Few motorcycles have generated more buzz in recent years than CFMoto's new Ibex 450 adventure bike (aka the CFMoto 450MT if you're outside the US). They've certainly caught our attention, which is why we recently added a handful of these new bikes to our South American rental fleet.
So just what are we getting ourselves into here? Below we'll dive into what led us to add these lightweight adventure twins to our stable, as well as a few of the concerns we have with them heading into their first season in Chile.
A Little Background on CFMoto
While news of CFMoto as a motorcycle and powersports manufacturer is a recent phenomenon here in the US, the company has been steadily growing and developing for quite some time. In fact, CFMoto got its start manufacturing engines for the Chinese domestic market way back in 1989.
The brand first brought its products here to the States in the form of ATVs and side-by-sides in 2002, and from there they slowly began introducing various models of small-bore scooters and motorcycles alongside their four-wheeled offerings.
Most of us caught wind of CFMoto in 2011 when KTM announced they'd partnered with the Chinese brand for a joint venture, a partership that eventually lead to some of KTM's engines (most notably the current 790 lineup) being manufactured entirely in CFMoto's Asia facilities.
It's hotly debated whether that partnership was beneficial for the KTM image, as many longtime devotees now question the quality and reliability of many of their products.
For CFMoto, however, the association with one of the most performance-oriented brands in motorcycling did wonders to legitimize the company in the eyes of American and European consumers.
Nowadays CFMoto offers a rapidly expanding lineup of motorcycles for the American market ranging from KTM-powered twin-cylinder sport and adventure machines (800NK, Ibex 800, etc.) down to the minimoto Papio SS, a direct competitor to the Honda Grom.
The only question remaining for us is whether or not a relatively untested Chinese brand is ready to compete with the biggest manufacturers on the planet. In the case of the CFMoto 450MT, we think the answer is an emphatic yes.
Here's why.
2024 CFMoto Ibex 450 Overview
Plain and simple, no other manufacturer on the market makes a bike like the CFMoto Ibex 450: A small displacement, twin-cylinder motorcycle that's built for both a full-sized rider and full-sized adventures.
Sure, you've got your ADV-capable small-bore singles like the Royal Enfield Himalayan or Honda CRF 300 Rally, but bikes like these are inherently limited both by their engines and their "built-to-budget" nature. Don't get us wrong, we love pulling adventure duty on a dual sport as much as anyone, but the Ibex 450 is more of a small-bore Tenere than a glorified dirtbike.
The front page headline here, however, is price. That's because while the CFMoto 450 retails for just $6,500, there's really nothing "budget built" about it at first glance.
We're talking about adjustable KYB suspension, tubeless spoked wheels in proper 21"/18" sizes, range of over 200 miles to a tank, and a parallel twin engine that's both A2 license-compliant and freeway-friendly.
Add in all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a bike twice the price including a full-color TFT display, an adjustable windshield, switchable dual-channel ABS, and Bosch traction control, and you'll start to see how anyone would be tempted to give this China-built ADV a chance.
That's certainly where we find ourselves at the moment. The decision to add the Ibex 450 to our rental offerings seems like a no-brainer, but here are a few of the pros and cons we weighed before pulling the trigger ourselves.
2024 CFMoto 450MT Specs
MSRP: $6,500
Engine
- Engine: 270-degree, 8-valve parallel-twin, liquid-cooled
- Displacement: 449cc
- Bore x stroke: 72mm x 55.2mm
- Compression: 11.5:1
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Final drive: Chain
- Horsepower: 44 hp @ 8,500 rpm
- Torque: 30 ft-lb @ 6,250 rpm
- Fueling: Bosch EFI
- Clutch: CF-SC slipper clutch, wet, multi-plate
Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
- Frame: Tube steel
- Front suspension: 41mm KYB, rebound and compression adjustable
- Front travel: 7.9”
- Rear suspension: Multi-link KYB shock, preload and rebound adjustable
- Rear travel: 7.9”
- Front brakes: J.Juan 4-piston radial caliper, 320mm disc
- Rear brakes: J.Juan single-piston caliper, 240mm disc
- ABS: Bosch dual-channel, switchable at rear
- Wheels: 21"/18" wire-spoked, tubeless
- Tires: CST 90/90/21 x 140/70/18
Dimensions/Capacities
- Rake: TBD
- Trail: TBD
- Wheelbase: 59.3”
- Seat height: 31.5" - 32.3” (adjustable via rear link)
- Ground clearance: 8.7”
- Fuel capacity: 4.6 gal.
- Weight: 386 lbs (dry)
Our Take on the 2024 CFMoto Ibex 450
Time will tell whether we've made the right choice on the CFMoto Ibex 450, but our initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. A year pulling adventure duty in the Andes mountains will be the true test for this all-new model, but here's why we're feeling confident so far.
