CF Moto 450 MT vs The Rest (an overview of my A2 test fleet)

A simple rundown of the bikes I have in the fleet of small capacity adventure bikes, using the new CF Moto as the reference point.

For dates to come down and try the bikes head to:

[speedfinder]

THE cheapest performance upgrade you can buy for your bike, is rider training. The key thing is, you can transfer this improvement when you buy a different bike!

[markthompson]

I have zero interest in a small cc off/on road bikes.
However this guy is THE best bike reviewer on Utube (or anywhere else).
No frills HONEST and KNOWLEDGEABLE - un like others, he doesn’t have to borrow bikes from dealers to review so he’s not worried about upsetting anyone.
If I was anywhere near Devon, I’d be beating a pathway to Dorothy’s speed shop and trying out the bikes on offer.
He’s a motorcycling gem…….thank you Nathan👌

[stefanhansen]

This was the BEST comparison of these kinds of bikes I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot!). Thanks!

[phillipchandler]

Essential viewing for anyone who wants an adventure - trail bike.
Nathan is the voice of knowledge and experience. Really good content👌👍

[andik.]

Seeing your initial videos on the 450 MT and 450 Himalayan I went to a dealer and rode them back to back. Himi all day long, as the sitting and standing position was more to my liking, better front brake, and much nicer road handling, and no snatchy throttle. Like you said here: Get on the bike, and you will find out quickly what suits you. And spending money in training your skills is more effective than buying the more "capable" bike.

[iDreamFlyrZz]

I haver a CB 500X from Honda and I'm super happy about it. Bought it when I was 18, I'm 27 now and still rocking it.
I got it as a street bike only, road tires, no protections etc. Not I have it fully upgraded, engine protection, hands protections, additionnal lights, warm handles, all the storage you could imagine, crashbars, off-road tires, upgraded offroad suspensions etc.

I've been upgrading it over the years and now it really feels like my dream bike, I do long offroad trips with it, even did wild camping trips in sweden this summer, it felt amazing. I saw a lot of "big bikes" during my off-road trips and it always feels like they struggle on tricky parts, when with my light bike it's just so easy. Also the fuel consumption is stupid cheap, as well as the maintenance of this bike, which feels super good. Also this bike is a tank I've got 230 000 km on it and the only issue I got with it was the additionnal lights breaking with the vibrations off-road, but I changed it to LED and now no issues for 5 years

Cannot recommand more this bike if you take good care of it, it will bring you everywhere

[joebloggs]

It’s a refreshing change to find an honest bike channel there few and far between that doesn’t have their head up the backsides of BMW and KTM.😎

[ctsailorNE]

The Light and Lower description of the BMW G 310GS is spot on. I'm 5'5" and over 60 years old so this bike suits me fine. It's the perfect daily commuter and a great weekend trail bike. It's as close to a 50/50 bike you can get. Thanks for the honest and descriptive reviews Nathan, you have a new subscriber...

[GraemeRobinson]

Totally agree. Moving from decades of riding big road bikes but with my teenage years spent riding dirt on trail bikes, I opted for the KTM 390 Adventure when I decided to get an adventure bike last year. No regrets. The lighter weight has allowed me to save myself from a fall any number of times - its small enough to be wrangled! Its still a pig in heavy going on the dirt compared to dedicated dirt bikes - the extra 60kg and 19"vs 21" front wheel is the compromise you make when going adventure but I keep up with my dirt bike mates when I hit the bush on a Sunday without too much trouble, unless the going gets tight and heavy. On the highway the KTM is great -fitted with cruise control and a sheepskin layer on the seat its super cruisy for long distances - I've done 800km in a day, half tarmac, half dirt. Thanks for this sensible post - there's too much crazy hype about big ADV bikes out there. Smaller is definitely the way to go if you actually want to ride dirt roads and stay upright.

[brunoalves]

Great reviews / comparison of the bikes. I always trust the words of someone who actually redden them all in their travels.
Thanks

[peterlamb]

Another great informative video again Nathan. Wisdom and maturity beyond your years, as always.

[robjones]

As usual, another very intelligent review, no dogmatic opinions, understands the different priorities and perceptions of different riders.

