2025 XRE 300 Sahara VS CFMoto 450 MT
 

Looking for wisdom from South American (Colombia-Argentina/Chile) moto enthusiasts who are in country currently. My lady and I are going to go to Colombia and buy bikes either the new XRE300 Sahara or the Newish CFmoto 450MT. My question is the availability of parts/tires/upgrades for both being that they are new engines. The XRE has been around but the 2025 update “Sahara” model now has a new engine/gearbox from the old one. I’m assuming this will mean small town mechanics will not be failure nor have the new parts for the XRE Sahara making it kind of a Wash with the 450MT for parts availability. If anyone is down there currently or in the last year is this the case? Anyone riding a 450MT and having issues with parts/tires availability or frame issues? Thanks so much!
- As a side note

(I have already ridden the old 5 speed XRE 300 in Colombia for a month and am not interested in living off that for 6 months and if we go with a new XRE 300 Sahara I would want to try to find suspension upgrades rear and front are those available in Colombia for the New Sahara variant?)

The CF Moto 450 MT is $8000 USD in Colombia. The Honda XRE 300 is also expensive to buy new in Colombia. Dont buy used in Colombia unless you buy from a foreigner. Better idea to buy the bikes in Chile. Less exp

CF-Sahara
 

you won't find any suspension up grades for the Honda and spare parts for the Honda will be very limited in Colombia, What could you possibly need with a new bike besides sprockets, chains and maybe signal lights or a clutch lever the bike is practically the same as the XRE300
the worst case would be new plastic. the engine is bullet proof its same engine as previous years only the gear box has changed to 6.
The cops are riding the Sahara as we speak and the public in Colombia won't see them until next year
The CF I have no idea, I do know the are selling a lot of them

Elisa and I have ridden 8 countries of South America, many of them more than once. We are permenant foreign residents of Argentina since 2006. Elisa started riding a Honda XR 250 Tornado and soon upgraded to the Honda NX 400 Falcon which I ride.
My analysis, unfortunately Honda discontinued the NX 400 which is my first choice...because of comfort and the fact that replacement parts for the smaller Hondas are readily available throughout S A. It has been my experience that for serious overland travel buy at least 400 cc - better to have a touring seat than what is offered with the smaller motos. Of course any bike will do, I have seen many very small bikes doing fine, just depends on how many k you want to travel each day.

Do you plan to ride mostly on tarmac? Speaking from my experience (30,000 km on a XRE300), I found the XRE300 front shocks to be less than ideal on washboard roads. When I asked a rider who knows, he said the front shocks cannot be modified. I bucked it up and continued on the TransAmazon Highway as is...longing for smooth bits of road the whole time.

The XRE300 is a fun bike. It has plenty of horsepower, good gas mileage, and is very comfortable for my 6'2" body. I have no idea how you and your riding partner find riding two up. Assuming you're taking luggage, you could quickly be overloaded.

12 years back, I rode big sections of South America on an F800GS. If I were planning a long trip, two-up, I would go with something with bigger suspension than an XRE300, and I would take less stuff. Much less.