I think it is something quite different. ok, the Himalayan 450, but if you want a twin, it's just this, or maybe a Honda NX500, but that's more money and a lower spec, so I can see why you changed your view.
@@PeakMotorcycles the NX500 was the other bike on my shortlist. Just wondering which dealer you ordered yours from. I’ve order mine from Clay Cross and it’s supposed to be arriving the end of this month.
@@Bannister99so you’re local then! I’d rather not mention the dealer just yet. There have been some problems with my order which are being addressed and an explanation on what went wrong. Whichever way it works out, I’ll share what happened, hopefully with a positive outcome and what KTM and the dealer are doing to improve in the future.
What a great ride through beautiful countryside - it really shows how having an adventure bike is not all about how fast you can go but just enjoying exploring at a reasonable speed and taking in the view. My fast superbike days are behind me now and I’m really looking forward to getting one of these for next year and taking life at a bit more relaxed pace.
I only rode it for a few hours, but yes, exactly what you said. Most of the roads near where I live in the Peak District National Park have a 50mph limit. I’ve owned plenty of faster bikes over the years, and am definitely of the opinion that it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. (Not that this is a slow bike, anything that can do a 50mph overtake uphill is plenty quick enough)
Hi. Great little walk around. Looking forward to you getting your own and reviewing. Hopefully you can tell us about luggage etc. One thing…. I have a CCM with J Juan brakes; when I first researched them I found that they were bought out by Brembo a couple of years ago, so they may not be as ‘low end’ as you may think?(I could be wrong, but I have no problems with stopping my CCM) Keep up the great channel, it’s appreciated.
Hi, I'm planning on putting the CFMoto frames on it and then adding my Enduristan Monsoon Evo panniers. The bike is heavy enough without adding metal boxes. As for the CCM and J Juan brakes, please excuse me. They may offer similar stopping power (or at least easily enough) as others. Brembo have a wide variety of products, so I guess it makes sense that they also have a good value product that can be fitted to a bike where low price is a key point. I have a CCM too, a Spitfire Stealth, but for some reason my bike came with double Brembos on the front... because that's what you need on a 140kg bike...
Awesome! I hope it’s what you’re looking for. I think they will do very well. Out of curiosity, may I ask what you currently ride? Quite a few folks seem to be using this as an opportunity to downsize from large adventure bikes, so I am wondering if that’s a significant part of the market.
I hope other brands wake up and realise a 500 twin is a seller. At the moment its only rivals are the other Chinese bikes which are less well known, the Honda NX500 (about £1K more but a proven engine and bike, albeit 180 crank), the new Himalayan (but that’s a single), and maybe the new Triumph 400 Scrambler (again a single). Whether this is a good bike or not is irrelevant at the moment as you basically can’t get one in the UK…
Yup. I think the market is shifting and realising that 140hp+ in a quarter ton adventure bike that costs over £20k might be far more than anyone needs. Even most “middleweights” are over 220kg, making over 100hp and cost north of £12k when spec’d up. Sometimes enough is enough, and if it goes well, has a decent spec, looks good and is a reasonable (or low) price then it should clean up. Hopefully a bigger allocation will be coming to the UK off the back of this success for next year.
I been waiting to hear from you and your impressions of this bike. However, I am more interested in your thoughts about it’s performance off road in comparison to the CRF300 Rally, WITH UPGRADED SUSPENSION! I’ve watched way too many videos with guys comparing these two bikes with stock suspension, particularly on the Honda. I think by now, everyone in the world knows that the Rally needs a suspension upgrade upon purchase, if your over 130lbs. It just doesn’t do us any good to compare this bike off road to the Rally, if you can’t run the Rally for all it’s got. Can’t wait till you get yours! Putting a 42T rear sprocket on the 300l/Rally, really helps a lot. If you have done a few of the simple power mods, ECU, air box, and exhaust, you don’t lose any top end speed. The 42T sprocket was one of the best mods I made to my Rally.
Thanks. I had hoped to be able to do these videos six weeks ago but something went wrong with my order. When mine comes and I can have a play with the suspension, I’d like to do a comparison video of the CRF vs Kove 450 vs 450MT. I’ll keep you posted. Interesting about the 42T rear sprocket for the 300. My bike has the Performance 550 ECU and an Arrow pipe and goes well enough, or I thought it did. Next time I’m changing chain and sprockets I’ll try at 42T. Thanks.
@@PeakMotorcycles I can’t wait to watch that video, I’m sure a lot of people will be able to appreciate it. The 42T sprocket on the Rally simply allows you to pull the front wheel up to get over obstacles and such, without having to grab a handful of clutch. Woodsman Adventure talked me into getting one, and I have zero complaints. he doesn’t even have any performance mods on his 300l, so he notices a 1-2mph loss in top end speed, but with the mods that you an I have, I found there is 0 loss.
Downsizing seems to be a popular choice. I have a R1250GS and the equivalent 1300 is over £22k. It might be faster and more advanced but is it 3x more bike than the 450MT. I suspect not
Thanks for that. I bought a CRF after seeing your reviews and love it however it’s going to be extremely interesting to see your impressions of the MT especially when you start taking yours off road. The MT is about 40kg heavier than the CRF. I if I didn’t own a big road bike and only had one do everything bike it would be the MT certainly if I did long trips at highway speeds.
You’re welcome. Hopefully I can do a set of videos about the 450MT too, though as a package it’s pretty complete already, but I have ordered a few bits and pieces. I’m sure I’ll work something out.
first of all, great video, thank you. but how do you ride with a camera mounted on the windshield? probably want to change that setup for a safer ride.
I think the angle of the chin camera makes it look far more obscured than it actually is. It’s mounted on the Nav bar on the bike, so if not that, that’s were the GPS goes. The chin camera I have is mounted quite low on the helmet so it gives a point of view perhaps 8-10” below my eye line. To put it another way, the top of the screen is below my shoulders so I’m very much looking over the screen and not through it. I hope that makes sense.
