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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Erling Foshaugen, Curious kid in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Erling Foshaugen,
Curious kid in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia



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  #31  
Old 15 Feb 2024
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The AT would make a good second hand buy , providing you can home service it . Major service cost will make u cry.......literally . I can get a minor and major service on my gsa at a main dealer for about the cost of a major AT one . Something to bear in mind if u aren't mechanically inclined . Plus the switchgear is a joke on the AT , I moan about the Gsa being unlit......lord only knows how u use the Honda ones at night in winter gloves . If I had to swap now i would b putting my money into the suzuki 800de........its super roomy , very comfy , OK it doesn't have cruise but I'll live with that for the 7 year warranty !! R u listening Bmw
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  #32  
Old 15 Feb 2024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris gale View Post
The AT would make a good second hand buy , providing you can home service it . Major service cost will make u cry.......literally . I can get a minor and major service on my gsa at a main dealer for about the cost of a major AT one . Something to bear in mind if u aren't mechanically inclined . Plus the switchgear is a joke on the AT , I moan about the Gsa being unlit......lord only knows how u use the Honda ones at night in winter gloves . If I had to swap now i would b putting my money into the suzuki 800de........its super roomy , very comfy , OK it doesn't have cruise but I'll live with that for the 7 year warranty !! R u listening Bmw
Interesting stuff Chris. I won’t be in the market for an AT (even more now ????), I’ll stick with GSs.
I think your right, in that, the CF Moto 800 will be up against the 800DE, 790 KTM and Transalp - all of which, get great reviews, and it’s more expensive!!

Getting back on topic, my wife is beginning to think of scaling down to a lighter bike than her 1200gs LC. Whilst all these middle weights are lighter the GS has such a low COG that it’s easier to handle at low speeds and moving around - even the CB500x felt heavier wheeling it around. Perhaps the KTM but she doesn’t like the look of it (who does? ????). My point is that the difference/advantages aren’t great enough to loose money when she changes.
If the 450 is significantly lighter, it could be the one.

PS. She doesn’t want a single.
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  #33  
Old 15 Feb 2024
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You could well be right ........ have to say if it rides nicely I may jump ship and bank the difference . It'll have to b the grey / yellow paint though
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  #34  
Old 16 Feb 2024
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Ok so this new CFMoto 450 is said to be 175 kilos dry, and then add fuel, engine oil, coolant etc we will end up at above 190 kilos. Add 10-15 kilos and we are at the weight of bikes such as the T7, new Transalp, KTM790/890 etc. Bikes that hawe twice the power of this CFMoto. It will of course be much cheaper - but still….
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  #35  
Old 16 Feb 2024
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Quote:
Ok so this new CFMoto 450...
True, but all those bikes listed might need the same 10-15 kg added.
And even then, it appears handguards, tail rack, adjustable screen and proper? bashplate are all stock on the MT.

As said, it will be much cheaper (partly why the Him was so popular, despite its limitations).
It appears to be tubeless as stock – a huge complication / expense to the above listed bikes.
Loads of dicking about to convert my 300L to TL.
The seat is low and heck, even the mirrors angle in!

Above all, I've long believed that in the real world, hp in the 40s is all you need to do anything up to 120kph in any weather/elevation, especially if it's delivered by a fruity 270-285° crank, unlike the bland 500X.
That, and the 450cc ought to result in great economy/greater range.
People like loads more as motos are now mostly leisure/lifestyle accessories and it's fun to annihilate traffic at will.
But for actual, real world gravel travel, 40-50hp / ~30kpl / < 200kilos / 200 mil travel / low seat is my ballpark.

I just rode a couple of full-on weeks with a mate on an 890R (see my recent twitters) - a great bike that weighed and consumed 50% more than my 300L. At no point on Moroccan backroads or trails was even half of that 100? hp used or needed.
I've ridden one myself for a couple of weeks; the best thing about it is it's not as uncomfortable at my 300L (or any similar trail bike). And it doesn't wilt on headwind climbs at 2500m.

A bit more poke and comfort with as little extra weight are needed.
If the suspension is decent, then the 450MT ought to be ready to go out of the crate.
But even if it isn't, the low price may compensate for this – or there are loads of other great bikes out there.
But right now there is nothing quite like the 450MT for its price which is why we're excited by it.

Amusing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k96goyqe3uU

Last edited by Chris Scott; 7 Apr 2024 at 10:05.
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  #36  
Old 16 Feb 2024
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Big Rock Moto just did a show review of the 450 . Described it as the one everybody is interested in . 6500 dollars . Our sales staff are convinced its going to sell by the crate load . Once I beat Chris off with a stick I'll give u an honest opinion when I ride it . I could sell the
Gs and bank circa 12k ...... makes u think .
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  #37  
Old 16 Feb 2024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post
True, but all those bikes listed might need the same 10-15 kg added.
And even then, it appears handguards, tail rack, adjustable screen and proper? bashplate are all stock on the MT.

As said, it will be much cheaper (partly why the Him was so popular, despite its limitations).
It appears to be tubeless as stock – a huge complication / expense to the above listed bikes.
Loads of dicking about to convert my 300L to TL.
The seat is low and heck, even the mirrors angle in!

