CF Moto 450MT

Yes it’s all looking very good and I’m looking forward to a test ride on one just to see how my opinion matches (or doesn’t) to others. I would say it could be as important to the small bike sector as the original Himalayan has been but with so many new small bikes coming out it may not have its own way. Looks incredible value and spec for the money especially as it has that 4 year warranty which will give everyone considerably more confidence in taking the leap into a new brand. It’s great to see new (to us) companies like cf moto /kove/ benelli making headway into the uk . The Japanese have largely not bothered with small trail /adventure bike bikes ( by small I mean under 500 ish cc)
 
Yes it’s all looking very good and I’m looking forward to a test ride on one just to see how my opinion matches (or doesn’t) to others. I would say it could be as important to the small bike sector as the original Himalayan has been but with so many new small bikes coming out it may not have its own way. Looks incredible value and spec for the money especially as it has that 4 year warranty which will give everyone considerably more confidence in taking the leap into a new brand. It’s great to see new (to us) companies like cf moto /kove/ benelli making headway into the uk . The Japanese have largely not bothered with small trail /adventure bike bikes ( by small I mean under 500 ish cc)

Interesting point you make. At last weekends Abr rally there were two lads on 125 cc Suzuki’s ……….both 1980’s models. Time was when the big four gave us Xl125/250’s TS 125/185/250 &. 370. DT125/175/250/400 etc.
 
The looks and specs are more like the Tuareg to me.
Sat on one at the ABR and although the seat height was too low for me the standing position was good.
Spoke to the head of UK sales - they ordered more than they were offered, got them and sold out.
Yeah in the video you posted he mentioned his height and feet flat on the floor and I'm 6ft2 so feel I would look a right tit
 
Yeah in the video you posted he mentioned his height and feet flat on the floor and I'm 6ft2 so feel I would look a right tit
I’m not so sure, it certainly has a middle weight feel to it - I’m pushing 6’5” and didn’t feel like Homer on a mini bike 😀 it would just be a bit cramped over a long journey. With a tall seat fitted I’d happily head off into the sunset on it.
We’ll be looking for a test ride soon - 4 year warranty anyone?
 
Had a good look at ABR, certainly looked smart. Small details let it down but maybe because it was rushed to the show
 
I expect a lot of the new 450 Himalayan sales will be heading the way of the MT. I think it’s better spec warranty and twin cylinder engine will prove very popular, the jump to Chinese bikes if you were considering an Indian one isn’t so great if moving from mainstream brands. The more I read about this bike the more I like it.
Has anyone ridden it yet? Abr festival?
 
CF Moto are one of several sister companies of KTM. All owned by the same group and simply using the family parts bin.
Although a better warranty than KTM by a fair margin.
 
I contacted my local dealer today to ask for a test ride. No demonstrators available, now taking orders for a March 2025 delivery!
 
Dropped into another dealer, in Wokingham. Ho ho ho, you'll only see one at show until the new year.

However, took the chance to have a really good look at other CFMotos and I have to say they looked very well made. The prices are so far from the established brands, CF are going to really disrupt the bike market.
 
Dropped into another dealer, in Wokingham. Ho ho ho, you'll only see one at show until the new year.

However, took the chance to have a really good look at other CFMotos and I have to say they looked very well made. The prices are so far from the established brands, CF are going to really disrupt the bike market.
They are and they aren’t. They are under the umbrella of ktm and are following the same pattern of reducing prices whenever they like. There was a €3000 drop on one 800 model recently in Ireland. I’m not a fan of KTM and the way they treat their customers. Witness the camshaft failure fiasco. CF Moto have a bad reputation in the quad market. KTMs solution to brake binding was to instruct riders to wash the brakes after every ride. There’s no doubt that CFMOTO appears to be good value. Wait till a year or 2 and see how much it’s worth. JJH
 
Having now ridden one of these from a dealer “somewhere in the south coast” I have to say I was very impressed.

At bang on 6ft tall I did find the leg position a little cramped. However the tall seat (on back order with a “gawd knows” delivery timescale) adding another 30mm that would sort the problem.

At 86kg plus riding gear I found the bike perfectly suspended for road work (didn’t ride of road). Wind management was good but would likely need a taller screen with the higher seat.

Motor is brilliant….an absolute peach. Is much more tractable than expected. At an indicated 70mph pulled to 80 easily. However at this speed revs were at 6800…with a very slight buzz through the bars.

For those wanting to do more road work than off road plus gravel+ trails I would drop a tooth on the drive cog.

Fit, finish and welds were significantly better than the 450 Himi. Also, unlike the Himi this motor has been around for a little while now with no reported issues.

So…..the verdict, I have cancelled the Himi order and put my money into a Chinese bike….something I never thought I would do. Turns up in February….we’ll see!

If you want a test ride the only place I could find offering one is Nathan the Postman at Dorothy’s speed shop….but it will cost you.
 
For those wanting to do more road work than off road plus gravel+ trails I would drop a tooth on the drive cog.
Add a tooth, on the front, or, lose a few off the back?
 
Was looking at losing on the back BUT it seems the consensus is go to 15 (from 14) on the front.
 
If you want a test ride the only place I could find offering one is Nathan the Postman at Dorothy’s speed shop….but it will cost you.
When you say it will cost you. Do you mean because you will end up buying one? or because the only way you can ride it is by booking one of Nathan's off road days?
 


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