The picturesque Philippine island was the ideal setting for roads and gravel trails to discover the 450MT’s merits and strengths as a motorcycle that goes beyond the boundaries of touring. Just like what Neil Yang said in the opening speech, though the bike had initially appeared for the vast crowds that flocked to EICMA as its first debut, it’s still a thrilling thing that El Nido was the first time the throttles had been opened and the many features and benefits of the 450MT explained.
Markus Ferch (CFMOTO VP of Sales Europe) and Carles Solsona (CFMOTO Design Director) both guided the presentation of the 450MT and the fielded questions about how the bike will redefine performance and expectation in the midweight adventure segment of the market. They also talked about the flowering international profile of CFMOTO.
“We have been one of the fastest growing powersports brands,” Mr. Ferch said. “Our company performance has improved dramatically, and our determination for our vision should take the most credit. All these years we’ve been committed to becoming a premium global powersports brand. We follow a clear strategy of globalization, electrification, and connectivity to achieve this.”
“MT, short for ‘multi-function touring’, is our product line for adventure bikes,” Mr. Solsona commented. “The 450MT is our first mid-sized adventure bike with strong off-road riding features. Light, rugged, and inviting; this bike is a seamless combination of a fresh design with cutting-edge technology. Since the launch of 650MT, our first MT bike in 2016, the MT lineup has been well-received by the market so we will keep expanding this lineup and creating more adventures for our users worldwide.”
Before the 100km rideout the next day CFMOTO were keen to reveal how the 450MT provides smooth power delivery and assurance while offering unbeatable balance of weight and agility. At the motorcycle’s core is a high standard of function that means any journey does not stop when the road ends.
The attendees were let loose on a fleet of 450MTs around El Nido with around half of the route venturing off the asphalt and into the bike’s element: mangrove trails, mountain passes, many unpaved surfaces and tricky terrain plus plenty of changes in elevation. The troupe passed popular spots such as Duli Beach and northern tip of island Ligad and also negotiated the CFMOTO PARK field test area (the E-Bahay Nature Adventure Park) with curves and dusty trails to sample the 450MT’s off-road prowess, and verify that the model can handle a myriad of conditions with ruthless capability.
The 450MT fills a position as the perfect ‘entry point’ for bikers that want more from a regular bike. The model slots immediately at the start of CFMOTO’s comprehensive MT adventure touring line that involves options of 650, 700 and 800 (and derivatives) displacements. Whether customers want to survey off-road for the first time and need a light, torquey, comprehensive and affordable package for the job or experienced adventurers prefer a more flighty, fun and manageable ‘steed’ then the 450MT’s versatility will cater for many requirements. 
The 449cc engine is a parallel twin, liquid-cooled DOHC with 270° crankshaft, relaying 44hp and 44Nm of torque at 8500rpm, tuned for the demand of off-road riding. The grunty feel of power is particularly useful at medium rpm, and has been achieved through mods to the camshaft, ignition angle and intake/exhaust system while being administered by BOSCH EFI. The double balancer shaft means minimal vibration through this responsive and raspy motor. 
A good adventure-tourer must feel at home in the cruise but also able to swap into a competent all-rounded at the flick of a wrist. The trellis style frame has the ideal construction, stiffness and geometry to conquer this trick. The lithe dimensions of the chassis overall helps with the 175kg dry weight. Adjustable KYB suspensions (41mm forks, multilink rear shock, both with 200mm of travel) is a dependable part of the technical platform for all conditions. 
The 450MT will chew the pavement for days but the motorcycle has to deliver a rounded riding experience when the rider needs to stand and make use of the 220mm ground clearance. First of all, the 820mm one-piece seat height can be adjusted to 800mm (also with an accessory seat option for 850/870mm). Cross-spoke alloy tubeless wheels (21” front and 18” rear) will take a hit and keep rolling. The footpegs are high mounted and primed for punishment if necessary: they form part of a universal ergonomic that mixes ease with the sensation of planted front-end control and contact with the 17.5l fuel tank and protective bodywork. The rally-style adjustable windshield protects the rider and the TFT curved display that shows whether the BOSCH dual-channel ABS is engaged or not (disable the rear-end system for slides and plenty of dirty fun). The BOSCH Traction Control System is another advanced aid for when the conditions force a more measure approach at the handlebars. Big radiators, foldable mirrors and copiously sized handguards are other nods to the offroad character of the bike.
The design aspect of the 450 MT doesn’t stop with the elegant colors and graphic trim. Each panel and inch of bodywork has been formed to accentuate the riding experience and contact patch. The 450MT won’t let you down whatever the circumstance. The bike itself is modern and prepped for the rigors of riding. Smart connectivity comes through the free CFMOTO RIDE app that pulses through systems analysis anytime, anywhere (mileage, acceleration, cornering. Reminders, OTA updates and a lot more is had with just a few swipes of finger.
After the El Nido round-trip, international media were particularly complimentary about the 450MT’s handling and settings; the way the bike maneuvered on rocky terrain and even through small water crossings! The ergonomics were praised for the compromise between comfort but also acute control when the going got tougher.
The 450MT launch at El Nido was an apt location for a game-changing motorcycle that shows real aptitude. Whether riders want to cruise, explore or roam, CFMOTO have provided a master of its environment and, importantly, a tool to inspire emotion.
About CFMOTO
CFMOTO, now 35 years old, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers in the two-and-four-wheel ATV industry (the top-selling ORV brand in Europe) with over 3000 dealers across the globe in more than 100 countries. CFMOTO employs over 5500 staff and specialists with branches in Thailand, USA, Europe and Mexico and over 1 million users throughout the continents. CFMOTO’s motorcycling portfolio has grown substantially in the past half a decade with machinery in a range of sectors. The company has a manufacturing capacity of more than 240,000 motorcycles and four-wheelers respectively per year, as well as more than 100,000 electric vehicles through sub-brand ZEEHO.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:450MT