CF Moto 450MT: A Thorough Review of Reliability and Performance for Adventure Riding
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Introduction
In this comprehensive review, I aim to tackle the most pressing questions surrounding the CF Moto 450MT. After riding this motorcycle over 10,000 kilometers from Germany to Asia, I’ve put it through some serious tests that question its durability and performance for adventure touring. My extensive journey, which included highway stretches, rugged off-roading, and temperatures soaring beyond 40°C, gave me first-hand insights into how reliable this motorcycle really is.
Through multiple crashes and challenging terrains, I worked to push this bike to its limits, and now I’d like to share my experiences. Is the CF Moto 450MT suitable for the adventurous rider? How does it stack up against other, often pricier adventure bikes? Join me as we dive into the build quality, engine performance, and much more.
Chapter 1: Build Quality, Fairings, and Cockpit
Initial Impressions
Setting off on my journey without any crash bars or additional protective gear, I was initially apprehensive. Nonetheless, the bike held up remarkably well despite several drops. Most of the fairings are made of plastic – I liken it to Megan Fox, looks delicate but surprisingly resilient.
- Crash Resilience: Despite dragging the bike over rocky terrain, it sustained minimal damage beyond superficial scratches.
- Center of Gravity: One notable downside is the higher center of gravity, which can make picking the bike up more challenging after a fall.
Accuracy of Specifications
One significant issue I identified is the misleading weight information on the official German website, stating it as 175 kg fully fueled, when in fact it's closer to 195 kg. This kind of false advertising can be perplexing and frustrating for potential buyers.
Components and Comfort
- Engine Guard: The stock engine guard is adequate but I recommend upgrading to a sturdier option for longer trips.
- Cockpit Functionality: All components in the cockpit remained functional, including USB ports and the windshield.
- Suspension: The suspension is on the stiff side but suited me well, weighing 80 kg plus luggage. If you opt for more comfort, investing in a better suspension might be wise.
Seating Position
The seating arrangement has its positives in comfort, but I found myself sitting too much inside the bike, wanting a rally seat to help navigate off-road better. Additional wider footpegs would enhance grip given the fat tank design.
Chapter 2: Engine & Gearbox
Engine Reliability Through Challenges
As I embarked on this expedition, I had my doubts regarding the bike’s longevity, particularly as this was uncharted territory for the CF Moto 450MT. However, the engine has vastly surpassed my expectations.
- Highway Performance: Riding from Istanbul to Germany in just 40 hours covering 2,500 km on the highway, the engine showed no signs of distress; it didn’t burn oil, nor was there any metal shavings found in the oil after an extensive check.
- Oil Change Requirement: While the recommended oil change interval is 5,000 km, I believe it’s sensible for long trips to routinely check and replace oil without hesitation.
Gearing Insights
Despite initial thoughts that the gearing seemed short, I found it perfect for both highway and technical off-road sections. The smooth operation of the clutch allowed continued ease when navigating rough environments without frequent stalling, unlike some competitors.
Chapter 3: Tires and Rims
Tubeless Tires Advantage
Equipped with tubeless tires (21 inch in front and 18 inch in rear), the benefits are clear. While they limit tire choices, they prevent the hassle of dealing with inner tubes in the case of flats.
- Performance: I used the K60 Scout tire (not in the exact size) and it performed adequately. Though not recommended for extreme heat, generally, I can’t complain about the tire performance.
- Rim and Brake Conditions: The rims held their integrity throughout the journey with intact spokes; the rear brake pads survived the travels while the front will need replacing soon.
Conclusion
Having ridden the CF Moto 450MT across diverse and tough conditions, I am convinced of its reliability as an adventure bike. This motorcycle performs well against competitors like the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the KTM 390 Adventure, all at a more accessible price point.
Essential Upgrades
For future adventures, I would recommend these upgrades:
- Sturdier Engine Guard
- Wider Foot Pegs
- Heavy-Duty Suspension (optional based on personal preference)
If you’re looking for an adventure bike that ticks all boxes for affordability and reliability, while still being ready for the wild, the CF Moto 450MT should be on your list. Don't hesitate to take it for a test ride!
Stay tuned for my travel documentary capturing this incredible journey, releasing later this year! Thank you for reading, and see you next time!
In all honesty: I tried really hard to destroy this motorcycle. I rode the 450MT over 10,000 km from Germany to Asia. Argh, my chest!
I dropped it several times without any crash bars and I rode it for 2,500 km on the highway from Istanbul to Germany within just 40 hours. The temperatures on this trip were beyond 40°C.
Along the way I did an oil change and examined the oil for metal shavings. I thoroughly inspected the bike after the trip all to answer the most important question: How reliable is this motorcycle really?
Is it suitable for adventure and what should you change or adjust before your first journey? And above all: How does it really compare to other, usually much more expensive Adventure bikes and competitors? The biggest criticism on all of the CF Moto videos is that it comes from
China and therefore Must Fall Apart, if you sneeze while riding. Often commented by people who haven't ridden a single mile on the bike themselves, but have found the truth somewhere between the cussions of their couch and the fat rolls of their beer belly.
Arguing with such people is is impossible but hey - I'll try anyway. This motorcycle has now been ridden for almost 11,000 km and it was a mix of Country Roads, highways, easy gravel roads and rough offroading. And most of the time at absolutely insane temperatures.
Let's go through the bike from front to back and discuss the problems and damages. Chapter 1: Build quality, fairings, cockpit At the start of my journey to Asia, there were no accessories available for this bike.
