CF MOTO 450 MT vs Himalayan, Honda NX500 & Triumph 400X - Best Small Adventure Bike? [QuickTest#41]
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- Опубліковано 24 чер 2024
- One of these small-capacity adventure bikes stands out above the rest. Find out which one I've chosen.
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RELATED VIDEOS:
- Honda NX500: • 2024 Honda NX500 [Quic...
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Coming soon (still being edited)
- Triumph Scrambler 400X: • 2024 Triumph Scrambler...
- Triumph Speed 400: • 2024 Triumph SPEED 400...
- CF Moto 800 MT: • CF Moto 800MT [QuickT...
With thanks to the following dealers in the Algarve, southern Portugal, without whom these videos would not be possible:
CF Moto 450 MT: www.mendesemendes.net
Honda NX500: www.angelpilot.com/
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: www.rotarebelde.com/
Triumph Scrambler 400X: www.triumphalgarve.pt/
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:23 Looks, fit & finish
01:16 Seat height & riding position
02:33 Wind protection
03:08 Suspension
03:37 Brakes
04:15 Fuelling
04:37 Off road
05:48 Engine / Power
06:55 Dash
08:02 Honda NX500 - Scrambler 400X - Himalayan
11:20 Verdict
15:18 Final thoughts
#rocketman #cfmoto #450MT - Авто та транспорт
In my country, where the 450MTs were globally launched, and where most people ride 100-150cc mopeds and scooters, you can now see 450MTs on a daily basis commuting around Manila. CFMOTO tell me that their main problem is keeping them in stock!
I've just ridden the 450MT again in the real world (i.e. not at the launch event) and am stunned at how light it feels between the legs compared to the Himalayan 450. That snatchy fueling is really the main niggle for me, and maybe the clutch feel, which has completely no feedback.
I'm a Royal Enfield fan, but I think for riders for whom single-cylinder character, retro looks, or heritage is not a concern, the 450MT just offers the best package at the best price for a small adventure tourer. The feeling of weight on the Himmy is a serious question mark for me as a potential owner, and maybe a distant second are the vibes and the laggy throttle. The Scrambler is a lovely bike as well but not in the same league as the 450MT and Himmy for overall capability.
Completely agree. Thanks for your balanced, objective input👍😊
The feeling of weight in Himalayan completely goes off if you can park the bike relatively straight. The main issue and it is constant irritant when you try to take it of the side stand. Having said that for me specificially I like the Honda NX500 because of its Weight Management. I do not have access to CFMoto in India.
I traded in my RE Classic 500 for the new Himalayan and couldn't be happier! I don't know if you've seen the black and gold trim in person but it looks amazing and I'm getting lots of compliments. Did 400km in the Alps last weekend with my wife and luggage: power and comfort are absolutely enough for us (we're pretty light). Gas mileage is amazing, we got 3.0L/100km.
The drawbacks I'm seeing for now:
- Vibes in the footpegs after 5000rpm (mitigated with rubber pegs and good motorcycle boots)
- Tiny mirrors.
- Feeling heat from the engine on my legs at city speeds + fan turns on all the time. Stock radiator protection may be too restrictive.
- Temperature indicator is overly optimistic, it was saying 20C when we clearly felt 13C...
- Have to keep the phone screen on for the Google Maps mirroring feature.
- Stock headlight isn't bright enough even though it's LED.
- No stock hand guards and I can't find any that fit with a two point mouting system (the RE ones are out of stock everywhere).
- Brakes are way better than on the old himalayan but still not as good as the Honda's.
- Basically all accessories are hard to find right now. And most of the ones that were advertised when the bike was announced have not come out yet, which is disappointing. RE keeps doing that, for example the side cases for the Super Meteor only just came out, a year and a half after the bike was released. Most early adopters have already bought luggage by now...
I know it's quite a long list but it's a great bike and I love it! 😂
Great feedback, thanks! I agree that the Himalayan - especially in black & gold, as you say - is very good looking, on a par with the Triumph, but I just feel that up close it looks and feels a bit 'old', hence the number 3 slot. They're all very good bikes, though, and I'd be happy with any of them, tbh :)
I agree with your ranking. Looks like the CFMoto is the new kid on the block. Great video as always .
Thanks 👍
Regarding the snatchy throttle, most of the 450MT owner recommend to adjust the cable slack to resolve the issue. As for the foot peg being too high, an optional high seat height 850-870 will resolve the issue for taller rider.
Good review!
It doesn’t totally resolve it but it does help. Apparently it’s an issue with the fueling and at low rpms it’s jerky no matter what you do. However There is a fix for the 800 ibex mt that might work for this bike as well. It resets the tps and another sensor and totally eliminated the snatchiness of the throttle
Thanks. Yes, I’m sure a bit of fettling will improve things, but these are issues that really should be ironed out in the factory🤔
@@IAmYourReflection hopefully there will be an OTA update for 450MT to resolve the issue just like 800MT
@@RocketMan_Moto True, china brand bike will lack the refinement for now. Hopefully everything will improve in the future. For that price, I'll able to accept it.
I had the 800mt and now the 450mt and both atre jerky. I have all updates, dna air filter, exhaust decat, throtle reset and none fixed the issue. It made it rideable in ttaffic jam, but still really bad when compared to my other bikes. The 450mt after adjust the chain to minimum slack and throtle cable with no slack made it acceptable and I am happy with it. I wouldn't buy another 800mt again, but the 450mt is amazing and I would buy again when compared.
Exceptionally well done video! All four are nice machines and difficult to choose...I agree the CFMoto is the one that gets the heart pumping. Not the first review to mention the snatchy throttle down low which could be a problem in technical off road riding and hopefully this can be resolved. Not sure the slack adjust is the answer...The colorway choices are a bit polarizing with the blue/white over the top and the Grey a bit too reserved but the grey would have to be my choice also.....I am especially appreciative of the tubeless tire spec on the 450MT as I do a good amount of off-road.
