China’s CFMoto already offers twin-cylinder adventure bikes in the form of the 650MT, 700MT and 800MT models and for 2024 it’s stepping down to a smaller class with the new 450MT.

While most rivals near that capacity opt for single-cylinder engines – KTM’s 390 Adventure, for instance – the CFMoto 450MT borrows a parallel twin engine from the 450SR sports bike and 450NK, matching it to a style that’s got a much more serious off-road look than twin-cylinder alternatives like Honda’s new NX500 (nee CB500X).

That engine is retuned, dropping the peak power from 37kW to 32.5kW, arriving at 8.500rpm instead of 9,500rpm. Torque, meanwhile, is increased from 39Nm to 44Nm and comes at 6,250rpm, 1350rpm lower in the rev range than the 450SR or 450NK’s peak. There’s no change to the engine’s bore, stroke or compression ratio, suggesting the changes result from retuned electronics and cam profiles.

A steel tube chassis fitted with KYB upside-down forks and a matching rear monoshock – both with adjustable damping – offers 200mm of wheel travel at each end and 220mm of ground clearance, suggesting some genuine dirt road ability. Combined with a 21-inch wire-spoked front wheel with a 90/90 tubeless tyre and an 18-inch rear with 140/70 rubber, plus a weight of only 175kg, the 450MT makes a convincing case for itself in this part of the market.

As usual for a Chinese bike, there’s plenty of tech including a curved 5-inch TFT dash with phone connectivity and a USB-C socket, plus switchable Bosch ABS via calipers from Brembo subsidiary J.Juan. A 17.5-litre fuel tank promises plenty of range, and at 820mm the standard seat height doesn’t tower too height for most riders, but it can be adjusted down to 800mm if needed.

SPECIFICATIONS 

Ben Purvis