Thank you for your first ride video in a lovely part of the country (I should visit more often TBH) My experience so far. I've had mine for 9 days and 535 miles with its first service this week. Crash bars have also just turned up in time for that as well. Loving it as my first adv and very different experience from my others (BMW F900R, KTM DUKE 690, Ducati 749 for reference). Once I got used to the 21 inch front and the slightly ponderous (in comparison) turn in I have found it quite agile, and generally very easy to ride. IMHO it does need the new throttle map to sort out the mildly snatchy throttle low at revs but it's not spoiling the experience. Apparently CFMOTO rolled one out in some markets the other day. Going up to a 15 tooth front sprocket reportedly drops the revs by about 400 rpm and is in my list of must do mods. The supplied seat height is about right for me and I'm about 5 foot 8 inches for reference. Front suspension IS set up very stiff so I'm dialing that back at the moment. Unusually I added a tiny bit (2mm) of preload on the rear which I never do as I'm pretty lightweight. Normally I'm getting a bike re-sprung with a softer spring! I managed to get my deposit on the first batch at our local dealer and only did it on a whim back in March, but no regrets now I have it. What you get for the price is very good. I think most will be pleased with it. It's a banger of a little engine in there for sure. There IS always room for improvement. I will eventually replace the handguards for stronger ones for example, but as an out of the box, all in package for someone like me it's great. I didn't really buy it for green laning around here (although I'm already checking out the O.S. maps for a very few local b.o.a.t.), but there is plenty of countryside with single track, pot holed and gravelly roads that this is perfect for, and I'm enjoying the totally different and relaxed pace. :)
Thanks, that’s a great summary! I have a 15T in my plans, having ridden this one stock. I run a R1250GS, Kove 450 Rally, CRF300 Rally and a handful of others and see this sitting alongside those. I ordered mine on January 6th but something went wrong and I’m still waiting. The dealer have said it will be here in September and both KTM and even CFMoto in China have been in touch and are looking into what went wrong. Thankfully Murray let me use his for the videos. I’m 6’1 and not lightweight, so I also see some suspension adjustment and a high seat in my future! All the best for your future miles and by all means call in if you’re in this part of the world.
@@PeakMotorcycles Crikey! Jan 6th? Something definitely went wrong. I thought I was getting in early in March. And my wife has just started talking about us heading up there for a short break in September, so you may have spoken too soon! :D
Helloooooooo. Love this bike. Though I wouldn't compare it with the 300. I'd compare it with the Honda nx. Though that could be a mistake. As the nx is more a road bike. Or is it? I wouldn't mention the KTM 790,890 KTM is dealing with massive Cam shaft issues with those bikes at the moment. And CFmoto uses the engine in a couple of models. Though knowing CF moto. They probably choose the good ones 😛
Yup, it’s different to the 300, perhaps closer to the NX500/CB500X but it definitely feels more suited to off-road compared to the Honda 500. Also hoping it doesn’t have the camshaft problems of the 790
Thanks for the review, the tall seat is 50mm higher. I have one on order and I’ve ridden the 450 nk, it’s a completely different engine. Not a very flexible engine and it revs to 10k
Thanks Brian. 50mm higher would be great. I also saw that there's a lower seat out there (lower than standard at least) though not sure what difference that makes. I guess the 450nk is tuned more for top end power than low end torque, which makes sense. Hopefully I can try one one day.
I know they are somewhat different motorcycles but would love to see a comparison between the Kove 450 and the CFMoto 450 MT. I currently also own a heavily modded CRF300L Rally and looking at both as a possible "upgrade" for doing things like the BDR's, TAT, and the Continental. The problem for me is getting to where I want to go involves a lot of tarmac before hitting the dirt. I love the CRF but struggle with the power a bit on mountainous backcountry roads. Thanks for the video!
I have all 3 (or I will when my 450MT arrives), so I think I can do that. Might need 2 volunteers to ride the other two and swap through a day and then discuss and try to reach a conclusion.
@@PeakMotorcycles That would be amazing! You will probably be one of the only reviewers to actually own all three. I would love to volunteer ... but alas I am across the pond in the States.
I find the CF Moto and the Kove also an interesting alternative to the CRF Rally. But the CF Moto and the Kove are two different bikes build for different purposes. CF Moto is more onroad focussed with a bit of offroad capabilites and the KOVE is more offroad focussed with onroad capabilites (like the CRF). I own a heaviliy modded Honda Rally myself and i´m really in doubt which of the two will replace the little Honda.....i´m more biased towards the Kove (if it had been on the market in 2020 i´ve never bought the Honda to be honest) but if i go into myself and look at the majority of riding i do (70onroad / 30 off) i should buy the CF Moto. On the other hand i have a weight barrier set for myself that i never will buy again a bike which is heavier than 150kg...which will be exceeded by the CF Moto. KOVE looks like a proper Rally bike and handling is beautifull. Fits like a glove to my size compared to the Honda which needed risers and lowered pegs and still is and feels like a little toy compared to the KOVE and especially the CF Moto. I still like the reliability of the Honda but i feel it´s time to move on......and no KTM 390 ADV (coming in 2025) is NO option! Would be great to see a review of all the three bikes and compare them. Also would like to take part as a test rider but i´m not based in the UK.....but i´m only 1h away by airplane 😁 @PeakMotorcycles Good content as always 😀
Well, I have a 450MT the same as this. The bike you are riding is running a lot smoother than mine. Mine will NOT purr along like that at lower revs. Coughs and misses from 2500 to 4000. Up at 5000, yep, great on mine. And yes, there is very little vibration.
That is interesting. May I ask when you received your bike and how many miles it has on it? This one was almost new, with 350 ‘running in’ miles on it. It was delivered to the owner in the first week in July. I had seen some posts about rough running (or maybe it was the jerky throttle at low speeds?) which were fixed by an ECU update either by dealers or ‘Over the Air’ in countries that equipped the bike with that feature. May I also ask where you are and the what spec your bike is? I see in the user manual that there are two entries for some specs and I assume there is a Euro emissions compliant one with lower power and a rest of the world one with higher power.
same, mine have almost 3k kms, it's one of the first batch. mine really need the firmware update, no tbox so have to do it in the dealership but they don't have the capacity to do so atm, been 3 weeks :(, it also have stalling issue fuel cutting off intermittently when clutched-in downshifting or doing short revs so engine dies.
@@nathanthepostmanthat was a shame… but then, they don’t rely on Voge for a fleet of bikes for content 🤣. I think the Voge is great and is pretty close to the CRF300 out of the box for a lot less. There was a chap on one at the Sweet Lamb Baja riding it hard and alongside plenty of more established brands and doing well enough. For the price, there’s very little out there that comes close.
I am picky about the wind and I didn't feel the windshield was working for me. Maybe one of the reasons is that it is quite far from rider. I am 165cm with a short back. Throttle was a twitchy in low speed. And the bike was in running-in period so couldn't use more than 6000rpm. All in all, it seems like an excellent bike from many reasons, especially the price point.
That’s what the owner said too, but adding that wing (an AliExpress special) seemed to be very effective at minimising wind, even at 70mph. It is definitely a long way away 🤣.
Definitely, though most of the folks I know who are interested in them aren’t beginners. Far from it in fact. Many are older riders looking to downsize from litre+ adventure bikes. I didn’t notice the high centre of gravity as much as on a T7 or a 850GS, but then it only had half a tank of fuel, so perhaps that makes more of a difference when full to the brim.
