CFMOTO 450MT
Back in 1987, the Simpsons was aired for the first time, Disneyland Paris opened, and we were renting films like FULL METAL JACKET on VHS tape from Blockbusters. The thought of a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer back in the late 80s was almost laughable. But CFMOTO has come a long way in the 35 years since its formation. It now employs over 5500 staff, has 3000 dealers worldwide, and this season competes in both Moto2 and Moto3. A Chinese company successfully competing in MotoGP, we would have never guessed back in 1987 when Wayne Gardner became Australia's first-ever 500cc Champion.
The completely new CFMOTO 450MT (for Multi-function Touring) is the company's latest temptation: a 449.5cc adventure bike that is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the A2 licence market and sits alongside the well-regarded 650MT, 700MT and 800MT. As ever, the price is hugely competitive, at just £5699 undercutting its closest rival, the established Royal Enfield Himalayan. Furthermore, PCP prices start at just £49 a month with less than a £1000 deposit.
But despite the rock-bottom price, CFMOTO offers big-bike rally styling and a slim, 270-degree crank parallel twin, long-travel multi-adjustable KYB suspension, 220mm of ground clearance, and a dirt-focused 21-inch/18-inch front/rear wheel combination. There's also a 5-inch full-colour dash along with Bosch traction control, dual-channel ABS and an adjustable seat and rally-style screen. That's an impressive and tempting spec sheet considering the aggressive price.
MSL jetted to the small island of El Nido in the Philippines to see where CFMOTO has saved on cost, and if it can be considered a serious adventure bike. Yes, it was a tough job, riding bikes in the Philippines, but our man Chad was up for the challenge of testing mainly on dusty trails and in blistering heat. It turned out to a true adventure for both bike and rider.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