So I set off without any additional protective products such as crash bars, I just took the stock bike and And added some handguards and that's it. And... it held up. It crashed a few times, even like directly on its fairings
And I was surprised that it held up, because, honestly just like Megan Fox: Most of it is plastic I even dragged her lying on her side over rocks and apart from a few scratches, she had nothing. However, I noticed that you can definitely feel the higher center of gravity when picking her up.
By the way; The official German website still lists the wrong weight information. It states 175 kilos fully fueled and that is not correct. It is 175 kilos dry and about 195 kilos fully fueled.
I honestly think it's pretty uncool that this has been falsely advertised for months now. And while the thin stock engine guard has fulfilled its purpose, it is pretty beat up. For longer trips you should definitely attach a thicker, proper engine guard.
Even though the condition of the skit plate might suggest otherwise: I never bottomed out, even on rough passages and always had enough ground clearance. Everything in the cockpit is also still in place: The USB ports work, the windshield rattles, but is still there.
The suspension also did a great job. It's generally on the harder and stiffer side but honestly, for an 80 kg Rider with luggage, it fits perfectly. Sure, you could invest some big bucks for a better kit, but I honestly wouldn't do it.
It's it's just fine the way it is. It's good. I also learned to appreciate the foldable mirrors and the foldable gear lever - and rear brake.
When the motorcycle tips over, not everything is immediately bent or broken - that's cool. The seating position is comfortable, but for my taste you sit too much in the bike and not on top of it. So, for my next trip I would personally get a rally seat, so I can sit more
on top of the bike and also slide backwards and forwards more easily, when riding Offroad. And even though the standing position is quite solid, the tank is so fat that you definitely need wider foot pegs. Unless you're a cowboy and have crazy bowlegs.
Chapter 2: Engine & Gearbox Before I set off on my trip, I honestly had some concerns about the longevity of the bike. Because nobody had done such a trip with this machine before.
It's always risky to take these sorts of trips with a first generation vehicle. But on the other hand, I didn't really care if it held up either, because it's not my motorcycle. It's a press bike. So naturally, I trashed it for weeks at over 40°C, with a Dusty air filter.
And it had to keep up off-road and on-road with a fully equipped Norden Expedition and a 690 KTM, as well as a 700 GASGAS. All motorcycles that cost significantly more.
In some cases four times as much. And finally, I blasted from Istanbul to Germany on the highway, for about 2,500 km in Just 2 days with the MT 450. And I can tell you one thing: The engine did not even have a single hiccup.
It didn't even burn any oil. There was also no metal in the oil. This engine easily handled the 10,000 brutal kilometers. And did the rather short oil change interval of 5,000 kilometers bother me? No.
Because in my opinion, anyone doing such trips should do an oil change anyways after 5,000 km. You don't just ignore your bike on these sorts of trips for months. The oil change took 10 minutes and we didn't even have to remove the engine guard.
An original CF motor oil filter was organized within a few hours - in Montenegro of all places. I'm also pretty positive that the service intervals will change to 10,000 km or more in the future, because first of all, right now the machine is brand new.
CF Moto has no experience with this bike. And second of all at least in Germany they offer 4 years warranty, so naturally, they're a bit more careful. In my first impression video, the gears seem too short short to me.
On the road or especially the highway you reach red line at about 130 km an hour. Now that I've ridden this machine in some technical off-road sections, I can honestly say that the gearing is perfect the way it is and I wouldn't change it.
The clutch is also super easy to operate with just one finger, so you can comfortably putter over rough terrain without stalling. While the 690 and 700 GASGAS frequently stalled, the 450MT just chugged along. In fourth gear the engine now vibrates a bit, but it but it hasn't worsened or gotten better during my
whole trip. So, I just ignored the vibrations, they are still there. I'm not sure what that means... Chapter 3: Tires and Rims I'm riding tubeless tires. 21 inch in front and 18 inch in the rear.
Tubeless tires usually have the advantage that, in case of a flat, you don't have to remove the wheel and you don't have to fiddle with an inner tube. But in return, you also don't have as much choice when it comes to tire selection.
Especially with this niche rim size of 140 / 70/ 18 I rode the K60 Scout, which is actually not available in the correct size for the MT 450. We simply put on a 150 / 70 / 18 and it worked wonderfully.
So you can also use slightly different sizes. I don't especially recommend the tire especially in extreme heat, but that's a topic for a different video. The rims performed well and held up through everything.
But I always rode with quite a lot of air pressure to avoid any problems. All the spokes are intact and the brakes have worked great, too. After 11,000 km, the rear brake pads are fine, but the ones in front will have to get replaced soon.
Overall, I can't complain about the rims, the tires or the brakes. Everything worked perfectly. No Flats at all. But for my next trip I would get the higher Fender, which was not available at the start of my trip. This will probably be my last video about the 450 MT.
Because after two detailed videos in this big trip everything has been said. The bike is affordable, it's obviously reliable, it sounds awesome and it can handle off-road conditions just as well as much more expensive Adventure bikes.
Yes it is suitable for travel in its stock form and no you don't need 20 different accessories to make it fit for an adventure. In my opinion you only need handguards and a thicker engine guard.
Then throw something like the MoscoMoto bags over it and you're good to go. Serious competitors would be the new Royal Enfield Himalayan, the new, much more off-road oriented 2025 KTM 390 Adventure
and, if you want significantly less weight; The Honda CRF300 Rally. Take all of them for a test right and then make your own decision. My new travel documentary from Germany to Asia on the motorcycle will release at the end of the year on this channel.