It certainly is well-equipped. Tubeless and folding mirrors👍😊
I think I see more and more reviews for CF MOTO 450, maybe it will be a popular bike. Thanks for sharing :)
I definitely think it’s worth considering. Great little bike. Thanks for your input 👍😊
They're running the bike lean at low RPMS to get through Euro emissions, which causes jerky throttle...have to get it mapped out.
Yes. Apparently, adjusting the throttle cable helps a bit?? Thanks for your input :)
Ha ha ha this is the first bike review I’ve ever seen that references a Citroen BX. Lovely. Cheers for another great video.
I guess many viewers won’t have a clue what a BX is, but I had a 16TRS in the early 90s. Weird brakes, but surprisingly rapid for the time😊
@@RocketMan_Moto I used a BX Meteor for a few weeks in the early 90s. The gearchange was like stirring a pen round in some yoghurt and just hoping for the best. Hated it at the time but would love one now.
Lol, I get that. I’d love to have my BX back for a few days. By today’s standards - some might say even by the standards in the 90s - it was terrible, but I loved it. I fitted a sunroof myself, cutting out the hole with my Black & Decker jigsaw😂
Himalayan 450 owner here (and an owner of old 411 too). I appreciate your honesty and am not gonna say anything about your comments because you didn’t say anything bad or untrue. Anyway, I am riding primarily off road, and was thinking between 450MT and a Himalayan. I was honestly leaning a little bit more towards the MT, BUT, where I live (Dubai), it is a bit strange market. So Himalayan came and costs exactly 4000€ here when you convert, at the moment. In the meantime, 450MT is not yet available, but they said at the dealer it is gonna arrive end of August and going to cost somewhere between 6000-7000€. As much as I was inclined a bit towards the CFMoto, at that price difference it was a no brainer for me. And another very important thing to consider, might be different in other markets, but here in UAE, there is a rather large Enfield community of amazing people, while CFMoto, has none. So I went with the Enfield. If I was buying a bike in Europe (where I am from), most probably it would have been 450MT
I totally get that. Prices do vary wildly around the world. REs are very competitively priced in their home market, whereas bikes that are cheap for us in Europe are hit by huge import duties, depending on the country. In any event, I'd be happy with any of the 4 bikes here. Thanks for your input (and for not being mean, lol)
Great review. Thorough and objective for what you want and need. I went the CF Moto as well and agree with all your comments. A lot of the issues with the CF Moto can I think be adjusted apart from the screen font size. I found the throttle very snatchy and the seat too low. I’ll adjust the cable. I have a high seat on order as well as the larger touring screen.
Thanks for your input and kind comments. I'm sure most of the niggles I pointed out can be resolved, it's just a pity they couldn't do it in the factory :)
The video i was waiting for, and perfect timing for me. I rode the speed 400 (too much vibration to my taste) and struggling to find a demo mt450 (i only sat on one) (which is on top of my current list). I am not surprised by your conclusion. Thx
Glad to be of help. I hope you get to try the 450MT soon, it's worth the wait. Thanks for your input :)
I have owned a grey/black 450mt for 3 weeks now in Australia, I have just done the 1000km run in period and can verify 99% of the throttle snatch can be adjusted out via the cable slack, the high seat gives extra leg room between the pegs. I also have a 23 Africa twin and the 450mt is an excellent bike for the money and in general.
Thanks for your input :)
This is good to know about the throttle! 450 MT happy camper blk thanks for your input!
Excellent video, you are eloquent, your statements are well argumented. I hesitate between himalayan and 450mt, but I'm becoming increasingly inclined toward 450 mt...
Greetings from Croatia!
Thank you :) All the bikes here are good, but as I said in the video, my preference would be for the CF Moto.
Ive got a grey 450mt on order can't wait just hoping it turns up ! My dearly hasn't a clue when its coming , demand is very high apparently in England ❤
Good choice👍😊The dealer here said if I ordered now, I’d get it in September. But only the blue one. Grey is October😳
I own Himalayan 450 since few months. I choose it over triumph scrambler as in my test ride it was stalling on second great before ecu update and buzz in highway speeds. Apart from heat in city traffic there is not much to complain on Himalayan and it's go anywhere stance is a plus and plenty of service centers compared to triumph in my country
I agree that the number of dealers close by is a big factor. If I were in a different country/continent, I'm sure my ranking would be different. Thanks for your input :)
Currently, I have a CB500X and was contemplating upgrading to the NX500. However, like many enthusiasts, I've spent considerable time evaluating the newly released 450 offerings. Making a purchase without firsthand experience can be daunting, so I decided to visit my local CFMoto dealer for a test ride of the 450SR, which features a similar motor to the 450MT, it was an absolute joy to ride. This positive experience led me to place a fully refundable deposit for the 450MT, which I am excited to pick up soon. The fun ride of the 450SR was a significant deciding factor for me. Additionally, the local CFMoto dealer assured me that they've sold numerous bikes with the same 450 motor without encountering any major issues. The value for money, combined with the extensive network of CFMoto dealers and the attractive 3-year warranty, further influenced my decision, especially compared to Honda's offerings.
I also wanted to mention that positive reviews like yours have been incredibly helpful throughout this process. Keep up the great work on your channel!
Thanks for your input and kind words of encouragement :)
the thing i love most about this 450 engine is its sound. how amazing damn.
It does have a surprisingly beefy sound for a 450
Honda has 5 year warranty
I agree with your comments. I find the throttle snatchy at low speeds, I’m booked in for first service and told them to take the play out of throttle, great little engine with plenty of punch. Im 183cm and 87 kgs, fits me like a glove.
