CFMoto 450MT Seat Height: The 800 mm Setting and Other Ways to Get Lower
The CFMoto 450MT is one of the more approachable adventure bikes for shorter riders. The stock seat is listed at 820 mm, and the bike has a built-in low setting: change a linkage bolt position and it drops to 800 mm. In the US, where it is sold as the Ibex 450, that is quoted as 32.3 inches standard and 31.5 inches lowered. For comparison, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R is listed at 870 mm.
Still, 820 mm on a 21-inch-wheel adventure bike can mean tiptoes for some riders, especially on a loose, sloping trail. This guide explains the factory 800 mm setting, what changes when you lower a bike, and the other ways to get your feet down, from boots and technique to the few lowering parts we could find with a real source.
Quick answer
- Stock: 820 mm (32.3 in). Low setting: 800 mm (31.5 in) by moving a linkage bolt. US coverage says it needs no special tools or spending.
- Going lower: alpha Technik lists a 25 mm lowering kit for the 450MT with German road approval (ABE). Other marketplace links are unverified.
- Lowering costs ground clearance (220 mm stock) and makes the bike lean further on its side stand. Re-check sag afterwards.
- Free first steps: thicker-soled boots, sliding off the seat at stops, and practice.
The figures
| Setting | Seat height | How |
|---|---|---|
| Factory low setting | 800 mm (31.5 in) | Change the linkage bolt position |
| Standard | 820 mm (32.3 in) | As delivered |
| CFMoto tall seat | 870 mm (34.3 in) | Accessory seat 6AQV-807100-6001 |
| Low setting + alpha Technik kit | Not stated | See below; ask the maker how the two interact |
Most sources, including CFMoto UK, Bennetts and MCN, give 820 mm standard and 800 mm low. One Irish dealer lists 840 mm standard, so if you are measuring a bike in a showroom, ask which setting it is on.
The 800 mm setting: how it works
The rear shock on the 450MT works through a linkage. Reviewers describe a second mounting position on that linkage: move the bolt to the other hole and the rear of the bike sits lower, dropping the seat by about 20 mm. Common Tread’s first ride said riders can get down to 31.5 inches “without breaking out their wallets or any specialty tools”.
That makes it the obvious first step. It costs nothing, and you can put it back. We have not done the job ourselves and CFMoto’s workshop steps are not something we could open, so we will not give a step-by-step here. Your owner’s manual or dealer will have the correct procedure and the tightening torque. Some points that apply to any linkage job:
- Support the bike securely with the rear wheel unloaded before you remove a suspension bolt.
- Use a torque wrench on refitting, and use the torque CFMoto specifies, not a guess.
- Check the bolt and bushes while it is apart; worn parts are easier to spot now.
- If you are not confident, ask the dealer to do it at the first service. It is a quick job for them.
Ask at the dealer
If you are buying new and know you want the low setting, ask the dealer to set it before delivery. Then sit on the bike in your riding boots before you sign.
What changes when you lower
Lowering is always a trade. The 20 mm factory change is small, but it is not free.
| Effect | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Less ground clearance | The bike sits lower; stock clearance is 220 mm, and the lowered figure is not stated | Fit a stronger bash plate; pick lines more carefully |
| More lean on the side stand | The stand length stays the same while the bike sits lower | Check stability on soft or sloping ground; carry a stand foot |
| Changed sag | The rear sits differently in its travel | Re-measure static and rider sag; adjust preload |
| Changed steering feel | Lowering only the rear tilts the bike back slightly | Expect slightly slower steering; a suspension shop can advise on the front |
| Changed suspension feel | A different linkage position changes how the shock is worked | Ride a familiar route and re-tune damping if needed |
Ground clearance
Reviews list 220 mm of ground clearance. We did not find a figure for the bike on its low setting. As a rough guide, expect the lowest point of the bike to be closer to the ground by an amount similar to the seat drop, though the exact figure depends on where the lowest point is. If you ride rocky trails, a stronger bash plate makes more sense on a lowered bike. Owners preparing for rough trips already rate the stock plate as weak.
Side stand
We found no source saying the 450MT needs a shorter side stand on its low setting. On any lowered bike, though, the stand stays the same length and the bike leans further over. Check it on level tarmac, then on grass or gravel with a slight slope. If it feels close to tipping, a stand foot spreads the load on soft ground, and a dealer can advise whether a shorter stand is worth it.
Sag
Sag is how far the suspension settles under the bike’s weight (static sag) and with you on it (rider sag). After any change at the rear, measure both again and adjust shock preload to the targets in your manual or from a suspension shop. Getting this right matters more than the last few millimetres of seat height. Our 450MT suspension setup guide covers how to measure it. The fork adjusts for compression and rebound, but the shock has preload and rebound only, so rebound is the damping you can change at the rear. MCN and Bennetts found the stock settings harsh while Cycle News found them fine, so it is worth revisiting damping at the same time.
One knock-on to know about: tyres. If you later fit a 140/80-18 rear in place of the stock 140/70-18, the larger tyre lifts the rear axle by roughly 14 mm (half the extra diameter), undoing much of the factory lowering. See 450MT tyres.
Going lower than 800 mm
alpha Technik 25 mm lowering kit
German maker alpha Technik lists a 25 mm lowering kit for the CF Moto 450MT, type CF400-8F (2024) and CF400-8H (2025 on), with an ABE, the German general operating approval. A German retailer lists it at €299 at the time of writing, under article number 33-CF400-TL01KBA, and the product pages say it comes with all the conversion parts needed.
What the listings do not tell you: exactly how the kit lowers the bike, and whether its 25 mm is measured from the standard 820 mm or can be combined with the factory low setting. Ask alpha Technik or the retailer before you order. If you ride in Germany, the ABE is worth having: it is the approval that lets the part be used on the road there.
