We got our first ride on the CFMOTO 450MT AKA IBEX 450

For more, see Motonz.com
We're stoked to partner with AdventureGuide.
Use our link www.adventureg... to check out their website and app when riding the road less traveled around NZ.

[@matthewblackwell1194]

22 - i was saving for a 390 ADV , then this was announced , seriously keen on this bike , ticks all the boxes for me , thanks for the honest review . 20 years ago I wouldn't have considered a chinese bike but now 100% , CF Moto especially have come a long way , as an older rider i feel it has enough power to have fun and its not the size and cost of a bigger ADV. 🙂

[@peterziegler8204]

where do you think the KTM 790 ADVENTURE is build? Right, in the same chinese CF MOTO factory! ;-)

[@SatansBaby1]

Better to go for royal enfiled , about the same price, but better quality for sure.

[@wowfish-ob3ew]

22 - if it helps! These are $9,490 in Oz new now. Pre oreder were $8,990, that's what I put my deposit down at. Just waiting now, should be this month sometime. I almost went with the current KTM 390 with the spoke wheels but didn't follow it up at the time. Seen plenty on the RE Himalayan 450 and that sounds like a good bike too. But I had already gone for the 450MT and after watching a video on the air filter access for that, glad I did. Fuel tank off and fuel line disconnecting not something I am keen on for servicing especially with our dusty dirt roads. The 450MT doesn't need to have it's tank removed. I am glad about that! These bikes need to be a bit more like enduro bikes in that respect. The DRZ400 had great airbox access and no tools needed. I still only have my first bike license, which used to be 250cc or below, then here in West Oz it changed to LAMS 660cc of a certain power, like over in the Eastern states of Oz. Never seen any need to get a bigger license so this bike suits me and I can't justify $20,000 or more for a bike. At this price the isn't swamped with electrionics. In my early 50s so I don"t need, the need for speed, just highway crusing speed when required. I still have my 2016 KTM 350EXC enduro for the true off road work. Yes so for me this should be fine some travel and camping

[@rayriver4325]

check out zontes 703f!

[@mindfulrider]

Matt-- I am in the same place. I am between the new Himalyan, the 390 Adventure and this 45O Ibex 450. Love the 21 inch front wheel and twin cylinders. I still can decide. I would like to hear more from you on this decision.

[@UltralightMotorcycleCamping]

After decades of countless ADV riders pleading for a 450-600 cc ADV bike that's powerful enough for comfortable highway cruising but light enough to be good off road and the big motorcycle cartel ignoring us to protect the sales of their mid and full size ADV bikes, I'm glad the Chinese are doing it. I'd been happier with a 450 cc single that's not as smooth but lighter. The CF Moto 450 MT should be a bit lighter. Maybe more aluminum and less steel? However, it's a lot closer than anyone else. They got a lot right.

[@B..22]

U should try out the Himalayan 450, though MT is good looking but with a cloned T700 all plastic will break on a single drop on dirt road, talk about the parts availability

[@metalsadman]

i think only kove is the only chinese company who got the light chassis figured out, others are still too heavy even this one is although better than most.

[@MotoSly]

@@B..22 The 450 engie parts are easy to get world wide. that engine has been proven allready. And the plastics like every other adv/dirt bike you mean? And it might look a bit like the T7, but nicer to look at than the T7.

[@podunkman2709]

450cc is absolutely not enough. 500cc ( real 500) is minimum. It weights 192kg so it is HEAVY.

[@podunkman2709]

​@@metalsadman192kg with small 450cc engine is "light"? 😂😂 Tuareg 660 weights 204kg.

