting a good night’s sleep, we headed home after a final day of riding. A more even distribution of dirt and tarmac would once again show how capable the 450MT is.
The day included a drive to a beautiful lookout above Murrindindi in the state forest, on a variety of surfaces, before returning to our starting point at CFMOTO’s Victorian headquarters. It was a round trip of just over 458km, according to the smartphone app.
This system works in parallel with the CFMOTO TBOX system, which offers smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth and navigation. You will find driving statistics, remote vehicle status and a fuel indicator. It also allows for over-the-air software updates.
Starting at $9,490 in Zephyr Blue or Tundra Grey and backed by a 3-year warranty, the 450MT is learner-approved and represents exceptional value. It’s already popular, with over 500 sold in pre-sales alone.
Overall, it’s an adventure bike that weighs less than 200kg in running order, with a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel and 220mm of ground clearance – designed to be rider-friendly, above all.
Whether it is better than the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is up to you to decide.
Our test bike was provided as part of the Australian media launch by CFMOTO Australia. Images courtesy of Fstyle Photo.