[mikerichardson]

Thanks for the great comparison between bikes! Mentioning the KLE500 reminded me of the fickle nature of motorcycle fashion and past attempts at producing the unicorn. The first generation Honda Transalp of 1987 has almost identical specs to the 450 MT in terms of weight, power and suspension travel. Nobody in the UK or USA wanted it back then. Would they want it now? The human condition seems to be the desire to have something that isn't available. Everybody now wants a Kawasaki Versys 400 with 21" front wheel or similar bike from Honda. Good on CF Moto for getting their timing right!

[edwardlawson]

Writing this so prospective buyers consider another seriously under rated option...
Cheap, bulletproof, lighter than half of these with a low seat height that will be fun to use also as a daily.
Having put over 35, 000ks on a couple of Versys-X 300s, it is the best missing option from this review. Yes it definitely does want the YSS suspension upgrade if you are 85kg plus for a better all round experience both on and off the road but it's lighter than most, has great range and is extremely capable of being mistreated and surviving whatever you want to throw at it. The most two stroke of four strokes for the power delivery and doesn't mind being run all day at 9000 rpm.
Definitely a more road oriented bike than the 450MT and I should have sold mine by now... But it's still so much fun to just jump on and flog.
If I were choosing a ride around Australia bike the 450MT would win for me but there would be numerous times, especially when wanting something lighter that I would be wishing for the Versys-X.
I do agree with you that the Honda is a bulletproof option but Honda has let us all down with the lack of development and evolution of the 250 to 300 with the CRF.
This market is about to come alive with more options in the next few years now someone has made a serious step towards the 'unicorn'.
Great review/comparison!

[kenzofo]

I’ve had my BMW GS310 for 3 years now and done 15, 000kms on a mixture of tar and dirt roads. It’s been a great little bike, and I enjoy riding it very much. However as Nathan said a bit more power would be good and I think better brakes and suspension would make it a really good all-round small adventure bike. I will be taking a test ride in the CF Moto 450 very soon.

[adaptableadventurerider]

Ace video as always :) Being an NX500 owner think I can chime in with a long reply comparing what we’ve bought from a very different perspective, having tried green laning as an experienced track and roads rider but green laning novice, an the ownership experience of a few of the other bikes.

utterly loving the NX500 an I’ve owned everything from ex iom tt bikes to 1920s Nortons and GSA’s which have all been ridden, I think when choosing a bike you have to be objective about your own needs and choose what’s right for you,

an if green laning isn’t your idea of adventure you might find this comment a bit interesting, its a different set of bikes that start to really be the thinking choice while everyone else is chasing down the endurofication of adventure / green lane route personally we’ve gone in a different direction having just bought a Honda Nx500 and about to buy a 2nd one.

Always enjoy your vids Nathan as it’s interesting to see a completely different perspective on them coming from an alternative view of what Adventure is.

On the smaller stuff owned 2x Ktm 390s
Rejected at 147 and 269 miles riddled with issues, Ktm were the worst company to deal with regarding problems washed there hands an left is to fight it out with the dealer, something to bear in mind,

Two bikes had drastically different levels of vibration between them.

Handled well though.

Problems with none sealing rims, condensation damaging the displays, corrosion when the bikes arrived new requiring replacement parts, side panel found to have a missing lug,
Displays were a major issue in winter.

Ktm have now put in there warranty book that they don’t cover the displays, we actually looked at the larger Ktms but they have the cam issue.

Anything can go wrong with bikes or anything that’s made, the problem is how the companies deal with it anyone who’s used to BMW level of service when things go wrong won’t enjoy the Ktm experience.

It was a real shame as it was just so darn enjoyable to ride lotta fizz to it on the road thirsty though.

Himalayan 411 - 500 miles found ourselves in the same boat full of issues, twisted forks, seized swing arm, still wasn’t convinced on the chassis after the first service, I know a friend of mine also had issues with an out of line/twisted chassis from new, then failed brake light switch x2, missing clips on breather lines, an a few other issues, dealer agreed shouldn’t have happened and refunded with no issue.

Biggest problem with the Enfield is they couldn’t get the parts to sort it at the time. A friend of mine has been after a part for his meteor for 12 months under warranty.

Issues an parts availability are always my biggest concern when weighing up any brand on the yam I had stuff next day compared to the Enfield.