Yes, apparently the cable can be adjusted and this helps. Hope they get it sorted for you, because it's a great 'little' bike. Thanks for your input :)
“Enfields are built like a gun but I’m not buying a gun.” 😂
I love my Enfields but you’re right, they are getting closer to others in price including the excellent Benelli TRK which would be another value proposition in this sector.
I tried the TRK about 5 years ago (before I was a UA-camr), but found it very heavy. Thanks for your input :)
The triumph is a great looking bike. I met some guys off road last weekend who were riding the mt450, they were with some guys riding aprillia Tuaregs and said they had no trouble keeping up and going anywhere the Tuareg could go.
I can believe that, the 450MT surprised me by how good its engine & suspension felt. Thanks for your input :)
I’m planning to ride down through the TET from the UK and then across the Atlas Mountains and back - I’ve tried the Himalayan 450 it was great except the stock tyres were no good off-road; need to try the CF Moto out as it might be the one to go for, it has the right tyres and some nice accessories as standard as well as the low seat height I need!
If I had a long distance ahead of me, I think I would take either the MT or the NX.
That was a great review mature, well written not repetitive and i appreciate focus on fit and finish.
I agree that the cf Moto is the best it’s a proven engine it sounds fantastic and it’s not as boring or expensive as a Honda. I like the centre stand factory crash bars and luggage and tubeless rims. I think they do a lager screen and I hear all the accessories are extremely cheap. I love my CRF300 Rally but it is small and slow.
I’m sure there will be upgrades for the fuelling and they may do a large text option for the TFT. The MT may be my next bike.
It's a good choice. The throttle issue can, according to comments here that owners have posted, be fixed by adjusting the cable. It is a more exciting bike than the sensible Honda.
Agree with you 98%, as I'm not as tall as you, I have no issues with feeling cramped on the MT. The MT also comes stock with folding mirrors and folding gear shifter and GPS/phone mount crossbar and an adjustable windshield height function - all these are great haves for off-road riding and cost factor saving considerations when compared to the other brands. Shame about no cruise control.
Yes, very well equipped. Thanks for your input👍😊
Another great review, why do you not have a hundred thousand subscribers? I find my self drawn to all these bikes. The triumph is so desirable, the Honda, well enough said, and the CF Moto not only looks the part but rides well . I just do not believe that I could live with 40 horsepower. So that being said I’m going to buy a used Vstrom 650. I hope I don’t regret it. Thanks for all your efforts
Thank you for your kind words, much appreciated. 100k subs would be nice, if only to have the plaque to hang in my garage :) Like you, I would be happy with any of these bikes, they're all very good.
My choice as well. Im lucky over here in the states, I live where there are 3 established CF Moto dealers all within 30 minutes of my house. So I have the dealer support.
Sounds perfect! Have you managed to reduce the throttle snatchiness?
Hi there, yeap I am with on this one CF450 is my pick too, as there is a local dealer here in Colchester I think this is the one for me
The 450 engine has been around for will in its sport guise and no reports of problems with that
Yes resale may be a problem, so may hold off until nice "pre loved" ones come on the market
Great vid as ever. Thanks
Yes, great bike. At least after a ‘quick test’. Thanks for your input, Flexy👍😊
@@RocketMan_Moto Just an up[date, loving my new bike, BMW R1250R, )Preloved 23 model) after all that hunting and testing, totally left option in the end!
But again thanks for all the reviews and tips, nearly got the Speed Twin 1200, but then this £16500 bike with 2800 miles was mine for 11500
Sounds as if you got yourself a bargain there😳 Great choice. Enjoy👍😊
Great review. I tried the Triumph 400 recently, though I haven’t tried the the new Himalayan I’m guessing I’m going to really like the 450MT - I’m booked to try it shortly and can’t wait. Tried your bike the Rally Pro 900 which was superb but I find these modern adv bikes far too big and ungainly as I get older. Like to get my feet down and feel genuinely comfortable which I now value much more than huge power and top speed. I hear good things about the bigger screen for the MT450 which is now available - should sort that buffeting.
A bigger screen and possibly the taller rally seat - at least for taller riders like me - is all the MT needs really. I hear you re. size of the Tiger. They are very imposing and heavy, but once you're riding them, this is actually an advantage in terms of stability and comfort. Can't have it all ways, I guess. Safe riding :)
@@RocketMan_Moto one of my other bikes is a mk speed triple and it’s like a lump of granite, though fine once moving. My xs850 is the same though much lower down, whilst my 955i Daytona is at least 100lbs lighter than both - the MT450 is almost a toy in comparison!
Lol, yes very manageable
I totally agree with everything you said.😀
Cheers, David👍😊
Great timing!
I am going be taking the 450MT for a test ride in a couple of hours.
I want something to do gravel roads and a bit of single track. Also, I want to save some mileage on my other bikes.
The CF Moto appeals the most in this class. I will ride the Himalayan too. The Honda is a lot more expensive (in New Zealand) and the Triumph is not off-road enough.
Nice review!
The CF Moto is currently best in class, imo. Enjoy the test ride😊👍
@@RocketMan_Moto I have had short (30min) ride on it now. There was a queue to test ride it.
I agree with everything in the review.
For my height (174cm), the layout is pretty good. I could ride it long distances without any issues.
The throttle is a bit snatchy. It's not terrible. But, there was excessive throttle play. I think the snatchiness could be tamed pretty easily.
Apart from that, it's very surprising in a good way.
The engine is really good. It's very smooth and it doesn't really matter what revs it is doing.
It is pretty stable on the road. The suspension could possibly be backed off a little.
I didn't get to ride it off-road.
Sounds as though you enjoyed it. Do you think you'll buy one?
@@RocketMan_Moto I probably will buy one.
You can't actually get one here yet. It's all pre-order and I think the first batch is pretty much sold out.
I should really try and get a test ride on the Himalayan too. It's the only other one I am considering.
I rode the Himalayan a couple of days ago (just as I was putting together this video), but was less convinced by it than I was by the CF Moto. It's noticeably more top heavy, less 'nimble'...
