During the last EICMA show, one of the new bikes that grabbed the headlines was CFMoto’s 450MT with its blend of a lighter weight, small-bore parallel twin and off-road-tuned chassis. Renamed the Ibex 450, the compact machine has now been confirmed for the US, promising to bring a unique entry to the middleweight adventure bike category.

The Ibex 450 uses CFMoto’s liquid-cooled 449cc parallel-twin which has previously seen action in their sport, classic, and naked models. In its Ibex iteration, CFMoto says the small-bore powerplant has been tuned for ADV duty, delivering a useful 43.6 horsepower and 32.5 ft-lbs of torque mated to a 6-speed transmission. But what sets this engine apart is its 270-degree crankshaft, ensuring a distinctive and satisfying throaty sound akin to a V-twin. 

The motorcycle’s chassis is a solid foundation for off-road adventures. Featuring a chromoly steel tube frame, bump absorption duties are carried out by a fully-adjustable KYB front fork and a multi-link KYB monoshock — both ends offering 8 inches of wheel travel and damping adjustability. Keeping things rolling is a set of cross-spoke tubeless wheels, featuring a dirt-friendly 21-inch front and 18-inch rear setup.

With rider comfort and control in mind, CFMoto gave the Ibex an approachable seat height of 31.5 inches (800 mm) in the low setting and 32.3 inches (820 mm) in the high setting. Even so, the new bike maintains a reasonable ground clearance of 8.7 inches (220 mm).

Equipped with a 4.6-gallon (17.5 liters) fuel tank, the Ibex 450 should have decent range for its small-displacement engine. Braking duties are carried out by a single 320 mm front disc with a 4-piston caliper, while the rear wheel features a 240 mm disc with a single-piston caliper, both made by J.Juan.

The new model also features a 5″ curved TFT screen with Over-The-Air (OTA) functionality. This means the motorcycle’s electronics can receive updates wirelessly. The TFT screen also supports MotoPlay, enabling full map on the bike’s dashboard, for an enhanced navigation experience.

According to CFMoto, the Ibex tips the scales at 385.8 (175 kg) pounds dry, making it a relatively nimble and manageable option for riders. And with a wheelbase of 59.3 inches, it maintains a compact footprint to further enhance agility. 

Among the standard features provided are an adjustable windscreen, full wrap-around handguards, aluminum skid plate, foldable mirrors, a USB-C charging port, LED lighting and a slipper clutch. Bosch traction control can be switched off while the Bosch ABS can be turned off in the rear. 

Pricing, Colors and Availability

The Ibex 450 will come in Zephyr Blue or Tundra Grey, with pricing starting at an MSRP of $6,499. For reference, that is roughly $1,000 less than one of its main competitors, the KTM 390 Adventure which carries an MSRP of $7,399. CFMoto USA reports that the bike, slated as a 2025 model, is anticipated to reach dealerships this Fall.

CFMoto Ibex 450 Specs