Honda 300 rally sold to get my 1150gsa which I love. 300 rally was great road toured over wales for legal speeds not loaded up, personally found it better than the Himmy, seat was a torture device same as Enfield, with road riding as the compromise Honda would be my choice of the above if I was totally focused on green laning, with the rally raid stage 1 rear shock. Stock shock was rubbish, wind protection and mpg surprisingly good.

Tenere 700 was great for me no good for dad. Although to compromised towards trail riding if you weren’t doing it. (We had got it for a trail riding trip that’s now out of the window) I found it very manageable to move about even on the trails. A few mates of mine that have the ability can really make use of those.

If I was to choose between those for trail riding I’d take the 300 rally as you can never have a light enough bike for that, throw road work on though and it’s quite evenly matched, especially when riding to the TRF code of conduct I never dropped any of them on the lanes so can’t comment on pickup ability an our lanes up here are a lot different to your muddy ones.

Which leads me onto the ‘unimaginative’ nx500 or the thinking persons choice 😉 if trail riding isn’t your bag, just stuck 1000 miles on it and bearing in mind we have had ex iom tt race bikes it’s still heaps of fun.

The engine is fun and engaging, beautiful gear box, seat height sensible the clutch is featherlight amazingly so, engines grunty low down for a 500 surprisingly nice exhaust note, an revs it loves revs, which makes for an engaging ride, suspension is easily a match for the Ktm on the front end feel wise. As with all a back shock would transform it.

Biggest thing is its road holding after riding lots of 21” wheels it’s like it’s glued to the ground an on rails.

Where it has the legs on the other options for me is the travel aspect smooth, composed, great wind protection sure footed and feels like a complete package. Superb seat height to an amazing mpg and sharp brakes.

It has a level of refinement to it of a bike with development behind it and it’s a proven rtw choice in the previous cb500x guise.

Very light of the stand like pushing a push bike around compared to the GSA so utterly perfect for dad. Easier than a T7 to.

A brilliant choice For those of us that where green laning isn’t our idea of adventure I completely get where it wouldn’t fit what you want hence your comments.

Much more manageable than a vstrom 650xt we had that I loved an did a few 600 mile days on

As what I see as strengths for our sort of riding is the other side of the coin to what you green lane peeps are looking for :)

Another aspect is insurance I found the NX500 to be a fraction of the cost for me than the 300 rally and the Ktm 390 with the Honda hiss system, when I was deciding what to replace the T7 with for dad.

I think from a managability point of view dads done quite a bit of miles on the Honda Nx500 a few 3 hour rides an that’s after him having major surgery for his stage 3b/4 prostate cancer an he’s been having a few rides through his current radio therapy an in love with it.

His last bikes were a GSXR 750 K9, RD350LC an a Ktm 390 adv.

Bikes like the Honda Nx 500 an the GS’ still make a tremendous lot of sense as they just don’t fatigue you in the way a single does.

Another aspect is I’ve never had an issue with over 20 Japanese bikes I’ve had (used to do massive miles so would change every year)

I actually decided against selling the 1150gsa when I thought about it an just how much sense it still makes for me and my riding, also managed to insure it for 40 quid for a year on my classic insurance! Can’t beat that. In 3 years the insurance difference from when it was on the modern insurance is gonna pay back all the expenditure in parts I spent bringing her up to scratch.

Thought provoking video as always Nathan.

Anyways off to plan the next trip on the 1150 gsa to Starbucks 😋 I also had a 1200gs te Rallye a found that just as manageable on the travel stuff as some of the smaller stuff when you take the green laning out of the equation.

[mike-the-bike.]

Brilliant video Nathan, thanks for taking the time to put it together. Very knowledgeable and honest delivery as always.

[agustincuevae]

Awesome video Nathan 💯, the only bike missing at Dorothy's is a Fantic caballero rally 🏁⚡

[Pollard]

This is the best insight in to the smaller engined trail adventure bikes I have watched. Real world advice .
Superb advice. 👍👍💪

[iainrutherford]

'More talent, rather than more speed'. I concur! I often ask myself if I am the limiter, or the bike. I know the answer, and that's why I'm more than happy with capabilities of my 411.