Great review. I think I'm going back for a 2nd test ride on the CF450.
Thanks, Gary :)
These bikes are good for local rides. Riding LD to Pyrenees or Alps on a budget F750GS will do.
There are better bikes for distance, yes👍
I am not sure how a BMW F750GS is a "budget" option. A used one is twice as expensive as any of the brand-new bikes shown in this video. Also, if you buy a 450cc bike, you are not really going for a touring bike. I'm sure it can do 400 km of on/off, no problem.
I'd also go for the CFmoto, it looks like the little brother of the Yamaha 700 Tenere which is one of the nicest looking 'off road road bikes'..what seals a deal for me is getting a bike serviced,is it going to be a faff.?
That's the big question. CF Moto is largely unproven, at least here in Europe. Thanks for your input :)
great bike got it a month ago and it's already accessorized, but i really hope cfmoto fix the fueling issue sooner rather than later.
According to comments other owners have left here, it’s just a question of adjusting the throttle cable??
@@RocketMan_Moto I have taken some of the slack off already, I had it in first 2 days then haven't experienced it until yesterdays ride, it's definitely fueling, stalled 3 times on traffic clutched-in then downshifted to 2nd engine died, also clutched-in then revving abruptly, it sounds like it chokes then engine dies.
Thanks for your input. Hope you get it sorted soon👍😊
Very interesting, thanks.
CFMoto is not sold here in Thailand.
RE Himalayan is first coming in Nov! Suspect price will be as NX if you want tubeless wheels (yes please).
Scrambler 400X is only around 4800EU here
Honda 500NX (ex X) is extremely popular here, around 5700EU.
I hope you will give us an update on how you get on with your Tiger 900R Pro, is the vibrations something that bother you at high speeds on the motorways?
Yes, prices can vary significantly depending on where you are in the world. Tiger update coming soon. Thanks for your input :)
Damn, the 500NX for 5.7K is remarkable. In my country, it costs 8K.
Ah, but do any of the bikes have lean angle on the dash? Might be a transalp for me... :D
Great video, I have to admit, I like the look at of the 800MT, I love small capacity bikes - but i have a 650 now and i am enjoying the fact it will go up hills at 60 mph.
I miss lean angle😩
how bout the throttle angle 😂
Grip angle. My greatest regret since selling the Transalp😢
Good review. I tested 450 MT also and it was good, but too small engine if you want to ride highways. Would you test Voge 525 DSX?
It’s on my list👍😊
Wouldn't it be the same having, both, 45 hp?
I have a KLR 650 2014 (42 hp) and traveled at 120 km/h from Buenos Aires to Cuzco, Perú. 9,600 km. No regrets if you understand what you are riding.
I briefly sat at 116kmh yesterday and it had plenty of power and speed left. What speeds would you like to sit at on highway?
450 to 500 cc THAT IS NOT A BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!!
@@garyoneill8868 I currently have a KLR with which I can cruise at 130 and overpass at 150 w/out killing it.
Thanks!
Service intervalls are 5000 km for the cf moto?
Resale value of a used one, if possible to sell it privately?
Yes, that is one negative: oil change every 6 months or 5000km. We will have to see how residuals hold up. Thanks for your comment :)
Nice one ! 👍 Only thing I dislike on CF moto is that 21" inch front wheel.
Since I bought the Transalp last year, I've become a convert to 21" wheels; they really are very comfortable and reassuring and I think advances in tyre technology now mean that the difference between a 21 and a 19 is all but imperceptible. Thanks for your input :)
I beleive that is true, but I generally don't like the looks of 21" wheels.
@@ighost2605uh it’s an off-road bike ofcourse it’s gonna have a 21” front wheel
I think it depends on the bike, tbh: the ‘big’ Tiger 900 Rally (21) looks better proportioned imo than its GT sister (19). But that’s just my opinion😊
I know it’s not apples to apples, but I test road the CFmoto 650 Adventura and found that fit and finish was lacking. I thought a 5 yrs old Japanese bike would hold up better and longer than the cfmoto 650. I do believe they are improving.
I agree. The 850 MT I tried nearly 2 years ago wasn’t anything special, but progress made with the 450 is tangible. At least on the outside; time will tell how the components stand up. Thanks for your input👍😊
Just did the first 1000 km here in Poland. Yep great bike but......
It has short gearing, 125 indicated (120 gps) you are at 7000 rpm with 8500 red line. I have already installed 15T front sprocket, that drops the rpm about 500.
The fueling off idle is not great (thx euro whatever it is). Throttle cable adjustment helps, but a good tune is the real solution.
At 178cm and 75 kgs, bike fits me like a glove. The front suspension is firm, all the way out on preload and still playing with the dampening. Rear I added just a few turns on the preload. I do like the suspension, it's does a very nice job.
The exhaust is actually on the loud side, ok I guess I am old.
Skid plate is paper thin.
I changed oil at 300 km. When removing the skid plate, the lower frame rails(they really are like lower skid plate support tubes, not very substantial) spread by a few cm. I had to use a tie down strap to bring them in prior to reinstalling the skid plate.
I got unlucky, my cluth lever came without the pivot bushing pressed in........got replacement under warranty.
Love all the adjustments, gear shift lever, both hand levers, suspension........
Mix riding computer shows 3.7/100, refueling math shows 4.0/100.
Hope this helps someone.
Unfortunate, but most bikes have teething problems, especially brand new models. Hope you can still enjoy your bike. Thanks for your input😊👍
@RocketMan_Moto I like my bike, just giving my observations and take on the bike.
I haven't had the chance to ride the 450MT but have ridden the 450 Himalayan and the Triumph 400 scrambler. The Triumph as you point out is not really an off road tool but to my eyes it looks the best. The Himalayan is a vast improvement on the 411(which I own) but it's price has gone up significantly, the things I didn't like was the side stand really leans over too far and is heavy to pull it upright and the engine produces a lot more vibes. The Honda is not really in the running for me as it's too expensive and a bit bland looking.
