Is the CFMoto 450MT a Good First Adventure Bike?

Is the CFMoto 450MT a Good First Adventure Bike?

ByMoto-Wild-Team

Updated First published Oct 22, 2026Sources

If you are buying your first adventure bike, the CFMoto 450MT is hard to ignore. It has a 21-inch front wheel, adjustable KYB suspension, a 17.5 L tank and a seat you can set at 800 mm, for less than most rivals. In the US it is sold as the Ibex 450 at an MSRP of $6,499. Reviewers have been broadly positive, and it has been one of Australia’s better-selling adventure bikes.

But “good value” is not the same as “right for you”. This guide sets out the honest pros and cons from published reviews and owner write-ups, who the bike suits, what to budget on top of the purchase price, and which alternatives are worth a test ride. We have not ridden the bike ourselves for this article.

Quick answer

  • Yes, for most new adventure riders who ride a mix of tarmac, gravel and easy trails. It is affordable, A2-compliant in the UK and EU, and lower than most bikes with a 21-inch front.
  • Know the weak points: harsh factory damping, limiting original tyres, and a weight closer to a mid-size bike than its 449 cc suggests.
  • Budget extra for protection, hand guards and tyres. The stock bash plate and hand guards have been called weak by an owner.
  • Consider instead: a KTM 390 Adventure X or R if you want lighter, a Ténéré 700 or Honda Transalp if you need more power for touring or two-up.

The key numbers for a new rider

Engine
449 cc parallel twin, about 44 hp [src]
US name
Ibex 450, MSRP $6,499 [src]
Seat height
820 mm, 800 mm low setting [src]
Weight
175 kg dry (claimed); about 196 kg wet as tested [src]
Wheels and tyres
Spoked tubeless, 90/90-21 and 140/70-18 [src]
Suspension
KYB, 200 mm travel; adjustable fork, shock preload and rebound only [src]

On top of those: 449 cc parallel twin, about 44 hp claimed (some sources list 42 hp), 17.5 L tank, 220 mm ground clearance and Bosch dual-channel ABS that can be switched off. In the UK it launched at £5,699; in Australia at A$9,490 ride-away. Prices change, so check dealers at the time of writing (October 2026).

What makes it a good first adventure bike

Seat height you can work with

At 820 mm, or 800 mm with the low setting, the 450MT is lower than most bikes with a 21-inch front. The KTM 390 Adventure R is 870 mm and the Ténéré 700 875 mm. Being able to get a foot down firmly matters more when you are new, especially on loose ground and slopes.

Friendly power, A2-legal

About 44 hp from a twin is enough to cruise at motorway speeds and gentle enough not to scare you on gravel. MCN describes it as A2-compliant, and 1000PS tested it as an A2 touring enduro. For UK and EU riders on an A2 licence, that matters. Cycle News found the engine smooth and predictable.

Real off-road hardware

A 21-inch front and 18-inch rear on spoked, tubeless wheels give you proper tyre choice for dirt and the option to plug a puncture at the roadside. The suspension has 200 mm of travel at both ends and damping you can adjust. MCN said it has the feel of a “proper” bike, not one dumbed down for novices, which means you will not outgrow it in a season.

Range and value

1000PS recorded 4.7 L/100 km on test and expected more than 350 km per tank; AMCN saw 5.6 L/100 km and about 320 km. Either way, that is enough range to explore without planning every fuel stop. Cycle News called it a great adventure bike at any price, and MCN reports a four-year warranty in the UK.

What to be honest about

It is not as light as “450” suggests

CFMoto claims 175 kg dry, and 1000PS lists about 185 kg kerb. Cycle News put its stock Ibex 450 at about 432 lb (roughly 196 kg) wet. That is around 20 kg more than KTM’s claim for the 390 Adventure R. Bennetts called the bike bulky for its class, and MCN said it is on the heavy side for its capacity. You will feel this when picking it up.

The factory suspension settings can be harsh

MCN found the damping harsh on tarmac and rough dirt; softening the clickers made a big improvement. Bennetts found the front choppy at first. Cycle News was happier with the stock settings. Either way, learn to set sag and clickers early. Our suspension set-up guide walks you through it.

