CFMOTO 450MT Tested in Enduro Race Conditions

At the end of April 2026, I tackled the entire Krka Enduro in Primosten with the CFMOTO 450 MT, instead of taking it to a typical 1000PS test track. The whole event was tackled with this machine to discover what this budget-friendly entry-level enduro is truly made of. If you want to know how reliable and tough a motorcycle like this is, you shouldn't just ride it on forest roads but send it into real competition. That was precisely the plan here—and the insights were quite surprising.

Those transitioning from the single-cylinder world might initially be taken aback by the engine. The refined twin-cylinder doesn't have the brute force to easily lift the front wheel over obstacles. However, it offers a linear, smooth, and energy-conserving character, requiring significantly less clutch use after a short adjustment period. Unlike the initial releases, the 2026 model year is excellently tuned: the engine no longer stalls easily and responds very cleanly to the throttle. This allows for harmonious and anticipatory riding in enduro terrain.

It's astonishing how naturally you can thrash this affordable enduro through off-road terrain. Adventure bike manufacturers often struggle to pinpoint the right target audience. Some use it for daily errands, appreciating the upright seating position for trips to the store, school, or work. Others, like myself, take it to enduro races. All with the same motorcycle—this versatility is remarkable and clearly sets the segment apart from specialized hard-enduros or pure touring machines.

Initially, I was quite pleased with the seating position. However, as the race went on, it became clear that at 1.85m tall, a slightly higher seat would have allowed for more freedom of movement in the saddle. For this event and our future plans with the bike, though, it's a very good compromise between a sporty, dynamic seating position and a comfortable, relaxed posture for the liaison stages. Whether standing or seated, you feel comfortable and get the sense of riding a product from a manufacturer with extensive experience in this segment. Overall, smaller riders benefit from the highly integrated seating position, while taller riders may find the knee angle a bit sharp.

The biggest surprise with an affordable entry-level product at such a demanding event is always its durability. Those familiar with the Krka know: practically every meter of the terrain relentlessly tests the motorcycle. Hits, knocks, vibrations, rocks—the harsh, rocky, and gravelly landscape constantly assaults the material. However, we had dry conditions, so I couldn't test water crossings or heavy rain. But dust, impacts, and vibrations didn't faze the bike at all. The CFMOTO proved to be robust and endured the entire race superbly—without battle scars or issues.

The brakes are adequately sized for enduro terrain. For very sporty maneuvers on road tires, they might feel a bit lacking compared to more expensive, high-end adventure bikes. However, once you mount knobby tires, the tire itself becomes the limiting factor, not the braking system. This significantly mitigates the issue in real-world use: anyone tackling off-road with knobby tires won’t find the J.Juan components to be a weak point. In the Krka race, there was always plenty of stopping power available, and the modulation was excellent.

Overall, the motorcycle captivates with a trifecta: easy to ride, playful handling, and appearing smaller and lighter than other adventure bikes. At 196 kilograms fully fueled (as weighed by 1000PS), it is between ten and 50 kg lighter than its competitors, depending on the model. This lightness is noticeable when loading, lifting after a fall, maneuvering, and of course, riding since the engine has fewer rotating masses. While seated, you still enjoy wind protection, a large tank, high range, and the feel of a full-fledged adventure motorcycle. CFMOTO has managed this combination exceptionally well.

During the rally, we didn't run the stock setup, as CFMOTO intentionally makes compromises to cater to a broad audience. For those venturing off-road, a higher-quality drivetrain is advisable—this is a known weak point. Anyone planning to tackle tougher terrain with jumps, deep potholes, or fast sections like the beach race here will also find the limits of the stock suspension settings. The base is okay, but for more demanding uses, targeted upgrades are necessary. These are exactly the investments we made to make the machine race-ready.

At the rear, an Öhlins shock does its job, offering a significant upgrade and allowing easy adjustment of the preload. Up front, the shim stacks were modified to broaden the fork's adjustment range, while the rest of the fork remains stock. These targeted modifications noticeably change the character of the machine: fast sections can be approached with more control, and jumps are significantly better absorbed. For those pursuing similar use cases, a suspension upgrade is almost essential—the stock components simply aren't sufficient for such demands.