Completely agree. Thanks for your input👍😊
I sat on the Himalayan 450 yesterday after testing the CFMoto 450 and couldn't pull it off the sidestand until the salesman helped. Ridiculously top heavy and that with an empty fuel tank. Evan though they're the same weight the CF is FAR better balanced.
I agree it's very heavy. This is what I mean really when I refer to it as 'industrial'
@@garyoneill8868 It is actually not very top heavy but it is mostly how they have set the side stand. But it is a definite miss. you do not feel the weight that much if you try to take it off the center stand. Knowing Enfield they will soon come with a recall to change the side stand
CF Moto one way is the winner.
Regarding the level of the foot p you can change the seat for the 865 cm high, and the jerky problem whether CF Moto will remap the ECU or sending to the specialists to do it, that should sort those 2 issues, whereas the wind screen after market parts will do it.
Hey you have awesome voice!!!!!
Thanks for your input and kind comment re. voice :)
How do you adjust calipers? I need to learn, is there a special screw ?
It’s called winding back. Are you encountering problems?
Great review and well laid out points, as always. CF Moto is on the rise and once they prove themselves with quality they may be contender to some of the proven brands. Dealer network, warranty on paper (as you said) and lack of knowledge on repair and upkeep on these bikes, are and will remain to be until resolved, or until the brand proves itself as worthy of spending money on. Of course, this is reflected by the incentives in pricing, 20% less is quite a big of a discount, but I will still take Honda any day than any others mentioned. Reliability is something that, in my book, is worth paying for extra, and not easy to accomplish.
I totally understand your reasoning. Thanks for your input👍😊
If the nx500 looked like the mt450 that would be perfect.
Ride safe 👍
The MT’s engine is punchier too, though
this is best 450MT review now!!! and for the Royal Enfield fan, RE is not bad just other is better LOL
😊👍
i like this video 👍🏻
I like this comment :)
Thanks for posting the comparison review. First up, telling off on the way. You reckon, RM, that it needs a quick shifter! No it doesn’t. A 450 with ok performance and bottom end torque does not need that complexity, although fitting cruise control wound not go amiss.
It won’t be long before calls are being made for shifters to be fitted to 250’s. Completely irrelevant unless said bike is being used in anger; a race track. Otherwise that little CF Moto 450 MT is worth a test ride. My only concern would be potential unreliability and warranty concerns.
Lol, I think shifters should be on all bikes. Love ‘em😊
Why would it be unreliable ? It’s not a BMW !
Given the engine is already on the 450SR, 450NK and CLC450 that is available in the market for 1-2 years. Reliability shouldn't be much of a major concern compare to Himalayan brand new Sherpa engine.
Warranty varies to each region I suppose.
@@RocketMan_Moto I had a quick shifter on my 2022 KTM 390 Adventure, it was brilliant to have especially as the bike was a little lacking in overtaking power, being able to whip up the gears was really fun.
Quick shifter is no more complex than cruise control. Either won't happen on this bike because it's a cable throttle.
Adjust the slack out of the throttle cable sorts the twitchy throttle
So it seems. Thanks for your input👍😊
Triumph 400x all the way! the motor and everything feels so much better after break-in. My first ride I too thought the gearing was way too short, however after break in it seems the gears relax a bit and now it think it's perfect! I also noted a huge difference when i changed the tires to a bit taller- it really helped the highway speeds in 6th. Having said that, even with a Puig wind screen I don't adore being on highways doing 70 for hours on this (or any) bike, it is much more fun to ride back roads. With proper tires it is absolutely an off-road beast! those stock anakees are almost worthless offroad in anything wet, but some dual sport tires makes this bike shine off road!
Sounds as if you got the right bike for you! Thanks for your input😊👍
Cross-spoke wheels on the CFMoto. Good-looking bike. My favourite in this test. A booster plug would solve the low-down snatchiness. Assuming one is available. Why is the font so small on the typical dash? My KTM 390 Duke's is dreadful. CFMotos are reliable, so I've been told by people in Thailand. An acquaintance rode a CFMoto from China to England with no issues, and that was ages ago, and they improved since then. I'd probably buy the NX of these four having said all this. Only, I wouldn't buy any of them. I wouldn't say no to a Royal Enfield Scram for use around Chiang Rai. I don't need a screen.
Good review. Nick
Thanks for your feedback, Nick👍😊
I think there’s a few different display formats on the ibex 450 where the clock might be more visible
There’s also a rally seat option that would give you more leg room if you don’t mind the higher seat
I’m sure there will be a fix for the bad fueling soon. If it has as much pull through the mid range pull as my drz400 with rejetted carb and exhaust, then I definitely want one and will get one when they come to the states. I would definitely need the rally seat as well. There’s a taller windscreen option too, but I think I’d just run a short screen at the lowest position to keep the buffeting off my helmet and mainly ride gravel and country back roads on this one so no issue there
I agree most of the negatives I highlighted can probably be fixed, but they should really be ironed out in the factory before a bikes goes to market🤔
@@RocketMan_Moto you mean just the throttle snatch, right? I agree it’s disappointing for sure.
Yes, how could they sign the bike off with an issue like that?
I'd love to buy a 450 himalayan but In my home country of Thailand it costs the same as the NX500 due to import taxes from India whereas the NX is made here. They're both the equivalent of EU5700
If they are the same price, then yes, I would absolutely take the NX500 over the Himalayan. Thanks for your input :)
Finally Yamaha launches it's T4. Great.
New T7 round the corner, apparently
@@RocketMan_MotoI'm sure it will be brilliant and even more expensive than current one 😢
Yes, Yamahas are getting very expensive
I watch all your videos even when there on bikes i am not interested in, like these. I've no real knowledge on off roading bikes keeping to the black stuff only, so for me it would be the Honda like you said its build quality and back up dealer network swing it.