Lowering links on marketplaces
You will find adjustable “lowering links” on marketplaces whose titles name the 450MT or Ibex 450. Many similar listings are actually for CFMoto’s 450 road bikes (450SR, 450SS, 450NK), which use different suspension. We found no maker documentation, approval or independent test for the 450MT versions, so we cannot recommend them. A suspension link is a safety-critical part; if you consider one, ask a suspension shop to inspect it before it goes on the bike.
Lower seats
A lower seat is often the simplest way to lose a few more millimetres without touching the suspension. At the time of writing we found:
- A CFMoto USA catalogue entry for a “Seat, Low” (6AQV-807200-4000), listed as 10 mm lower than stock. We could not confirm from the listing that it is for the Ibex 450 rather than CFMoto’s 450 road models. Give a dealer your VIN and ask.
- Aftermarket seats for the Ibex 450 from Seat Concepts, listed by Procycle. Procycle says they use higher-quality foam than OEM seats; check whether the version you choose is standard height or low.
Going the other way, CFMoto Australia sells a tall seat that raises the seat to 870 mm, listed at A$210 including GST.
Other ways to get your feet down
- Boots. Adventure boots vary in sole thickness. Try a few pairs on the bike, not just in the shop.
- Slide off the seat. At a stop, shift your hips to one side and put one foot flat instead of two on tiptoe.
- Choose your foot. On a camber, stop so the higher ground is on the side you put your foot down.
- Preload. Reducing rear preload within the range your manual allows lets the bike sit slightly lower under you. It also changes handling and can make the bike bottom out sooner with luggage.
- Load low. Heavy bags high on the rack make a tall bike feel taller. Keep weight low and central.
Practise low-speed control
A couple of sessions in an empty car park make a real difference: slow figure-eights using the rear brake and clutch, stopping with one foot down, walking the bike backwards while seated, and picking it up with your legs and back against the seat. CFMoto claims 175 kg dry and Cycle News measured about 196 kg wet, so the 450MT is not featherweight, but most riders can learn to lift it with good technique.
Three riders, three answers
On the balls of both feet at 820 mm
Try boots and technique first. If you still want more, move to the 800 mm setting. Many riders stop there.
On tiptoe on one foot at 820 mm
Use the 800 mm setting and look at a lower seat. If that is still not enough, ask a suspension shop about the alpha Technik kit, and plan for a stronger bash plate.
Not bought yet
Sit on a 450MT set to 800 mm in your own boots. Compare it with other bikes on your list: our KTM 390 Adventure vs 450MT and 450MT vs Ténéré 700 comparisons help, and so does is the 450MT a good first adventure bike.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CFMoto 450MT seat height?
820 mm (32.3 in) as standard, adjustable to 800 mm (31.5 in) by changing a linkage bolt position. CFMoto also sells a tall seat that raises it to 870 mm.
How do I lower the 450MT to 800 mm?
The rear suspension linkage has a second bolt position. Moving the bolt drops the seat by about 20 mm. Follow the procedure and torque figure in your owner’s manual, or ask your dealer to do it.
Is there a lowering kit for the CFMoto 450MT?
alpha Technik lists a 25 mm kit for the 450MT with German ABE approval, listed at €299 by a German retailer at the time of writing. Other marketplace lowering links are unverified.
Does lowering the 450MT affect ground clearance?
Yes. The stock figure is 220 mm and lowering reduces it. CFMoto does not state a figure for the low setting, so pick lines with care and consider a stronger bash plate.
Is the Ibex 450 seat height the same?
Yes. The Ibex 450 is the US name for the 450MT. US coverage quotes 32.3 in standard and 31.5 in lowered.
Sources
- Bennetts BikeSocial, CFMoto 450MT review (820/800 mm, ground clearance): bennetts.co.uk
- MCN, CFMoto 450MT review (seat height, damping): motorcyclenews.com
- CFMoto UK, 450MT (seat 800–820 mm): cfmoto.co.uk
- Adventure Motorcycles Ireland, CFMoto 450MT listing (840/800 mm): adventuremotorcycles.ie
- Women Riders Now, Ibex 450 review (32.3 in, 31.5 in, tall seat 34.3 in): womenridersnow.com
- Common Tread, 2024 CFMoto Ibex 450 first ride (linkage position, no special tools): cyclegear.com
- 1000PS, CFMoto 450MT specifications: 1000ps.com
- CFMoto Australia shop, 450MT tall seat 6AQV-807100-6001: shop.cfmoto.com.au
- alpha Technik, 25 mm lowering kit for CF Moto 450MT: alphatechnik.com
- 3ppp, alpha Technik 25 mm kit for CF Moto 450MT (price, article number): 3ppp.de
- CFMoto USA, “Seat, Low” 6AQV-807200-4000 catalogue entry: cfmotousa.com
- Procycle, Ibex 450 seats (Seat Concepts): procycle.us
- Amazon listing, adjustable lowering link naming the 450MT / Ibex 450 (unverified): amazon.com
- eBay listing, lowering links for 450SR/450NK road models: ebay.com
- Touratech, −25 mm lowering kit for CFMoto 800MT: touratech.com
- CFMoto Canada, lowering part for the Ibex 800: cfmoto.ca
- Adventure Motorcycling, 450MT prepared for Morocco (stock bash plate): adventure-motorcycling.com
- TRF, 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R and X reveal (390 seat height for comparison): trf.org.uk
- Cycle News, 2025 CFMoto Ibex 450 review (adjusters, stock settings, measured wet weight): cyclenews.com