Oh when u Take delivery of yours, make sure the frame is properly sealed at the ends and the bungs. Reports of water getting inside the frame and rusting on the inside. Other than that. Twist and enjoy😊
I saw the post about that where the chap drilled drain holes. I had a look on this bike and it’s not the frame. It’s the two bolt on bars that hold the bash guard. (Still needs to be sealed, but not a frame risk)
I’ve not ridden a 390 adventure for a few years, but I’d probably say yes. (Apologies to 390 adventure owners…) I suspect this would have been the 490 Adventure if KTM had persevered with the programme.
Is the power enough for 2UP? I have a 2013 Tiger Explorer 1200 and its weight sometimes feels overwhelming. I do enjoy the power of the triple, but the weight kills the joy as soon as the terrain becomes technical. I was considering 450MT as its has lower weight and good amount of power.
Unknown I’m afraid. I would have thought so, but you won’t be doing any fast overtakes and compared to a tiger 1200, it’s 30% lighter (192kg vs 260kg) but also has 1/3 the power (43hp vs 135hp) so I expect performance will be about half. Then again, riding two up, how often do you get to pin the throttle open? If you’re riding at 1/3 throttle then the top end power won’t be used anyway. If you can test ride one 2-up I think that would be best (if you can find one to test ride)
I know, and I will. One thing I would say is that despite being £1000 cheaper and 30kg heavier than my CRF300 Rally, the fully adjustable stock suspension is way better than the stock suspension on the CRF. The weight will be a challenge on the trails, but then there are compromises to be made at this price point.
@@PeakMotorcycles I found if u just keep on the revs, they like the momentum, but as u start to throw it around like the lighter bike, ur confidence will grow, I've believe practice practice and do it some more, anyway enjoy ur new toy🤣🇦🇺
Depends on the road/trail split I guess (I haven’t been able to ride one off road yet). It’s a more comfortable road bike than the Kove, but the Kove is far more capable off road. If dirt roads used by cars, I think either. The ergonomics of the Kove are better for standing, but the seated comfort is better on the 450MT. I should also add that the Kove is £2000 more expensive, had a longer range, more power, less weight, a high exhaust and more advanced suspension. That’s where the extra money goes. The question is if you need those things.
Do you mean a comparison with the Kove? I think they are very different bikes that sort of meet in the 'Adventure bike' space. The Kove is a Rally bike, essentially an enduro with a big fuel tank and a screen. Off road there's no comparison, the Kove is the better bike. For many (including me), I don't plan on entering any rallys, or riding enduro on it. It's also £3000 more than the CFMoto, which is a good value, well spec'd adventure bike. (I think it's 30kg heavier than the Kove, dry) but the price difference alone doesn't allow the same spec of components. Horses for courses like so many things.
🤣 still in the backlog. Let me know how many pints I owe you for the delay 🤣. I’m away quite a lot for the rest of the year and then mostly at home in 2025… let us see. I still have the Denali lights and mounts to go on it.
@@PeakMotorcycles 🤣 At this rate you'll owe me the factory... How hard can it be to get these on there? SURELY you can squeeze out an afternoon somewhere to record the procedure? Or has the CRF become the poor child that gets ignored now that a new born has arrived in the family who gets all the love and attention? 🤔
Considering one of these just sold my 04 1200gs too heavy and too many faults these smaller capacity bikes seem ideal for bombing up to work and bodding around the lakes
That seems to be a popular upgrade (downgrade?) choice. Both from a size, weight, function, and very much value. I have no doubt that a new 1300GS is an incredible motorcycle, but they are 4x the price of a 450MT, and if you don't need the extra that they offer, perhaps a 450 twin is enough.
🤣 Murray keeps a visor cleaning cloth in it. It just stuffs in there and he can clean his visor on the move. Apparently. (He did offer to take it off for the video, but I think I'd already asked enough of him!)
Hate the thought of buying a communist bike, but this looks like a really compelling option TBH. CF Moto website here in the US still has no mention of it though, as far I can see. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
That is a tricky one, but I know what you mean. It does extend to many things though, including the iPhone that I’m writing this on and some components of most (all?) motorcycles out there. German, Italian and Japanese brands were not viewed favourably over here in the 1950’s, but even a generation on views changed. For the avoidance of doubt, I’m not saying this is the same situation, it isn’t, but sentiment may follow similar lines with time. I think it’s called an Ibex 450 in the US, not a 450MT.
@@PeakMotorcycles It is important to note the difference between post WW2 to now. After the second world war and into the 50s the wars were over. There was a lot of residual distaste for anything German or Japanese, but they weren't actively fighting democracy. China on the other hand right now are being bullies, contesting existing borders and agreements in Hong Kong and Taiwan, using trade to combat Australia and other countries, and supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. They are an autocracy and seriously being bastards. That said, I too like the MT450 and think it is the bike that the market clearly needs, and shame on the other manufacturers for resisting. It is the only bike currently with this offering, and it has been executed particularly well, so it is understandable that it will be popular.
I believe the 450MT is built in Thailand. The motor is probably built in China. CFMoto have been around for thirty years. CFMoto have been in partnership for design and development with KTM for many years. KTM distribute CFMoto bikes in Europe. I have read that a lot of non Chinese brands use CFMoto parts. As for Chinese. Try putting your Western 'made/brand' car in your garage and removing every single thing from it that is made in China, then see how much you have left of it. This is NOT China's fault. It was our Western corporations that shut down our factories and transferred manufacturing to China.
@@lawrieyoutube4375 Yeah I agree it is now hard to unravel ourselves from being dependent on the Chinese, blame squarely with our own corporations. You can be sure the CCP will rely on that when they go to war with the west, and try to hold us to ransom. I also wouldn't use the KTM relationship as an example of CFMoto credibility. KTM have quality and design problems, which is a genuine concern for anything else that come out of the CFMoto factory. I hope that this little 450 is not designed by KTM. It is more like the Yamaha CP2, so maybe CFMoto have done this on their own, which I would be happier about.
@@MotoGuzziMoto My father, who fought the Japanese in Papua New Guinea would not own a German or Japanese car. That said, he had very little time for US bullying of people around the world while liking many individual Americans personally. May I respectfully suggest you are careful with such opinions on a motorcycle channel. Western main stream media is part of the elite corporate power structure. Recent UK and current US elections are hardly shining examples of a democratic process to hold up to the world. (Glass houses and all that.) My city of Brisbane will be hosting a future olympics and I groan at what I see of the Paris effort. Maybe as everyday citizens we should be trying to diffuse tension in non-political arenas.
That’s the climb out of Edale up to Mam Nick. It’s a road that’s photographed a lot and used for all sorts of things from sample screens on computer monitors to Royal Enfield’s Tripper Navigation promo video. It’s this road: maps.app.goo.gl/aHN6eRmdtqiqwjBf7
I'm curious why the service interval is so short. 3000mi maintenance is Ural territory which .. doesn't seem great, especially for adventure traveling purposes..
