Concept: Twin-Cylinder Engine, 21-Inch Front Wheel, 175 kg—What Sets the 450 MT Apart From Every Other A2 Adventure Bike

Most A2 adventure bikes use a single-cylinder engine. The CFMoto 450 MT has a 449 cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crankpin offset—V-twin-like character, twin balance shafts, smooth power delivery. That is the first distinguishing feature.

The second: 175 kg dry. For comparison, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 weighs 195 kg, the Honda NX500 193 kg. The 450 MT is noticeably lighter, and you can feel that difference off-road and during slow-speed maneuvering.

The third: a 21-inch front wheel with spoked rims and Metzeler Karoo Street tires from the factory—not a pure street tire, but a genuine 90/10 adventure-touring tire. This mini-Transalp feels like a big bike and looks like one, but has a low and comfortable seat. You sit more in the motorcycle than on top of it. Seat height is 820 mm, optionally lowerable to 800 mm. Ground clearance is 220 mm.

That is a combination that normally does not exist: long-travel suspension and a low seat height. The reason is a frame concept designed to make the motorcycle easier to step over—something KTM and BMW do not offer in quite the same way in this class.

Engine: 42 hp, 42 Nm, No Ride-by-Wire—Gutsy Sound, With a Learning Curve in Throttle Response

The 449 cc parallel twin produces 42 hp at 8,500 rpm and 42 Nm at 6,250 rpm, tuned for stronger low- and midrange performance in the 450 MT. Once it fires up, the engine sounds surprisingly aggressive. That gutsy character remains while riding. If you prefer a discreet soundtrack, you will have to live with it on long trips. If you like a sportier sound, it is a clear advantage.

One known criticism is throttle response - earlier examples could be jerky and sensitive. CFMoto addressed this with a software update, and MY2025/2026 buyers benefit from the improvement from the factory. There is no ride-by-wire: that means a quickshifter and riding modes are not technically available. An anti-hopping clutch comes standard. There is no riding-mode selector, which keeps operation simple.

There is no cruise control.

Chassis: Fully Adjustable KYB, 200 mm of Travel—Slightly Firm From the Factory, Easy to Fine-Tune

The KYB suspension is fully adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression damping at both ends. Suspension travel is 200 mm front and rear. The suspension components cannot match the sensitivity of premium-class equipment and feel slightly too firm. But because rebound, compression, and spring preload are all fully adjustable, the setup can be changed manually within a few minutes. Invest some time and you can achieve a useful off-road setup.

Braking comes from a J.Juan four-piston radial fixed front caliper gripping a 320 mm disc, plus a 240 mm rear disc. Bosch dual-channel ABS comes standard.

Rear-wheel ABS can be switched off using a handlebar button, which makes sense off-road. Front ABS cannot be deactivated.

Riders will judge the brakes differently:  some will find them perfectly adequate for an A2 motorcycle, more experienced riders may be bothered by the initial lever travel, the relatively late full engagement point, and occasional pulsing.

Equipment: Metzeler Karoo Street, Aluminum Crash Protection, Skid Plate, Adjustable Windscreen—Touring-Ready From the Factory

What the 450 MT includes as standard is remarkable at this price. Metzeler Karoo Street tires—not anonymous budget rubber—side-mounted tubular-steel crash bars, aluminum engine protection, radiator guard, and handguards. There is also an adjustable windscreen that can be repositioned while riding.

The 5-inch TFT display includes Bluetooth. USB-C and USB-A charging ports are standard. The T-Box provides OTA updates, CFMoto RIDE app integration, ride recording, and theft protection. Traction control can be switched off.

TPMS comes standard. All lighting is LED.

Optional equipment includes a three-piece aluminum luggage system with top case and engine protection bars if they are not already standard on the MY2026 version. The handlebar is tapered, and the levers are adjustable—a detail Motorrad-Magazin.at highlights as evidence of high-quality components for this class. The wide passenger seat and sturdy grab handles make the bike suitable for two-up travel.

Off-Road & Street: 90/10 Character—Primarily a Road Bike, but Better Off-Road Than Expected

The off-road potential is there. It genuinely does not perform badly. More sporting riders may find the 450 MT too front-heavy in more serious terrain. The 10 percent who want more can change the tires and fine-tune the suspension. The tubular-steel trellis frame, bolt-on lower frame rails, and bolt-on rear subframe were deliberately designed for easy repair after crashes.

On the road, the windscreen creates turbulence around the helmet at higher highway speeds. Riders taller than 1.90 meters should check whether their knees fit comfortably around the fuel-tank cutouts.