Pros:
- Small bore engine, full size motorcycle
- Serious offroad chops
- Ridiculous value
- Long service intervals
- Four-year warranty
Starting with the obvious, the CFMoto Ibex 450 retails for just $6,500. It's important to lead with that because what we got for our money here simply defies logic.
Typically when you're shopping for a 450cc machine, you're either getting a high-maintenance motocross-style single or a buzzy beginner-friendly powerplant that compromises on power. Not the case with the Ibex 450.
That's because CFMoto's twin-cylinder 450 takes its queues from the current middleweight ADV playbook, utilizing a 270-degree crank that gives it the grunt and feel of a little V-Twin. CFMoto borrowed this motor from their current line of 450cc street bikes, but adapted the power delivery for better low and mid-range power that's ideal for off-road use.
The parallel-twin format also makes for an engine that's less vibey across the board, and better suited for cruising at freeway speeds. It also allows CFMoto to push the Ibex 450's major valve service intervals out to a whopping 24,000 miles, a claim that suggests CFMoto is confident in the durability of this motor.
Speaking of which, CFMoto is offering an outstanding four-year warranty as standard on the Ibex 450, which is something you typically have to buy as an "extended warranty" at the dealer if it's offered at all. Truth be told we likely wouldn't have pulled the trigger on this little ADV without this added peace of mind, and we'd wager most American buyers will feel the same way.
Another big selling point for us is the fact that CFMoto didn't seem to cut any corners with the Ibex 450's offroad chops. The Ibex comes with proper KYB offroad suspension front and rear, which includes a fully adjustable fork and a preload/damping adjustable shock. FOR $6,500!
Combine that with 8-inches of suspension travel, nearly 9-inches of ground clearance, and a set of 21"/18" tubeless spoked wheels, and you'll start to see the light here. This may be a small displacement bike, but it's a full-sized ADV just the same with plenty of room for riders over 6-foot.
Last but not least, we really can't exaggerate the sheer amount of premium features that come as standard on this bike. We're talking about a large full-color TFT display, adjustable levers, folding mirrors, real offroad footpegs, an adjustable windshield, and a big 4.6-gallon fuel tank that'll easily net you 200+ miles between fill-ups.
Cons
- Untested/unproven design
- Suspension on the firmer side
- Basic electronics package
The biggest major hangup for us with the Ibex 450 is simply that it's an unknown factor. Initial reports and reviews of existing CFMoto models with the same 450cc powerplant have been positive, but there simply isn't enough reliable and/or long term information available on the Ibex at the moment.
Granted, we're sure CFMoto has learned a few tricks from their long-term collaboration with KTM, not the least of which being how to build a competent adventure machine, but again, only time will tell whether these bikes are truly up to the task.
Aside from that, we've really only got a few minor concerns for the Ibex. The first is that as you've likely read elsewhere, we can confirm that the stock KYB suspension is much firmer than your average adventure bike, especially if you're coming off something as forgiving as the Yamaha T7 many have compared it to.
That's one more reason to be thankful CFMoto found a way to spec the Ibex 450 with highly adjustable suspension, and we'll definitely be reporting back on whether or not aftermarket intervention is needed as we experiment with our fleet bikes.
We'll also note that the electronics suite included on this bike is nothing like the modern systems you'll find on more "premium" offerings. While we do appreciate that both the traction control and ABS can be easily switched off on the fly (no need to stop to change the settings), both systems are simply "on/off" functions, which means there aren't actually any riding modes to choose from.
Will anyone actually need a rain or off-road mode for a 450cc twin? We'd argue no, as the more powerful Tenere works just fine without either, but it's a shortcoming worth pointing out just the same.
Finally, we'll also note that while we haven't put any serious miles on these bikes yet, we have noticed that they come equipped with no-name tires that will likely need to be replaced before sending them off for touring duty. Initial impressions of the "CST" branded rubber have been adequate for typical adventure touring, but cheap tires aren't worth the risk for multi-day tours with long stretches in the dirt.
Final Thoughts On the 2024 CFMoto Ibex 450
Anyone can make a cheap bike, but the Ibex 450 is simply a great motorcycle that happens to be affordable. Real suspension, a small yet capable engine, a laundry list of premium features, and a four-year warranty to back it all up? Who wouldn't take a chance on a bike like this?
Aside from the warranty and the Yamaha-like maintenance schedule, we'd also like to note that one of the major reasons we're really looking forward to leading tours with this bike is that although it's a smaller displacement machine than the current crop of middleweights, it's still a full-sized bike built for full-time use.
Will the CFMoto Ibex 450 be the unicorn ADV we've all been waiting for? We'll check back in at the end of the season to let you know how it's holding up to the rigors of our Patagonia tours.
→READ MORE: Best Adventure Bikes on the Market in 2024 and What to Expect From The Honda Transalp 750 in 2024.