It may be caution. The engine in this state of tune is new, so it’s easier to propose more regular servicing (possibly better or at least more lucrative for the dealers too?) to make sure everything is ok before extending it? That’s what appeared to happen with my new BSA Goldstar. I guess we shall see in time.
My local CFMOTO dealer informed me at my bikes first service that it’s fine to bring the bike in once a year or every 10,000 kilometres and still keep your warranty in tact. Valve check is done at 40,000 kilometres. I’m loving mine, great bike and great fun off road👍🏽
Thanks for the video, I am interested in this bike or the Kove 450, I understand that you own both. which do you prefer ? I need a bike for B roads and a stretch of dual carriageway here on the volcano, steep roads, lots of trails. Advice greatly appreciated. The Kove looks like more fun but less comfy. I'm 6ft 78kgs
The Kove is a Rally bike, the MT is an adventure bike. With the Kove you get bigger range, more power, less weight, better suspension and more off-road capability, but you also get ‘race’ levels of comfort and seat height. (It’s not as comfortable as the MT). It’s also 50% more money. From your description, I think the MT is probably a better fit, but if you can try both, you’d probably work out quite quickly which way to go.
No not for me I will stick to myCRF rally until the amazing Honda bring out a proper lightweight 450ish cc similar service intervals as existing 300 hopefully in the near future❤
Fair enough, but I'd also suggest trying one if you can. I'm keeping my CRF Rally for now too, but this is arguably a better road bike and the CRF is a better trail bike, so I guess it comes down to where you're riding. If more road than trails, I think the 450MT makes more sense. If more trails, then the CRF is the better bike.
Honestly i doubt that Honda will bring out a 450cc single in the future to replace the 300 (and stay in the same or less weight category as the 300 Rally). I was of the same opinion as you and really tempted as Honda revealed the 450 CRF L Rally at the fairs but was ambarrased as they did not get into production. No China made a big impact on the lightweight class (450) and this hopefully gets the attention of the japanese manufacturers and they produce what the riders want and not what the sales and commercial personal think the riders want.... But to be honest the build quality of the CF Moto or the KOVE is not less the the Thai CRF Rally in fact they are equal if not better than the Thai Honda. I looked at the KOVE owned by a mate personally (not ride it unfortunatly) and was very impressed what has been build by the chinese brand. Also looked at the CF Moto at a retailer store and again what i´ve found was really impressive. And this completly changed my mind. It´s a new era....sounds a bit strange but for me it seems so.... The chinese brands (politics aside) are making a big impact in the bike business and the japanese and european manufacturers (which also producing in China or India right now) getting a strong competition in the upcoming years and will be overrun if they stay on the high seats they are sitting. Speaking to Kove riders there was not one of them who was not impressed by the bike and immediatly regretted the purchase. In fact all of them loved the bike. The same with CF Moto 450 MT riders.....not much of bad words and all of them are happy with the purchase getting a bike they wanted for ages and no one of the established manufacturers listened.....until Kove and CF Moto stepped up.... Tbh i´ve not seen a grin from every rider after (test)riding the 300 Rally ;-)
Low seat, good price will make it a success. But weight, service intervals, weird rear tyre size and consumption are not up-to-date. The engine is an aborted KTM project, hope it will last ;-) Have a great weekend, Günter/Nürnberg
Weight is a problem, but it doesn't stop other, heavier bikes from selling. I think it's about 10kg lighter than a T7 or a Versys 650, though with less power than both. I suppose it'll come down to how it carries it. For the rear tyre, Bridgestone and Dunlop make road tyres in that size. 130/80's seem popular enough, so perhaps that would get close enough to the stock 140/70? (Either that or a 140/80?) Maybe even a 150/70 if there's enough clearance on the swingarm. If the bike sells well enough I expect there will be tyres coming out to fit. We shall see.
@@enduromotorradtouren I had a look at the TUV tyre requirements for Germany. We don’t have that here (or in many/most? other countries.) I can see why that would be a problem in Germany. Hopefully they sort it.
@@PeakMotorcycles Indeed, Andre, it's buerocratic over here to change the tyre size. And it costs money. I just found out that German CF Moto dealers have a way of officially licencing 140/80-18, so all unpaved problems are solved. All the best, Günter
@@PeakMotorcycles Don´t talk about TÜV please ;-) It´s the red towel for the bull...and it gets even worse in 2025 with new tyre regulations----..would love to have the UK MOT here which would made our biker life much more easy. As mentioned in the COC there is also 140/80-18 listed which gives a good range of available tyres from street to real offroad. I wish the 450 MT would be 20kg lighter than this would be the next bike for me without any hesitation although i love the look and build of the KOVE more ;-) If you are looking for a cheap ADV Bike with a modern look and not many compromises the CF Moto 450 is the way to go especially for this bargain.
I’d never buy a Chinese bike…Until this bike came along. Ordered in June and waiting for it to arrive.
I think it is something quite different. ok, the Himalayan 450, but if you want a twin, it's just this, or maybe a Honda NX500, but that's more money and a lower spec, so I can see why you changed your view.
@@PeakMotorcycles the NX500 was the other bike on my shortlist. Just wondering which dealer you ordered yours from. I’ve order mine from Clay Cross and it’s supposed to be arriving the end of this month.
@@Bannister99so you’re local then! I’d rather not mention the dealer just yet. There have been some problems with my order which are being addressed and an explanation on what went wrong. Whichever way it works out, I’ll share what happened, hopefully with a positive outcome and what KTM and the dealer are doing to improve in the future.
I bought a second hand chinese 125cc I have had 17 years past MOT every time. 👍
Taiwan IS china no matter what USA says.
What a great ride through beautiful countryside - it really shows how having an adventure bike is not all about how fast you can go but just enjoying exploring at a reasonable speed and taking in the view. My fast superbike days are behind me now and I’m really looking forward to getting one of these for next year and taking life at a bit more relaxed pace.
I only rode it for a few hours, but yes, exactly what you said. Most of the roads near where I live in the Peak District National Park have a 50mph limit. I’ve owned plenty of faster bikes over the years, and am definitely of the opinion that it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow. (Not that this is a slow bike, anything that can do a 50mph overtake uphill is plenty quick enough)
Hi. Great little walk around. Looking forward to you getting your own and reviewing.
Hopefully you can tell us about luggage etc.
One thing…. I have a CCM with J Juan brakes; when I first researched them I found that they were bought out by Brembo a couple of years ago, so they may not be as ‘low end’ as you may think?(I could be wrong, but I have no problems with stopping my CCM)
Keep up the great channel, it’s appreciated.