[@pensforgts]

this bike going to kill even the gs sales cause we all wanted this kind of bike nobody needs a battle tank heavy thing on off road

[@R.S.Outdoors]

I have the 450 NK and have had for four months now and I absolutely love it, I’ve had the GS 650 well I’ve had a few of them. I’ve hadYamaha’s. And for the size, for the cc it’s comparable in my opinion for sure and a pleasure to ride. I can’t wait till the MT hits the states. The adventure bikes are my favorite and I have a feeling it’s 58 years old that will be my last one that I will need to buy for quite a while and I will travel the US with it. I also agree with your stigma comments on it being Chinese, absolutely agree with you, but people need to realize that Chinese manufacturing doesn’t always mean Chinese politics or government and look at the quality and fit, and finish. 22

[@toddclarke2348]

They use this same engine in other bikes from CF Moto. The parallel twin in this bike is a great engine. CF Moto have worked with KTM for years now as well. So for all those who doubt this bike don't buy it but I'll take both colours thankyou.

[@Mikethebike-ov1yp]

KTM reliability is not 5 star though- be wary. Time will tell with this bike which ticks lots of boxes. My young but good mechanic has refused to service CF Moto's in the past!!!......

[@toddclarke2348]

@@Mikethebike-ov1yp 3 year warranty with CF Moto providing you get it serviced through a CF Moto dealership

[@podunkman2709]

​@@toddclarke2348Chinese drill manufacturers give you a 5-year warranty on drills. Do you think it's because they are "reliable"? 😅

[@theenduropest]

The video we have all been waiting for 👏👏

[@dizzerflames945]

Good review and I agree on the fact it will do everything has definitely set the bar for mid side adventure riders or beginners looking to get into adventure riding Definitely looking forward to picking my one up in week or so and reviewing my thoughts on it myself

[@Dexadventure01]

CF MOTO has been around for sometime in the US and Canada. Side by side S2S and four wheelers for about a decade now. CF MOTO is quite well-established and proven company producing quality equipment and side by sides. Furthermore, CF MOTO is in partnership with KTM, sharing technologies and CF MOTO build and assembles engine for KTM under supervisory or course. Here in Asia Pacific, MT450 and the 800 has received a very warm.welcome with hundreds on order. In fact here in Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines has over 2,000 order and there is a queue for up to 3 months before you can get your hands on one. I'm an Australian living in Indonesia and I have placed an order and deposit. Enjoy the ride guys!!!

[@peterholthoffman]

22 - I check my local dealer every day (via the web), waiting for them to get one of these. They have the 800 which I really like but it's just too big and heavy. I suspect 450 will be perfect.

[@PeteCourtney-f8m]

Excellent review. Having owned 2 Chinese bikes, including a CFMOTO, I can say they are well made, great to ride and own. Cheers Pete. Oztralia.

[@flfreaks3745]

I have a question, in term of CFMOTO spare parts, how well are it is readily available?

[@PeteCourtney-f8m]

@flfreaks3745 Generally no problems with consumables. For aftermarket accessories nothing much in Australia, but internet access is excellent.

[@SatansBaby1]

@@flfreaks3745 Bad, if something brakes and it will, you will wait for weeks, sometime months. Thats the deal killer, my brother has one and it will be the last one he ever buys.

[@wowfish-ob3ew]

I have read that the CFmoto atvs have a good rep here in Oz with farmers and others who have them. KTM and Yamaha both have partnership deals with Cfmoto, so I am not overly concerned about them being Chinese made. Time will tell.

[@jeremytaylor5863]

Awesome vid, like that the screen can be adjusted while moving

[@robsadv2012]

Thanks for the great insight and commentary. Looking forward to more reviews as they emerge. Many thanks

[@stumpy200vetmx]

22. Agree with the previous comment... Love to get a comparison with the new Himalayan if you can swing it. Expect the twin will be better for crunching the k's??

[@doghouseriley8696]

22. I just put a deposit on one instead of buying another DR650. Looking forward to riding what appears to be a fun bike!

[@simonchilli2088]

22. They're just arriving in dealers in the UK along with the 450 CL cruiser which has belt drive. KTM are moving all of their manufacturing to China. They are also taking on the distribution of CF MOTO over here in the UK. The made in China argument is a bit dead in the water when you realise that BMW, Kawasaki and as I mentioned KTM are all involved there in one way or another.

[@armandblake]

I hope CFMOTO started a trend here. I’m sure other manufacturers will take note of the 450 sales and come up with something as well.

[@burddog0792]

Want to bet in a few years KTM will come out with the 490 they canceled?

