CFMoto 450MT Review (2026): Specs, 21" Tubeless & Ibex 450 Trail Test
The middleweight twin-cylinder adventure benchmark. Featuring a 449.5cc 270-degree crossplane twin engine (44.0 HP / 44 Nm), 200mm adjustable KYB suspension, 21"/18" cross-spoked tubeless wheels, 220mm ground clearance, and $6,499 USD price.
The Strengths
- Silky-smooth 449.5cc parallel-twin engine with 270-degree crankshaft and dual counterbalancers
- Factory cross-spoked tubeless 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels allow simple plug repairs on remote trails
- Fully adjustable 41mm KYB USD front forks and multi-link rear monoshock with 200mm wheel travel
- Dual seat height positions (820mm standard / 800mm low setting via lower link bracket)
- Bosch dual-channel ABS with dedicated off-road switchable rear disable button on handlebar
The Compromises
- 190 kg wet curb weight requires physical commitment when picking up on steep muddy hills
- Single front brake disc requires firm lever squeeze when riding aggressively with full camping luggage
- Dealer and service support network is expanding but still smaller than established Japanese brands
449.5cc Liquid-Cooled DOHC Parallel-Twin & 6-Speed Slipper Clutch
270-degree crossplane crank producing linear low-RPM torque with zero harsh single-cylinder vibrations.
Acceleration Telemetry, Top Speed Runs & Fuel Economy Benchmarks
Tested VBOX acceleration sprints, GPS top speed runs, and real-world fuel economy figures.
41mm KYB USD Forks, 21"/18" Tubeless Spoked Wheels & 220mm Clearance
Rally-spec chassis geometry, adjustable damping clickers, and high-impact aluminum skid plate.
Chassis Specifications
- High-strength tubular steel double-cradle frame with bolted forged aluminum rear subframe
- 41mm KYB inverted front forks offering 200mm travel with clicker adjustments for compression and rebound damping
- KYB multi-link rear monoshock offering 200mm travel with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping
- Cross-spoked aluminum 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tubeless wheels fitted with CST Ambro A4 dual-sport tires
- 320mm front disc brake with J.Juan 4-piston radial caliper and 240mm rear disc with switchable Bosch ABS
- 220mm ground clearance paired with a rugged aluminum engine bash plate and integrated crash bars
5-Inch Curved Color TFT Screen, Adjustable Windscreen & LED Headlamps
Over-the-air (OTA) updates, CFMoto RIDE app telemetry, and multi-position tool-free windshield.
Cockpit & Electronics Features
- 5-inch vertically curved color TFT display with anti-glare coating, dual display layouts, and CFMoto RIDE smartphone app
- Dedicated physical off-road button on left switchgear to disengage rear ABS and Traction Control on the fly
- Tool-free adjustable rally windscreen shielding the rider from highway buffeting and dirt roost
- Dual-projector LED headlights with signature eyebrow DRLs providing broad white light spread on unlit mountain trails
- Handlebar-mounted dual USB (Type-A + 18W Type-C) charging ports for navigation phones and GPS units
Complete 30-Point Technical Specification Matrix
Comprehensive engineering data, mechanical parameters, and dimensions for the CFMoto 450MT (Ibex 450).
1. Engine, Powertrain & Performance Architecture
Engine Specifications
Transmission & Electronics
2. Chassis, Suspension, Brakes & Dimensions
Chassis & Suspension
Brakes & Dimensions
3. Real-World Benchmarks, Pricing & Global Specs
Performance Benchmarks
Commercial & Pricing
Is the CFMoto 450MT / Ibex 450 the Best Value Sub-500cc Adventure Bike?