Hi, I'm planning on putting the CFMoto frames on it and then adding my Enduristan Monsoon Evo panniers. The bike is heavy enough without adding metal boxes.
As for the CCM and J Juan brakes, please excuse me. They may offer similar stopping power (or at least easily enough) as others. Brembo have a wide variety of products, so I guess it makes sense that they also have a good value product that can be fitted to a bike where low price is a key point. I have a CCM too, a Spitfire Stealth, but for some reason my bike came with double Brembos on the front... because that's what you need on a 140kg bike...
I'm 5'8 with only a 29inch inside leg! I cant wait to test ride one of these! Think it could be my next bike!
Love the look of this bike
They’ve done a decent job of it. Can you tell it’s the same design studio that KTM use?
That scene... Awesome.... And a wonderful review of the bike.. Thanks
My pleasure!
Thanks for the review have one on order I think am looking at October can’t wait
Awesome! I hope it’s what you’re looking for. I think they will do very well. Out of curiosity, may I ask what you currently ride? Quite a few folks seem to be using this as an opportunity to downsize from large adventure bikes, so I am wondering if that’s a significant part of the market.
@@PeakMotorcycles yeah trading my bmw f650 gs in for the mt same power but lower seat and lighter and all the whistles and bells
@@howardmann5634 sold my 1200GS Rallye and CRF250L to get this.
Good job on the review! 😍
Thanks. Glad to get one done, even if my bike isn’t here.
@@PeakMotorcycles still waiting on mine too.... 6 months since I handed over the deposit here in Ireland 🇮🇪 hope to have it before September
I hope other brands wake up and realise a 500 twin is a seller. At the moment its only rivals are the other Chinese bikes which are less well known, the Honda NX500 (about £1K more but a proven engine and bike, albeit 180 crank), the new Himalayan (but that’s a single), and maybe the new Triumph 400 Scrambler (again a single). Whether this is a good bike or not is irrelevant at the moment as you basically can’t get one in the UK…
Yup. I think the market is shifting and realising that 140hp+ in a quarter ton adventure bike that costs over £20k might be far more than anyone needs. Even most “middleweights” are over 220kg, making over 100hp and cost north of £12k when spec’d up. Sometimes enough is enough, and if it goes well, has a decent spec, looks good and is a reasonable (or low) price then it should clean up. Hopefully a bigger allocation will be coming to the UK off the back of this success for next year.
I did not like the new Himalayan , but i loved Triumph 400 Scrambler !
I been waiting to hear from you and your impressions of this bike. However, I am more interested in your thoughts about it’s performance off road in comparison to the CRF300 Rally, WITH UPGRADED SUSPENSION!
I’ve watched way too many videos with guys comparing these two bikes with stock suspension, particularly on the Honda. I think by now, everyone in the world knows that the Rally needs a suspension upgrade upon purchase, if your over 130lbs. It just doesn’t do us any good to compare this bike off road to the Rally, if you can’t run the Rally for all it’s got. Can’t wait till you get yours!
Putting a 42T rear sprocket on the 300l/Rally, really helps a lot. If you have done a few of the simple power mods, ECU, air box, and exhaust, you don’t lose any top end speed. The 42T sprocket was one of the best mods I made to my Rally.
Thanks. I had hoped to be able to do these videos six weeks ago but something went wrong with my order. When mine comes and I can have a play with the suspension, I’d like to do a comparison video of the CRF vs Kove 450 vs 450MT. I’ll keep you posted. Interesting about the 42T rear sprocket for the 300. My bike has the Performance 550 ECU and an Arrow pipe and goes well enough, or I thought it did. Next time I’m changing chain and sprockets I’ll try at 42T. Thanks.
@@PeakMotorcycles I can’t wait to watch that video, I’m sure a lot of people will be able to appreciate it. The 42T sprocket on the Rally simply allows you to pull the front wheel up to get over obstacles and such, without having to grab a handful of clutch. Woodsman Adventure talked me into getting one, and I have zero complaints. he doesn’t even have any performance mods on his 300l, so he notices a 1-2mph loss in top end speed, but with the mods that you an I have, I found there is 0 loss.
I’ve got a 1200 GSA LC but seriously considering one of these as a second bike amazing value .
Downsizing seems to be a popular choice. I have a R1250GS and the equivalent 1300 is over £22k. It might be faster and more advanced but is it 3x more bike than the 450MT. I suspect not
Thanks for that. I bought a CRF after seeing your reviews and love it however it’s going to be extremely interesting to see your impressions of the MT especially when you start taking yours off road. The MT is about 40kg heavier than the CRF. I if I didn’t own a big road bike and only had one do everything bike it would be the MT certainly if I did long trips at highway speeds.
You’re welcome. Hopefully I can do a set of videos about the 450MT too, though as a package it’s pretty complete already, but I have ordered a few bits and pieces. I’m sure I’ll work something out.
first of all, great video, thank you.
but how do you ride with a camera mounted on the windshield? probably want to change that setup for a safer ride.
I think the angle of the chin camera makes it look far more obscured than it actually is. It’s mounted on the Nav bar on the bike, so if not that, that’s were the GPS goes. The chin camera I have is mounted quite low on the helmet so it gives a point of view perhaps 8-10” below my eye line. To put it another way, the top of the screen is below my shoulders so I’m very much looking over the screen and not through it. I hope that makes sense.
Thank you for your first ride video in a lovely part of the country (I should visit more often TBH)
My experience so far.
I've had mine for 9 days and 535 miles with its first service this week. Crash bars have also just turned up in time for that as well. Loving it as my first adv and very different experience from my others (BMW F900R, KTM DUKE 690, Ducati 749 for reference). Once I got used to the 21 inch front and the slightly ponderous (in comparison) turn in I have found it quite agile, and generally very easy to ride.
IMHO it does need the new throttle map to sort out the mildly snatchy throttle low at revs but it's not spoiling the experience. Apparently CFMOTO rolled one out in some markets the other day. Going up to a 15 tooth front sprocket reportedly drops the revs by about 400 rpm and is in my list of must do mods.
The supplied seat height is about right for me and I'm about 5 foot 8 inches for reference.
Front suspension IS set up very stiff so I'm dialing that back at the moment. Unusually I added a tiny bit (2mm) of preload on the rear which I never do as I'm pretty lightweight. Normally I'm getting a bike re-sprung with a softer spring!
I managed to get my deposit on the first batch at our local dealer and only did it on a whim back in March, but no regrets now I have it. What you get for the price is very good.