[@podunkman2709]

I hope not. My scooter has bigger engine. 1200cc or even 800 is just pure stupidity. Especially for offroad. But 450cc for such heavy bike is nonsense.

[@kunalkawale3050]

upcoming 390 adv looks promising as well in the spy shots, will wait for it

[@peterpalis9345]

22, got one coming in Aussie. Ordered the rally seat for it, $190. I'm 6'2" tall.

[@1985smety]

Hey Peter, I'm about the same height as you and was wondering how comfortable the bike would be for the rider with the higher seat. Did you have a chance to try the rally seat? How did it feel? Cheers

[@peterpalis9345]

@1985smety I'm still waiting for my bike, another 2 months away? 😪

[@MrKdr500]

@@1985smety i'm 5'9" and the rally seat is perfect, felt cramped on the standard seat.

[@TheBranjoez]

Awesomeness. Eyeing one already!!

[@TheMisterNebo]

Nice video - bought two!

[@JohanBester-bn8ey]

22, thanks mate. This bike has my interest. . . and if I buy it and have to sleep in the shed, I'll blame that on you but still be happy.

[@MotoNZ]

HAHA thanks for watching! If you buy it and have to sleep in the shed... that's on you.. but at least you'll have a nice roommate.

[@davgb7904]

22 - Great review. I think there's essential importance in single machine reviews like this, but equally, comparison tests, so it would be great to see you do something with this against others of similar 'stature'. I get the Tenere similarity of course. But also, initially strikes me as the all round owner competitor to the CB500X/NX500 because of capacity similarity, yet far more value than that (which I know is an excellent machine).

[@peterziegler8204]

Also the KTM 790 ADV & DUKE is build in China at the CF MOTO factory. Times are changing... In the 1960s everybody was laughing about Japanese bikes. Now it´s Chinas turn! ;-)

[@MrBiggles53]

No sign of it here in the USA yet. Sooooooooo jealous! Does anyone have an idea of the highway range loaded with luggage? This look perfect for what I want to do next season between Yosemite, Nevada Sierras and the Grand Canyon North Rim before heading back east. Have some desert roads and loops planned. My first bike way back when was an ‘84 Honda CM450 when I lived in Las Vegas in the late 80s early 90s

[@MotoNZ]

Wow sounds like an epic trip!

[@stephanematis]

Watching the roll-out and comments from the other-side of the planet, as Canada has no eta just yet. I did pay a visit to my closest CFMOTO dealer that stocks motorcycles, not just ATVs, which is a more common situation. Owning an Bajaj made Husqvarna, I have no issues with the CFMOTO on the engineering given their partnership with KTM/Pierer Mobility Group. I think only Aprilia Tuareg 457 might be a comparable setup once released, though perhaps lighter.

[@DickieMintCycles]

Problem with it being Chinese? 😆..The MT 800s are KTM’s…China make the 790 Duke motors and motors for Yamaha etc. Wake up to the world NZ 🙂..Great vlog .. we’ve all been waiting for this bike in the UK and I reckon it’ll trump the Himi 450.. 👍ATB

[@motovirus78]

Nice review, love the bike.. saving money for this

[@BlackdogADV]

This bike or the Himalayan? I’m coming from a BMW 1200GS and Husqvarna 701, both excellent bikes but due to getting old I need something smaller now.

[@MotoNZ]

I’ve not ridden the Royal Enfield but word on the street suggests the CFMOTO is a better ride.

[@lawrieyoutube4375]

It looks safe and nimble on tarmac corners at 80 - 100. I'm convinced it is capable and well behaved on the dirt, but am always a bit wary of off-road bikes on tarmac at any sort of speed. Too twitchy in an emergency. Tarmac is where the dangerous traffic is. But you make it look very capable and secure. Is that a fair assessment in your opinion? Cheers.

[@MotoNZ]

I wouldn’t think of it as an off road bike. Think of it more as a road bike with a bit of off road ability. It feels firm and planted on road. No twichiness that I noticed.

