Motorcycle specifications CFMOTO450 MT 2026 A spirit of adventure within your grasp

With a presence in over 100 countries, CFMOTO is now making a name for itself well beyond China's borders. Hailing from Hangzhou, near Shanghai, this Asian manufacturer is rapidly implementing its conquest plan.

Is the new CFMOTO 450MT the best illustration of this? Perhaps, without a doubt. This medium-displacement trail bike is a seductive tool, banking as much on its polished looks, its ability to be ridden anywhere, anytime, as on its rationality and low price. The ideal motorcycle in a way, reminiscent of an old recipe, that of Yamaha's 500 XT ... Don't they say that the best soup comes from the old pot?

A trail bike with value

With the 450 MT, CFMOTO is riding the wave of trail riding. This market is driven by icons such as the famous BMW R 1300 GS. However, the dream of off-roading on the big German Bertha is not really accessible. Firstly, because the rider's technical baggage required to take these hyper-big trails off-road is not within the reach of every biker, and secondly, because the price tag also costs a few months' average French wages. So, what, we stay on the couch?

No! the emergence over the last few years of the medium-displacement market, forced by A2 regulations, has brought these less powerful, lighter and less expensive machines within our reach... in the end, isn't this a return to our roots? To the origins of the trail bike?

however, with CFMOTO, there's no question of having a cheap motorcycle. The manufacturer's latest products are astonishing in their qualities: chassis, finish, reliability (in the short time we've had it) make these motorcycles a great choice.

The 450 MT is no exception.

Let's start with its chassis, which features a double-cradle tubular steel frame for the central section, while the rear loop of the frame, also made of steel, is composed of a tubular trellis. Nothing very original, as most of the trails on the market use the same technology, but the welds are well executed and the frame paintwork is clean.

Kayaba, Bosch and almost Brembo...

CFMOTO knows that to be convincing, you need to surround yourself with the right people. To perfect its trail bike's ground connection, the brand took a 41 mm inverted fork from the Kayaba catalog, offering 200 mm of travel with adjustable compression and rebound damping. The rear shock from the same supplier offers three settings: preload, compression and rebound damping for the same 200 mm travel. These values are very similar to those of the Yamaha 700 Ténéré, and give the 450 MT trail bike legitimate off-road ambitions, with 220 mm of ground clearance.

Off-roading will not be restricted, as the machine's tuning has been optimized with a Bosch ABS that can be de-connected (only for the rear) to enhance the riding experience on trails and paths. Note that deactivating the ABS deactivates the traction control. The latter is not adjustable on several levels when activated: ON or OFF!

The ABS is supplied by Bosch, and the brakes by Brembo. The brakes bear the J.Juan logo, and it's not a Mexican drinking Tequila (in moderation) but the Italian equipment manufacturer's subsidiary in China. In fact, the Spanish brand J.Juan was acquired by Brembo in 2021 and equips a good number of Asian motorcycles on their local market. The 450 MT is equipped with a 320 mm disc at the front and 240 mm at the rear. The calipers are 4-piston radial front and single-piston rear.

The 450 MT rides on 21-inch wheels at the front and 18-inch wheels at the rear. The tires are CST (a Chinese manufacturer) in 140 at the back and 90 at the front. Suitable dimensions for real off-road riding.

All in all, the bike is claimed to weigh around 175 kg dry, a very reasonable figure for a trail bike. The 17.5-liter fuel tank, once full, will bring the bike close to 200 kg when fully loaded.

Something extra in the engine

the 449.5 cm3 engine measures 77 x 55.2 mm (bore x stroke). Bore is the diameter of the piston, while stroke is the distance the piston travels in the engine chamber between its low and high points.

An added bonus for a small-displacement engine is that CFMOTO offers a twin-cylinder engine! In fact, it's fitted with a 270° double balance shaft, like Yamaha's highly acclaimed CP2 engine. Remember the story of the old pots that make the best soup? One of its main rivals, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, makes do with a single-cylinder engine.

The engine is liquid-cooled, with double overhead camshaft timing. Naturally, the engine complies with Euro5 standards.

Thus equipped, the 450 MT offers 42 hp (31 kW) at 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 42 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Clearly, these are not the values of a dragster between two traffic lights, but let's not forget what's essential: off-road riding. CFMOTO has also reviewed the engine's availability and worked on the torque/power curves to make them more progressive than other products equipped with the same engine, such as the 450 NK roadster.

Between two roads, the 450 MT won't shy away from roads and even freeways, as the bike is rated for a Vmax of around 170 km/h. Transmission is via a 6-speed gearbox equipped with an oil-immersed, anti-dribble multi-plate clutch.

The 450 MT also boasts a number of features in keeping with the spirit of the modern trail bike, such as a 5-inch TFT color display, USB-C socket and hand guards for the control panel.

A trail bike for everyday use.

In conclusion, on paper, this CFMOTO 450 MT ticks all the boxes for a near-flawless machine: looks, engine, equipment - it's got it all! It takes on the DNA of the first trail bikes, like the Yamaha 500 XT: a machine capable of riding every day from Monday to Friday, then taking you on a great adventure at weekends or during the vacations. A test ride will confirm that the feathers match the wings...

Points to remember :

- Seat height 820 mm / adjustable up to 800 mm / high seat 870 mm optional accessory package
- 21"/18" spoked alloy wheels (tubeless)
- Off-road-oriented controls (metal + rubber)
- Bosch Traction Control System (TCS)
- Curved TFT display
- CF-SC slipper clutch
- KYB adjustable suspension
- Large radiator
- Adjustable rally-style windshield
- Bosch dual-channel ABS (rear wheel switchable)

The CFMOTO 450MT will be available in two unique colors, Zephyr Blue and Tundra Grey, from CFMOTO dealers.

Vincent Beaucousin - Manufacturer's photos