I think most will be pleased with it. It's a banger of a little engine in there for sure. There IS always room for improvement. I will eventually replace the handguards for stronger ones for example, but as an out of the box, all in package for someone like me it's great. I didn't really buy it for green laning around here (although I'm already checking out the O.S. maps for a very few local b.o.a.t.), but there is plenty of countryside with single track, pot holed and gravelly roads that this is perfect for, and I'm enjoying the totally different and relaxed pace. :)
Thanks, that’s a great summary! I have a 15T in my plans, having ridden this one stock. I run a R1250GS, Kove 450 Rally, CRF300 Rally and a handful of others and see this sitting alongside those. I ordered mine on January 6th but something went wrong and I’m still waiting. The dealer have said it will be here in September and both KTM and even CFMoto in China have been in touch and are looking into what went wrong. Thankfully Murray let me use his for the videos.
I’m 6’1 and not lightweight, so I also see some suspension adjustment and a high seat in my future!
All the best for your future miles and by all means call in if you’re in this part of the world.
@@PeakMotorcycles Crikey! Jan 6th? Something definitely went wrong. I thought I was getting in early in March.
And my wife has just started talking about us heading up there for a short break in September, so you may have spoken too soon! :D
@@jonathanmacauleyphotographysure. Drop me a note to admin@peakmotorcycles.com if you’ll be around.
Helloooooooo. Love this bike. Though I wouldn't compare it with the 300. I'd compare it with the Honda nx. Though that could be a mistake. As the nx is more a road bike. Or is it?
I wouldn't mention the KTM 790,890 KTM is dealing with massive Cam shaft issues with those bikes at the moment. And CFmoto uses the engine in a couple of models. Though knowing CF moto. They probably choose the good ones 😛
Yup, it’s different to the 300, perhaps closer to the NX500/CB500X but it definitely feels more suited to off-road compared to the Honda 500. Also hoping it doesn’t have the camshaft problems of the 790
Thanks for the review, the tall seat is 50mm higher. I have one on order and I’ve ridden the 450 nk, it’s a completely different engine. Not a very flexible engine and it revs to 10k
Thanks Brian. 50mm higher would be great. I also saw that there's a lower seat out there (lower than standard at least) though not sure what difference that makes. I guess the 450nk is tuned more for top end power than low end torque, which makes sense. Hopefully I can try one one day.
The basic engine is the same as in 450NK, but with a little different tuning. Maybe different cams and ECU tune.
I know they are somewhat different motorcycles but would love to see a comparison between the Kove 450 and the CFMoto 450 MT. I currently also own a heavily modded CRF300L Rally and looking at both as a possible "upgrade" for doing things like the BDR's, TAT, and the Continental. The problem for me is getting to where I want to go involves a lot of tarmac before hitting the dirt. I love the CRF but struggle with the power a bit on mountainous backcountry roads. Thanks for the video!
I have all 3 (or I will when my 450MT arrives), so I think I can do that. Might need 2 volunteers to ride the other two and swap through a day and then discuss and try to reach a conclusion.
@@PeakMotorcycles That would be amazing! You will probably be one of the only reviewers to actually own all three. I would love to volunteer ... but alas I am across the pond in the States.
I find the CF Moto and the Kove also an interesting alternative to the CRF Rally. But the CF Moto and the Kove are two different bikes build for different purposes. CF Moto is more onroad focussed with a bit of offroad capabilites and the KOVE is more offroad focussed with onroad capabilites (like the CRF). I own a heaviliy modded Honda Rally myself and i´m really in doubt which of the two will replace the little Honda.....i´m more biased towards the Kove (if it had been on the market in 2020 i´ve never bought the Honda to be honest) but if i go into myself and look at the majority of riding i do (70onroad / 30 off) i should buy the CF Moto. On the other hand i have a weight barrier set for myself that i never will buy again a bike which is heavier than 150kg...which will be exceeded by the CF Moto.
KOVE looks like a proper Rally bike and handling is beautifull. Fits like a glove to my size compared to the Honda which needed risers and lowered pegs and still is and feels like a little toy compared to the KOVE and especially the CF Moto.
I still like the reliability of the Honda but i feel it´s time to move on......and no KTM 390 ADV (coming in 2025) is NO option!
Would be great to see a review of all the three bikes and compare them.
Also would like to take part as a test rider but i´m not based in the UK.....but i´m only 1h away by airplane 😁
@PeakMotorcycles Good content as always 😀
Well, I have a 450MT the same as this. The bike you are riding is running a lot smoother than mine. Mine will NOT purr along like that at lower revs. Coughs and misses from 2500 to 4000. Up at 5000, yep, great on mine. And yes, there is very little vibration.
That is interesting. May I ask when you received your bike and how many miles it has on it? This one was almost new, with 350 ‘running in’ miles on it. It was delivered to the owner in the first week in July. I had seen some posts about rough running (or maybe it was the jerky throttle at low speeds?) which were fixed by an ECU update either by dealers or ‘Over the Air’ in countries that equipped the bike with that feature. May I also ask where you are and the what spec your bike is? I see in the user manual that there are two entries for some specs and I assume there is a Euro emissions compliant one with lower power and a rest of the world one with higher power.
same, mine have almost 3k kms, it's one of the first batch. mine really need the firmware update, no tbox so have to do it in the dealership but they don't have the capacity to do so atm, been 3 weeks :(, it also have stalling issue fuel cutting off intermittently when clutched-in downshifting or doing short revs so engine dies.
@@metalsadman Thanks for replying. I am glad to know I am not alone. I am in Brisbane Australia. Where are you?
Great review. See if you can get a rip on the Kove 800x. MCN seemed to like the bike.
I’d love to. Mind you, do you recall the last bike that MCN didn’t like?! 🤣
@@PeakMotorcycles Voge 300 Rally. They slated that bike good and proper!
@@nathanthepostmanthat was a shame… but then, they don’t rely on Voge for a fleet of bikes for content 🤣. I think the Voge is great and is pretty close to the CRF300 out of the box for a lot less. There was a chap on one at the Sweet Lamb Baja riding it hard and alongside plenty of more established brands and doing well enough. For the price, there’s very little out there that comes close.
You need to get it off road had mine for over a month really make sense off road fantastic bike
Aye. I will. Just need to get mine.
I am picky about the wind and I didn't feel the windshield was working for me. Maybe one of the reasons is that it is quite far from rider. I am 165cm with a short back. Throttle was a twitchy in low speed. And the bike was in running-in period so couldn't use more than 6000rpm. All in all, it seems like an excellent bike from many reasons, especially the price point.
That’s what the owner said too, but adding that wing (an AliExpress special) seemed to be very effective at minimising wind, even at 70mph. It is definitely a long way away 🤣.
Great begginer adv bike...still 195kg wet weight and 43hp, high center odf gravity...but great looks and price...just do not expect too much of it.
Definitely, though most of the folks I know who are interested in them aren’t beginners. Far from it in fact. Many are older riders looking to downsize from litre+ adventure bikes. I didn’t notice the high centre of gravity as much as on a T7 or a 850GS, but then it only had half a tank of fuel, so perhaps that makes more of a difference when full to the brim.