Thanks, Ian. Nothing wrong with the Honda, I'd be quite happy with any of the 4 bikes, tbh :)
Tested myself the cfmoto 450mt and agree generally. But chinese brands even though have made huge steps are still far from the refined engines and gearboxes of the Japanese. So the price difference is justified in my opinion.
Thanks for your input😊👍
I went trough this choice and have the RE since last week...something about the triumph didnt felt right (it is the prettiest), the honda is just a rebadge i considered buying 2nd hand, between the RE and CF, I think anyone looking at this price point will be happy with both...the cf has better extras and looks like a tipical adventure ( i actually disliked that, looked like marketing designed the bike to tick boxes) but felt unecessary bigger, the RE looked nicer (IMO and live looks different) the side stand thing doesnt bother me and the bike feels very easy to pick up, is nibble enough, smaller than the cf (total volume) and feels shorter than the triumph, the suspension soaks everything (novice offroader), and for now Im very happy with my choice...small note Portugal is pretty mountainous (just not that high) you dont have to go to the pireneus, but you are in the flatter part
Nothing wrong with the Himalayan, all 4 of these bikes are very good. Thanks for your input and enjoy. Yes, the Algarve is relatively flat :)
Have you really tested the RE450? I can't find that on your channel.
Tested it on Wednesday, video coming soon :)
Why you use a spanish video? Where you from? I'm talking 10:27
You record that?
I’m a UK expat currently living in Portugal
Very interesting. Its like the himalayan, need glasses to read the display.
I don't know why manufacturers are doing this
@@RocketMan_Moto I think you are right that they are designed by 25 years olds and us older generation cant cope. Amount of times I peer at my display (himmy 411) and think what time is it ? what does that trip say ?? etc etc.
Lamentably yes :(
Yes, I paid my local CF Moto dealership a visit when this bike first arrived. Too physicall bulky for me. The CB 500x is physically smaller, for the same weight.
So you went for the 500X? How do you like it?
@@RocketMan_Moto No. I am waiting for the 2025 ktm 390. I reckon that might be the unicorn.
At 20-30kgs lighter
@@rod1449 No such thing as a unicorn
I can dream
In your opinion, is there a lot of vibration on the 450mt at 120kmph on the highway? Does is struggle at that speed?
There is a lot of vibration at higher speeds, but it’s no worse than the other 3. The engine is quite capable of cruising at 120, but you would probably need a bigger windscreen to make it tolerable for you😉
@@RocketMan_Moto Aah ok cool. I'm sure aftermarket solutions will come out. Even with the default windguard turned to the highest position it's still not enough?
Not for me, but I’m tall (187cm)
@@RocketMan_Moto ah ok, I'm 180... so I might be alright.
Could well be. You need to try it :)
I got delivery of my Grey MT450 in Lahore, Pakistan just last week. It feels "just right"
Exactly that! Enjoy :)
It's ashame about the fuel economy on the CF Moto 450mt. For an adventure bike I was expecting to get at least 400km but seems it falls short at just 350km per tank. The RE 450 brags 450km per tank. With the price of fuel having a vehicle that's economical and can take you where you need to go is a big deal maker for me.
Thanks for sharing.
I often don’t have the time to measure fuel economy in a meaningful way on these QuickTests, so your input on the subject is appreciated😊👍
Chinese technology. It is way harder to make good engine than most of u guys think.
Fuel mileage tends to go up after break in period
True👍
average 4.4L/100km after 2189km including off road ,learning wheelie ,country road and 400km of highway If you can keep the rpm under 6500 during cruising it will go about 420-430km before dry and cruise along in highway at 100kph the fuel consumption is 3.8L/100km shown on the screen
I'm still waiting for them to be available in the USA 😞 I'm def going to get one.
Definitely worth the wait
The small text on the dash is probably a software issue, and could be upgraded as a free of charge service, if the factory agrees with you - worth a try, maybe :-)
In principle it’s a quick fix, I agree, but in practice…😉
@@RocketMan_Moto It would annoy me, but I ride the Triumph 400x, so I am OK ;-)
Good choice👍
Yes, Triumph made all the right decisions with the 400's - the 400x is a nice "café scrambler" 😂❤
Agreed!
Ended up going with the NX. Enfield was too heavy, CFMoto was all hype and no availability, plus they're both first year bikes.
NX is the sure bet. Enjoy👍😊
I'd take the CF Moto, but when the weather's bad & I'm in the shed, tea in hand, I'd prefer to be cleaning & looking at the Triumph...
That just about sums it up. Why not get both? :)
@@RocketMan_Moto Such a boomer thing to say lol. Us youngins' can't even buy cheap houses haha
A bit of difference between a €6k bike and a house😉
Only thing i dont like are service intervals for cfmoto, it says 3000miles /5000 kms , and himalayan is 6000miles/10000kms..That is kinda annoying.. And i some people say average fuel consumption is 4l/100km, some says 5,6 l/100km.. if 5,6l per 100km is true that is kinda to much for small bike..
I agree that servicing is a concern. CF Moto is largely unproven, at least here in Europe. Thanks for your input :)
I’m on 3.5l/100km after the first 600 km on the bike
Same as my 350cc scooter😳
For fuel economy scrambler can return good economy in cruising
But cruising on 80kmph or 90kmph
Around 32kmpl i.e about 3.2 or so l/100km
That is good. Thanks for your input 👍😊
@10.11 Has somebody left the handbrake off those cars in the dealership😅
Haha, yes I thought that! Some very strange parking decisions😂
Those CF Motos are great looking bikes and great value for money... But I'd be worried about resale
This is the unknown question at the moment🤔
@@RocketMan_Moto I have a feeling these might be their first bike not to have such bad resale given the demand, but I'm just guessing. Here in Australia the resale on their bikes has been awful - which is good when picking up a used one
I agree. This is the first Chinese bike that I have actually liked, so hopefully residuals will hold up better
Lack of a decent front mudguard makes a mess on the engine i think.