The original tyres hold it back

MCN called the original CST tyres the major limitation off-road, and Visordown also flagged the tyres. If you plan to ride dirt, plan for a tyre change. See 450MT tyres.

Refinement

Bennetts listed a lack of engine refinement among its cons, and Visordown found the throttle jerky. Test-ride the bike in slow traffic and on a gravel car park to judge whether it bothers you. A snatchy throttle is harder to manage off-road when you are learning.

Stock protection

An owner preparing a 450MT for Morocco described the stock hand guards and bash plate as weak, and fitted extra protection around the tank. New riders drop bikes. Budget for protection before your first trail ride.

Long-term questions

The bike has only been on sale since 2024. Cycle News named long-term durability as an open question. One Adventure Motorcycling long-termer reported no issues over 11,000 km, but that is one bike. Check how close your nearest CFMoto dealer is and how quickly it can get parts.

Who it suits, and who it does not

You are…Is the 450MT a good fit?
New to adventure riding, mixed road and gravelYes. This is the sweet spot.
On an A2 licence (UK/EU)Yes
Shorter rider who wants a 21-inch frontYes, with the 800 mm setting
Mostly technical single-trackPossible, but a lighter bike like the 390 Adventure R is easier
Regularly riding two-up with luggageProbably not. Look at bigger twins.
Long motorway days at high speedIt copes, but a bigger engine is more relaxed
Far from a CFMoto dealerCheck parts and service support first

Alternatives worth a test ride

BikeSeat heightWeight (claimed)US priceWhy consider it
CFMoto 450MT / Ibex 450820 / 800 mm175 kg dry (claimed), about 185 kg kerb (1000PS)$6,499Baseline
KTM 390 Adventure XAbout 825 mmNot stated in our sources$5,899 (reported)Cheaper, road-leaning, cast 19/17 wheels
KTM 390 Adventure R870 mmAbout 176 kg wet$6,999 (reported)Lighter, more travel, better on technical trails
Honda XL750 Transalp850 mm208 kg with full tank (Honda US)$9,999 (2025, reported)755 cc twin for touring and two-up
Yamaha Ténéré 700 (2025)875 mm (low 860 mm)208 kg wet$10,999 plus destinationDeepest aftermarket, more power

The 390 Adventure X is the cheapest way into the KTM range, but its cast 19/17 wheels and non-adjustable suspension make it more of a road and gravel bike. The 390 Adventure R is the choice if trails come first; read 390 Adventure R vs 450MT. The Transalp and Ténéré 700 are bigger, heavier and pricier, but more relaxed two-up and on long motorway days; see 450MT vs Ténéré 700.

Your first months on a 450MT

  1. Fit protection and hand guards before your first off-road ride.
  2. Set sag and damping for your weight. Start from the manual.
  3. Practise picking the bike up on flat ground, both sides, before you need to do it on a slope.
  4. Book an off-road training day. Skills beat parts.
  5. Change tyres when the originals wear, or sooner if you ride a lot of dirt.
  6. Add luggage last, once you know what trips you actually do.

Frequently asked questions

Is the CFMoto 450MT good for beginners?

For most new adventure riders, yes. It has a manageable seat height, gentle power and real off-road wheels. Be ready to soften the factory damping and to fit better tyres and protection.

Is the 450MT A2-compliant?

MCN describes its power as A2-compliant, and 1000PS tested it as an A2 touring enduro. Check the registration documents of the specific bike with your dealer.

How heavy is the CFMoto 450MT?

CFMoto claims 175 kg dry; 1000PS lists about 185 kg kerb with ABS. Cycle News put the US Ibex 450 at about 432 lb (roughly 196 kg) wet.

What is the seat height of the 450MT?

820 mm as standard, or 800 mm using the low setting, which involves changing a linkage bolt position.

What should I fit first?

Crash protection, a stronger bash plate and hand guards, then tyres if you ride dirt. Luggage can wait until you know how you will use the bike.

Sources

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