Oh when u Take delivery of yours, make sure the frame is properly sealed at the ends and the bungs. Reports of water getting inside the frame and rusting on the inside. Other than that. Twist and enjoy😊
I saw the post about that where the chap drilled drain holes. I had a look on this bike and it’s not the frame. It’s the two bolt on bars that hold the bash guard. (Still needs to be sealed, but not a frame risk)
@@PeakMotorcycles oh that's good. I misunderstood. I thought it was the frame
Lovely dash. Goes well. Good price. Better than the 390 Adventure? Nick
I’ve not ridden a 390 adventure for a few years, but I’d probably say yes. (Apologies to 390 adventure owners…) I suspect this would have been the 490 Adventure if KTM had persevered with the programme.
@@PeakMotorcycles I think it probably would have been.
@@PeakMotorcycles I think KTM will regret not having a version of this when the dust has settled and they see how many CFMoto sold!
Is the power enough for 2UP? I have a 2013 Tiger Explorer 1200 and its weight sometimes feels overwhelming. I do enjoy the power of the triple, but the weight kills the joy as soon as the terrain becomes technical. I was considering 450MT as its has lower weight and good amount of power.
Unknown I’m afraid. I would have thought so, but you won’t be doing any fast overtakes and compared to a tiger 1200, it’s 30% lighter (192kg vs 260kg) but also has 1/3 the power (43hp vs 135hp) so I expect performance will be about half. Then again, riding two up, how often do you get to pin the throttle open? If you’re riding at 1/3 throttle then the top end power won’t be used anyway. If you can test ride one 2-up I think that would be best (if you can find one to test ride)
Its an adventure bike not dual sport like the crfs, ride it on all terrain, you'll soon see how good it is on dirt. 🇦🇺
I know, and I will. One thing I would say is that despite being £1000 cheaper and 30kg heavier than my CRF300 Rally, the fully adjustable stock suspension is way better than the stock suspension on the CRF. The weight will be a challenge on the trails, but then there are compromises to be made at this price point.
@@PeakMotorcycles I found if u just keep on the revs, they like the momentum, but as u start to throw it around like the lighter bike, ur confidence will grow, I've believe practice practice and do it some more, anyway enjoy ur new toy🤣🇦🇺
For mixed adventure how does it compare to the Kove 450?
Depends on the road/trail split I guess (I haven’t been able to ride one off road yet). It’s a more comfortable road bike than the Kove, but the Kove is far more capable off road. If dirt roads used by cars, I think either. The ergonomics of the Kove are better for standing, but the seated comfort is better on the 450MT. I should also add that the Kove is £2000 more expensive, had a longer range, more power, less weight, a high exhaust and more advanced suspension. That’s where the extra money goes. The question is if you need those things.
Be interesting to see the Kove 800
Do you mean a comparison with the Kove? I think they are very different bikes that sort of meet in the 'Adventure bike' space. The Kove is a Rally bike, essentially an enduro with a big fuel tank and a screen. Off road there's no comparison, the Kove is the better bike. For many (including me), I don't plan on entering any rallys, or riding enduro on it. It's also £3000 more than the CFMoto, which is a good value, well spec'd adventure bike. (I think it's 30kg heavier than the Kove, dry) but the price difference alone doesn't allow the same spec of components. Horses for courses like so many things.
@@PeakMotorcycles no sorry interesting to see how reviews go with it being allegedly lighter than most in that category and it’s value for money
How's that video for the CRF300's spotlights coming along?
🤣 still in the backlog. Let me know how many pints I owe you for the delay 🤣. I’m away quite a lot for the rest of the year and then mostly at home in 2025… let us see. I still have the Denali lights and mounts to go on it.
@@PeakMotorcycles 🤣 At this rate you'll owe me the factory... How hard can it be to get these on there? SURELY you can squeeze out an afternoon somewhere to record the procedure? Or has the CRF become the poor child that gets ignored now that a new born has arrived in the family who gets all the love and attention? 🤔
Considering one of these just sold my 04 1200gs too heavy and too many faults these smaller capacity bikes seem ideal for bombing up to work and bodding around the lakes
That seems to be a popular upgrade (downgrade?) choice. Both from a size, weight, function, and very much value. I have no doubt that a new 1300GS is an incredible motorcycle, but they are 4x the price of a 450MT, and if you don't need the extra that they offer, perhaps a 450 twin is enough.
Think it's a lovely bike, id buy 1...What is the tennis ball for ??, lol..Nice ride mate 🙂
🤣 Murray keeps a visor cleaning cloth in it. It just stuffs in there and he can clean his visor on the move. Apparently. (He did offer to take it off for the video, but I think I'd already asked enough of him!)
Hate the thought of buying a communist bike, but this looks like a really compelling option TBH. CF Moto website here in the US still has no mention of it though, as far I can see. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
That is a tricky one, but I know what you mean. It does extend to many things though, including the iPhone that I’m writing this on and some components of most (all?) motorcycles out there. German, Italian and Japanese brands were not viewed favourably over here in the 1950’s, but even a generation on views changed. For the avoidance of doubt, I’m not saying this is the same situation, it isn’t, but sentiment may follow similar lines with time.
I think it’s called an Ibex 450 in the US, not a 450MT.
@@PeakMotorcycles It is important to note the difference between post WW2 to now. After the second world war and into the 50s the wars were over. There was a lot of residual distaste for anything German or Japanese, but they weren't actively fighting democracy. China on the other hand right now are being bullies, contesting existing borders and agreements in Hong Kong and Taiwan, using trade to combat Australia and other countries, and supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. They are an autocracy and seriously being bastards.
That said, I too like the MT450 and think it is the bike that the market clearly needs, and shame on the other manufacturers for resisting. It is the only bike currently with this offering, and it has been executed particularly well, so it is understandable that it will be popular.
I believe the 450MT is built in Thailand. The motor is probably built in China. CFMoto have been around for thirty years. CFMoto have been in partnership for design and development with KTM for many years. KTM distribute CFMoto bikes in Europe. I have read that a lot of non Chinese brands use CFMoto parts.
As for Chinese. Try putting your Western 'made/brand' car in your garage and removing every single thing from it that is made in China, then see how much you have left of it.
This is NOT China's fault. It was our Western corporations that shut down our factories and transferred manufacturing to China.
@@lawrieyoutube4375 Yeah I agree it is now hard to unravel ourselves from being dependent on the Chinese, blame squarely with our own corporations. You can be sure the CCP will rely on that when they go to war with the west, and try to hold us to ransom. I also wouldn't use the KTM relationship as an example of CFMoto credibility. KTM have quality and design problems, which is a genuine concern for anything else that come out of the CFMoto factory. I hope that this little 450 is not designed by KTM. It is more like the Yamaha CP2, so maybe CFMoto have done this on their own, which I would be happier about.