For a more distinctive sound during racing—while remaining street-legal—a Remus exhaust system was installed. At cruising speeds and partial load, it remains pleasantly quiet, allowing you to be considerate of others, as is proper in enduro riding. At full throttle and high RPMs on the starting line, it offers more presence. While not technically necessary, the exhaust simply gave us joy. In the context of a rally event, it’s an understandable detail that accentuates the machine's character in sporting use without being obtrusive.

Online, you sometimes read about clutch issues during extreme enduro use. I found the clutch to be robust in this case. This is partly because I quickly adapted to the twin-cylinder engine. Those coming from the single-cylinder world might use too much clutch. On trails where the front wheel constantly needs to be lifted over obstacles—in true hard enduro conditions—the clutch might indeed be under-dimensioned and reach its limits. That's not the territory where you should push the 450 MT. Here at the KRKA, I faced demanding climbs that required only occasional clutch use. As a result, I had no issues with the clutch or temperature management. The machine was completely unfazed by the race conditions!

A DNA air filter was installed to provide a high-quality, low-maintenance solution for this crucial part of the motorcycle. The upgrade is inexpensive and offers significant peace of mind from our perspective. For tires, we opted for the Heidenau K74 at the rear and K69 at the front—aggressive knobbies, clearly off-road oriented. On the road, they feel comfortable up to 100 km/h, with 120 km/h being the reasonable limit. Off-road, they outperform the TKC80, and in dry conditions, they worked excellently. On wet rocks, the compound might have been too hard. However, on the road, they offer significantly less mileage, comfort, and practicality than a Conti TKC80.

When it comes to crash bars, there's always a dilemma: you appreciate a lightweight motorcycle, yet you end up bolting metal bars to the sides. We know the terrain, and indeed, the bike did tip over in tricky conditions. In that situation, the Hepco & Becker engine guard did its job perfectly, and the feet were also better protected from rocks. Overall, it's a wise choice for such terrain—simply to protect both the engine and rider from the elements. Without this protection, the outcome would likely have been different.

The Krka Enduro is one of the most popular enduro events of the season for Austrians, Germans, and Italians. It's a fantastic blend of motorcycle festival, party, beach vacation, sunshine, delicious fish, and, of course, enduro racing. For those who wish, there's the opportunity to really open the throttle on special stages, while others can take it easy. The paddock is a colorful mix, with about a third of the participants racing competitively and two-thirds just looking to have a great time. Many bring their partners along, which is rare at other events—adding to the charm of the occasion.

The most memorable moments began with the ride on the first morning—the first enjoyable enduro ride after a long Austrian winter. Overlooking the sea, up and down gravel roads, simply feeling free. This machine takes you through the day and lets you experience a wonderful landscape. With the enduro, you can get close—close to the water, close to real life. Equally memorable is the beach race: without the chance to practice on deep sand, feeling a bit desperate at the start, then giving it your all without falling. The terrain posed a challenge when I bottomed out with the linkage and engine guard on a tricky rock section. I tried to take the hard-enduro line, which is generally doable and fun. However, the CFMOTO's ground clearance is good for tough terrain but too limited for very challenging terrain—the machine is simply too wide with the engine guards on. After some sweating, tugging, and pushing, I managed to get through. Both the machine and the rider maintained an acceptable temperature balance afterward—even this ordeal was well endured by the 450 MT.

A pleasant moment was the break at the KLIM service station. The Idaho-based apparel manufacturer had a welcoming setup with food and maintenance support. In fact, there were two screws that vibrated loose during the rally—naturally, the ones we had installed ourselves on the aftermarket headlight guard without thread locker. Otherwise, no maintenance was needed. This speaks to the solid build quality of the machine, which endures the toughest conditions over several days without issues and meets the demands of a multi-day rally event. By the way, I finished 5th in the twin-cylinder class during the race!

This test ride showcased an impressive and versatile motorcycle. We've upgraded at key points, but the base is very good. Those riding daily or on gravel tours will be happy with the stock setup. For more serious ventures like TET or ACTs, investing in the mentioned areas is advisable. The bike positions itself nicely below a Yamaha Tenere—both in terms of price and weight. I'm looking forward to more laid-back adventures with this wonderful motorcycle.

• Find all the details of our CFMOTO TuneUp here.
• About the author "Nasty" Nils Müller
• Short video from the race with impressions of the motorcycle: https://www.instagram.com/nastynils_official/reel/DXjTESHABu1/