Price: NIS 40,000Competitors: Royal Enfield Himalayan, KTM Adventure 390, Triumph X400 ScramblerLikes: Road and off-road capability, value for moneyDislikes: Range, less comfortable for tall ridersRating: 9/10
The Judean Mountains, a dusty, steep dirt trail, rocks, loose gravel, and challenging steps. The pulse is high and lips are dry from the terrible heat and the adrenaline, and you're in a state of complete escapism, thinking about nothing but that sharp rock in the corner waiting to throw you off, with a complete mind-cleaning and any intrusive thoughts about the war, when and how the response will come, and what will happen might find you face-down in the dirt.Literally.
On such days, a person especially needs it for their soul.
But you're not here because of this psychological treatment, but because of the psychologist, meaning the device with which this work is done, since it’s not often that such an intriguing vehicle arrives here, one with such high hopes, claiming to make a real change.
It’s especially surprising when these high expectations are pinned on a modestly sized motorcycle, in the adventure segment, made in China.
The magic word “Adventure” has become the most popular in the two-wheel industry, evolving from the major rally races that started in the 80s, like the Paris-Dakar and similar events, and continuing to the current hit, a vehicle supposed to do everything, both off-road and comfortably carry a couple with their luggage around the world in an upright riding position toward the sunset or whatever it may be.
This is happening with us too. In 2023, adventure motorcycles made up more than a quarter of motorcycle sales in Israel, and in the first half of 2024, they already account for a crazy 30 percent. But - and it's a big but, with the desire to pamper the rider with technology and horsepower, these vehicles have become excellent and impressive on the road, giving real sport bikes a run for their money, but are too heavy for serious off-road riding with a significant risk to the wallet in case of a fall in some obscure wadi.
And that’s before the off-road falls and the attempt to lift an adventure buffalo back on its wheels, because when it comes to something like a quarter-ton, even the advice from a veteran friend to use the "rage muscle" doesn’t always help, and that’s before the costs of damages from unplanned encounters with rocks.
This 450 tries to solve all these problems with a certain attempt to enjoy all worlds.A first look reveals a very nice motorcycle with a ladder frame that stands out at the rear, a design that rises up toward the handlebars, with a tall windshield and a high front fender (there is also a low one), and a profile reminiscent of real rally motorcycles.
Climbing onto the saddle reveals a seat lower than it appears, and despite its athletic look, even riders shorter than 170 cm will easily reach the ground. In fact, tall riders might feel a bit cramped, especially in a sitting position where their feet might be too close to their rear.
And here we go - straight into the field.
CFMOTO has already used this engine, and now, after the SR sport and naked NK road models, the MT arrives: the only one in this category, with this displacement, with a parallel twin engine, with the same 270-degree crankshaft angle trick which is supposed to mimic a V engine.
It’s a very pleasant engine, friendly and non-threatening, and it’s easy to see that it has modest power. Not something that should be too problematic for trail riding, its sound is too muffled and would benefit from a better exhaust, the tires on spoked wheels are in off-road sizes of 21 inches front and 18 inches rear, allowing better handling of rough terrain and a wide range of tires intended for non-asphalt places. The KYB suspension, with a nice 41 mm inverted fork at the front and adjustable rear, seems to struggle a bit with bumps as the pace increases but definitely does the job.
The BOSCH ABS and traction control can be turned off for off-road riding with a simple and effective button press and fortunately remain off until you turn off the switch, the pair of mirrors show CF’s thoughtfulness and allow folding for off-road riding, there’s protection for the engine and fairing along its length in case of a fall, a nice ground clearance of 220 mm easily allows for hopping over boulders, and a pair of radiators prevents the engine from emitting additional heat towards the rider, in addition to which there is already too much in the summer.
In fact, this modest vehicle did everything we wanted off-road, it had no trouble keeping up with real enduro bikes and at the same time gave a lot of confidence and fun, and due to its relatively low weight and height, it will be very easy for less experienced riders.
Heading onto the road reveals that the MT also knows how to handle asphalt, despite the off-road tires installed on the test bike, it is very enjoyable on the twisty technical road, maintaining a good and safe line in leaning and even allows playing around with tail slides. When moving from there to the highway, cruising will be at 120-130 km/h (maximum around 160). There’s an adjustable windscreen, an effective TFT screen that connects to the phone, the tires are tubeless, which are more expensive than their inner-tube counterparts and less prone to punctures. The engine doesn’t rev too much and despite the relatively large 17.5-liter fuel tank, it’s clear that this bike is not intended for excessively long continuous rides like the larger adventure bikes.
So, shall we summarize?
First of all, kudos to the importer Ofer-Avner, who seems to believe very much in his product (and world peace) to the extent that amidst all the surrounding chaos, he took a bunch of hooligans to torture a beloved motorcycle in challenging off-road conditions for two days, and despite that, the MT looked at the white of the powder and didn’t flinch or rattle. It’s not a given.
And maybe it explains the buzz in the two-wheel world about this bike, a bike that, like its marketing slogan, tries to prove that “it has everything,” and if there are still a few things missing, this young bike already has a large and growing range of affordable aftermarket upgrades - from protection and fog lights to an upgraded exhaust and open air filter.
So it happened that a Chinese manufacturer is the one coming out with a bike that reminds us of the roots of versatile adventure motorcycling, perhaps its collaboration with KTM helped here. A small country avoiding trouble ends up with a very “Israeli” vehicle in its range of abilities. Unlike Europe, where riding ranges are relatively long, in Israel it’s always possible to steal a bit of off-road and this bike knows how to adapt to any rider, any level, whether it’s commuting from the suburbs to the big city, cracking traffic jams, or taking an afternoon detour on a dirt trail just to watch the sunset. Besides, it also looks great, and the price is relatively affordable, which could definitely help it sell well, while also providing a sort of calming psychological service to the masses.
CFOMTO 450MT: Specs
Engine: Parallel twin, 449 cc, liquid-cooled with a 270-degree crankshaft angle.41.5 hp at 8,500 rpm and 4.48 kgm torque at 6,250 rpm, with the option to disconnect the rear wheel for off-road conditions, traction control with the option to disconnect.Features: Slipper Clutch system, 5-inch convex TFT screen, LED perimeter lighting.Suspension: KYB, 41 mm diameter, with 200 mm travel, front and rear, fully adjustable.Ground Clearance: 220 mmTire Sizes: Front 90/90-21, Rear 140/70-18Seat Height: 800-820 mm (adjustable via rear shock link)Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.5 litersDry Weight: 175 kgAdditional Features: Folding off-road mirrors, adjustable rally windscreen, hand guards, USB charging port