You’re probably correct, but very few bikes come perfectly protected. Especially at this price😊
"Low cost of ownership" I'm not sure how that applies more for the Honda instead of the CF Moto, tbh. Maybe if we only consider that because it is a Honda it won't require much servicing/fixing, but even that doesn't track for me because the CF Moto has a two-stroke and the NX500 has a four-stroke.
Honda will depreciate less. CF Moto is a 4-stroke.
@@RocketMan_Moto that's on me. I somehow confused 2-cylinder with 2-stroke. Now, the sound makes sense. As for the value, I don't get a 6K motorcycle as an asset, though.
I love Hondas, but in my country they have the most expensive service out of all the regular brands. The guy who has the exclusive Honda dealership for the whole country is a dink.
That’s unfortunate. Having a good dealer is so important
CFMOTO needs to get on top of the fueling issues on their range of bikes. I owned the 800MT (ibex in USA) and the throttle feels like an on/off switch. There is no amount of concentration that will smooth this.
It ruined what was otherwise a great bike.
I wouldn't even consider another CFMOTO until they sort out the throttle.
Others have been saying that it can be adjusted, but I imagine you tried that on your 80? Thanks for your input :)
Correction ... 450 MT is not "light" weight ... hugely important when off-road.
A KTM 390 is only 5kg less.
go look at the Rieju aventura 500 legend - you will not be disappointed
Heavy as hell. Primitive engine.
I'll try and take a look, not many dealers here, though. Thanks for your input :)
Honda NX500 in Thailand is €5,700. Would be my choice for travels around Asia. BTW Royal Enfield bulletproof 😂😂
Wow, that's €2,000 less than in Portugal! Thanks for you input :)
Well, ANYTHING is better than the royal enfield, what a piece of junk. After riding it which costs an astronomical $10k ish in Australia, I’d rather walk! Really can’t understand why people like them, over rated and extremely over priced for what you are getting. The CF moto look great. Great review as always.
Thanks. Yes, I have to agree. Enfields have never quite managed to live up to their image in my books🤔
There must be a glitch in The Matrix, RocketMan has picked a cheap Chinese bike over the other 3. It was going to happen sooner or later. They're getting much better and the 'big 4' had better watch out, because they're coming after you.
I was as surprised as you, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s a decent looking bike. A friend of mine is buying one, so we’ll see how it stands the test of time. Thanks for your input😊👍
i think the RE is way over hyped it had a year in the limelight but it has been thrashed into oblivion by others even the current iterations fall way way short ..and out of these 4 it would def be last choice for me
Thanks for your input👍😊
Regarding footpegs,what is your height?
6’2 / 187cm
Is seating very cramped ? I´m 180cm.
There’s a high seat available, which might help, but I found the pegs quite high, yes.
@@RocketMan_Moto thanks
👍
:)
I have to buy the bike that looks the coolest, so it would have to be the Triumph.
It is a looker👍😊
I just wish i could find one in stock in France.....
They're in high demand everywhere, I believe. Good sign in a way...
@@RocketMan_Moto great review by the way. Hope the weather down south is good. Finally stopped raining here!
Thanks. Dry & warm here for the last couple of weeks after a pretty dismal early spring😟
I have heard the insurance premiums for Chinese bikes is about double what one would usually pay.
I wonder if that’s because of parts prices🤔
@@RocketMan_Moto l'd like to know how long future parts supply would be guaranteed for? That's the thing that would stop me buying.
Yes, it’s an unknown, as I mentioned in the video
The Tiger 900 RP has 204 kg - 175 kg.= 29 kg not 40 kg .
I wish you were correct! Unfortunately the Tiger 900 RP weighs 228kg wet😉
@@RocketMan_Moto I was comparing dry vs. dry figures.
OK, but I don't agree with your figures :)
Don't forget the CFMoto is a 270° engine, unlike the 180° parallel twin (yawn) Honda. But what if Honda were finally to upgrade all their 500 engines to a 270° crank design? That ancient parallel twin unit needs retiring!
Good point👍😊
CFMoto engine is also an inline twin, which means a parallel twin
@@NalinKhurb Yes, but the Honda has a 180° firing order, which initially I didn't make clear.
Who cares it is 270, 180 or 60. We expect performance. No 450cc is the engine gives pleasure to ride. 500-600cc is required.
I don't agree: I'd rather be on a light 450 off road than a cumbersome 900. That said, for the ride home, I'd take a litre bike anytime :)
the Honda dash looks so dull and cheap! that alone would stop me from buying that bike. MT looks much nicer. Even if the small numbers are a bit hard to read, I would enjoy looking at it while the Honda's is just awful to look at.
The MT does have the clearest dash. If only they had used a larger font for the ancillary information. Thanks for your input :)
Himalayans 450 are plagued with frame fracture from engine vibration.
Wow, as bad as that?!
@@RocketMan_Moto ua-cam.com/users/results?search_query=+Himalayan+450+frame+problem
@@RocketMan_Moto ua-cam.com/users/results?search_query=+Himalayan+450+frame+problem
Thanks for the link!
I just sold my 400X and bought a NX500. The 400X is a looker and i did 7000km on it in a few months.Forks are stiff and engine is vibey but ok...great backroads bike i did like it.
I would not buy a Chinese bike as of 2024--i will wait a few years but happy they are coming out with unicorn bikes which will pressure the stodgy Japanese.