[@lawrieyoutube4375]

@@MotoNZ Thanks.🙂

[@garyoneill8868]

I rode one yesterday for about two hours, all on road but up and down a winding 3km x 10% hill. I had a brief time, because of bloody road works and traffic, at 116-8kmh and it is VERY good at that speed. It still had plenty of power there too. It was on low fuel though but I'm seriously considering getting another test ride and filling the tank to test it. It is 20kgs heavier than my Ninja 300 and is easier to manoeuvre; again I need to ride on full fuel. I don't think it will make much difference tbh. That said, I'm just getting back into riding after a 38yr spell.

[@lawrieyoutube4375]

@@garyoneill8868 Thank you. That is great feedback. 😀

[@laverdad2022]

Thanks for the vid, but I will wait for the near future reviews of the owners of this awesome motorcycle adv. Let see what they will tell us. Greetings from Argentina!

[@SXV550]

Im going to buy one, have one with my name on it, hopefully this week it will be mine, im on my lams here in aus, have a supermoto but i want a bike that can be daily ridden and ridden anywhere, bush to freeway. Cheers

[@janbehrend4291]

... keep in mind, for more than 30 years all famous brands in the world let produce a lot of cheap accessory parts in China, nobody made any thoughts about it - but now, when China is floating the market with comprehensive products like cars and motorcycles etc., all people in the world are sceptical about the quality or getting in panic mode - very strange ...

[@podunkman2709]

You have no idea how it works. Do u think iPhone is chinese because they produce it in china? Designed in US. Components are from Korea, Taiwan, Japan. Chinese is... workforce to assembe it. Same about bmw or ktm "produced in china".

[@MotoSly]

It's a kick ass bike. And people who don't want to see this either have a KTM or a T7.

[@SuperCheesyMan]

or a Tuareg

[@MotoSly]

@@SuperCheesyMan I forgot that one. 😂

[@twowheelpilot]

I have a 2023 KTM890R, also ordered the 450MT. Great platform and can't wait to mod it.

[@mbal4052]

I have a T7 and want to see it. What an odd comment

[@defylifeadventure]

@@twowheelpilot Same here. The 890 R is going up for sale. No problems with it, but I just don't want to deal with KTM. I also don't like orange as a colour. haha.

[@lipsee100]

I think comparison between bikes should be done on price before anything else,,,,

[@MotoNZ]

Only problem with selling the bike on price alone is that the bike is so much better than that.

[@Hugo-iz7tb]

i have made my mind long time ago, i ride a 1290 sas but i already have set my local apps/sites secondhand to notify me when there is a second hand one going to sale :) i reckon i can get one for about 4500€ second hand in about 1-1.5 year... oooh boy :) would it have cruise control would be perfect :)

[@steveelliott5643]

Gawd sakes whats it like off road,not the shoulder of a highway?

[@MotoNZ]

Calm down, If we had the opportunity to ride it for more and an hour, we could tell you.

[@Chris_Z.]

Would be interested in your thoughts with the Himalayan 450 as a comparison.

[@MotoNZ]

I’ve been trying to get my hands on the new Himalayan for a while now. I will continue trying.

[@PitTenere-il2fg]

Man...., I think there is nothing to compare. This is smaller tenere , look at the specs,geometry, forget himalyan, only time will show us reliability in long term.God bless

[@defylifeadventure]

@@PitTenere-il2fg I think there is given both are a similar price, both likely to be bought by people looking for something under the T700, Tuareg 660, KTM 790/890 range of bikes. Both likely to be used for extensive travel. The CF Moto comes better quipped, but the Aussies at MAD TV gave the nod to the RE450 in terms of off road performance, and preferred the braking feel and suspension.

[@akagadget]

I got to ride the new Himalayan last year at the launch in India for a day. Felt better than the previous sibling. lots of vibrations and the bike would tilt right every time u would leave handlebars or break hard.. was expecting more power but that’s usual with RE bikes

[@MrKdr500]

one front brake rotor is not for saving money, it's for saving weight.....it doesn't need 2 rotors.

[@akagadget]

Where was the NZ launch? I booked mine last month with Action Sports and expecting delivery in June.

