Bottom line impression: The CF Moto 450MT is a Mini Tenere 700. Good on the road and off-road, suitable for short people anda combat look of an adventure bike.
And now for the long version: the adventure market has been booming in Israel for a long time and its market share of total motorcycle sales will already reach 30% in 2024. These are hundreds of bikes from different manufacturers and models in a variety of volume categories etc. For some reason, until now in the A1 category (up to 47.6 HP), there has not been a bike that can be wholeheartedly said to be an entry tool into the adventure field, a dualsport as they used to call it, that allows for a smooth ride and pleasant on the road (even if not at illegal speeds) and excellent off-road capabilities. Then came the CF Moto 450.
This is a well-rounded motorcycle. One that does road and off-road well without compromise. It inspires confidence thanks to the seat height (80-82 cm) which is suitable for short people like me (1.69m on a good day) who can lower two stable feet to the ground. Its weight distribution is excellent and symmetrical and the feeling on it, sitting and standing, is that it is a bike that feels much lighter than its actual weight (175 kg dry).
Technical specifications CF Moto 450
So what do we have there? 44 hp in a parallel twin engine, standard size tubeless rims (21" front and 18" rear), KYB adjustable shock absorbers with 200 mm travel, 17.5 liter fuel tank, a pair of radiators to keep the engine temperature low, 22 cm of ground clearace, traction control and ABS made by Bosch and if all that wasn't enough there is a 5" color TFT screen, folding mirrors and an adjustable wind shield. For the stated price, you also get the fuel tank protection and lower side protection.
So, how's the bike?
I spent half a day, almost entirely offroad on the CF Moto 450 and in my opinion itws a game changer. So far we've settled for the Honda CB500x, which isn't suitable for medium off-road but rides well on the road, or the KTM 390 Adv, which does great off-road but is less fun as a single engine on the road, both with a small front rim, short suspension travel and limited ground clearance.
It beats the new Himalayan 450 by a relatively small margin thanks to the engine for road riding, slightly lighter weight and a stonger engine by 4hp.
The CF Moto 450 rides smoothly on the road at a cruising speed of 120-130 km/h, it can go faster if you push it but the exhaust screams a bit at high speed. The height and weight distribution gives confidence for experienced riders as well as for riders who are not seasoned off-road animals.
For my weight (69 kg) the shocks worked great and didn't close even when I tried, I guess like on the Tenere700 - heavy riders will have to upgrade the shocks.
At any given time offroad there is enough available power, numerous times I was in third gear at a single digit speed and I didn't even notice, most of the time I started riding in second gear and only once when it was difficult did I notice that I was in first gear, in all three gears the motorcycle didn't stutter, didn't jump on gas hits and waslike a forgiving horse with a new rider, neither complained nor turned off.
The ABS disconnect button is perfectly located on the left side of the handlebars and with a two-second press disconnects ABS and traction control or turns it back on. If you do not close the switch but stop the engine, the ABS mode will remain.
The riding position is very comfortable, especially for short riders, it took me a few minutes to get used to standing, but even in more technical terrain when I had to put my foot down quickly and stabilize myself or stand at a sharp angle, there was no problem putting my foot down at all.
The ability to fold mirrors and lower or raise the windshield with one hand while riding is an excellent bonus, certainly compared to motorcycles that requires after market folding mirrors or do not have the ability to raise the windshield at all and need to add products.
In retrospect, we rode on a very hot day, we stood still for quite a while and I didn't feel any heat between my legs or emitted from the engine, then I remembered that they talked to us about two radiators that help with faster cooling and keeping the engine temperature low, I don't know if that's the reason, but if so , it works and it's something you only notice in hindsight, that the motorcycle didn't boil the lower part of the body.
Its build quality does not feel cheap or that there was a compromise on components that came from the best manufacturers.
Disadvantages of the CF Moto 450
No motorcycle is free of shortcomings and faults. This model is still young even globally and it is likely that problems will arise over time. One of the complaints that is repeated in reviews around the world is the highway speed which is limited to 130 km/h. Some talk about adding a countershaft tooth to lower the rpm at high speed, but this will reduce the power you will get offroad at low rpm, so in my opinion it's not a good idea.
There's an issue with water coming into the engine bumpers but I know this has been fixed.
Who is it suitable for?
To call it a beginner's motorcycle is an injustice because it can do much more than that, the problem with beginners is that very quickly they want more out of the motorcycle and want to jump a level or two higher in difficulty, the CF Moto is a great choice as the capabilities of the bike won't limit the rider, more likely the rider will limit the bike. It has a rugged adventure look, appropriate weight, excellent height (perhaps the taller among you will have to purchase a higher chair) and a forgiving but responsive engine when needed.
It will suit those who need a daily motorcycle and are not looking for a very high cruising speed, but will happily take it to any trail and enjoy it's offroad capabilities similar to bigger ADV bikes.