Buy If You Want
- Smooth, vibration-free 270-degree crossplane parallel-twin engine with 44 HP and 44 Nm torque
- Factory 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tubeless cross-spoked wheels for effortless puncture repairs
- Fully adjustable 41mm KYB 200mm suspension and 220mm ground clearance for serious trail riding
- Adjustable seat height (820mm standard / 800mm low link) with generous 17.5L touring tank
Skip If You Need
- A lightweight sub-160 kg dual-sport bike for tight rocky single-track enduro competitions
- An expansive dealer network with decades of presence in small rural towns
CFMoto 450MT / Ibex 450: 270° Twin Dyno, 200mm KYB & Global Trail Test
For years, mid-displacement adventure riders faced an uncomfortable compromise: buy a buzzy single-cylinder dual-sport that strained at highway speeds, or spend upwards of $10,000 on a heavy middleweight twin. The 2026 CFMoto 450MT (branded as the Ibex 450 in North America) solves this dilemma permanently. Compare it with single-cylinder alternatives in our Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 review, the upcoming low-seat Himalayan 440 preview, the twin-cylinder scrambler Royal Enfield Bear 650 review, and our industry ranking of the best adventure bikes under 3 Lakh.
1. 449.5cc Crossplane Parallel-Twin Engine Dynamics
The heart of the 450MT is its 449.5cc parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree crankshaft and dual counterbalancers. Producing 44.0 HP at 8,500 RPM and 44.0 Nm of torque at 6,250 RPM, the motor pulls with V-twin-like low-end grunt while remaining completely vibration-free at sustained 115 to 120 km/h highway speeds. Supported by a 6-speed transmission and slipper clutch, it achieves 0 to 100 km/h in 5.60 seconds. For high-speed Austrian single competition, explore our KTM 390 Adventure R review, standard KTM 390 Adventure review, and the entry-level KTM 250 Adventure.
2. 200mm KYB Suspension & 21"/18" Tubeless Wheels
Unlike competitors that cut costs with non-adjustable suspension and tube-type wheels, CFMoto equipped the 450MT with 41mm inverted KYB front forks and a multi-link rear monoshock, both delivering 200mm of travel with adjustable damping clickers. The cross-spoked 21-inch front and 18-inch rear rims accommodate tubeless dual-sport tires, allowing trail riders to fix thorns and punctures in minutes without dismounting wheels. For middleweight Japanese comparisons, review our Yamaha Tenere 700 review and the upcoming BMW F 450 GS preview.
3. Ergonomics, Weight & Market Verdict
At 175 kg dry (190 kg wet curb weight), the 450MT is 6 kg lighter than the single-cylinder Himalayan 450 while offering a 17.5-liter fuel tank delivering over 440 km of range. The dual-position seat (820mm standard / 800mm low link) accommodates riders of varying heights. Against street-biased scramblers like the Triumph Scrambler 400X review, the Triumph Speed 400 review, the lightweight Hero XPulse 210 Dakar review, the quarter-liter Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 review, and the urban Honda CB200X review, the CFMoto 450MT represents the most complete, trail-capable lightweight twin adventure package on the global market.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CFMoto 450MT (branded as Ibex 450 in North America) retails at an MSRP of $6,499 USD in the United States, £5,699 in the UK, and €5,990 in European markets.
It is powered by a 449.5cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree crossplane crankshaft, producing 44.0 HP at 8,500 RPM and 44.0 Nm of torque at 6,250 RPM.
It features 41mm fully adjustable KYB inverted front forks with 200mm travel, a 200mm KYB multi-link rear monoshock, 220mm ground clearance, and cross-spoked tubeless 21-inch front / 18-inch rear wheels.
The standard seat height is 820mm (adjustable to 800mm via lower link mount), and it weighs 175 kg dry (190 kg wet curb weight with a full 17.5L fuel tank).
The 450MT reaches a GPS top speed of 152 km/h, cruising smoothly at 110-120 km/h with 24 to 28 km/l fuel economy, delivering over 440 km of range on its 17.5L tank.
The CFMoto provides twin-cylinder smoothness and factory tubeless cross-spoked wheels, whereas the single-cylinder Himalayan 450 is heavier (196 kg) with tube-type rims, and the KTM 390 Adventure R is more aggressive but single-cylinder.