The 17.5-liter fuel tank and CFMoto’s claimed consumption of 4.0 liters per 100 km provide more than 400 km of range—exceptionally good for an A2 adventure bike.

Verdict

175 kg dry, twin-cylinder engine, 21-inch spoked front wheel, fully adjustable KYB suspension, Metzeler Karoo Street tires, 17.5-liter fuel tank, T-Box, four-year warranty—for €6,499.

Until now, anyone looking for a twin-cylinder A2 adventure bike in this price class had no other choice. The 450 MT was the only model combining this engine, this weight, and this price. The Kawasaki KLE 500 arrives in 2026, but sits in a different price bracket.

 

Quick Check

+ 449 cc parallel twin with 270-degree crankpin offset: A2 adventure bike with a twin-cylinder engine

+ 175 kg dry: lighter than Himalayan 452 (195 kg), NX500 (193 kg), KLE 500 (189 kg)

+ Fully adjustable KYB USD suspension: 200 mm travel front, 200 mm rear; preload, rebound, and compression adjustment

+ Metzeler Karoo Street standard: 90/10 tire, not anonymous OEM budget rubber

+ 21/18-inch spoked wheels standard: compatible with tube-type tires

+ J.Juan four-piston radial front caliper with 320 mm disc; Bosch dual-channel ABS

+ Rear ABS can be switched off at the push of a button for off-road use

+ Traction control switchable; TPMS standard

+ Adjustable windscreen, aluminum skid plate, tubular-steel crash bars, and handguards standard

+ T-Box: OTA updates, RIDE app, theft protection, ride recording

+ 5-inch TFT with Bluetooth; USB-C and USB-A

+ 17.5-liter fuel tank; more than 400 km of range based on CFMoto’s 4.0 L/100 km claim

+ 820 mm seat height, optional 800 mm

+ Passenger seat and grab handles standard; suitable for two-up touring

+ 4-year manufacturer warranty

+ €6,499 including destination

 

– No ride-by-wire: no quickshifter, cruise control, or riding modes possible by design

– Throttle response on earlier examples was jerky; improved through a software update, with MY2026 benefiting from the revision

– Brakes: adequate, but not outstanding; initial lever travel and occasional pulsing

– Windscreen offers only moderate highway protection; helmet turbulence

– 140/70-18 rear tire size: smaller tire selection than the more common 140/80 size

– Riders over 1.90 meters: knee position and fuel-tank cutouts will not suit everyone

– Front ABS cannot be switched off; only the rear can be deactivated

– Resale value remains unknown; CFMoto’s German dealer network is smaller than those of established brands

 

Technical Specifications: CFMoto 450 MT (2026)

Country of manufacture: China (CFMoto)

Engine: Liquid-cooled 449 cc parallel twin, 270-degree crankpin offset, twin balance shafts, 6-speed transmission, anti-hopping clutch, Euro 5+; no ride-by-wire

Power: 42 hp (31 kW) at 8,500 rpm, A2-compliant

Torque: 42 Nm at 6,250 rpm

Electronics: Bosch dual-channel ABS with switchable rear ABS; switchable traction control; TPMS; T-Box with OTA updates, RIDE app, theft protection

Frame: Tubular-steel trellis frame; bolt-on lower frame rails; bolt-on rear subframe; aluminum swingarm

Front suspension: 41 mm KYB USD fork; fully adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression damping; 200 mm travel

Rear suspension: KYB monoshock; fully adjustable; 200 mm travel

Front brake: J.Juan fixed four-piston radial caliper; 320 mm disc; Bosch ABS, non-switchable

Rear brake: Single-piston caliper; 240 mm disc; switchable ABS

Wheels: Spoked wheels; 21-inch front / 18-inch rear; compatible with tube-type tires

Tires: 90/90-21 front; 140/70-18 rear; Metzeler Karoo Street standard

Protection: Aluminum skid plate; tubular-steel side crash bars; radiator guard; handguards

Display: 5-inch TFT; Bluetooth; USB-C and USB-A

Windscreen: Adjustable, including while riding

Weight: 184 kg fully fueled, 175 kg dry

Seat height: 820 mm; optional 800 mm low seat

Ground clearance: 220 mm

Wheelbase: 1,505 mm

Steering-head angle: 64 degrees; trail 106 mm

Fuel capacity: 17.5 liters; more than 400 km range based on CFMoto’s 4.0 L/100 km claim

License: A2

Price (Germany): €6,499 including destination charges, MY2026

Warranty: 4-year manufacturer warranty