@@MotoGuzziMoto My father, who fought the Japanese in Papua New Guinea would not own a German or Japanese car. That said, he had very little time for US bullying of people around the world while liking many individual Americans personally. May I respectfully suggest you are careful with such opinions on a motorcycle channel. Western main stream media is part of the elite corporate power structure. Recent UK and current US elections are hardly shining examples of a democratic process to hold up to the world. (Glass houses and all that.) My city of Brisbane will be hosting a future olympics and I groan at what I see of the Paris effort. Maybe as everyday citizens we should be trying to diffuse tension in non-political arenas.
What road was on the hill part of between 3 and 5 mins?
That’s the climb out of Edale up to Mam Nick. It’s a road that’s photographed a lot and used for all sorts of things from sample screens on computer monitors to Royal Enfield’s Tripper Navigation promo video. It’s this road: maps.app.goo.gl/aHN6eRmdtqiqwjBf7
@@PeakMotorcycles thank you
I'm curious why the service interval is so short. 3000mi maintenance is Ural territory which .. doesn't seem great, especially for adventure traveling purposes..
It may be caution. The engine in this state of tune is new, so it’s easier to propose more regular servicing (possibly better or at least more lucrative for the dealers too?) to make sure everything is ok before extending it? That’s what appeared to happen with my new BSA Goldstar. I guess we shall see in time.
My local CFMOTO dealer informed me at my bikes first service that it’s fine to bring the bike in once a year or every 10,000 kilometres and still keep your warranty in tact. Valve check is done at 40,000 kilometres. I’m loving mine, great bike and great fun off road👍🏽
@@twowheelin7361 is it top heavy?
@@kloppskalli no, it’s definitely not top heavy. Easy bike to ride👍🏽
@@twowheelin7361 thanks. Good to know!
Thanks for the video, I am interested in this bike or the Kove 450, I understand that you own both. which do you prefer ? I need a bike for B roads and a stretch of dual carriageway here on the volcano, steep roads, lots of trails. Advice greatly appreciated. The Kove looks like more fun but less comfy. I'm 6ft 78kgs
The Kove is a Rally bike, the MT is an adventure bike. With the Kove you get bigger range, more power, less weight, better suspension and more off-road capability, but you also get ‘race’ levels of comfort and seat height. (It’s not as comfortable as the MT). It’s also 50% more money. From your description, I think the MT is probably a better fit, but if you can try both, you’d probably work out quite quickly which way to go.
@@PeakMotorcycles Thanks for taking the time to reply.
No not for me I will stick to myCRF rally until the amazing Honda bring out a proper lightweight 450ish cc similar service intervals as existing 300 hopefully in the near future❤
Fair enough, but I'd also suggest trying one if you can. I'm keeping my CRF Rally for now too, but this is arguably a better road bike and the CRF is a better trail bike, so I guess it comes down to where you're riding. If more road than trails, I think the 450MT makes more sense. If more trails, then the CRF is the better bike.
Honestly i doubt that Honda will bring out a 450cc single in the future to replace the 300 (and stay in the same or less weight category as the 300 Rally).
I was of the same opinion as you and really tempted as Honda revealed the 450 CRF L Rally at the fairs but was ambarrased as they did not get into production.
No China made a big impact on the lightweight class (450) and this hopefully gets the attention of the japanese manufacturers and they produce what the riders want and not what the sales and commercial personal think the riders want....
But to be honest the build quality of the CF Moto or the KOVE is not less the the Thai CRF Rally in fact they are equal if not better than the Thai Honda. I looked at the KOVE owned by a mate personally (not ride it unfortunatly) and was very impressed what has been build by the chinese brand. Also looked at the CF Moto at a retailer store and again what i´ve found was really impressive.
And this completly changed my mind. It´s a new era....sounds a bit strange but for me it seems so....
The chinese brands (politics aside) are making a big impact in the bike business and the japanese and european manufacturers (which also producing in China or India right now) getting a strong competition in the upcoming years and will be overrun if they stay on the high seats they are sitting.
Speaking to Kove riders there was not one of them who was not impressed by the bike and immediatly regretted the purchase. In fact all of them loved the bike.
The same with CF Moto 450 MT riders.....not much of bad words and all of them are happy with the purchase getting a bike they wanted for ages and no one of the established manufacturers listened.....until Kove and CF Moto stepped up....
Tbh i´ve not seen a grin from every rider after (test)riding the 300 Rally ;-)
Low seat, good price will make it a success. But weight, service intervals, weird rear tyre size and consumption are not up-to-date. The engine is an aborted KTM project, hope it will last ;-) Have a great weekend, Günter/Nürnberg
Weight is a problem, but it doesn't stop other, heavier bikes from selling. I think it's about 10kg lighter than a T7 or a Versys 650, though with less power than both. I suppose it'll come down to how it carries it. For the rear tyre, Bridgestone and Dunlop make road tyres in that size. 130/80's seem popular enough, so perhaps that would get close enough to the stock 140/70? (Either that or a 140/80?) Maybe even a 150/70 if there's enough clearance on the swingarm. If the bike sells well enough I expect there will be tyres coming out to fit. We shall see.
@@PeakMotorcycles Pricing, low seat height and style will make it a success, Andre. Looking forward to your next rides, Günter/Nürnberg
@@enduromotorradtouren I had a look at the TUV tyre requirements for Germany. We don’t have that here (or in many/most? other countries.) I can see why that would be a problem in Germany. Hopefully they sort it.
@@PeakMotorcycles Indeed, Andre, it's buerocratic over here to change the tyre size. And it costs money. I just found out that German CF Moto dealers have a way of officially licencing 140/80-18, so all unpaved problems are solved. All the best, Günter
@@PeakMotorcycles Don´t talk about TÜV please ;-) It´s the red towel for the bull...and it gets even worse in 2025 with new tyre regulations----..would love to have the UK MOT here which would made our biker life much more easy. As mentioned in the COC there is also 140/80-18 listed which gives a good range of available tyres from street to real offroad.
I wish the 450 MT would be 20kg lighter than this would be the next bike for me without any hesitation although i love the look and build of the KOVE more ;-)
If you are looking for a cheap ADV Bike with a modern look and not many compromises the CF Moto 450 is the way to go especially for this bargain.
too revvy. needs an 8th gear
I went from 15 to 17 teeth sprocket on my Tenere and I love it
Didn’t get to try it at the top end, due to running in and not being my bike, but seemed to have enough torque low down.
I’d never buy a Chinese bike…Until this bike came along. Ordered in June and waiting for it to arrive.
👍