[@MotoNZ]

Launch was up north of Auckland at Waimauku.

[@kepa504]

Strewth Keyboard warriors reading spec sheets really annoying , good review though .

[@sanatandharma4435]

It says 400-2 on the rear of the bike! What's that about? How does it compare to the himalayan 450? I don't think you mentioned that bike.

[@MotoNZ]

400class twin cylinder maybe? I don’t know about the Himalayan, I’ve not been privileged enough to ride one.

[@MrKdr500]

400-2 is just a factory model code.

[@stevesanelli90]

22. Thanks for your review of the unicorn 😉

[@Rushdie01]

Would you sell a T7 for one of these in the hope it was easier to handle enough to justify the swap?

[@kylenewman7101]

I have the same question. T7 is still a heavy bike for offroad. A good rider can ride it like a big dirt bike and manage the weight, but I'm an intermediate rider still working on my offroad skills so really notice the weight sometimes. 450 MT isn't much lighter and is well down on power (probably still enough for most beginner ADV riders going offroad + legal onroad speeds). Does it feel lighter and easier to throw around than a T7? I'd like a lighter T7, but at the moment I can't see a reason why I should 'downgrade' to a 450 MT even though it seems like a good bike.

[@MotoNZ]

I wouldn’t sell my T7 because I’m attached to it. But if you are too short for a T7 or on a learner license then this is a good bike.

[@kylenewman7101]

@@MotoNZ Yep I like the T7 a lot, and no problem with height / size, just more more limited by my skill level - solution is probably just to ride more and improve! Thanks for the reply.

[@imranibnismail]

Do you know where can we see the blue one in auckland? Ive been to the dealership in north shore and they have the black unit.

[@MotoNZ]

At this stage there are only 6 demo units countrywide. Until the next shipment arrives, this may be as close as you can get.

[@endianAphones]

Your microphone is too good. You need to add some level of background noise!

[@solobites4775]

Indeed. The noise cancellation of the ambient makes for a weird unnatural sound.

[@Anuskrebs]

It's cheap and could be great option for many but the specs... Uncorked DR650 power level and weight is nearly T7 level. It's a bit hard to get excited.

[@MotoNZ]

Same power as a dr650… from a 450 though… doing something right.

[@twowheelpilot]

Hi there, I can see how you may come to that conclusion if you haven't spent time on the 450MT. I've owned a DR650 for a couple of years and spent time on the 450MT. Hands down no contest I'd buy the 450MT over a DR650.

[@KevinDaken]

@@twowheelpilot No Way, the DR650 is God's motorcycle...😆

[@Anuskrebs]

@@MotoNZ Yes I guess the main problem for me was the hype about some light weight unicorn bike when in the end it was was something else. Still seems like a great bike. Thanks for the great review.

[@Anuskrebs]

@@twowheelpilot ​ @twowheelpilot Yes it was just more like a response to the hype this bike has had. DR is a great bike but it's not even from the same millennium as 450MT 😉

[@augustbrante8117]

Just put money down on this bike. Comes in, in July. Every motorcycle has chinese made parts in it. Even Harley Davidson's do!

[@ajcaine]

22. Looking forward to you getting on the Himalayan 450 some time soon!

[@mickleblade]

MT450 vs Cb500x excluding price?

[@MotoNZ]

Depends… If you have true adventure aspirations, then absolutely the 450MT. 21” front wheel, 18” rear, both spokes rims. That alone makes it worthy.

[@MrTmax74]

Thanks for the review. Though, more like 195 kg wet.

[@MotoNZ]

17.5L fuel, 3+L oil, brake flluid and coolant... easily 205kg. plus most riders will but crash bars and other assorted accessories on them... Not quite the light weight unicorn we were hoping for.

[@paulkusyk8254]

175kg dry weight+20kg (petrol,oil,fluids) =195kg

[@KevinDaken]

My RE Himalayan was 195 kg with no accessories or mods, I still had plenty of fun off-road. And did many kilometres on the highway touring. So the 450MT has to be a winner as it's less than 1/2 the price of a T7 where I live. 😆

[@MrKdr500]

@@MotoNZ 195kg wet, i have weighed mine...got it down to 188kg changing the exhaust and removing pillion pegs and other crap not needed .if people chose to add weight with crash bars then don't complain about the weight.

