20,000KM of Abuse: The Good, The Bad & The Broken | CFMOTO 450MT Owner Review

CFMOTO 450MT / Ibex 450: 20,000 km Long-Term Review

Use and Overall Reliability

The owner rode the bike for 20,000 km over 12 months. The riding included dusty outback trips, mud and heavy rain, camping with luggage, commuting, two-up riding, and multiple drops and crashes.

Despite the hard use, the engine, gearbox, clutch, and chassis showed no major problems. The clutch was not slipping, the bike had no apparent power loss, and the owner found no notable rust or loose essential bolts.

Overall, the reviewer felt the bike’s build quality held up well. Most wear or damage was attributed to hard use or owner neglect rather than a major design fault.

Damage, Faults, and Things to Watch

• A crash into a ditch damaged the front end. The owner replaced the front parts himself; they cost about 1,000 Chinese yuan, stated as under A$300. The dealership would not cover the damaged USB port under warranty because of the impact.
• The USB charging port burned out on an outback trip. The owner repaired it himself rather than wait for a warranty decision.
• The bike has cosmetic wear from use, including a bent or damaged handguard, a scratched and rattling windscreen, and scratches on both upper crash bars.
• The owner removed the lower crash bars because they bent easily and could potentially cause more damage in a fall. He says the bike remained fine through later drops without them.
• The stock bash plate offers limited protection but did its job against road stones and gravel. The stock low fender may help protect the radiator and exhaust header.
• Around 10,000 km, the rear brake felt vague. Changing the front and rear brake fluid restored smooth operation. Rear-brake overheating or discoloration has been discussed as a possible wider issue, but the reviewer says there is no proof it is a defect. A dealership suggested riders might be dragging the brake.
• A check-engine light appeared during very slow riding in deep sand, when the coolant boiled over. The owner stopped to cool the bike, then rode faster to improve airflow. After an ECU remap, he reports no further overheating.
• A noticeable rattle from the front of the bike remains a concern for the owner; he believes other owners may have experienced it too.
• The chain is nearing replacement. The owner considers this mainly the result of poor maintenance and harsh use. A replacement drivetrain kit bought online, including sprockets and chain, cost A$100.
• Wheel-bearing failures are frequently reported by other owners, sometimes as early as 5,000–10,000 km. This reviewer had not experienced one but bought a spare kit as a precaution.
• Finding neutral can be tricky and may require rocking the bike forward or backward. The owner did not identify a specific problem with shifting between first, second, and third.
• Genuine parts and warranty repairs can involve long waits. The owner chose to fix the USB port himself after being told the process could take a month and might be at his expense.

Maintenance and Running Costs

• Service intervals are about 5,000 km. The bike had three dealership services, each costing about A$280. The reviewer says these were basic services, mainly to preserve the warranty; otherwise, he would do oil, brake-fluid, and coolant changes himself.
• Stock fuel consumption was about 3.5–3.8 L/100 km. After the ECU remap, it rose to around 4.3 L/100 km. The bike is relatively economical in stock form but thirstier on the highway.
• The owner got roughly 10,000 km from a rear tyre and expects about twice that from the front. Both 140- and 150-size rear tyres fitted the rim and wore evenly.
• A 15-tooth front sprocket lowered cruising RPM and improved fuel economy, though it reduced low-RPM torque, particularly uphill. The owner says the bike still climbed trails without trouble.

Riding Experience and Modifications

• The reviewer agrees that the stock throttle response can be jerky at low RPM and in low gears. An ECU remap made the throttle smoother and more predictable, while retaining the need to feather the clutch during slow manoeuvres.
• The remap enriched the air-fuel mixture, which the owner says helped the engine run cooler. A subsequent firmware update did not appear to undo the remap or trigger a check-engine light.
• The suspension remained firm after 20,000 km. The owner softened the front preload for comfort and increased rear preload to account for his weight and luggage.
• He prefers the relatively light clutch because it reduces fatigue on longer rides, though he notes that some off-road riders prefer a heavier clutch.
• In deep sand, the bike is not especially strong, but its roughly 200 kg wet weight is an advantage compared with heavier bikes. Lowering tyre pressure and keeping momentum should help it through sandy sections.

Comparisons and Limitations

• The reviewer’s biggest complaint is the bike’s 44 hp power output, which he sees as a limitation of its entry-level, A2-market class rather than a fault. It is capable on trails but feels short of power on the highway when loaded with luggage.
• Compared with the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and Honda Africa Twin, the 450MT is lighter and may have an advantage in sand, though the reviewer does not claim it is especially good there.
• He would not choose the 700MT or 800MT for his own riding because he finds them more road-touring focused, larger, and less suitable for his typical routes. He is interested in the 800MTX or 1000MTX as potential upgrades for long-distance touring.
• The owner acknowledges that some parts may not be as sturdy as those on a Japanese bike, but considers the trade-off small.

Verdict

The reviewer would recommend the 450MT to riders who want a relatively light, capable adventure bike and accept its modest highway power and occasional wear-and-tear issues. After 20,000 km of demanding use, the major mechanical components remained sound.

The main cautions are limited loaded-road performance, some reported wheel-bearing and rear-brake concerns, front-end rattling, and the possibility of slow or inconvenient parts and warranty support.

No numerical rating or score was given.

Speakers and Viewpoints

The video is presented by one owner-reviewer. He also relays viewers’ questions about shifting, deep sand, and larger CFMOTO models, then answers them from his own experience. No separate speaker provides another firsthand assessment.