CFMoto 450 MT vs rivals — Sub-500cc adventure motorcycle comparo

The sub-500cc adventure motorcycle segment is getting interesting — globally and in India. India has the Royal Enfield Himalayan that upped the game in this category and then came KTM with the new 390 Adventure, which raised the bar so high. Now, with CFMoto planning to bring the 450 MT to India, the choice in the segment gets interesting.

However, there is one more competitor in the segment that is rarely spoken about — the Honda NX500. Replacing the CB500X, the Honda NX500 takes its styling seriously. So how do the three compare against each other in terms of specifications? Here’s a detailed look.

CFMoto 450MT vs rivals — Introduction

The CFMoto 450 MT is an all-new motorcycle that gets its design inspired by the rally-raid machine. However, all four motorcycles feature typical adventure design and get USD forks, a monoshock at the rear, wire spoke wheels – apart from the NX500 – disc brakes at both ends, dual-channel ABS, and more.

Amongst the four motorcycles, the Honda NX500 stands out, as this is the only motorcycle that gets alloy wheels and a 19-17 wheel setup as all the others have a 21-17 setup with spoke wheels. The Himalayan is the only motorcycle here without traction control, while the KTM 390 Adventure is the only one with a comprehensive electronics package.

CFMoto 450MT vs rivals — Engine specifications

All three motorcycles make over 40bhp of power with the help of a six-speed gearbox. However, they have different engine setups. The Royal Enfield Himalayan and the KTM 390 Adventure use a single-cylinder engine while the Honda and 450 MT use a parallel-twin engine.

On paper, the Honda NX500 makes the most power, followed by the KTM 390 Adventure, then the CFMoto 450 MT, and the Himalayan at the last. In terms of weight, the KTM 390 Adventure is the lightest, while the other three weigh around the same.