Looks wise i love the NX500 with its rally styling in white. Its a mile muncher i have done a 1000km so far in teh first week so first service done i will see how vibey it is over 6000rpm now but i can do 120km/hr at 6k so i am personally not interested in riding faster so i dont need more hp. I love the linear power delivery and the brakes are incredible and personally i like the soft suspension on the rap road surfaces here. I never used the stock tires i had the Honda dealer fit Michelin Road 6's and i put pannier boxes on it. I live in a foreign country so Honda reliability is key my Triumph immobilizer locked me out once and that was enough for me to lose faith in teh bike...the 400x did some weird electronic things like showing no fuel then half a tank and stalled a few times and even had a few hard starts.Fine for what its meant for though local b road riding.
They threw in free 1st class insurance on the NX500 plus free skid plate,body protection kit etc. I can buy 5 NX500's here for the price of a new BMW or i can invest the money saved and live off of the dividends....i went wth the cheaper reliable option but i likely wont make many friends at the Starbucks with the NX500.
Interesting that you sold your 400X so quickly. Thanks for your input :)
@@RocketMan_Moto Ya i live in a foreign country and not enough Triumph dealers around me. I had one lock out issue with teh immobilizer that was enough. would keep it if i didnt live in a condo though great backroad bike. I tried touring with it as well windscreen and hard luggage is much easier on teh NX500 but the 400x can certainly be a travel bike just not as suited.
Hmmm, I am hearing quite a few tales of woe regarding Triumph electronics at the moment. A friend of mine bought a Tiger 900 GT Pro a month before I got my Rally Pro and they've had to replace the whole ignition system, because it wasn't detecting his keys correctly :(
Ya i feel for him...the 400x was the first bike with abs i have owned and i am 58 been riding since 78' albeit dual sorts and dirt bikes mostly...i am allergic to computers on motorbikes and modern cars i dislike i wont buy a rent car.Too electronic. I dont mind riding within my abilities but i welcome abs and traction control they are fine. I tend to upgrade tires and seats that sort of thing and dont care about electronic features much as dirt and water and computers dont mix.
Th Triumphs seem to have this anti theft issue. I dont want that feature. They said the next step was to remove the ignition as well on my bike. I use physical anti theft devices and park in ceratain ways etc. In my case the anti theft buggered me and i have seen more odd electronic issues on my 400x that would downgrade it to a local bike.
The last thing i will ever buy is an EV motorcycle so i suppose i am a luddite. The Honda seems to be the gold standard for reliability and the trade off is performance i suppose. All the Japanese bikes i have owned have been pretty damn great though. two DR 650's and two WR250r;'s never let me down over many km but again many people do not want old tech like that now but i wont buy KTM or Aprilla or even a BMW so i know i am a cheap bastard and a luddite haha. The Triumph was the one and only non Japanese bike i have owned. I kind of like to focus on where i am going more not the bike so much in that once its set up i forget about it and look to where i am going that day instead.
Honda's reputation for mechanical reliability is well deserved, but I noticed a few spots on my Transalp where oxidation and rust were beginning to appear after only 8-9 months in a warm, well-aired, bone dry garage :(
The extra $1000 for the Honda has gone on an extra cylinder……;)
The 450MT is also a twin👍
@@RocketMan_Moto oh missed that, thanks.
No problem😊
Not a good review for such a good bike 450mt
It won, beating 3 other very good bikes. What more do you want?😂
First 2 years all great, after…… I own a Chinese bike 😉 unfortunately
I think they’re making progress, though. But you’re right and this is why residuals are so poor.
How many guys here would hv driven a Citroen BX? ;-)
A few of the older viewers in Europe maybe?
I’ve had a few BX’s. Loved them👍
Quirky, but fun. I loved mine
Ah, a spyware rider....
Not sure what you mean, but thanks for stopping by :)
You meet the nicest people on a honda have wings shall fly and all that, got a 22 plate cb500x just coming up to 30 thousand miles not one single issue 👍
I can believe that. My 2019 500X was also faultless. Ride safe :)
An adventure bike without a rear mudguard/hugger! smh
Not an impossible fix
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder but that CF Moto 450 MT looks like a dog's breakfast to me. No way could I own a bike that looked like that no matter how good it petformed. Conversely, the Triumph is so beautiful that it beats all the rest hands-down in my opinion. No contest.
So u must dislike the yamaha t7 ...
I agree, but when you're riding you quickly forget what a bike looks like and I think I'd rather be riding the 450MT than the 400X. Thanks for your input :)
Before you did your 'summary' 'If I wanted a general purpose motorcycle, I'd take this' I'd already decided it was the Honda for me 🤣 They're not what they were, but the Honda will still be running when the CF is in bits....the dealer network is much better, and anyone would be happy to service it if you haven't got a dealer near you. A CB500X would be a better choice for most..... IMO I'd never pay that kind of money for any of those bikes....
As I said in the video, if ultra reliability and ease of ownership is a priority for you, then absolutely go for the Honda, it's a great bike. Thanks for your input :)
Funny, because the Honda I have owned have had more issues (but still reliable) than the 2 CFmotos I have owned.
Interesting
@@chrispekel5709 I'm lucky, I've never purchased a Honda with 'issues' like I said in my original post, I don't think Honda are 'what they were' if I'm honest. My single cylinder Honda 500 hasn't done a huge mileage, but it's done two tours in Spain 2018/2019 (5K miles in total) and numerous tours in the UK...She never missed a beat, and still 'attracts attention' when parked up. Fingers crossed, I've never walked up to 'her' and thought 'Is 'she' going to start' 🙂 Oh, I forgot to say...she'll be 40 years old next year 😲 My Rover car has a Honda engine, which is why I bought it, that's only 26 years old...🙂
Finger prints..🤦
Not the end of the world in the grand scheme of things, but it would irritate me🤓
Okay RM. You asked for it.
You're a rubbish person for your comments regarding Royal Enfield.
There. Happy now?
Phew! Comments have been remarkably benign so far. I was beginning to think that the Enfield fanboys were boycotting my videos😊