First credible Chinese ADV
CFMOTO breaks the budget-bike stereotype
Chinese motorcycles have a reputation for being copies of Honda/Suzuki commuter designs at half the quality. The CFMOTO 450MT is the first Chinese-built ADV that's been reviewed favourably by MCN, Bennetts, and Cycle News alongside European and Japanese rivals. The chassis, suspension (KYB — same as some Yamaha/Suzuki), brakes (J.Juan), and electronics package are competitive.
KTM Industries strategic partnership
Why the engine feels familiar
CFMOTO and KTM Industries (parent of KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas) have had a strategic partnership since 2013. CFMOTO manufactures parts for KTM in China; KTM provides engineering oversight on CFMOTO products. The 450MT's parallel-twin architecture (270° crank, similar bore) mirrors KTM's small-displacement parallel-twin philosophy. Spiritual cousin to a KTM 390 Adventure.
21in front + spoke wheels = real off-road geometry
Many rivals don't bother
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has 21in front. Honda CB500X has 19in. KTM 390 Adventure base has 19in cast (only the R Rally has 21in spoke). The CFMOTO 450MT comes standard with 21in front + 17in rear spoke wheels with tubeless tyres — proper off-road geometry from the base model.
£5,699 — same money as Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
More electronics, less brand cachet
CFMOTO 450MT: £5,699, IMU + cornering ABS + 3 ride modes. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: £5,699, basic ABS only, 1 ride mode, no IMU. Same money, materially more electronics. But Royal Enfield has 100+ years of brand heritage and a vast UK dealer network. CFMOTO has 30 UK dealers and 5 years of brand presence.
Full IMU at £5.7k
Cornering electronics that £8k bikes lack
The 450MT ships with a 6-axis IMU enabling cornering ABS — a feature most £6,000-8,686 motorcycles still lack. Honda CB500X (£6,799) doesn't have it. Suzuki V-Strom 250SX (£4,999) doesn't have it. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (£5,699) doesn't have it. The CFMOTO punches dramatically above its price point on electronics.
UK dealer network growing fast
30+ dealers, 2 in London
CFMOTO UK has grown from 5 dealers in 2020 to 30+ in 2026. London dealerships are MotoGB Direct (Greenwich) and Magnet Motos (multiple sites). Service network getting close to Royal Enfield levels — but still well behind BMW, Honda, Yamaha. Long-term resale is the biggest unknown.