[@murraytrow1955]

How tall are you please,, For reference only.....

[@MotoNZ]

I’m just under 6foot

[@5Aerim]

I'm planning to get one of these but I do disagree with the "xenophobic" comment. It has nothing to do with that. It's the fact that China has decades old reputation of making sub par products. And that reputation can't be "fixed" from one day to an other

[@BoogieGrows]

22

[@eddale5557]

Strange that folks who record things like this don't know anything about "WINDPROTECTION" for the damn microphone out side???

[@MotoNZ]

Dude, I know plenty about wind protection for mics. Problem is time. I gathered all this content in around 3 hours… we just don’t have time to set up perfect shots or faff around with wind socks.

[@lleelwanderers]

Such a d***

[@mbal4052]

@@MotoNZthis is the nature of social media, full of wankers like this fella.

[@pauldavies5541]

Apart from the price I don't understand the fuss about this bike. It's heavy, it's slow and its got a massive hump of a fuel tank. This bike is for tightasses that do light gravel riding and commuting, and that's it.

[@krisdieber9459]

That covers a lot of people though

[@kooshking]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWWVoGeartN5sJY

[@PitTenere-il2fg]

The price and what you get for....., if you compare T7, how many people in the world can really use out the potencial of it? Tarres like? Minimum dude.

[@Fiatmannen1]

Yep. Chineese. Surely a good bike but aftermarket stuff, spareparts, warranty issues dealernetwork second hand value and so on. No for me.

[@MotoNZ]

I don’t think any of that will actually be an issue.

[@gohlek1972]

All good , more cf moto bikes for the rest of us!

[@jonomasonILoveU]

The KTM is better, but this is kTm motor. The new ADV kTm will be better and lighter than this.

[@MotoNZ]

The new KTM that doesn’t exist yet?

[@enderfin1]

у манагеров такой вид,как будто он главный конструктор))) и представляет нам свою разроботку, столько пафоса не нужного,капец.

[@MotoNZ]

Sorry, what are you on about here?

[@NZCycletherapy]

I think I understand what you are trying to say (some of it is lost in translation), he’s trying too hard to be something that possibly he’s not.

[@malcolmeunson5543]

As a Kiwi, where is everyone for a product launch? President Biden gets more at his events..!🤣🤣 Pity, as CFMOTO do a good job…

[@MotoNZ]

I guess some NZ motorcycle media just don't care about being fair and balanced to all brands.

[@B..22]

Well the NZlanders don't have much idea about the new bikes that are 400's from Triumph and 450 Himalayan ( old mod sold over 200k, ww) so pretend mt 450 of Chinese is not the cloned version of T700, like all Chinese products are copy of a copy, character of a bike 🚳😢, no please don't clone the channel now.

[@MotoNZ]

Ummmm … what? I don’t really understand what you are trying to say…

[@queenslander954]

Jeeeez … the Chinese aka KTM even steal Yamaha’s MT logo , load of old bollocks

[@twowheelpilot]

MT is Mixed or Multi terrain. T7 is Jo public abbreviation. Like GIXXER for example. The Yamaha is XTZ700. What are you referring to as being stolen? I don't get it. Thanks

[@MotoNZ]

He’s referring to the MT from the Yamaha MT07, MT03, MT09, MT10 That’s probably why the CFMOTO is the 450MT not the MT450… but also Yamaha’s MT bikes are naked sports, no adventure aspirations. Even if the MT07 shares its engine with the Tenere 700.

[@peterziegler8204]

it´s designed by KTMs design agency KISKA, that´s why ;-) KTM stopped the 490 project and CF MOTO said Thank You!

[@MegaQLDER]

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[@bosoceansport2068]

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[@adamg6199]

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[@rexauty8003]

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[@alanwright9112]

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[@0nMyBikeNZ]

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[@goodladdn]

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[@GarHarman]

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[@twowheelpilot]

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