Above all, I've long believed that in the real world, hp in the 40s is all you need to do anything up to 120kph in any weather/elevation, especially if it's delivered by a fruity 270-285° crank, unlike the bland 500X.
That, and the 450cc ought to result in great economy/greater range.
People like loads more as motos are now mostly leisure/lifestyle accessories and it's fun to annihilate traffic at will.
But for actual, real world gravel travel, 40-50hp / ~30kpl / < 200kilos / 200 mil travel / low seat is my ballpark.

I just rode a couple of full-on weeks with a mate on an 890R (see my recent twitters) - a great bike that weighed and consumed 50% more than my 300L. At no point on Moroccan backroads or trails was even half of that 100? hp used or needed.
I've ridden one myself for a couple of weeks; the best thing about it is it's not as uncomfortable at my 300L (or any similar trail bike). And it doesn't wilt on headwind climbs at 2500m.

A bit more poke and comfort with as little extra weight are needed.
If the suspension is decent, then the 450MT ought to be ready to go out of the crate.
But even if it isn't, the low price may compensate for this – or there are loads of other great bikes out there.
But right now none quite like the 450MT which is why we're excited by it.

Amusing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k96goyqe3uU
I get what you mean and I doesnt disagree very much. But I got to think about my first big bike back in the 90’s - it was a Honda Transalp 600. If I remember correctly it had a wet weight of ~190-195 kilos. 50 HP, 17,5 liter petroltank. Didnt quite get 30 kml, maybe around 23-24 or thereabouts. But it was a Honda, quality build and dealers and spare parts readily available in most parts of the world. I dont think CFMoto ever will get a quality and a dealership worldwide like Honda. And the Transalp 600 is +30 years….

I still dont quite get the novelty about this CFMoto….
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  #38  
Old 18 Feb 2024
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Price in the US 6499 USD…https://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/cf...for-us-market/
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  #39  
Old 5 Apr 2024
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There was a global (Asian-Pacific?) launch of the 450MT in the Philippines the other week and a couple of Youtubers have since uploaded their impressions.
I've updated my preview and this is one of the better vids from Adv Life in Ozzie.
Short version: it will be a hit.


Last edited by Chris Scott; 7 Apr 2024 at 10:00.
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  #40  
Old 10 Apr 2024
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Yep the launch of the CF Moto 450 was in the Philippines of all places. Actually quite cool to have the launch in such a faraway place. Philippines is on my «to do» list as I missed the country on my RTW trip.

On to the many reviews of the bike that are posted nowadays. The review in Motorcycle.com seems quite thorough….

The reviewer didnt quite like the front brake and the clutch feel: «The front brake basically has all of the feel of a Novocain-dosed lab rat. There is power there, enough to chirp the front tire and get into the ABS, but there is absolutely no feel. I’m almost impressed. Unfortunately, the feedback from the clutch actuation is similar in feel. The clutch pull is very light and easily done with a single finger, but the engagement is difficult to ascertain»

The reviewer says this about the engine: «The engine? Let's just say I wasn’t impressed – initially. Spending most of our time in the morning at slow speeds as we made our way to less densely populated areas, the engine’s lack of low-end torque and sloppy fueling was aggravating. The low rpm slop and short gearing is something I’ve noticed on every CFMOTO I’ve ridden. It’s unfortunate because it turns what is otherwise a good engine into a fairly glaring nuisance at speeds you generally find in the city. Once I learned to just keep the bike in the meat of its mid-range power, I actually really enjoyed the P-Twin’s smooth power output. Oh, and it sounds great. Like a tiny Ténéré»

He didnt quite like the seat height and seating position either. But the reviewer still thinks it is a lot of bike for the money.

https://www.motorcycle.com/bikes/man...-ride-44600017
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  #41  
Old 11 Apr 2024
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brand new 500cc twin adventure bike

Brand new 500 twin adventure bike .................................ok............... ....you have to use your imagination for this one !
bullet proof engine . not to heavy , world wide dealers . 300 mile tank range . 100miles to a gallon. low seat height. long service intervals . very nice looking ! . easy to ride and maintain .................................................. .....................................
Honda nx 500 !!!!
Keith

Last edited by badou24; 13 Apr 2024 at 10:02. Reason: spelling
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  #42  
Old 13 Apr 2024
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On paper yes but, as we all know, things aren’t that simple.
Tried a Rally Raid and normal CB500x, wanted to love it, but was disappointed.
Just felt clumsy and top heavy to me. Easier to wheel around my 1200gs.
Obviously everyone is different and, for many, it’s a great bike.
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  #43  
Old 4 May 2024
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In general I find YouTube bike reviews pretty worthless for me, Big Rock being the exception. They’re either blokey blokes riding down the road spouting, the same old, specs and sound bites or ex enduro racers tearing around an MX track to loud music.
I’ve just seen an excellent review, for real world gravel travel, on the MT450 but I can’t find it again to post a link - if it pops up I’ll post it.

Chris (Gale), a couple of questions, if I may, when will the bike be available in the UK for test rides? And, are there any dealers around the East Midlands / South Yorkshire area - seems difficult to find this information, or is it just me!

Many thanks
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  #44  
Old 5 May 2024
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I'll ask the sales guys when I'm next in
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  #45  
Old 5 May 2024
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Tbh I think it might be you re the dealer search...I've just tried having put CFMOTO dealer search into Google and there is an jnteractive map with all the locations on . Looks like there are around 5 dealers in ur general area
That said my first attempt led me to farm machinery dealerships
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